Tri-Cities Prep, Liberty Christian look to make waves in EWAC

Dayton-Waitsburg dominated the EWAC last year with a senior-laden team that included running back and EWAC Player of the Year Travis Crockett, and quarterback Jacob Dunn who helped the team win the league title. The team made it to the quarterfinals of the 2B state playoffs, where it lost to Liberty (Spangle).

DW graduated 17 seniors who played a big part of the team’s success — five of whom were first-team all-league players. The cupboard is a bit bare this season, leaving the door open for others teams to break through.

Tri-Cities Prep

The Jaguars finished 8-3 last season, suffering a loss to DW in the first round of the state playoffs, but they return 17 guys with experience.

“We will be plenty good,” TCP coach Dan Whitsett said. “We have 22 guys, and depth wise, a lot of them played a role last year. Normally, we are 14-15 deep, but when you are 18-19 deep with experience, it makes a big difference.”

Leading the way for the Jaguars is senior running back Bubba Valencia (5-foot-5, 155 pounds), who ran for more than 1,000 yards last year, and sophomore rookie quarterback Kobe Singleton (5-11, 160), who transferred from Florida.

“Bubba returns behind a good-sized, experienced offensive line,” Whitsett said. “We’ve made a pretty big leap with our O-Line — most of them return. Kobe is learning the system, but football is in is blood. He is fast, he can throw it and he has fit in great right away.”

Joining Valencia in the backfield will be junior Zerek Baker (5-9, 175), who started as a freshman but missed last season with a back injury.

“He is a multiple threat,” Whitsett said. “We are looking to utilize him in many different positions.”

Junior linebackers Colton Tinnin (5-10, 185) and Sammy Parra-Escobar (5-8, 180) are the crown jewels of the TCP defense.

“Those two are our leaders,” Whitsett said. “They are very physical. We are excited about our offense and defense. The defense may be ahead of the offense right now. Our run game is fine, but our passing schemes need to be cleaned up. The pieces are there.”

Manning the offensive and defensive lines are junior Leo Schroeder (6-4, 255), seniors Kenny Ireland (6-3, 250) and Brennan Bence (5-8, 265), and sophomore Zerric Pardini (6-1, 205). Tinnin also sees time on the offensive line.

The Jaguars will open their season at 7 p.m. Friday at Lake Roosevelt.

Liberty Christian

Moving from 8-man football to 11-man was hard enough for the Patriots last season, but to make the transition without all-state running back John Lesser was a whole other beast.

“Last year was our first year at 11-man and the first year without John Lesser,” Patriots coach Craig Lukins said. “It took us half a season to coach it and figure it out. Once we did, we got beat up. We were down to our fourth-string running back by the end of the year.”

On top of that, running back Nico Shupe, who was averaging 200 yards a game, was injured in the fourth game of the season. Quarterback Konnor den Hoed dislocated his shoulder in the second-to-last game of the season, which ended with a 1-8 record.

“When we are healthy, we are at 22,” said Lukins, who had three players sitting out Monday’s practice. “We have seven seniors, and if we stay healthy, I feel we will be right there. We have some of the best athletes in the state. Konnor and Nico make things happen with the ball in their hands.”

Shupe (6-0, 165) and den Hoed (5-11, 180), now seniors, are back at their positions, and the passing game will be highlighted by 6-5 junior wide receiver Noah Hayden (170 pounds), who also plays safety.

“He started for us last year,” Lukins said of Hayden. “He is a great route runner and has really good hands.”

Manning the trenches are five seniors, who bring a wealth of experience — Brandon Weston, Stephen Carter, Drew Barber, Julian Lorraine and Cole Rosenberg.

“Brandon and Stephen are our anchors,” Lukins said. “Stephen was all-state when we were 8-man.”

Also in the midst of things is freshman receiver/safety Aiden Lesser (5-8, 145). Though he might not make as big a splash as his older brother at this point in his career, Lukins said he is a talented player.

The Patriots open their season at 7 p.m. Thursday against the Hanford junior varsity at Hanford High School.

This story was originally published August 29, 2017 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Tri-Cities Prep, Liberty Christian look to make waves in EWAC."