Bonney Lake Football: Team has many “skilled players”
Published 3:57 pm Monday, August 31, 2009
A new era has begun at Bonney Lake High under head coach Chad Barrett.
Last year, the Panthers finished 5-5 overall and fell to 3A power Ferndale in the first round of the playoffs.
Barrett has installed a spread offense that complements his players’ skills and abilities.
The coach came to Bonney Lake after spending several years at state powerhouse Skyline of Sammamish.
“It just fits our kids and we have a good group of skilled players,” Barrett said of the new offense and his group of Panthers. “They’re young, but it fits what we’re going. The biggest thing is putting the ball in athletes’ hands and letting them make plays. We can adjust to anything and take what they give us.”
Junior Cole Schuler (5-10, 170) will start at quarterback for the Panthers.
“Every day he’s getting better and understanding our offense,” Barrett said. “He can make all the throws.”
The Panthers have a trio of talented backs behind Schuler. Senior Aaron Quevedo, along with juniors Tyler Babukas and junior Damon Laird will carry the ball.
On the offensive front, the Panthers have a large and physical line led by seniors Dion Bertch, Jayson Stenbakken, Jared Dorsey and Berny Zaremba. Sophomore Scott Ross will join the foursome up front.
The Panthers have a host of speedy receivers that give Schuler plenty of options when passing. The corps consists of seniors Austin Marshall and Colton Nash, along with juniors Lee Boggan, Danny Mallo, Nathan Day and Chris Timpson.
“We have a lot of kids who can catch the ball and make plays,” Barrett added.
Marshall, Quevado and sophomore Lucas Bright will handle the kicking duties.
Defensively, the Panthers will use multiple formations.
Up front are Zaremba at nose guard with Bertch and Stenbakken at ends. Rose and Dorsey will see time in the rotation.
Linebackers are seniors Hunter Colegrove and Sam O’Leary, along with Laird and Malloy.
In the secondary, Day, Babukas and Quevado and Timpson appear set at the corners, while Nash, Marshall, Boggan and Bright will share time at the safety positions.
Barrett said his team’s overall quickness and speed is its strength, but the Panthers need to be consistant and play at a high level on every play.
He said Lakes and Peninsula are the top teams to contend with for the South Puget Sound League title, while the Panthers, Enumclaw, Sumner and Franklin Pierce fight for the other playoff spots.
In the season and league opener, Bonney Lake will host the Lakes Lancers Sept. 4 at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner.
