Photos
Timberline Blazers
Head coach: Nick Mullen (fifth season)
Last season: 7-4 overall, advanced to first round of 3A state playoffs
Offense: Pistol
Defense: 3-3-5
Number of returning starters: 8 offense, 7 defense
Top players: WR/DB James Segura-Mitchell, sr., 5-10, 175; WR/DB Jordan Thompson, sr., 6-2, 190; OL Elliott Orcutt, sr., 6-1, 225; OL Daniel Bowman, sr., 5-8, 250; OL/LB Zach Porche, sr., 5-10, 195; RB/FS Spencer Crump, jr., 5-10, 190; C/N Cole Steven, so., 6-2, 280; OL Ethan Metzger, jr., 6-0, 205; DE Sebastian Mikaele, jr., 6-3, 230; RB/DB Mitch Cone, jr., 5-8, 180; LB Brandon Wetzel, jr., 6-0, 205; RB/FS Anthony Parks, sr., 6-1, 180.
Strengths: Team speed. Young, but experience team.
Weaknesses: Untested in some positions.
Outlook: Mullen says the offensive and defensive lines are loaded with experience, the most he’s had since began at Timberline in 2007. Defense is another strong point with Timberline, led by Brandon Wetzel at middle linebacker. Wetzel was a projected QB last season and despite missing some games, had more than 60 tackles and earned first-team all-league honors. The Blazers, with 15 returning starters (the most of any South Sound team) will have James Segura-Mitchell switch from WR to the starting quarterback role. The Blazers’ running game took a hit when speedster Quinton Sison transferred to Cashmere during the spring, but Spencer Crump replaced Sison in the backfield last year when Sison went down with a knee injury. Crump didn't disappoint after earning the starting nod, and was named a first-team all-league running back. The Blazers will remain on probation for the entire 2011 season, following the on-field scuffle that resulted in multiple players leaving the sideline last October against Wilson. The team was placed on probation for its final six games of 2010 following the incident against Wilson, and the probation carries over into the 2011 season.
Timberline’s schedule
Home games in CAPS (at South Sound Stadium). All games at 7 p.m. unless noted.
* 3A Narrows League game
Friday, Sept. 2 – at Camas
Friday, Sept. 9 – at North Thurston
Friday, Sept. 16 – BONNEY LAKE
Thursday, Sept. 22 – PENINSULA
Friday, Sept. 30 – at Wilson*
Friday, Oct. 7 – at Yelm*
Thursday, Oct. 13 – LINCOLN*
Friday, Oct. 21 – at Capital*
Friday, Oct. 28 – FOSS*
