Tenino loses assistant, adds top quarterback

When talking about what his Tenino High School football team can do offensively, you can sense the excitement in the tone of the voice of third-year coach Jeff Zenisek.

Despite losing offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar, a veteran college coach who accepted the same position at Northern Illinois University, Zenisek and the rest of the Beavers gained a big offensive weapon.

Senior Mac Shaw, a second-team all-Southwest Washington 1A Evergreen Division quarterback at Rainier a season ago, transferred to Tenino and will play for his father, Bob Shaw, who joined Zenisek’s staff as offensive coordinator.

Mac Shaw already has gotten to know many of his teammates, including Devante Harris, who moves from quarterback to receiver, from offseason workouts and fishing excursions. Zenisek called Mac Shaw the “general of the offense.”

“He’s a really disciplined young man,” Zenisek said. “Mac is more of a true quarterback who throws the ball pretty hard. He makes great decisions. He’s a really smart quarterback and seems to be really getting along with the kids well.”

Harris was a do-it-all quarterback at Tenino. He racked up more than 2,500 all-purpose yards and 31 touchdowns. He ran for 1,542 yards and passed for 782.

Now, Zenisek plans to move Harris to what will likely be a more natural fit at wide receiver to utilize his speed and athleticism.

But where Harris will line up on offense will depend on how teams defend him.

“We can do things with Devante,” Zenisek said. “Last year, it was fun to watch teams trying to defend him at quarterback. He was like a sitting duck.”

Home games in CAPS All games at 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 31: at Raymond

Friday, Sept. 7: WASHOUGAL

Friday, Sept. 14: ELMA *

Friday, Sept. 21: FORKS *

Friday, Sept. 28: at Rainier *

Friday, Oct. 5: at La Center

Friday, Oct. 12: MONTESANO *

Friday, Oct. 19: at Hoquiam *

Friday, Oct. 26: at Rochester * About the BEAVERS

Coach: Jeff Zenisek, third year

2011 record: 7-3 overall, lost in district crossover game.

Offense: Coordinator (set) – Bob Shaw (multiple). Returning starters – 8. Top players: WR Devante Harris, 5-9, 170, sr.; RB Zack Chamberlain, 5-9, 175, jr.; QB Mac Shaw, 6-1, 205, sr.; OL Ben Petersen, 6-2, 205, sr.

Defense: Coordinator (set) – Jeff Zenisek (4-3). Returning starters – 6. Top players: DL Aaron Burch, 5-11, 190, sr.; DB Justin Conklin, 6-0, 150, sr.; LB Gabe Egge, 6-1, 170, sr.; DL Dominyc Nakano, 5-10, 180, jr.

Outlook: Wherever Devante Harris is on the field causes headaches for opposing coaches. The league’s reigning offensive MVP will see time at wide receiver, slot receiver and running back. The 7-3 record in 2011 was the second-most wins dating to the mid-1990s.

mwochnick@theolympian.com * Southwest Washington 1A Evergreen game mwochnick@theolympian.com 360-754-5473 www.theolympian.com/southsoundsports @megwochnick