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Football is commitment No. 1

RIVER RIDGE: Hawks expect big things after players make football main focus during offseason workouts

MEG WOCHNICK; The Olympian | • Published September 03, 2009

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It’s football first and foremost at River Ridge. In past seasons, many athletes on the football team focused on other sports.

Not this year.

“We’re excited,” said River Ridge coach Steve Schultz, who is in his seventh year with the Hawks. “Football is their No. 1 thing, and I think that really is going to help us.”

Schultz, other coaches and even the players noticed a difference that began with offseason conditioning. Between 40 and 60 players would be in the weight room during the summer.

“(Coach) Schultz said this is the most committed group he’s ever had in all his coaching,” said wide receiver Jordan Kronen, one of seven returning starters. “We want to get better. ...

“We have a lot of good football players, not just good athletes.”

That hard work has raised the Hawks’ hopes for the 2009 season. Injuries and close losses last season kept River Ridge, which finished fifth in the Evergreen Conference at 3-4 and 4-5 overall, out of the playoffs.

“We learned that it’s not all about the first half,” senior quarterback Kyle Lamm said. “You have to finish games to win games.”

A big, experienced offensive line is one of the team’s strengths. Last year, season-ending injuries to three starting linemen crippled the Hawks’ chances before they began the conference schedule in Week 3.

Protecting Lamm, who will split time with senior Adam Walker, are four returning lineman who weigh more than 220 pounds. Senior Ray Neal is the biggest at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, followed by David Kim (5-10, 220), Jacob Martinson (5-10, 220) and Marquee Adams (6-0, 225).

Although relatively new to football, Neal has attracted attention from colleges.

Because of the size and strength up front, the Hawks will attempt more inside running plays. The backfield features Harold Sanders (5-10, 220) and Phillip McBride (5-6, 155), who both have impressive speed.

Kronen, who started at safety last season, will be one of the team’s top receivers. Freshman Brad Wallace is slated to start on defense, and is battling for a starting spot as a slot receiver.

“A lot of guys want to come out and prove themselves,” Kronen said. “I know we have great leaders on offense and defense.”

The Hawks will need to be sharp from the start because of a challenging September schedule. After opening against Cedarcrest in Carnation, River Ridge plays North Thurston in a non-league matchup, followed by Tumwater and Centralia to open EvCo play.

“It’s going to be a good year, I think,” Schultz said.

Meg Wochnick: 360-754-5473

mwochnick@theolympian.com

Rver Ridge

Hawks

LAST YEAR

4-5 overall, 3-4 in Evergreen Conference

head coach

Steve Schultz, seventh year

COORDINATORS, SETS

O: Schultz, shotgun

D: Tom Griggs, 4-3

RETURNING STARTERS: 3 offense, 4 defense

DT Tobias Williams, 5-10, 240, jr.

C David Kim, 5-10, 220, jr.

WR/LB Jordan Kronen, 5-10, 180, sr.

OL Marquee Adams, 6-0, 225, sr.

OL/DT Ray Neil, 6-5, 250, sr.

OL Jacob Martinson, 5-10, 220, sr.

LB Ken McDougall, 6-0, 190, sr.

QB Kyle Lamm, 5-8, 165, sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

RB Phillip McBride, 5-6, 155, sr.

RB Harold Sanders, 5-10, 165, sr.

DB/WR Brad Wallace, 6-0, 175, fr.

COACH’S OUTLOOK

“I have a team full of football players, where football is their No. 1 thing. And that really is going to help us out. We’re pretty excited. It’s going to be a good year, I think.”

NOTABLE

Neil is relatively new to football and already a few college programs are interested in the 6-foot-5 lineman. Kronen also is one of the school’s top drama students. Because of the size of its line, River Ridge will switch to a 4-3 defense.