KingCo 4A at a glance

Prime prospects

Sawyer Whalen

DL/OL, 6-4, 220, Sr., Woodinville

Portland State has offered, others likely to follow.

Trent Sewell

WR/DB, 6-2, 200, Sr., Bothell

Pac-12 recruit; Huskies haven't yet offered.

Max Browne

QB, 6-5, 210, Jr., Skyline

One of country's top junior QB prospects.

Isaac Dotson

QB, 6-3, 210, Jr., Newport

Big, strong and fast; reminds one KingCo coach of Jake Locker.

Gino Bresolin

OL/DL, 6-2, 260, Sr., Eastlake

Crest Division co-lineman of year in 2010.

Peyton Pelluer

LB/OL, 6-1, 220, Jr., Skyline

Latest in long line of talented players in family.

John Kilburg

K, 6-0, 180, Sr., Eastlake

Big leg has attracted recruiting attention.

Eric Lemke

TE/DL, 6-4, 250, Issaquah

Idaho has offered; has Pac-12 interest.

Fun fact

Eastlake's top college prospect is kicker John Kilburg. "He's special," said Wolves coach Gene Dales, who says Kilburg won a kicking contest in Las Vegas over the summer and routinely kicks into the end zone on kickoffs.

Coaches picks

Predicted order of finish in KingCo 4A in survey of coaches, with 10 points for first-place vote, nine for second, etc. (first-place votes in parentheses). Coaches not allowed to vote for their own teams.

Crest Division team capsules

Eastlake Wolves

Location: Sammamish

Coach: Gene Dales (seventh year)

2010: 8-3 overall, 3-1 league

Returning starters (3 offense, 6 defense): QB Keegan Kemp, Sr.; OL/DL Gino Bresolin, Sr.; LB/TE Sean MacDonald, Sr.; LB/FB Danny Grotjahn, Sr.; DL Kepa Hughes, Sr.; S/WR Colton Teglovic, Sr.; S/WR/QB Bryan Cassill, Sr.; WR/DB Brian Quick, Sr.; K John Kilburg, Sr.; WR/P Dan Braun, Sr.

Other key returners: WR Aaron DiGenova, Sr.; OL/DL James Bradley, Jr.; RB/CB Ryan Lewis, Sr.; OL/DL Kohl Hedlund, Sr.; LB/TE John Armour, Sr.; OL Jake Conroy, Sr.; C/DL Conner Menninger, Sr.; LB/OL Clay Monahan, Sr.; DB Aaron Jo, Sr.

Outlook: Eastlake has the experience (28 seniors) and team speed to contend for a division title and then some. Kemp returns at QB behind a sizable line, led by Bresolin.

Issaquah Eagles

Location: Issaquah

Coach: Chris Bennett (fourth year)

2010: 9-3, 2-2

Returning starters (6 offense, 5 defense): TE/DL Eric Lemke, Sr.; OL/LB Austin Richert, Sr.; QB Ethan Kalin, Sr.; WR/DB Jake Bakamus, Sr.; OL/DL Trevor Alexander, Sr.; WR/DB Reed Peterson, Jr.; OL/LB Duncan Hamilton, Sr.; RB/LB Eric Rauch, Jr.

Other key returners: RB/DB Jack Gellatly, So.; WR/DB Craig Greiwe, Jr.

Outlook: Issaquah has all the makings of another special season — a seasoned quarterback behind an experienced line, a D-I tight end and a young running back with enormous potential in Gellatly, youngest of four football-playing brothers.

Newport Knights

Location: Bellevue

Coach: Mike Miller (seventh year)

2010: 6-5, 1-3

Returning starters (3 offense, 3 defense): OL Alin Barsan, Sr.; QB Isaac Dotson, Jr.; RB Eric Rodan, Sr.; DB Nate Anderson, Sr.; DB Riley Guilbeault, Sr.; LB Nathan Kubej, Sr.

Other key returners: DL Phil Wilgus, Sr.; DB/RB Neil Hones, Sr.; RB John Luu, Sr.; OL Nathan Page, Sr.; OL Spencer Bursek, Sr.; OL Cody Joner, Jr.; LB Trevor Creek, Sr.

Outlook: With lethal offensive backfield led by Dotson and Rodan, Newport is one year wiser after a new offense was implemented last season. The Knights are looking for a return trip to playoffs.

Redmond Mustangs

Location: Redmond

Coach: Jeff Chandler (second year)

2010: 4-5, 0-4

Returning starters (3 offense, 3 defense): WR Nikolah LaCour, Sr.; C Keegan Farley, Sr.; TE Conner Floan, Sr.; DT Gabe Williams, Sr.; LB Michael McClellan, Sr; CB Nick Jackson, Sr.

Other key returner: QB Brady Anderson, Jr.

Outlook: The Mustangs continue their rebuilding process under Chandler, but have shown a propensity for upsets — as shown in victories over Woodinville and Edmonds-Woodway last year. Redmond has some size and experience on the line but lacks experience almost everywhere else.

Skyline Spartans

Location: Sammamish

Coach: Mat Taylor (fourth year)

2010: 12-2, 4-0

Returning starters (5 offense, 6 defense): RB/DB Damian Greene, Sr.; RB/DB Connor Gilchrist, Sr.; OL/DE Brandon Fischer, Sr.; OL/DL Austin Owen, Sr.; OL/DL Joe Beattie, Sr.; OL/DL Ben Vavra, Sr.; K/DB Sean McDonald, Jr.; QB/DB Max Browne, Jr.; OL/LB Peyton Pelluer, Jr.

Other key returners: WR/DB Taggart Krueger, Sr.; WR/DB Adan Lopez, Sr.; WR/DB Mason Gregory, Sr.; TE/DE Jon deVita, Sr.; TE/LB Jake Monroe, Sr.; WR/DB Trevor Barney, Jr.; WR/DB Andrew Giese, Jr.; RB/LB Jack Valencia, Jr.; RB/LB Blake Young, Jr.; TE/LB Peter Stromgren, Jr.; OL/DL Eric Wagner, Jr.

Outlook: After three state titles in four years, Skyline now gets to experience Friday nights without Kasen Williams. The Spartans are still as dangerous as ever, led by nationally-recruited quarterback Max Browne and a strong cast of supporting players. And they're extra motivated after losing in the state finals to Ferris last season.

Crown Division team capsules

Ballard Beavers

Location: Ballard

Coach: Joey Thomas (first year)

2010: 1-8 overall, 0-5 league

Returning starters (5 offense, 6 defense): G Tony Meyer, Sr.; G/NT Marcus Johnson, Sr.; QB Johnny Verduin, Jr.; S Matt Deehring, Jr.; LB Justin Simon, Jr.; LB/OL Stuart Thomas, Jr.

Other key returners: CB/WR Nate Rauda, Jr.; CB/WR Jesse Scott, Sr.; LB/OL Jhamante Jefferson, Sr.

Outlook: Thomas, a former All-American DB at Montana State and NFL player, will try to turn around the program. He brings a defensive mindset to the Beavers.

Bothell Cougars

Location: Bothell

Coach: Tom Bainter (12th year)

2010: 9-3, 5-0

Returning starters (1 offense, 3 defense): WR/DB Trent Sewell, Sr.; QB/DB Austen Dahl, Sr.; LB/FB Nick Anthony, Sr.; LB/RB Seymour Ottorbech, Sr.

Other key returners: LB/FB Caden Burk, Sr.; RB/DB Danny Wilson, Jr.; WR/DE Aaron Wilks, Jr.; TE/DE Morgunn Ewing, Sr.; OL/DL Chase Madsen, Jr.; OL/DL Dylan Lindsey, Jr.; OL/DE Zach Rayburn, Sr.; LB/FB Anthony Thweatt, Sr.

Outlook: Bothell's challenge is to survive the early season to allow the "Blue Train" to pick up steam. This is a young pack of Cougars, yet they still have plenty of athleticism and team speed, plus a tradition to carry on.

Garfield Bulldogs

Location: Seattle

Coach: Kelvin Goliday (first year)

2010: 2-7, 2-3

Returning starters (3 offense, 4 defense): RB/FS Pierre Wright, Sr.; OL/DL John Trupin, Sr.; QB Hayes Gorecki, Jr.; RB/LB Wes Rostomily, Sr.; OL/DL Alex Antush, Sr.; K Chauncey Neyman, Jr.; OL/DL Mathis Watson, Sr.

Other key returners: WR/FS Pat Finney, Jr.; RB/LB Liam Albright, So.

Outlook: The Bulldogs will be expected to have the usual growing pains associated with change under Goliday, a former Cleveland High coach who returned to Seattle after a coaching stint in San Diego. The KingCo will be a tough training ground.

Inglemoor Vikings

Location: Kenmore

Coach: Frank Naish (33rd year)

2010: 5-4, 4-1

Returning starters (6 offense, 6 defense): RB/DB Junior Vi, Sr.; WR/DB Dan Larson, Sr.; RB/DB Davis Walker, Sr.; OL/DL Nikko TuPou, Sr.; OL/DL Titus Makasini, Jr.; OL/DL Derek Sharnbroich, Sr.; OL/LB Mikey TuPou, Sr.

Other key returners: QB Brandon Edwards, Jr.; QB Hans Fortune, Jr.; LB A.J. Michalak, Sr.; TE Dallas Elfenson, Jr.; C Joe Coats, Sr.

Outlook: Naish likes the talent on his young team, and Inglemoor is always a threat. But the Crown Division title goes through Bothell, which Inglemoor hasn't beaten since 2000.

Roosevelt Roughriders

Location: Seattle

Coach: Matt Nelsen (first year)

2010: 3-6, 1-4

Returning starters (4 offense, 4 defense): LB/RB Michael Bennett, Sr.; S/RB Jake Dijulio, Sr.; OL/DL Garrett Mack, Sr.; CB Sam Carletti, Sr.; TE Teddy Hartinger, Sr.; TE Tate Maider, Jr.

Other key returners: QB Nick Nestingen, Sr.; DL/OL Marquel Stoudamire, Jr.; OL/LB AJ Shropshire, Jr.; LB/RB Connor Smith, Jr.; S/RB Spencer Farias, Jr.; DL/OL Mitchell Shepherd, Jr.; LB/RB Taku Shiozaki, Jr.

Outlook: Nelsen, one of three new KingCo 4A coaches, inherits a team with key talent in critical areas. He points to his team being hungry to gain respect in a tough league.

Woodinville Falcons

Location: Woodinville

Coach: Wayne Maxwell (eighth year)

2010: 4-5, 3-2

Returning starters (7 offense, 4 defense): RB/DB Alec Schwend, Sr.; QB Brett Arrivey, Sr.; OL/DL Sawyer Whalen, Sr.; OL/DL Jake Hollister, Sr.; WR Kyle Adkins, Sr.; DB Cody Bauman, Sr.; LB Jack Sturgeon, Sr.; OL Devon Detrich, Sr.

Other key returners: RB/DB Devin McKee, Sr.; RB/LB Brandon Shrout, Sr.

Outlook: Important pieces are in place for the Falcons to make a playoff push. Whalen is among the state's top defensive linemen.

Ron Newberry