Seahawks Promise A Strong Ground Game As South Lakes Opens At Yorktown

By Brian McNicol

When the South Lakes High Seahawks finished their season last year, it looked like this year's team would be a fast-paced pass-happy group with little interest in running the ball and a lot of interest in finding people to stop the run.

Subscribe

The quarterback and wide receiver crew returns intact, and the defensive front – line and linebackers – return a total of two starters.

But as the season opener approaches Friday night at Yorktown, Coach Jason Hescock says his team will be ready to run the ball consistently and with authority, and his run-stopping group may be among the most game-ready units on the team.

Christian Wyatt does return at quarterback after starting all of last season and a bit the season before. A strong and elusive runner, Wyatt was hamstrung in the scrimmages by his red jersey. Red means he can't be tackled and is down when a defender touches him, which cost Wyatt a number of sacks in the preseason and negated some otherwise promising plays.

Experienced Passing Attack Returns For South Lakes

Nick Picarelli, who holds the school record for longest TD pass reception ever (98 yards) and is approaching some other school receiving records, returns as the Seahawks' top wideout and kick returner. Joshua Dagbe, a junior, gives the Seahawks a double deep threat, and Joey Kister, who has been limited by injury in the preseason, is now ready to provide a third option.

South Lakes also has three tight ends to choose from – Dylan Zschunke, a pass catcher; Ian Merzig, who at 6-5, 255, is more of a blocker, and Andrew Hodson, 6-4, 212, who provides some of both.

But that's not where Hescock expects the power of his offense to come from this season. He's looking to James Smith, a big and powerful runner, who has "good vision, great hands and top-end speed," the coach said. "He's going to be the guy. The challenge for us is going to be to keep the mileage down. He's going to take some hits."

Not as many as he could take thanks to Mason Turner, the starting offensive left tackle who has turned heads in camp with his blocking and presence. "He has the size to really help, and he plays a little angry," Hescock said.

New-Look Offensive Line Embraces The Challenge

And Turner isn't the only lineman Hescock is excited about. The Seahawks will start Aaron Deglel, a bigger, stronger version of his brother Nathan, who was a great two-way lineman for the Seahawks, and Will Barton, a 5-9, 225 starting guard, who has taken on the leadership role of the unit.

"These guys didn't have a single starter returning, but they took it upon themselves to do everything they could to get ready," Hescock said. "The footwork. The steps. The moving around in gyms when they couldn't even get on the field… is paying huge dividends now. They're way ahead of where I thought they'd be, and I'm confident that because of them and the other people we have we're going to be able to run the ball."

But can they stop the run? "We'll be stout against the run," Hescock promised. Yes, Sebastian Valenzuela is the only returner on the defensive line and Colin Wall is the only returning linebacker. But Hescock said Topher Scrapper, Dominic Covington, Michael Baxter and Angel Serrano, all seniors, are ready to step up.

Turner and others on the offensive line may be brought in for help as well.

"We need to learn to take turns making plays," Hescock said. "It can't all be on Sebe."

Secondary Learns From Preseason Growing Pains

Dagbe and David Landeryou will lead the secondary, along with Justin Bruens, a senior, and Cameron Soto, who had two interceptions in the scrimmages, at the corners. That group went through a trial by fire in the preseason – South County scored 10 touchdowns on possessions that started on the South Lakes 40 in their scrimmage, and Hayfield burned the Seahawks twice for long scoring plays.

"You gotta get burned to learn," Hescock said. "When we get burned, we need to learn whether problem is technique, personnel or scheme and be ready to fix it."

James Marburg, a senior who already has boomed three kickoffs deep into the end zone and a 31-yard field goal, will handle the kicking. Wyatt is the holder, and Riggins Legler and others are sharing the snapping duties for now.

"We still have some learning to do – the coaches and players," Hescock said. "Communications, speed of the game … things you can learn only by playing in games. But I like our group, and I look forward to getting started."

Also See ...

• Opportunistic Defense, Big-Play Offense Carry South Lakes To Victory Over Hayfield in Scrimmage
• Seahawks "Do Have To Clean Up Some Stuff" Before Regular-Season Debut
• South Lakes High Football's Offensive And Defensive Lines 'Ahead Of Where We Thought' In Early Going