WP Goes After Another League Title

WAITSBURG - Coach Jeff Bartlow says the biggest challenge for his WP foot­ball team this year will be to replace 13 departing seniors. "Of the 24 spots on the field, only nine return, as we lost our kicker and punter too," he said.

The Cardinals enter this season as four-time defend­ing 2B Southeast District champions. But they'll start the year with an untested quarterback in junior Owen Lanning.

"We think our defense will be strong," Bartlow said. "We hope to keep our opponents in check to give our young QB and other new starters on offense time to develop."

Defensive starters return­ing this year include tackle Nate Bartlow, outside line­backers Dalton LaRue and Chance Leroue, and defen­sive back James Thompkins. Leroue is a junior and the others are seniors.

Of the new defensive starters this year, Bartlow is expecting big things from senior defensive end Cory Brownlee. "Cory played DE in the spring and was very good," he said. "He will be a force there."

On offense, five starters return for WP: LaRue at right tackle, Bartlow at left guard, senior Nick Pearson at center, Leroue at running back and Thompkins at wide receiver. Pearson is a team leader and captain. "He's an all-state caliber kid," Bart­low said.

Bartlow also pointed out Thompkins' four state sprint championships in track last spring. "He had over 600 receiving yards in 2012hellip; could be huge in 2013," Bartlow said. "Speed kills!"

Junior wide receiver Devin Acevedo also returns this year after missing the entire 2012 season with a broken ankle. Acevedo start­ed as a freshman on WP's 2011 state championship team. "He was a huge contri­bution, catching 33 balls for almost 400 yards," Bartlow said.

Bartlow said that the Car­dinals will implement a new 3-4 defensive formation this year, taking advantage of their strong lineback­ing corps. Pass Coverage - "cover three" - will remain unchanged. On offense, a new pistol formation will be added to complement the team's spread option of­fense.

WP opens the football season Friday night with a non-league game at Pilot Rock.

WP Starting Lineups en­tering 2013:

Offense

Mike Grant (LT) 170 lbs,6-0 Junior

Nate Bartlow (LG) 230lbs, 6-1 Senior

Nick Pearson (Center)250 lbs, Senior

Right guard is still unde­cided, according to Bartlow

Dalton LaRue (RT) 165lbs, 6-0 Senior

James Thompkins(WR).155 lbs, 5-9 Senior

Talen Larsen (WR) 155lbs, 5-10 junior

Luke Alexenko (WR) 165lbs, 5-10 junior

Chance Leroue (RB) 190lbs, Junior

Owen Lanning (QB) 165lbs, 5-11 junior

Defense

Nick Pearson (NG) 250lbs, senior

Nate Bartlow (DT) 230lbs, 6-1 senior

Cory Brownlee (DE)(185, 6-0) senior

Mike Grant (ILB) 170lbs, 6-0 junior

Devin Acevedo (ILB)180, 5-10 junior

Dalton LaRue (OLB) 165lbs, 6-0 senior

Chance Leroue (OLB)190 lbs, junior

Trenton Kitselman:(OLB) 165 lbs, 5-11senior

James Thompkins (DB)155 lbs, 5-9 senior

Talen Larsen (Safety) 155lbs, 5-10 junior

Luke Alexenko (Corner)165, 5-10 junior

WP 2012 season results:

League: 5-1; Season:11-2