Panthers plan to upset

Published 5:00 am Saturday, October 1, 2005

POULSBO — The ebbs and flows of experience and talent go in and out in junior high school football as frequently as the tides of Liberty Bay.

The way that Poulsbo Panthers coach David Denton approaches a season, however, is not by looking at what he has but what the Panthers could be, regardless of skill level and age.

A season ago, Poulsbo’s tide was high and filled with talent, going 7-1 with their lone loss only to their famous rivals, the Kingston Cavs. The record was even more dominating than it appears — with the exception of Kingston, Poulsbo never gave up more than two touchdowns in any of its games.

The ninth graders on that team have also shown their talent for the Vikings already as 10th graders, and Denton cited Jamaal Smith and Greg Ottele as two regular contributors for the Vikings even as young sophomores.

Although that group has left the Panthers, Denton said the Tide of talent has not gone out. And he has high expectations for his varsity crew this year as well.

“They have big shoes to fill,” he said, “but they definitely have something to offer — here and at the high school.”

The Panthers are younger this season, comprised of mostly ninth graders with a handful of eighth graders. A year ago, it was an all-freshman squad.

Two players leading the squad this year will be quarterback Kevin Stringer and fullback Brad DeShano. The pair mentioned similar goals to the team’s past: to win as many games as possible, and, of course, to beat Kingston. But they must also focus on the things they do well, Stringer added.

“We have a good defense,” he said. “And we have good athletes on offense.”

Even after the Kingston game this year — to be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 19 under the lights of the Vikings’ NK Stadium — the Panthers will have two games left, one of which is against Shelton Junior High School team Oak Bay. The squads were the league’s two best a year ago, and the Panthers feel it will be a good way to end the season.

The team lost its opening game to Ridgetop, but Denton said the Raiders proved formidable this season and he expects Poulsbo to bounce back.

“They’ll stay focused,” he said. “They want to compete, and they’re very coachable.”

Denton said Poulsbo is utilizing the Wing T offense so the players will be well prepared to run the official offense of North Kitsap High School.

“We want them to be useful to the high school,” he said.

On a team younger than in year’s past, Denton said that camaraderie, intensity and passion will make up for much on the gridiron.

“They’re a fun team to coach,” Denton said. “They have good team unity and they work hard.”