Big turnout yields cream of crop for Cavs

Published 10:00 am Wednesday, September 27, 2006

KINGSTON — The Cavalier football program has been building over the past five years under the leadership of head coach Tony Chisholm, now the man whom Chisholm replaced as skipper in 2000 — Scott McKay — is back at the helm.

After riding the football rainbow in the North End for the past several years, pacing the purple Viking sideline and even sporting the Panther blue last season, McKay is happy to be back in black and red.

“It’s good to be back in Kingston,” he said. “For as good an experience as it was getting back into football at Poulsbo, I told the (KJH) kids on day one, it’s good to be back home.”

McKay returned to what he called “incredible turnout numbers,” praising the work that Chisholm and his assistants did to build the program. With almost 100 Cavaliers making an appearance on the opening day of practice Aug. 28, McKay was excited about the enthusiasm, but somber in the fact that he had to make cuts.

At KJH this season, McKay has an incoming class of football players that he feels confident in. With a hearty batch of players returning from last year’s 6-1 varsity team and an influx of talent from last year’s JV, McKay and his staff have been hard at work trying to structure the team for success.

Surveying the Cavs’ field for leaders, eyes have turned to eighth-grader Alex Smith who will likely lead KJH’s offensive attack at quarterback, McKay said.

“We are searching for a quarterback. Alex Smith stepped in and has really taken to it,” he said. “When the ball is in his hands, special things can happen. Really from anywhere on the field, he can make a big play.”

The Cavs’ offense will likely be in line with what they have done in years past as offensive coordinator James Andrews returns in 2006, providing the team some stability. Adding to that, KJH touts a sound offensive line, led by Gage Leigh and flanked by tight end Kevin Woodral.

“(Leigh) is a kid that is still improving as he moves up and onto high school, but he’s got a big enough frame that if he works hard enough he could be one of those special players,” McKay said of the fleet lineman.

Speaking of Woodral, he added, “He’s a very strong and aggressive tight end and linebacker. He’s going to be a real important part to the season, as well.”

Following a month of preseason practice and cuts, each member of the KJH squad will now write a part of the Cavs story this season, as the team’s overriding goal is making football enjoyable for all.

“From the kid who plays every play the entire season to the kid who sees limited time — we can make them feel that they are part of the team,” McKay said. “If we can make football a lot of fun and they can both learn it well enough and enjoy it enough to play on as sophomores, then I think we’re doing well.”

The season quest begins at 3:30 Thursday at John Sedgwick Junior High in Bremerton.