The 2009 All-Kitsap County Football Team, comprised of eligible players from schools across the county, was voted on by the sports editors and writers of the Kitsap News Group, including the Port Orchard Independent, Bainbridge Review, Bremerton Patriot, Central Kitsap Reporter and North Kitsap Herald.
Offense
QB Gordy Anderson, South Kitsap, sr.: Coach D.J. Sigurdson was hard pressed to name a better quarterback — perhaps Rob Minnitti, who guided the Wolves to the 1997 state championship game — in his 13-year tenure as coach. Anderson completed 103 of 180 passes for 1,859 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. Sigurdson said Anderson “was accurate and efficient” as a passer, but also had presence on the field.
RB Larry Dixon, Olympic, sr.: It’s no question Dixon will play at the next level, but which college has yet to be determined. Wherever he goes, the 5-foot-10, 215-pound Dixon will take with him the West Sound career rushing record, which he broke during a 2009 season that saw him carry 219 times for 1,748 yards and 26 touchdowns to go with nine catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns. He finished his career with 5,222 rushing yards.
RB Robert Issa, South Kitsap, sr.: The 5-foot-9 Issa does not feature the size or speed of a prototypical running back, but he became the 17th different player in school history to rush for 1,000 yards. The team captain finished with 1,321 yards and nine touchdowns on 213 carries.
WR Leon La Deaux, South Kitsap, sr.: The three-year varsity starter led the team with 792 yards and 12 touchdowns on 46 receptions. His 186 receiving yards against Gig Harbor was the second highest in a single game by a South receiver behind Dustin Booth (194) in 1997.
“Leon was our big-play guy,” coach D.J. Sigurdson said. “He just had that ability to stretch the defense.”
WR Christian Wesley, Central Kitsap, sr.: At 6-5, Wesley was both a vertical threat and a possession receiver. The multi-sport athlete — he also plays basketball — was Central’s leading receiver, hauling in 34 catches for 551 yards and five touchdowns.
TE Tolen McGregor, North Kitsap, sr.: McGregor was the Vikings’ go-to guy in the air attack. He led the team’s receivers with 33 catches for 590 yards and four touchdowns
OL Nick Boss, South Kitsap, sr.: Boss along with fellow lineman Kody McBride set a school record with 29 “hashmarks,” which usually are awarded for physical, legal hits. Boss is an undersized lineman at 5 foot 10, but that never has held back the two-year starter.
OL Conner Cheser, Central Kitsap, sr.: Cheser adapted to a new-look offense — coach Mark Keel implemented a spread attack to accommodate the speed and rushing ability of quarterback Brett McDonald — without missing a beat. He anchored an offensive line that paved the way for two 600-yard-plus running backs and the fleet-footed McDonald.
OL Alec Grimm, Bainbridge, sr.: The two-year starter at center and nose tackle anchored the Bainbridge offense, helping the Spartans make their first post-season appearance since 2006. Grimm, a co-captain, also contributed on special teams as long snapper.
OL Roy Swearingen, Kingston, sr.: Swearingen had a team-high 25 pancakes this season. He led the way for running backs Lou Hecker and Travis Schriner, who combined for 1,670 yards and 15 touchdowns.
OL Mitch Watland, North Kitsap, sr.: Watland racked up some impressive stats on both sides of the ball. But it was his presence on offense that solidified the line and allowed running back Alex Fuchs to carry the ball 958 yards for 10 touchdowns this season.
Defense
DT Ian Booth, North Kitsap, sr.: When he wasn’t clearing the way for the Viking running backs, Booth was busy stopping the opposing run attack. He finished the season with 31 tackles (seven for a loss), 21 assists, a sack and an interception returned for a touchdown.
DL Austin L. Cook, South Kitsap, jr: The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Cook had a team-high 10 tackles for loss and six sacks. He also led all defensive linemen with 37 tackles.
“He’s so big and athletic, he’s just a fraction of what he’s going to be,” Sigurdson said. “Once he grows into his body, the sky is the limit.”
DT/LB Freddy Rodolf, Kingston, jr.: Rodolf, who did double duty as an offensive lineman, was second on the team in tackles, with 65 solo and 20 assists as well as a sack.
DT Jake Brouker, Central Kitsap, sr.: Brouker, who mostly played defensive end, led a quick and aggressive Central defense with 9.5 sacks. He also registered 29 tackles, despite being undersized for a defensive lineman.
LB Marcus D’Angelo, Central Kitsap, sr.: The versatile D’Angelo shifted from strong safety to linebacker with no problem. Not only was he named the Narrows League Fall Scholar Athlete of the Year — his grade-point average is 3.993 — but he also finished the season with 16 tackles, 33 assists and two-and-a-half sacks.
LB Keinan Paulino, Olympic, sr.: Perhaps Olympic’s most aggressive defender in terms of ball pursuit, Paulino finished with a team-high 76 tackles to go with 39 assists, two sacks and a fumble recovery.
LB Alex Fuchs, North Kitsap, sr.: In addition to being the Vikings’ leading rusher, Fuchs was the team’s top linebacker. He had 20 tackles, 21 assists, three pass deflections, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and an interception on the season.
DB Isaiah Davis, South Kitsap, jr.: A two-way standout for the Wolves, Davis was second on the team with 52 tackles behind Issa (59) and led South with three interceptions. As a wide receiver, he had 669 yards and five touchdowns on 26 receptions.
“He’s really, really athletic,” Sigurdson said. “He has great hips and can change direction really quick.”
DB Alex Flores, North Kitsap, sr.: Flores led the Viking secondary with 25 tackles, 17 assists, seven deflections, one fumble recovery and three interceptions, including one returned 90 yards for a touchdown.
DB Blake Johnson, Olympic, sr.: The co-captain rebounded from an injury-plagued 2008 season to post 43 tackles and four interceptions. He also was the team’s leading receiver, catching 13 passes for 215 yards and four touchdowns.
DB Brett McDonald, Central Kitsap, jr.: McDonald, who also started at quarterback, was around the ball at all times. His six interceptions were an area high, and he added 43 tackles and four forced fumbles. Under center, McDonald threw as many touchdowns as interceptions — 10.
Coach D.J. Sigurdson, South Kitsap: With 99 career wins, Sigurdson is second in school history behind Ed Fisher (196). But after only advancing to state once between 2003-08, Sigurdson decided to reevaluate the program. He effectively remolded the offense to feature more balance between the passing and running games. The defense, which never allowed more than 21 points during the regular season, also was solid. The Wolves finished 10-1 after losing against eventual Class 4A state champion Skyline in the state playoffs.
Honorable mention
LB Keith Grey, South Kitsap; OL Kody McBride, South Kitsap; DL Charlie Murray, South Kitsap; LB Josh McCown, North Kitasp; LB Daniel Jewett, North Kitsap; RB Codie Allen, North Kitsap; RB Travis Schriner, Kingston; RB; Lou Hecker, Kingston; WR Tyler Klopp, Kingston; TE George Marinan, Kingston; DB Michael Johnson, Kingston; LB Sam Byers, Kingston; LB Sam Greene, Kingston; RB Alex Johnson, Bainbridge; DB Jason Haley, Bainbridge; RB Kyle Kennedy, Bremerton; LB Mark Noll, Bremerton; DL Dillon Matautia, Olympic; DL Ardie Fesuluai, Olympic; QB Billy Davenport, Bremerton; WR Charles Wilson, Bremerton; WR Sabian Perrigo, Bremerton; LB Dakota Meadows, Central Kitsap; RB Devon Lewis, Central Kitsap; RB Preston Nelson, Central Kitsap; OL Spencer Williams, Central Kitsap; and RB Mike Swain, Klahowya.
