By KITSAP NEWS GROUP
Kingston High School senior Jack Clearman’s glue-like hands helped him haul in the only selection to the All-Kitsap County Football Team’s offensive squad. While the team was winless, Clearman sparkled as wide receiver, leading the team with 61 receptions for 838 yards and 10 touchdowns.
2007 All-Kitsap County Football Team: Offense
MVP — RB Howard McDonald, Central Kitsap, junior — Former Central Kitsap quarterback Zac Brown hit the nail on the head in talking about McDonald’s running style after CK blew out South Kitsap 49-21 on Sept. 14. Brown said with how much McDonald spins, twists, leaps, squirms and fights his way down field, watching him run was like playing Madden, the popular video game.
McDonald’s numbers support that observation, as he ran to 1,619 yards on 242 carries with 17 rushing touchdowns. He was also an above-average linebacker, recording 44 tackles with a sack, a forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.
What makes McDonald even sweeter to CK is the fact that he was just a junior this year. After helping CK advance to state for the first time since 1997, McDonald will be at the forefront of helping CK repeat that success next year.
Coach of the Year — Mark Keel, Central Kitsap — Last season, the Cougars were 0-7 with three games to go, playing a group made up largely of underclassmen with things not looking much brighter. But Keel rallied his team to three consecutive wins to close the season. So when 2007 began, Keel told his players to stay motivated, to remember the feeling of that win streak.
It worked.
CK finished the regular season at 9-1, second only to an Olympia team that beat them. CK advanced all the way to the state playoffs, falling in the round of 16 to Bothell, still alive in the race for the state’s 4A crown.
CK only had 11 seniors this season.
It was clear that in 2007, Keel had his players set on working as a team, which led to winning as a team much more often than losing as one. And now, with most the team coming back, the Cougars are poised to pick up where this year left off.
Offense
QB — Jason Simonis, Central Kitsap, junior — Simonis, who hit a growth spurt prior to the season that saw him grow from a 5-foot, 11-inch sophomore into a 6-foot, 3-inch junior, experience a much more important growth spurt this season. Simonis learned what it means to poised in the pocket this season, completing 73 of 134 pass attempts for a 54.5 completion percentage. Simonis finished with 1,296 yards and 12 scores to just four interceptions. He also ran in two more scores and should be a big part of CK’s offense next year, even without top target Caleb Brown.
RB — Andre Moore, Klahowya, junior — It wasn’t too hard For Andre Moore to step into the shoes of graduated running back Isaac Solaita. Not only did Moore take Soliata’s jersey number (4), he also took his spot in the Eagles’ record books, breaking the new school record for rushing yards in a season with 1,573 yards on 163 carries for a whopping 9.6-yard average. He was able to score 17 touchdowns on the ground while adding another score and 46 yards through the air. Defensively, Moore was a standout defensive back, recording 89 tackles along with two picks and three sacks. Just a junior, the best of Moore is yet to come.
RB — Stephen Tucker, South Kitsap, senior — Quality running play was a staple of South Kitsap football when it reached the state playoffs every season from 1980 to 2002, a Washington record. Tucker became the latest star running back for the Wolves, who returned to state for the first time in five years behind his 1,329 yards and 14 touchdowns on 187 carries.
“He had a great season and definitely lived up to our expectations,” said South Kitsap coach D.J. Sigurdson. “He was a captain and really did a nice job in that role.”
WR — Jack Clearman, Kingston, senior — Despite Kingston’s winless season, No. 9 was all over the field for the Buccaneers. Clearman finished the 2007 season with 61 receptions for 838 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was hands down the best receiver in the Olympic League. Clearman’s run-after-the-catch ability resulted in him averaging 13.7 yards per reception. He averaged 104 yards receiving per game.
“Jack is a really talented kid and competitive,” Kingston coach Dan Novick said earlier this season. “He goes and gets the ball in the air. That’s the kind of mentality you need at the receiver position.”
WR — Dimitri Alston, Bremerton, junior — Alston was one of the biggest benefactors of the reins being loosened on quarterback Jacob Belden. While Belden took some time to hit his stride, he was able to connect with Alston to the tune of 376 receiving yards and four scores on 16 receptions. But the best part about Alston is he’ll be back as Belden’s top threat next year, too.
TE — Caleb Brown, Central Kitsap, senior — Caleb Brown’s value to Central Kitsap can not be understated. The CK senior and state’s No. 24 recruit according to washingtonpreps.com, was huge on both sides of the ball. Brown gave Simonis a consistent target first off, as Brown caught 25 catches for 689 yards with eight touchdowns. As a safety, Brown logged 36 tackles with four picks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Brown was also a big return threat for CK, running back punts for 173 yards and two more scores. Brown will land somewhere as a collegiate tight end next fall, the only question now is where.
OL — Gary French, Bainbridge, senior — French was part of a talented offensive line that helped clear the way for Bainbridge’s top running backs to gain more than 2,500 yards this season despite playing with two painful hip flexors. He also contributed on the defensive line with 32 tackles and one sack.
OL — Brad Fedderson, South Kitsap, senior — South Kitsap featured three running backs — Stephen Tucker, Ryan Williams and Sean Allison — who rushed for 100-yard games this season. Sigurdson attributed some of their success to tight end Matt Foxworthy, whom he regarded as the team’s best blocker and Fedderson, the Wolves’ top offensive lineman.
“He has a tremendous work ethic and he’s come as far as anyone,” Sigurdson said.
OL — David Reynolds, Olympic, senior — Not many kids work harder than David Reynolds. The Trojan senior, standing just 5-feet 11-inches and weighing in at 220 pounds, was rarely the largest player on the field. But what Reynolds lacked in physical size, he more than made up for with heart, as Olympic coach Eric Allen called Reynolds the top lineman in the Olympic League. Reynolds also helped Oly fill a void on defense, recording 36 tackles in helping the Trojans make it to the state preliminary round for the first time in 11 years. Reynolds is one of many Trojan seniors that will be remembered for helping turn the program around.
OL — Cecil Spence, Central Kitsap, senior — While CK was short on seniors, Spence was one of several that keyed up an offensive line that allowed McDonald, Brown, Simonis and Co. to put up more than 3,000 total yards this season. Spence was a leader for the Cougars and helped set the tone for a work ethic that should continue to permeate the CK program. Defensively, Spence recorded 23 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble for the Cougars.
OL — Dominic Cruz, Klahowya, sophomore — While just a sophomore, Cruz got more than enough experience in 2007. The Klahowya lineman was known throughout the school for his work ethic, with running back Cody Hertenstein as well as other Eagles pointing out Cruz as the standard for “working his butt off.” With Klahowya graduating just one member of it’s O-line this school year, Cruz will continue to be a vital part of the Eagles’ running game.
The North Kitsap Herald will post its All-Kitsap County defensive, special teams and honorable mention selections in the Dec. 1 issue.
