QB:
Advantage: TIE
I really like both what both teams have. Rogers will use both SR Stefan Van Horn (committed for Washington State for Baseball) and JR Grayson Madland who has had an impressive camp. The Federal Way Eagles have made a decision this season and moved D’Londo Tucker out to WR full-time and will use SR Evan Elliot. To me, this is a draw.
RB:
Advantage: Federal Way
The Eagles have three VERY good players coming out of the backfield in SR RB Rod Jones (6’2″ 240), SR RB Zeek McNeal (5’11” 175) and Soph RB Chico McClatcher (5’8″ 155). The Rogers Rams come with a three man attack as well with SR DeWayne Scott (6’2” 220), SR RB Andy Nelson (5’8″ 175) and JR RB Austin Hardin (5’8″ 165). The reason I give it to FW is because of the overall speed of their group. Rogers has speed, but not on the same level that FW has.
WR/TE:
Advantage: Federal Way
As much speed as the Eagles have at RB, they might have more at WR. Senior WR’s Mike Tate (6’1″ 170; Wyoming/Idaho Offers) and D’Londo Tucker (6’1″ 175; Portland State Offer) are two of the best all-around athletes in the state. FW does not pass the ball a lot, but when they do, they have a couple of GREAT targets. The Rogers Rams are also going to want to run the ball, but when they do pass they will most likely be targeting SR TE Matt Malcuit (6’4″ 220). Malcuit has done a great job this off season at camps and is ready for a big season.
OL:
Advantage: Federal Way
The Eagles get the advantage in this one base solely on senior brothers Albert (6’2″ 235) and Winston (6’0″ 240) Havili. The two way stars will be two of the most physical players in this game and will be counted on to anchor the Federal Way offensive line this season. The Rogers rams are a bit undersized at the position, but make up for it in aggressiveness. The FW offensive line also gets a boost from the great RB play.
DL:
Advantage: Federal Way
Both teams run a 3-3-5 type defense that really does not suit the DL all that well. The two names you will see are both two way guys in Matt Malcuit of Rogers and Winston Havili of Federal Way. Where the Eagles get the advantage is in Jr Jay-Tee Tiuli(6’3″ 295). When asked about Tiuli, Eagles LB/FB Rod Jones said “He’s a real beast, he could be just as good as Uso Olive”. He continued “He can do things that most kids can’t do because of his size and strength”.
LB:
Advantage: Federal Way
SR’s Rod Jones and Albert Havili are two of the better LB’s in the state that don’t get much recognition. Jones started the last 4 games as a Freshman and hasn’t given up the spot since. Jones wears #6 and you can expect to see it all over the field. For Rogers it is DeWayne Scott and Chad Bakken (6’3″ 215). I really like both players, but don’t see them on the same level as the two from FW.
DB:
Advantage: Federal Way
The further from the ball you get, the better the Eagles defense gets. Federal Way has SR’s all across the secondary and they all play at a very high level. SR D’Londo Tucker (6’1″175) is a kid that I am REALLY high on. I watched him play at the NW Stars Camp in June and was very impressed with his play. Also at DB for FW are Sr’s Aaron Persinger (6’2″ 185) and J.J. McNeal (5’7″ 175). The Rogers Rams feature a couple of really nice pieces back here in Stefan Van Horn and Sr Damian Jackson (5’8″ 170).
Prediction:
I just don’t see how Rogers can keep up with Federal Way. The Rams will have to win the battle at the line of scrimmage and not allow the Eagles to get outside. Federal Way is the favorite to win the SPSL South again this season and rightfully so. It could be a really long night for Rogers, F-Dub wins 40-14.
