Five Key Players
TE/DE Jared Siegel (6’3″ 220, ’15) – Siegel moves to TE this season after starting last year at QB. He should give the Braves a big physical target to help move the chains. He also doubles as a defensive end, which might be his best position.
OL/DL Ezra Cleveland (6’4″ 235, ’16) – Cleveland has big time potential. He moves very well for a guy his size, and should be a terror over the next two seasons. Projects as a defensive lineman, but should see plenty of attention on both sides of the ball.
WR/DB Donny Fejerang (6’0″ 205, ’15) – Fejerang is looking to have a breakout season. He brings leadership and experience to a young defense that only returns two starters from a year ago, and is one of the leagues top safeties.
ATH/DE Jamon Jones (6’3″ 210, ’15) – Jones is an interesting prospect. He projects as a TE/WR type, but plays QB and DE. Last season he did his best offensive work on the ground, and is slated to see time again this season in what amounts to a bit of a Wildcat type formation.
QB Bryce Missey (6’1″ 185, ’16) – Missey takes over where Siegel left off. He is Bethel’s best passing option at QB, and is considered one of the state’s best for the 2016 recruiting class. His leadership and work ethic are second to none, and could really breakout this coming season.
Overview
The Bethel program has fallen on hard times recently after many years as one of the top teams in Washington. New head coach Mark Iddins takes over and looks to turn around the once proud program.
Offensively it is a spread offense for the Braves, and they will come with two options at QB. Bryce Missey is looked at as more of a passing option, while Jamon Jones is more of the running threat. Now that isn’t to say that Missey can’t run, and Jones can’t pass, they just aren’t usually asked to do more than what makes them great.
The rushing attack looks to be a bit of a “Running back by committee.” Seniors Eli Teuteu, Cody Ford and Stanley Davis, could all see time when the coaches want to go to the ground game.
Bethel’s will attempt to do most of their damage through the air, with wide receivers Donny Fejerang and Elijah McLeod. Two sophomores should see action as well, as Collin White and Lane Brown look to get valuable playing time in 2014.
Tight end is where Jared Siegel comes in, as a big-physical target, that should give Missey a reliable out. You could also see Jones make an appearance, as his athleticism may be too much for the coaches to pass up.
The Braves are young and inexperienced on the offensive line, and could end up starting four juniors. Ezra Cleveland is the best of the bunch, and should do a great job protecting Missey’s blind side. At the other tackle spot is Dakaline White, who is a physical presence looking to have a big season.
Inside Bethel looks to use four athletes to fill three spots. Junior Max Marion gets the nod at center, and will be flanked by senior Joe Boyle on the right side. It appears as though either junior Avyion Fisher or senior Teddy Tate will get the start to Marion’s left.
The front seven of Bethel’s defense is a clear strength. They will be going with five seniors, including linebackers Teuteu and Ford. They will be teamed with promising junior Ian Davidson to form one of the better linebacker groups in the conference.
Siegel, Cleveland and Jones each have All-SPSL type potential on the defensive line. Providing depth on the line will be Boyle and junior Chance Kulver. The Braves have good size and decent depth, that could go a long way towards a successful season.
Fejerang will be counted on to step up and take control of a young, but very talented defensive backfield. Sophomore Lane Brown should see plenty of action on the defensive side, while three juniors, Zach Niegel, Matt Booth and John Taimanglo, all provide depth.
The Bottom Line: Bethel has a great chance to improve on their 2-7 record from a year ago. If the offense can sustain drives and put points on the board, the defensive front seven should be good enough to keep them in games. If they can stay healthy, they have an outside shot at one of the four SPSL South playoff berths.
Key Games
@ Curtis 10/17
vs. Spanaway Lake 10/24
@ Graham-Kapowsin 10/31
