by Dan Greenberg
Gazette.net
09-03-2008

Look up and down Seneca Valley's roster. You'll see what a high school football coach can only dream about: a plethora of Division I prospects; 12 returning starters with playoff experience; a third-year quarterback.

This is what a championship team should look like.

The challenge for Eagle head coach Fred Kim is getting his team to realize what any high school coach will also tell you: expectations don't guarantee anything.

"On paper, yeah, based on what we have, we should be able to make a decent run here," said Kim. "But we're not going to deviate from what we've always done here. You know, don't let them breathe at all."

Having too much talent seems like a nice "problem" for Kim and his experienced staff, including longtime Seneca head coach Terry Changuris — the team's new offensive coordinator — to have. After winning nine games a year ago and returning over half its starting lineup, an inflated ego might be the biggest threat in the team's quest for its first state championship since 2002.

All the tools are there, starting with quarterback George Lerch. His second year under center brought tremendous success, as he finished second in the county with 1,746 yards passing. Making '08 even more promising for the 6-foot, 190-pounder is that two starting receivers from a year ago are back, seniors Mark Henderson and King Yassara.

"It was kind of awkward the last couple years with receivers coming and going," said Lerch. "But with King and Kenton (Powell) and Mark Henderson, we've played together and I know they're going to make a lot of plays."

Powell, a tight end and linebacker, has scholarship offers from the Universities Delaware and Buffalo (N.Y.). Joe Rankin, who received an offer from Army in August, will start at tailback.

A two-way player and All-Gazette first-team cornerback a year ago, Rankin will split time with junior Pierre Hinton, who started on the defensive line a year ago and is turning into a college recruit himself. They look to fill the void of graduated halfback Jamaal Martin, who rushed for over 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns in '07.

As if the skill positions weren't stacked, the offensive line features experience at nearly every spot, including returning starters at tackle in Phillip Tyrus and Ryan Phillips. Senior Harry Traylor returns, as does fellow senior Cody Walko, who will start at defensive tackle as well.

"I think last year we had one guy returning there," said Kim. "We've never had anything close to this."

The defense does have depth, though many of Seneca's offensive weapons are first-stringers on the other side of the ball, as well. The names include Rankin, Powell, Walko, Henderson and Yassara.

Oh, yeah, they also field arguably the county's best safety in senior Xavier Hughes, who has scholarship offers from West Virginia, Akron (Ohio), Buffalo, Eastern Michigan and Ohio.

It's a team that doesn't have a single weakness. But the Eagles have had talented teams fall short before, and the coaches know they could come up short again if they get too big for their britches.

"Believe me, we'll make sure the kids are focused," Kim said.

Head coach: Fred Kim, 4th year (36-10 record)

League: Montgomery 3A

Last year's record: 9-3

Last playoff appearance: 2007 (24th)

Last state title: 2002 (12th)

Players to watch: QB George Lerch, RB/CB Joe Rankin, FS Xavier Hughes

2007 schedule

Sept. 7 — Watkins Mill (W), 41-20

Sept. 14 — Northwest (W), 34-13

Sept. 20 — B-CC (W), 55-12

Sept. 28 — Paint Branch (W), 40-12

Oct. 5 — Richard Montgomery (W), 38-13

Oct. 12 — Wheaton (W), 45-0

Oct. 19 — Kennedy (L), 43-21

Oct. 26 — Damascus (L), 21-7

Nov. 2 — Churchill (W), 46-8

Nov. 9 — Einstein (W), 21-8

Nov. 17 — Urbana (W), 27-21*

Nov. 23 — Damascus (L), 48-26*

* playoff game

2008 schedule

Sept. 5 — at Watkins Mill, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 12 — Northwest, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 19 — B-CC, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 26 — at Paint Branch, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 — at Richard Montgomery, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 — Wheaton, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 — Kennedy, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 — at Damascus, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 — Churchill, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 — at Einstein, 6:30 p.m.