Athleticism, physicality has Squalicum football primed for big year
Squalicum coach Nick Lucey wasted little time making his mark on the Storm football program in 2014, guiding the team to its first ever state playoff berth.
The Storm accomplished plenty, making an impressive postseason run that ended in a 59-33 state quarterfinal loss to Tumwater.
And while the team tasted success, Squalicum also learned what it needs to do in order to take another step forward this fall.
“Our last game we got overpowered a little bit physically, so that was kind of our emphasis in the offseason,” junior wide receiver/defensive back Ben Peterson said. “We didn’t want to finish like we did last year, getting physically overpowered, so we spent a lot of time in the weight room. We are hoping to play that fourth quarter harder (this) year.”
The Storm is out to prove last year was no fluke, and there’s little reason to believe Squalicum can’t again contend for a state spot and make another run.
“I think they can be pretty darn good,” Lucey said of his group. “There are a lot of kids back that played a lot last year.”
Talented players seemingly return in every position grouping, but arguably the biggest question mark comes at quarterback with the graduation of Christian Jorgensen.
Lucey is expected to turn the offensive controls over to junior Garrett Sorenson, who didn’t see much action last year but received strong praise.
“He is a competitor, a great leader, all the things you talk about with a quarterback,” Lucey said. “And he’s really picked it up and worked his tail off and did a great job this summer. I’m excited to see him run our offense.”
While Sorenson’s play is yet to be determined, there is no doubting the quality of receivers he has at his disposal. Ben Peterson and Josiah Westbrook are two of the league’s brightest talents, and Noah Westerhoff and Darious Powell should be in the mix, too.
Damek Mitchell is expected to take over running back duties and will run behind a big, powerful offensive line headlined by Andrew Napier, Caleb Starkovich, Everett Turner and Jacob Burgoon.
Defensively, Squalicum could have the best set of linebackers in the Northwest Conference in Creighton Kaui, Jack Wendling and Mitchell.
“I really like our linebackers,” Lucey said. “I think they move really well and also play physically.”
Peterson and Westbrook give Squalicum two standout safety’s, but the Storm will have to replace both its cornerbacks.
Key numbers
6
Offensive starters from 2014 returning for Squalicum in 2015.
7
Defensive starters from 2014 returning for Squalicum in 2015.
18
More turnovers Squalicum committed than its
opposition in 2014.
9
Storm touchdowns scored on defense or special teams in 2014.
Players to watch
DAMEK MITCHELL
Jr., RB/LB
Already a proven outside linebacker talent, Mitchell could develop into one of the better running backs in the NWC.
BEN PETERSON
Jr., WR/DB
Peterson is lighting fast and one heck of a talent as a pass-catcher and a safety. Expect him to assemble another outstanding season.
CALEB STARKOVICH
Sr., OL/DL
Starkovich has the right blend of size and strength. He’ll create running lanes on offense and close them up on defense.
JOSIAH WESTBROOK
Sr., WR/DB
Westbrook has all the talent in the world. His speed, catch radius and quicks make him an ideal target in the pass game.
Three keys to 2015
1. GETTING PHYSICAL
Squalicum didn’t have many weak spots last year, but the team felt it didn’t measure up physically to some opponents. After many weight room hours spent bulking up, now it’s time to unleash those gains on the opposition.
2. ESTABLISH THE RUN
One of the best ways to alleviate pressure from a new quarterback is generating a ground game. The Storm has a good line and a talented back in Mitchell, who should turn into one of Sorenson’s top offensive options.
3. KEEP BUYING IN
What Lucey has implemented at Squalicum has worked. Plain and simple. With a talented crop of athletes, if the Storm can continue to build off of last season and keep that momentum going, Squalicum seems to have the ability to make another run.
Projection
Squalicum should have a very strong defense, and if Sorenson transitions to varsity well, a good offense, too. The talent is in place to contend for a NWC crown and a state berth.
2015 schedule
Date | Opponent | Time |
Sept. 4 | Bellingham^ | 7 p.m. |
Sept. 12 | Meridian^ | 7 p.m. |
Sept. 18 | at Lynden* | 7 p.m. |
Sept. 25 | Sedro-Woolley*^ | 7 p.m. |
Oct. 2 | at Burlington-Edison* | 7 p.m. |
Oct. 10 | Ferndale*^ | 7 p.m. |
Oct. 16 | at Sehome*^ | 7 p.m. |
Oct. 23 | Blaine*^ | 7 p.m. |
Oct. 30 | at Anacortes* | 7 p.m. |
*NWC 2A/3A game; ^At Civic Stadium
2015 roster
No. | Player | Yr. | Ht. | Wt. | Pos. |
1 | Josiah Westbrook | Sr. | 6-2 | 180 | WR/DB |
2 | Jacob Hardy | So. | 6-4 | 190 | QB/LB |
3 | Darious Powell | Jr. | 5-9 | 170 | WR/DB |
4 | LeAndrew Alarcon | Jr. | 5-8 | 155 | WR/DB |
5 | Ben Peterson | Jr. | 5-10 | 170 | WR/DB |
6 | Riley Zehnder | Sr. | 5-11 | 180 | TE/LB |
7 | Noah Westerhoff | Jr. | 6-0 | 170 | WR/DB |
8 | Damek Mitchell | Jr. | 5-10 | 185 | WR/DB |
10 | Garrett Sorenson | Jr. | 6-0 | 180 | QB/RB |
11 | Jacob Corbett | So. | 6-3 | 170 | QB/DB |
14 | Zach Stuckey | So. | 5-11 | 170 | RB/LB |
15 | Bunji McLeod | Sr. | 5-8 | 170 | RB/DB |
16 | Creighton Kaui | Sr. | 6-1 | 210 | TE/LB |
17 | Kenji Maeda | Jr. | 5-6 | 155 | WR/DB |
18 | Jose Hernandez | So. | 5-9 | 130 | WR/DB |
19 | Jordan Smith | So. | 5-8 | 134 | WR/DB |
20 | Payton Chan | So. | 5-11 | 150 | TE/LB |
21 | Jake Burns | Jr. | 5-11 | 195 | TE/DT |
22 | Brian Pullman | So. | 5-11 | 195 | RB/LB |
23 | Max Angel | Sr. | 6-2 | 160 | WR/DB |
24 | Grant Austin | Jr. | 6-2 | 170 | WR/DB |
25 | Triston Smith | So. | 5-7 | 161 | RB/DB |
26 | Julian Gonzalez | So. | 5-7 | 160 | RB/DB |
27 | Carlos Hernandez | Sr. | 5-9 | 175 | RB/LB |
28 | Constantine Kryzias | So. | 6-0 | 170 | RB/LB |
29 | Logan Bufalini | So. | 6-1 | 140 | WR/DB |
30 | Marcus Benson | So. | 5-10 | 160 | RB/LB |
32 | Will Nickelson | Sr. | 5-7 | 160 | RB/LB |
33 | Jacob Souza | So. | 5-7 | 145 | WR/LB |
34 | Jase Barrett | So. | 5-7 | 154 | RB/LB |
35 | Manny Romero | Sr. | 5-9 | 180 | RB/LB |
36 | Sky Borsey | Sr. | 5-10 | 205 | TE/LB |
44 | Jack Wendling | Jr. | 5-11 | 190 | TE/LB |
50 | Will Russell | So. | 5-10 | 180 | OL/LB |
51 | Grant Dvorak | Sr. | 6-2 | 210 | OL/DL |
52 | Caleb Starkovich | Sr. | 6-2 | 200 | OL/DL |
53 | Raj Singh | Sr. | 5-11 | 210 | OL/DL |
54 | Josh Jacobson | So. | 6-0 | 290 | OL/DL |
55 | Jaden Miguel | So. | 6-0 | 230 | OL/DL |
56 | Andrew Westhaver | So. | 6-0 | 205 | OL/DL |
57 | Andrew Napier | Sr. | 6-2 | 235 | OL/DL |
60 | Mikey Vandenhack | So. | 5-11 | 215 | OL/DL |
61 | Chris Chatterley | Jr. | 5-11 | 195 | OL/DL |
62 | Mitchell Orloff | Jr. | 5-10 | 175 | OL/DL |
63 | Jacob Burgoon | Sr. | 6-0 | 200 | OL/LB |
64 | Kyle Basart | Sr. | 6-0 | 215 | OL/DL |
65 | Anthony Martinez | So. | 5-7 | 160 | OL/DL |
66 | Sam Stroud | So. | 5-9 | 252 | OL/DL |
67 | Evrett Turner | Sr. | 6-0 | 230 | OL/DL |
70 | Kyler Lamb | Jr. | 6-2 | 225 | OLDL |
71 | Dan Angel | So. | 6-1 | 215 | OL/DL |
72 | Kollin Johnson | So. | 6-4 | 250 | OLDL |
73 | Trenton Creelman | So. | 5-10 | 190 | OL/DL |
74 | Jasen Barber | So. | 6-2 | 190 | OL/DL |
75 | Justin McAuley | Jr. | 5-10 | 210 | OL/DL |
76 | Payton Manos | So. | 5-9 | 190 | OL/DL |
77 | Christian Greenleaf | So. | 5-11 | 260 | OL/DL |
78 | Beau Hubsch | Sr. | 6-1 | 250 | OL/DL |
80 | Andy Newbold | Jr. | 6-2 | 170 | WR/DB |
81 | Richard Rosen | So. | 5-7 | 145 | WR/DB |
85 | Brendon Tran | So. | 5-7 | 130 | WR/DB |
88 | Justin Hulbert | So. | 5-11 | 153 | WR/DB |
2014 Season recap
RESULTS
(9-3, 5-2 NWC 2A/3A)
Date | Opponent | Result |
Sept. 5 | at Bellingham | W 55-13 |
Sept. 12 | at Meridian | W 48-14 |
Sept. 19 | Lynden* | L 49-24 |
Sept. 26 | at Sedro-Woolley* | L 30-7 |
Oct. 3 | Burlington-Edison* | W 38-28 |
Oct. 10 | at Ferndale* | W 24-17 |
Oct. 17 | Sehome* | W 52-6 |
Oct. 24 | at Blaine* | W 62-14 |
Oct. 30 | Anacortes* | W 42-0 |
CLASS 2A NORTHWEST DISTRICT PLAYOFF | ||
Nov. 7 | at Archbishop Murphy | W 44-16 |
CLASS 2A STATE PLAYOFFS | ||
Nov. 14 | at Orting | W 45-7 |
Nov. 21 | at Tumwater | L 59-33 |
*NWC 2A/3A game
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing | Att. | Yards | Avg. | TD |
Nick Manchester | 75 | 633 | 8.4 | 13 |
Jordan Campbell | 79 | 413 | 5.2 | 6 |
Damek Mitchell* | 17 | 156 | 9.2 | 2 |
Ben Peterson* | 8 | 140 | 17.5 | 1 |
Will Nickelson* | 23 | 103 | 4.5 | 2 |
Passing | Cmp. | Att. | Yds. | TD | Int. |
Christian Jorgensen | 137 | 224 | 2,421 | 27 | 9 |
Garrett Sorenson* | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Receiving | Rec. | Yards | Avg. | TD |
Ben Peterson* | 55 | 851 | 15.5 | 8 |
Josiah Westbrook* | 29 | 544 | 18.8 | 11 |
Coleman Schwab | 22 | 435 | 19.8 | 3 |
Damek Mitchell* | 18 | 365 | 20.3 | 3 |
Quinn Carpenter | 5 | 141 | 28.2 | 1 |
*returning player
This story was originally published September 2, 2015 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Athleticism, physicality has Squalicum football primed for big year."