Connell beast of the East again, East to dominate

CONNELL - Not much will change in South Central A Conference football this fall. The East will be stronger than the West, and it's going to take one big upset to knock off Connell.

Wahluke's Brycen Bye has hopes for the state playoffs and a state title, of course, but he's realistic. He knows the current seats of power.

"Connell has to be No. 1. They still have (Matt) Hadley and several other experienced players," he said. "And there's Royal. They're always good. Of course they're going to be good again."

Hadley was the state 1A player of the year last year. He set a state record with 50 touchdowns and ran for more than 2,400 yards.

"He beat us up pretty well last year," Bye said.

Where Bye pins his team's hopes is in the battle for third and fourth place in the East. Those positions mean post-season.

In recent years, the third-fourth place conversations have been about Riverview, Burbank and Kiona-Benton. That talk this year should include the Warriors.

Third and fourth place this year could mean post-season victories. While the East seems to be rising the South Central A West is holding pat or maybe even declining.

West coaches are naming Zillah the favorite, but the Leopards lost their excellent quarterback of last year and have little other experience.

"We lost a really good senior class," said first-year head coach Tim Strothers. "Hopefully our new senior class will step up."

Among the returners the Leopards can count is 5-7, 160 senior running back Ricky Cuellar. He was a regular last year.

Other returning starters include 6-1, 170 senior RB-DB Derick Ross, and 5-8, 170 FB-LB Trevor Fink.

Strothers, who played at Zillah and has been an assistant there, doesn't see his team at the top. Cle Elum returns three good running backs, he noted, and Goldendale, coached by brother Don Strothers, has returning experience across the field.

Even Granger, which has struggled lately, is expected to challenge in the West. The Spartans were nearly an all-sophomore team last year.

Considering all of this, Bye said: "I just think the East is stronger than the West again. The top four from this side could win in the first round (against the top four from the West)."

Like Strothers, Connell coach Wayne Riner tried to down-play his team. He did a famed Alabama coach Bear Bryant imitation.

"We're small, we're slow and we're not very experienced," he said.

Then he chuckled. With reason.

Riner simply can't deny he's got the hot hand. His boys are big, fast and experienced.

And they are hungry. After winning the state title in 2010, they dropped the state final by one touchdown last year.

"We had some defensive back problems," Riner said.

Hadley is a load all by himself. The 5-10, 205 senior ran all over Royal for 305 yards last year in what was essentially the East title game. His team won with ease.

"He's so athletic, with shifty moves. He's got vision you can't coach," Riner said.

Hadley is not alone. There are eight returning starters on offense and seven on defense. They include the one player who'll keep defenses from stacking the line of scrimmage.

Senior quarterback Chandler Salisbury was first team all-league last year. He completed more than 70 percent of his passes for 1,800 yards and hit for a score on one of every seven completions.

More offset for Hadley will come in the form of 6-0, 240 senior Tyson Brook. He should be a bruising fullback. He learned to bang as a former offensive guard.

The offensive line will be led by 6-3, 280 senior Cole Vanderbilt at right tackle. The other tackle will be slimmed-down 6-4, 240 senior Kennan VanHollenbake.

"He was 270 last year. He's added some speed," Riner said.

Vanderbilt and VanHollenbake will man the tackle posts on defense. Brook will be their anchor at nose guard.

Two more key returners for Connell will be 6-3, 175 wide receiver Kade Eppich and 5-9, 190 tight end Ryan Heinen. Both are seniors. Eppic caught 30 passes. Heinen, who has speed, gained 320 yards.

Connell will test itself early. It will take on 2A power Othello in its opener. It will follow up with 1A state contenders Chelan and Cashmere.

Judging from history, the Eagles should be ready. They won a state title in 2002, as well as 2010, and finished second in 2007 and 2008 and last year.