2018 Meridian Football Preview

August 28, 2018 Tyler Anderson 2018 Football, Meridian Trojans 0

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Coach: Bob Ames, 45th season with Meridian (320-156)

Home Field: Meridian High School

Last Season: 13-1 (6-0 NWC)

Key Losses: QB/P Simon Burkett; OL/LB Manny Sabalza; RB/WR/DB Bryce Vandenhaak; TE/LB Tony Schleimer; WR/DB Lukas Hemenway; WR T.J. Dykstra.

Top Returnees: OL/DL Adam Kruzich; QB/DB Dawson Logan; RB/LB Dylan Hickok; OL/DE Trevor Pagnossin; WR/DB/K Kevin Galiano; RB/LB Cole Roberts.

Click HERE to listen to an interview with Coach Bob Ames on the Doug Lange Network. For more interviews go to www.onthedln.com.

2017 RESULTS

Meridian 20, Anacortes 14

Meridian 50, Blaine 44

Meridian 34, Cascade Christian 29

Meridian 28, Lynden Christian 7

Meridian 50, Nooksack Valley 36

Meridian 26, Mount Baker 15

Meridian 33, Lynden Christian 20

Meridian 28, Nooksack Valley 27

Meridian 52, Mount Baker 29

Meridian 63, Cedar Park Christian 3

Meridian 63, Hoquiam 21

Meridian 28, Montesano 7

Meridian 34, LaCenter 14

Royal 33, Meridian 27

2018 SCHEDULE

08/31 – Sedro Woolley – 7 PM

09/08 – Colville – 1 PM (at Peshastin-Dryden Sports Complex)

09/14 – Mission, BC – 7 PM

09/21 – at Nooksack Valley – 7 PM

09/28 – Mount Baker – 7 PM

10/05 – at Lynden Christian – 7 PM

10/12 – Nooksack Valley – 7 PM

10/19 – at Mount Baker – 7 PM

10/26 – Lynden Christian – 7 PM

Logan

Yes, last year was magical. The boys in black got about as close as you can to winning a state championship. This is a new season, and the optimism around downtown Laurel should remain high. The Trojans bring back a slew of talented players from last year’s dominant squad.

Of course, Meridian will have to replace Simon Burkett, who nearly holds every Whatcom County passing record. Doing that will be the athletic senior, Dawson Logan. He has been Burkett’s backup the past few seasons and is ready to step into the starting role. He’s a dual threat that should have a huge season.

Hickok

Senior Cole Roberts returns at running back, and should get the bulk of the carries as the Trojans will rely a little more on their running game this season. Joining him in the backfield could be a multitude of players. Seniors Dylan Hickok, Dante Castaneda, junior Dylan Watt and sophomore Dominick Bash could all get a handful of carries. Castaneda might also be split out from time to time, and Hickok would be used as a second tight end.

The versatility of athleticism doesn’t end there. Junior Kevin Galiano played tremendously throughout the playoffs last year, and should be one of Logan’s main targets. Senior Harlon Stuit (fresh off winning the state championship in the 110 hurdles and the long jump) could be a major weapon in the passing game. 6-foot-2 junior Cameron Webster has loads of potential as a tight end, but won’t be eligible at the beginning of the season. Junior Trent Gookstetter will start at tight end.

Kruzich

The offensive line will be a definite strength for Meridian with All-State senior left tackle Adam Kruzich returning. Senior Trevor Pagnossin also returns and will play left guard, and occasionally play some center. Enrique Gomez takes over at center, with big sophomore Nate Rutlegde at right guard and senior Hesser Sotelo and junior Joe Plagerman battling it out at right tackle.

Pagnossin

The Meridian defense should remain as strong as ever, returning a handful of players that got a lot of time in 2017. Kruzich and Rutledge give them two big bodies in the interior of the line, with senior Tanner Bouwman adding quickness at the defensive tackle spot. Pagnossin returns at defensive end, where he excelled last season, and sophomore Mason Knutsen will play opposite of him. Webster should also play some end when he returns.

Hickok was an amazing outside linebacker last season, and his smarts, instincts and tackling ability will allow him to again be one of the best linebackers in the state. Roberts moves from defensive tackle to middle linebacker. Gomez could also see some time at linebacker as well.

Galiano

Galiano and Logan lead the secondary, with both of them making huge plays in 2017 in the defensive backfield. Stuit and Castaneda should each fill in the other spots and prove to the rest of the league that they belong.

Galiano also handled the kicking duties, and should again this year.

It looks like it could be another long season for the Trojans… but in a good way.

 

2017 STATISTICAL LEADERS

(Returning players have the * after their names)

RUSHING

PASSING

RECEIVING

KICK RETURNING

PUNT RETURNING

PUNTING

INTERCEPTIONS

SCORING

2018 ROSTER:

# Name Height Weight Position Year
1 Dawson Logan 6′ 2″ 170 QB/DB 12
2 Cameron Webster 6′ 2″ 190 TE/DE 11
3 Dante Castaneda 5′ 8″ 160 RB/DB 12
5 Cole Roberts 5′ 6″ 166 RB/LB 12
7 Logan Sharp 5′ 10″ 151 QB/LB 10
8 Dominick Bash 5′ 8″ 150 RB/LB 10
9 Ethan Silvas 5′ 10″ 160 WR 10
10 Andrew Kuljis 5′ 11″ 145 QB/DB 10
14 Harlon Stuit 6′ 3″ 155 WR/DB 12
15 Grady Burkett 5′ 10″ 155 WR/DB 10
16 Alex Carrillo 5′ 7″ 182 WR 11
18 Ali Javad 5′ 6″ 135 WR 11
20 Josh Neeter 5′ 7″ 155 WR/DB 12
22 Trent Martin 5′ 6″ 150 RB 11
29 Dylan Watt 5′ 9″ 160 RB/DB 11
33 Dylan Hickok 5′ 10″ 170 RB/LB 12
45 Tanner Bouwman 5′ 8″ 150 RB/DT 12
50 Enrique Gomez 5′ 10″ 165 OL/LB 12
52 Tyler Bull 5′ 9″ 165 OL 11
54 Elijah Guzman 5′ 8″ 185 OL/LB 11
56 Nathen Iredale 5′ 9″ 186 OL/LB 10
57 Mason Knutson 6′ 1″ 189 OL/DE 10
58 Andrew Trautman 5′ 10″ 160 OL 10
62 Zeke Thompson 6′ 3″ 262 OL/DL 11
65 Trevor Pagnossin 6′ 1″ 195 OL/DE 12
70 Nate Rutledge 6′ 0″ 275 OL/DL 10
71 Joseph Plagerman 6′ 1″ 200 OL/DL 11
72 Mathew Hudson 6′ 0″ 185 OL/DL 10
74 Hesser Sotello 5′ 10″ 189 OL/DL 12
75 Sam Brooks 6′ 4″ 270 OL/DL 11
76 Austin Anderson 6′ 0″ 191 OL/LB 12
77 Adam Kruzich 6′ 2″ 233 OL/DL 12
80 Ethan Brooks 6′ 2″ 180 WR/DB 10
85 Trent Gookstetter 6′ 2″ 175 TE/DE 11
87 Andy Mellema 6′ 2″ 169 TE/DE 10
89 Kevin Galiano 6′ 0″ 178 WR/DB/K 11
99 Taylor Snook 5′ 10″ 181 TE/K 11