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Sports

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Shorewood Looks to Build on Best Season Since '04

The T-Birds hope to build on the performances of running back Eugene Holley, and linebacker Levy DIaz.

After seven consecutive losing seasons, the tide may finally be turning for the Shorewood football program.

For a team that had won four games in five years under Paul Christianson and Andrew Hershey, first-year coach Rob Petschl, with longtime Bishop Blanchet coach George Monica taking over as offensive coordinator, led the Thunderbirds to a 3-6 finish last season (1-6 in Wesco), their best record since 2004. Nonetheless, for Petschl, three wins was no major accomplishment.

"Obviously we're looking to improve on that," said Petschl, who had served at the defensive coordinator and top assistant at Blanchet before making the move to Shorewood. "Only one of those wins was in-conference. We weren't happy or satisfied with that record."

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However, it may be an uphill battle for the T-Birds, with the loss of quarterback Cory Sonnega (now at Georgia Military College), and the team's leading tackler in linebacker Spencer Schobert (now at Menlo College) to graduation. Leading receiver and All-Wesco second team selection Duncan Hendrickson is out for the season after an arm injury, and the team must also replace it's entire offensive line, with the graduations of Taylor Windsor, David Schoch, Anthony Heyward, and Joel Smith.

Meanwhile, the T-Birds do return All-Wesco first team running back Eugene Holley, who gained over 1000 yards in eight games last season. Holley, along with All-Wesco second team linebacker Levy Diaz, fullback/linebacker Dylan Quigley, and lineman Cory Dejoria captain the squad. Junior quarterback Aaron Miller, who was injured in the second week of last season against Lynnwood, is also expected to play a major role.

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One notable addition to the team is Gage Carroll, known better to Shorewood fans for his role on the school's basketball and baseball teams. The 6'2" senior will line up at wide receiver with the T-Birds.

Even with all the turnover on the roster, make no mistake that Petschl has high expectations for his team.

"I think we have the talent on this team, with our runners," said Petschl. "Wesco sends four teams to the playoffs, and our goal is to be one of those top four teams. Our goal is to make the state playoffs."

The T-Birds kick off their season on the road against Everett on September 2. They'll return home the following Friday to take on Lynnwood at 7 p.m.

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