Football: Woodinville Seniors Hoping to Go Out on Top

From 2005-2008 the Woodinville football program was one of the tops in the state, qualifying for four straight state tournaments.

But back-to-back 4-5 seasons have left the Falcons searching for the respect they once garnered with ease. With a lineup full of senior leaders, 2011 may end up being the season Woodinville returns to the upper echelons of the 4A division.

“This year we have a ton of senior leadership whereas last year I think we had two or three senior starters," defensive end Sawyer Whalen said. "We have all these returning guys and we’re pretty pumped.”

Whalen is one of the impact seniors that are expected to help Woodinville in its quest to return to a winning program. The 215-pound defensive end, who already has a scholarship offer from Portland State, had nine tackles for loss in 2010, along with three sacks.

Helping Whalen out on defense is the duo of Jacob Hollister and Devon Dietrich. Dietrich and Hollister should help shore up a Falcons defense that played well at times in 2010, but was beaten by a problem with giving up big plays. Woodinville three times held its opponents to seven points or less, but also gave up 35 points or more three times in 2010.

“We had 13 seniors on our roster last year, so we had a lot of young kids playing and those big plays, you’re more susceptible to at that younger age," head coach Wayne Maxwell said. "Another year is going to make a big difference.”

Experience is also prevalent on the offensive side of the ball, where the Falcons struggled with consistency in 2010. Woodinville averaged 36.8 points per game in its four victories, but just 7.7 ppg in its five losses.

Brett Arrivey will be entering his third season as the starting quarterback, along with explosive running back Alex Schwend and wide receiver Kyle Adkins.

Having seniors at those key positions seems to have given Maxwell something he had been missing the last two seasons.

“Comfort level," Maxwell said. "You know what you’re getting and what you can do from those spots and those guys are there to push the other guys.”

Woodinville also has a weapon that seems to run through the entire roster: speed. The 2011 group may be the fastest Maxwell has had in years.

“Good team speed," Maxwell said. "Kids right now are flying around and playing fast, so, we’re not perfect by any means this early, but guys are going. If you can fly around, you’ve got a chance to make plays.”

If Woodinville is able to turn things around this season, however, the result may stem from the determination of the seniors on the roster. After growing up watching the impressive Falcon teams of mid-decade, the group seems set on going out on a high note in their high school careers.

“Us being seniors, it’s our last year and there’s no way I want to leave this school with that kind of a record three years in a row," Whalen said. "I know none of the seniors do, so we kind of have that in our hearts.”

Woodinville opens the season on the road against Mount Si at 7 pm on September 2nd.