For Lake Washington High School head football coach AJ Parnell the field is like the classroom – and he wants his players to be complete in both areas. Parnell said his team last year finished 5-5 but made great strides in communicating what being a leader is to the underclassmen. They also finished with a team GPA over 3.0.
“It’s about the process and not the destination,” Parnell said. “They are learning to practice better. I have been really impressed that this team has been focused on the right things.”
Those “right things” have to do with preparation and work ethic. He said that he wants his team to get away from the things that control them and focus on the things they can control.
“We have a lot of seniors and a lot of depth and I want them to take ownership of this season,” Parnell said. “When you take care of the process you have a better chance on Friday night.”
The three biggest senior leaders for the team this year are wide receiver Scout Callens, linebacker Dylan Bacher and lineman Matt Malloy.
“It is an attitude thing,” Bacher said. “It is about mental toughness and the belief we can get it done – it’s about swagger.”
That swagger has been infectious for team, which had a good turnout of players for this year.
“We have a lot of guys and the talent pool is so much bigger,” Callens said. “It helps that we all know each other, too.”
The size of the team and the dedication of the players has given the team fuel for the difficult times during long preseason practices. The three players said that they have taken it upon themselves to include everyone and try to make the team more of a family.
“The energy we have is really contagious and it makes everyone better,” Malloy said.
On the field the offense will be led by junior starting quarterback Adam Long.
“As a staff we have seen him take great strides over the summer,” Parnell said. “He has the physical tools and he is developing the leadership tools he needs to be successful.”
But with Long’s emergence senior DJ Mann volunteered to move to wide receiver.
“He came to us and said ‘I can help the team more at wide receiver,’” Parnell said. “It is about the mentality of helping the team.”
Mann, Calens and senior Jake Wikel will give Long solid targets when he drops back to pass. But when Long hands the ball off he may have to check the number on the jersey to know who it is.
“We are going to have a stable of guys who will rotate in. I feel pretty confident with what we have,” Parnell said. “And our line looks awesome in front of them.”
Senior Jake Steele, junior Caleb Rickels and lineman turned fullback Zack Bradey will get the majority of the carries.
The team will have to stay together with how good the KingCo 3A has been in past seasons. The team will start the year hosting four games.
The first game of the season will be tonight at 7 p.m. and then the team will play Bishop Blanchet next week. The Kangs will host Juanita on Sept. 18.
However, Lake Washington will finish with three of the four final games away, including Mercer Island and Bellevue.
