Rebels look to 'play fast and stay healthy'

There’s no doubt about it. On a football field, size matters. This season at Juanita High School, the Rebels have it in spades.

“I think our guys have developed into better athletes than we’ve had top to bottom,” said third year head coach Shaun Tranatola. “I believe we have a of size. We’ve got big kids and that makes a difference. Our seniors have been lifting for three years and that makes a big difference. We’re a little bit quicker, more powerful, a little stronger. We’ve got a lot of seniors playing football for us, which is really a first at Juanita in a while. That usually lends itself to being more of a physical football team.”

It’s not simply a couple of guys on offense and defense who are bigger than the rest, it’s across the boards, and it extends deep into the team. Tranatola said essentially the whole offensive line is solid, filled with guys he believes could play at college if they wanted.

“I really feel like in every position we’re strong,” said the coach about offense. “But top to bottom I would say our offensive line. We’ve got a lot of guys who have potential on the offensive line to play college.”

Defensively its much the same, with the group as a whole being the Rebels strong point.

“If I were to say our strength, as far as overall, we’re really spread out. I feel like we have really good players spread throughout the D-line. I don’t know if I’d say one position group is a strength. I feel like we have all-league potential players at each level.”

In the past the depth on the team has been a concern for the coaches, but this year as long as the team stays healthy, Tarantola expects them to be able to compete.

“If we’re healthy, I feel like we’re competing. Throughout the season you get bumps and bruises and injuries. Staying healthy is a big thing. For those guys who aren’t starting for us, being able to contribute and us as coaches, getting ready to play at a high level will be key.”

For the players the key to this season will be staying focused and committed to the game.

“We have to be disciplined and communicate,” said Christian Catalon, a senior tackle and defensive end.

“Giving it your all every week, listening to the coaches,” said Matt Nilsson, a junior tight end on what it will take for the Rebels to win. “We’re feeling good.”

In the early days of the season Tarantola said the focus has been on making sure the team is as competitive as they can be, but also remembering that injuries lurk everywhere.

“The things that have changed for us, I think, is really focusing on putting our kids in competitive situations in practice,” he said. “Being creative in how we practice so we’re not beating each other up all week, trying to keep our guys healthy. Those have probably been the two biggest things that have changed over the course of this year. Competition, staying healthy and playing smart.”

The team earned a coup early in the year when five players transferred into Juanita from Marysville Pilchuck. The situation, while odd, was five families who had grown up together and their kids wanted to finish school together.

“They moved to Marysville (six or seven years ago) and then in February one family moved to Kirkland and they all kind of said that makes sense, lets move to Kirkland,” said Tarantola. “I’ve never seen anything like it before, but I think it’s true that families build close relationships with one another, so it becomes apart of their extended family. I think there was a decision amongst all five of them to finish out their playing careers together.” The five include Jarett Finau, twins Siti and Suli Tamaivena, Ryley Caldwell and Dom Chadwick.

“Anytime you just get players thats a big asset,” said the coach. “But we definitely have more depth and more competition at every position and that’s been a big plus for us this year.”

Other players to watch include senior Jeremiah Laufasa, the team’s leading rusher last year, as well as Charles Benjamin, Cody Treddenbarger and Andre Casino.

“Of course I can’t forget our quarterback Derek Kaufman, who started for us as a junior and went 7-3 last year. He knows how to win,” said the coach.

In order to improve on last year’s record Tarantola said the team is going to have to focus on creating turnovers and protecting the ball. He said if they can do that, they feel like they can do well.

“We’ve kind of had self inflicted wounds with the teams that beat us in the last couple of years,” he said. “Really thats our focus. We feel like if we protect the football and lead the state in (creating) turnovers that there’s not a team that can match up with us.”

The team’s first game this season is tonight at Redmond High School starting at 7 p.m.

“I think they are going to see Juanita be the most energetic team they’ve seen,” said Tranatola. The players just want to get back on the field.

“I’m just excited to be playing football,” said senior Sam Shirley, a guard and defensive end who missed most of the 09 season with injuries.

“We just have to take it one step at a time. They are all important,” said Treddenbarger.

2010 Schedule

Sept. 3 at Redmond

Sept. 10 v. Inglemoor

Sept. 16 v. Mercer Island

Sept. 24 v. Sammamish

Oct. 1 v. Liberty

Oct. 8 v. Bellevue

Oct. 15 at Mount Si