<< Previous   of   Next >> Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Mountlake Terrace's Brandyn Eckart (center) gives the handoff to a teammate during varsity football practice at Mountlake Terrace High School. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Mountlake Terrace's Casey Ellersick advances the ball during varsity football practice at Mountlake Terrace High School.

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CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE Jocelyn Robinson, News editor jrobinson@heraldnet.com

Plenty of veterans return for Terrace

By David Pan
Enterprise Sports editor

The Mountlake Terrace football team is ready to take the next step.

Coming off a surprising 4-6 season that included a stirring upset of then state-ranked Meadowdale, the Hawks should be an even stronger and more experienced team, even with the graduation of five individuals who are now playing football at four-year universities.

Coach Tony Umayam has eight returning starters on offense and seven on defense.

“At times last year we were playing more sophomores than seniors,” Umayam said. “That's why I was so pleased with how the season went last year.”

And this season is looking better than ever.

The offseason participation in the weight lifting program was the highest that senior running back Casey Ellersick can remember.

“We're definitely a lot stronger this year because we've been working out all offseason,” Ellersick said.

Senior quarterback Brandyn Eckhart noted that about a dozen players are bench pressing 225 pounds or more.

“It was the best offseason turnout since I've been here at Terrace,” Umayam said.

But if Umayam were to point one reason for optimism, it's the numbers of returning starters. The talent level among those starters is solid.

Ellersick is a four-year varsity standout at running back.

Senior quarterback Brandyn Eckhart is excited about the Hawks' running attack.

“I'm thinking he's probably going to be rushing for 1,500 yards this season,” Eckhart said. “He loves going outside. He's not really the biggest power runner, but when someone gets in front of him, he'll lower his shoulder. He'll put them on their behind.”

The offensive line returns senior Wesley Dawn, junior David Turner and junior Lance Fernandez.

“Both of our tackles graduated,” Umayam said. “The interior three are back.”

At the Central Washington team camp, the Hawks were able to run the ball well and finished 5-2.

“The running game is looking really good,” Ellersick said. “We've got a lot of good blocking this year. ... We had a good rushing game last year, but I think it should be even better with the experience we have.”

The Hawks' passing game also should be improved. Eckhart is coming off his first full season starting at quarterback. In the last regular season game against Monroe, Eckhart had record-breaking performance, running for a record 185 yards and scoring three touchdowns, Mountlake Terrace amassed more than 400 yards of total offense in the 45-25 victory.

“After that game I felt my confidence level just went up drastically,” Eckhart said. “I feel it's going to increase more and more as the season goes on.

“I feel more comfortable in the pocket. I'm not hesitant to step in and make a throw and if someone is not there, I am definitely not hesitant to take off and run.”

Umayam appreciates the versatility that Eckhart brings to the position.

“I see him as a dual threat,” he said.

Eckhart's offseason work has made a difference in Ellersick's estimation.

“He's really stepped up this year,” Ellersick said of Eckhart. “At football camp he was really good throwing the ball. He's a lot more crisp and accurate than last year.”

Some of Eckhart's favorite targets include junior Hunter Rook and junior Zack Karels, both of whom saw extensive action in 2008. Eckhart also will look to senior Sebastian Serphin and junior Mitch Haldane.

Joining Ellersick in the backfield is senior running back Max Wicklander, who will get his share of carries.

The best way to describe the Hawks is that it is a hard working group.

“It's a lunch pail, blue collar team,” Umayam said. “That's what we're planning to hang our hat on. We're out to establish our run game.”

The biggest concern Umayam has is staying injury-free. Mountlake Terrace is one of the smaller 4A schools in the state and its number reflect that.

“We need to stay healthy,” Umayam said.