School athletic teams switch from 4A to 3A
As the Redmond High football team jogged onto the field for its Monday afternoon practice, the players were fired up. There was an abundance of slaps on the helmet, pats on the back and words of encouragement.
It’s a new season and a new scenario.
This fall, the Mustangs will play in 3A Kingco after competing in 4A Kingco since the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) added the classification in 1997. Redmond, which finished 1-7 in league and 1-8 overall last year, switched classifications because of enrollment figures and a host of schools opting up to 4A.
“We have a whole new clean slate, whole new opponents, whole new traditions to build, new rivalries and I think they’re really excited for it,” said fourth-year Redmond head coach Jason Rimkus.
Burly senior captain Luke Kennedy said the Mustangs are set to give it their all in 3A.
“Let’s embrace it and I’m happy to be trying something new. It’s gonna be a whole new experience and I’m ready for it,” said the inside linebacker and fullback, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 200 pounds.
Kennedy added with steely eyes, that the team is going to bring it “tougher than we have before.”
The Mustangs will kick off their season with a non-league game at 7 p.m. Friday at Arlington, and after three more non-league contests, they’ll face their first 3A foe in an away game at Lake Washington at 7 p.m. Sept. 30.
Senior captain Anthony Laveroni, who is one of the tallest Mustangs at 6-4, noted that he’s got a solid group of teammates and coaches on his side. Rimkus has bonded with the seniors since they first stepped onto the varsity squad as sophomores and juniors. He’s molded the Mustangs into talented players.
“We believe that we can really have a lot of success this year, especially since we’re gonna be playing all new teams,” said Laveroni, a center/nose guard who weighs in at 250 pounds.
One of the most significant things Laveroni has learned from his time with the Stangs is to not expect to be given anything.
“You have to work for everything that you want. You can’t just expect … you’ve worked all summer and now you get to win games instantly, like it’s free. You still have to go out and you have to earn those wins,” he said.
Junior starting quarterback Teryn Berry (6-1, 171) will lead the Mustangs’ pro-style West Coast offense, which will feature play-action passes, runs and more.
Rimkus describes Berry as a workaholic with great arm strength who spent a lot of time honing his skills in the offseason. His leadership skills are also at a premium, the coach said.
Redmond has three top-notch senior running backs on its side in Brad Baker (5-8, 160), Cameron Boone (5-10, 195) and Joel Hargin (5-8, 170). Baker is a scatback, Boone will mash through opponents and Hargin — who returns from a torn ACL last year — is a mixture of the two styles.
Berry’s receiving corps will feature seniors Devon LaPierre (6-5, 185) and captain Ryan Mossman (6-0, 185).
Tops on the defensive side, Rimkus rattles off some familiar names in Hargin at linebacker, Boone at outside linebacker and Baker and Mossman at defensive backs. Senior Ben Maier (5-10, 245) will play nose guard.
Rimkus and his coaching staff’s message to his players is to outhit and outhustle opponents and be mentally tougher from start to finish.
“Definitely the effort level is something we’re really proud of. I’ve been fortunate to have some colleagues who have complimented us on that in the past, so you’ll see the effort level will be phenomenal,” said Rimkus, who’s in his seventh year overall as a head coach, including three years at Interlake.
“I really think the strength will start to come through the senior class. The leadership and the experience is the most I’ve ever had,” he added.
Kennedy, who was a 4A Kingco second-team defender last year, will be focused on guiding his team — and mixing it up with opponents. The successful Mustang wrestler can’t wait to get some hits in come Friday.
“My favorite part is probably once we get into the second and third quarter, ’cause then I’ve totally hit my stride and that’s when I just feel my body’s fully warmed up and I’m really rocking and rolling at that point,” he said.
Another senior captain Kellen Shoup (6-2, 185) will handle backup quarterback duties and also punt and play outside linebacker. The 2015 4A Kingco second-team special-teams punter is nursing a leg injury for now, but will be in the mix soon.
Shoup has been soaking up the entire Mustang experience.
“It’s more than football, it’s about this brotherhood that we have,” he said. “I hang out with all these guys almost every day. On the field, we’re serious — we have fun also — but off the field, we’re really close friends.”
Mossman, who started all games at slot receiver last year, echoed Shoup’s sentiment about friendship and gutting it out against opponents under the Friday night lights.
“It’s really special. Especially being with the guys I’ve played with for so long. A lot of these guys were there with me since third grade — so it’s been a journey,” he said.
Redmond High schedule
Friday: At Arlington, 7 p.m.
Sept. 9: At Meadowdale (Edmonds Stadium), 8 p.m.
Sept. 16: SEATTLE PREP, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23: HERITAGE, 7 p.m.
Sept. 30: At Lake Washington, 7 p.m.
Oct. 7: MERCER ISLAND, 7 p.m. (Televised on HC/ROOT Sports)
Oct. 14: At Juanita, 7 p.m.
Oct. 21: BELLEVUE, 7 p.m.
Oct. 28: At Interlake, 7 p.m.
