Football: The Year of The Scot?

Saturday, August 31, 2019

2019 Scots


By Rob Oxford


With the end of summer comes another school year and for the many who enjoy it, another season of football. Whether you still have a player in high school as do I, prefer the college game over the pros or join a fantasy league each year to compete against friends and fellow employees, another season is finally upon us.

This year, in his tenth as Shorecrest High School, Head Coach Brandon Christensen and the supporters of Highlander Football appear to have a team they can truly be excited about.

With many schools in their league having graduated standout players, the Scots, who are returning 7 Offensive and 8 Defensive starters, are no longer a “young team”. Led by 4-year starting QB Eladio Fountain, if nothing else, the Scots have experience.

In his junior year at Left Tackle Jordan Glesener will be opening holes for Markus Selzler, Marcus Tidwell and Gabe Nelson while pass protection will fall on the shoulders of interior lineman Jacob Halvorson, D’Marius Kellogg-Duncan, Abi Sidhu and James Huffman.

Huffman, who has been working hard during the off-season and is much faster and stronger than he was a year ago, will also be bringing the pressure on defense at Middle Linebacker. Other offensive weapons include talented receivers Gannon Dow, Derrick Williams and Carlos Torres.

On Defense, the Scots look forward to the healthy return of Senior Jacob Cruz at Defensive Back and Des Fox who is an equally effective pass-catcher on offense. Also looking to make an impact defensively again this year is Senior linebacker Mathew Potter and juniors Robbie Oxford and Jaxon Taylor.

Should it come down to extra points or a field goal win in overtime, the Highlanders have one of the best kickers around in Gavin Dalziel. Gavin has spent much of the last year under the tutelage of Husky Hall of Famer Jeff Jaeger.

The first game on their schedule is this coming Friday September 6, 2019 when they travel north to take on Marysville-Getchell. 

To this writer, equally exciting as those returning for what will be their final year on a high school football team, are the seniors who have decided to strap on the pads for the very first time. Some have been standout baseball players and track athletes; others may just want to experience the brotherhood of being a “Gridiron” Highlander. Regardless, they have been welcomed with open arms and each in their own way have something to contribute to what could be a very successful year for Shorecrest.

There are no new clichés when it comes to this game. “Winners Never Quit and Quitters Never Win,” “Football is Family,” “You have to leave it all out on the field,” - fortunately all of these are true. Whether it has been your life or it is your first time experiencing the game, football done right will bring out the best in all who participate.

I make no excuses for being a football fanatic. Yes, there are issues in professional sports that need to be addressed. Yes, college athletes should probably be paid for generating millions of dollars in revenue for their prospective schools, but we’re not there yet. These are student athletes. These are young men and in the case of one young player at Shorewood High School, women, who are learning about accountability. They are learning about commitment, dedication, responsibility and a whole host of other positive attributes to be gained from being involved in a team sport.

So, whether you are a Thunderbird or a Scot for the next few months, the place to be on a Friday Night at 7pm is Shoreline Stadium.



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