By WILL HOLLAND
Here’s an inside look at the 1A King’s Way Knights.
Links: King’s Way team page | 2019 schedule | Roster
2018 IN REVIEW
2-7 overall record, 0-5 in 1A Trico League
COACHING RESUME
HC: Brian Rodriguez
2-7 record (2nd season as head coach)
Coordinators: Karl Graves (Assis. OC); Brad Packer (DC).
Base schemes: Spread offense, 4-2-5 defense
RETURNING
Offense – 7. Defense – 6.
TOP RETURNERS
QB Kemper Shrock, 6-5, 200, Sr.
WR Bryson Metz, 5-8, 145, So.
TE Bryce Dodge, 6-3, 190, Jr.
OT/DE Bailey Meek, 6-4, 235, Jr.
LB Tayler Shega, 6-0, 200, Sr.
THREE TO SEE
QB Kemper Shrock, 6-5, 200, Sr.
Shrock returns for his senior year coming off of an all-league second team selection as a junior. In that year, the 6-5 quarterback threw for just shy of 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns, and will have some reliable targets returning this year.
TE Bryce Dodge, 6-3, 190, Jr.
Dodge will be one of those reliable returning targets for Shrock, and his size makes him a dominant force as a blocker in the run game. The 2018 first team all-league tight end pulled down 38 catches for 454 yards and 4 touchdowns last year, and is primed for another big year.
OL/DL Sam Kelly, 6-9, 310, So.
Yes, you read that correctly. The 6-9, 310 lb sophomore stands as a giant amongst toddlers on the gridiron, supplying a significant serving of intimidation to opponents. Not sure if he’ll see action this year as an underclassman, but certainly one to see.
OUTLOOK
After a rocky first season and a last place league finish, head coach Brian Rodriguez steps into his second year at the helm for the Knights with a lot of talent returning. Kemper, Metz, Dodge, Meek and Shega – all honored with all-league mentions in 2018 – come back this year to give coach Rodriguez some stability on both sides of the ball. As it was last year, the Trico league should be anyone’s league to win, as five teams finished within two games of each other’s overall records. Coach Rodriguez has great things to say about the offense heading into 2019, and tells Scorebook that the Knights “only scratched the surface with the offensive playbook last season”. Last year, the offense showed flashes of dominance, scoring over 30 points twice. The defense should be solid as well, which will make the Knights viable contenders for a league title. Don’t sleep on King’s Way Christian in 2019.
Sept. 6, 7 p.m.: at Elma
Sept. 13, 7 p.m.: at Ridgefield
Sept. 21, 6 p.m.: at Bellevue Christian
Sept. 27, 6 p.m.: Riverside
Oct. 4, 7 p.m.: La Center
Oct. 11, 7 p.m.: at Castle Rock
Oct. 18, 7 p.m.: at Columbia (White Salmon)
Oct. 25, 7 p.m.: Stevenson
Nov. 1, 7 p.m.: Seton Catholic
*home games in bold