EDITOR’S NOTE: <\/strong>This is the second of the Reporter Newspaper’s prep football previews. Previews for Kentridge, Kentwood and Tahoma will follow in the coming days leading up to the Sept. 1 season kickoff.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Brett Allen has been hearing The Question since the end of last football season.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n How does the Kent-Meridian High football team replace David Jones?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n It\u2019s understandable that fans of South Puget Sound League football would be curious about Allen\u2019s plan. After all, Jones, who is now playing at Portland State University, accounted for nearly 75 percent of the Royals total offense last season after amassing 2,453 yards to go along with 22 rushing touchdowns and nine more scores through the air.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n So how does Allen respond to The Question?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t (replace Jones). I\u2019ve been telling people that all summer, you don\u2019t replace him,\u201d said Allen, who is now entering his second year with the program. \u201cHe\u2019s a once-in-a-lifetime, once-in-a-career kid. But, I think we will be a better overall team now that he\u2019s gone. Last year, everyone in the stadium, including the players on the field, ended up standing around watching the David Show.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cThis is going to force us to play team football.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Despite Jones\u2019 departure along with the graduation of several other key offensive weapons, the cupboards are hardly bare on the Kent-Meridian field. In fact, with seven starters back on offense and four more on defense, the Royals boast more returning players than many of their SPSL North counterparts, including an offensive line that is almost entirely intact.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the strength of our team. It\u2019s what will make us go,\u201d said Allen, noting key returning linemen Boogie Yuhashi, Ronald Fa\u2019aagi, Thomas Kemp and\u00a0 Alex Hawkins among others. \u201cThey\u2019re really athletic. It\u2019s a nice situation to be in.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The Royals will be putting it all on the line this fall, both literally and figuratively, when the top four teams from the North advance to the postseason. Kent-Meridian will begin its post-Jones era in a nonleague game at Foss High in Tacoma Sept. 1. Kent-Meridian hasn\u2019t advanced to the playoffs since 1995, a 16-year stretch in which the program has gone through five coaches.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Allen believes the tide could finally turn in Kent-Meridian\u2019s favor this season.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the goal,\u201d Allen said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to climb out of the cellar of obscurity and get into the playoffs.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Allen\u2019s optimism stems as much from the team\u2019s talented offensive line as it does from the return of honorable mention running back B.J. Phillips, who rushed for more than 700 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Phillips, a 5-8, 155-pound senior, possesses good speed and an uncanny ability to hit the holes the offensive line provides.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s one of those hard-working kids … dependable, durable, and doesn\u2019t go down on first contact,\u201d the coach said. \u201cIt takes a couple guys to tackle him, and he really understands the system. When he gets into space, he has decent speed, too.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n In addition, Kent-Meridian tapped into the school\u2019s elite track & field talent to help infuse more athleticism on the field. Among the track standouts who\u2019ve made their way onto the gridiron include wide receivers Jarey Suiter and Abu Kamara, both of whom played key roles on the school\u2019s state title track team in the spring.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cWe sought them out,\u201d Allen admitted. \u201cOne of our things was that we\u2019re not going to let athletes walk the hall. We wanted to tap into that track talent.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Yet, The Question remains.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n And though the Royals have no way of replacing \u2014 or replicating \u2014 what Jones accomplished last year, Allen will turn to sophomore Quincy Carter as the new quarterback. Despite Carter\u2019s youth, Allen has been impressed thus far in the 5-foot-11, 170-pound signal caller. Carter has all the athletic ability and the necessary intangibles to succeed in the SPSL North despite his young age.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cHe has a lot of moxie. Obviously there\u2019s going to be pressure. There\u2019s no going away from it,\u201d Allen said. \u201cIt\u2019s how you respond to it. Quincy isn\u2019t replacing David. Nobody could. (In the offseason) he has made himself a student of the game. He understands what it means to be the guy. He has all the football savvy and ability to play the position well.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cHe just needs to maximize his potential.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n If Carter is able to do just that, and the offensive line does the same, Allen won\u2019t have to answer The Question any longer.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u2022 COACH: <\/strong>Brett Allen, second year<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u2022 LAST YEAR: <\/strong>4-5 in league (6th), 4-6 overall<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u2022 TYPE OF OFFENSE: <\/strong>Spread<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u2022 OFFENSIVE RETURNERS (7):<\/strong> RB B.J. Phillips, sr., 5-8\/162; WR R.J. Franada, sr., 5-10\/170; T Timmy Cordova, jr., 6-0\/210; G Thomas Kemp, jr., 5-7\/175; C\/G Ronald Fa\u2019aagi, sr., 6-3\/255; G\/C Alex Hawkins, sr., 5-11\/225; OL Boogie Yuhashi, sr., 6-2\/250.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u2022 TYPE OF DEFENSE:<\/strong> 4-2-5<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u2022 DEFENSIVE RETURNERS (4):<\/strong> DL Ronald Fa\u2019aagi, sr., 6-3\/255; DL Alex Hawkins, sr., 5-11\/225; DL Boogie Yuhashi, sr., 6-2\/250; CB B.J. Phillips, sr., 5-8\/162.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u2022 TOP NEWCOMERS: <\/strong>WR\/FS Michael Banks, sr., 6-0\/155; WR\/CB Cartez Green, jr., 5-7\/145; QB\/S Quincy Carter, so., 5-11\/170; OL\/LB Teddy Garcia, sr., 6-0\/190; WR\/S Randall Cooper, jr., 5-9\/160; WR\/CB Jarey Suiter, sr., 5-8\/160; WR\/S Abu Kamara, jr., 6-3\/175; C\/DT Austin Brenner, jr., 6-3\/250; WR\/CB Christopher Wright, jr., 5-8\/155.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u2022 OUTLOOK:<\/strong> Things will look considerably different for Kent-Meridian this year without the services of star quarterback David Jones (Portland State), who accounted for roughly 75 percent (2,435 yards, 22 rushing and 9 passing touchdowns) of the team\u2019s total offense last fall. Though the Royals won\u2019t be able to replace Jones\u2019 numbers, they do return a strong contingent of seven offensive starters, which should soften the blow. The biggest chunk of returning talent is on the offensive line, where the Royals could be as strong as any team in the SPSL North and pave the way to a big senior season for running back B.J. Phillips. The key, however, very well could come on defense, which has long been a thorn in K-M\u2019s side. If the Royals can slow down opponents (they allowed 36.4 points per game last season), they should be in the hunt for one of the final playoff berths come season\u2019s end.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u2022 KEY GAME:<\/strong> Sept. 16 vs. Kentridge at French Field. With Kentwood, Auburn and Kentlake \u2014 the three top teams from a year ago \u2014 in succession during the final three weeks of the regular season, it\u2019s vital that the Royals pick up early season victories if they\u2019re going to remain in the playoff hunt. Last year, Kentridge derailed Kent-Meridian in what proved to be a pivotal early season game. Rest assured, the Royals will be ready for the rematch.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n KENT-MERIDIAN SCHEDULE 2011<\/p>\n<\/p>\n DATE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 OPPONENT \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 LOCATION<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Sept. 1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Foss*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Foss<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Sept. 8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A. Riverside\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A. Memorial<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Sept. 16\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kentridge\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 French Field<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Sept. 23\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mount Rainier\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 MR<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Sept. 29\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jefferson\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 French Field<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Oct. 7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tahoma\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tahoma<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Oct. 14\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kentwood\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 French Field<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Oct. 21\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Auburn\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 A. Memorial<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Oct. 27\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Kentlake\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 French Field<\/p>\n<\/p>\n All games begin at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n * Nonleague<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Brett Allen has been hearing The Question since the end of last football season.<\/p>\n How does the Kent-Meridian High football team replace David Jones?<\/p>\n It\u2019s understandable that fans of South Puget Sound League football would be curious about Allen\u2019s plan. After all, Jones, who is now playing at Portland State University, accounted for nearly 75 percent of the Royals total offense last season after amassing 2,453 yards to go along with 22 rushing touchdowns and nine more scores through the air.<\/p>\n So how does Allen respond to The Question?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":106,"featured_media":12902,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[],"class_list":["post-12901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12901"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/106"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12901"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12901\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12902"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12901"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12901"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=12901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}KENT-MERIDIAN ROYALS: AT A GLANCE<\/h1>\n<\/p>\n