Quarterback

As much as I love and admire Matt Hasselbeck as a player and a person, this competition automatically goes to Heaps. He is the best quarterback in the state, and is widely considered to be in the national top five for the Class of 2010. Since he took over the quarterback reins at Skyline, he led his team to a State Championship, passed to a win at a national seven-on-seven tournament this summer, and was selected by the Associated Press as the top quarterback in the state.

It really isn’t a competition at this point, as much as I admire Mr. Hasselbeck.

Advantage: Skyline

Running Back

Although Nick Washburn is Skyline’s coverboy at this position (primarily because of his brother), Skyline is in the midst of a three-way competition to decide who will be the starter this season. And it isn’t like there will be a returning starter from the previous season: those in contention haven’t really played varsity football at the position. Although the Seahawks have recently had struggles at the position, they have improved it bringing in fresh, almost-new talent in Julius Jones, as well as retaining a valuable spot runner in Maurice Morris. Both have started with decent success, and that puts them over the top, despite Nick Washburn’s potential. Oh and then there’s T.J. Duckett.

Advantage: Seahawks

Wide Receiver

Skyline has one of the best wide receivers in the state with Simone, undeveloped but endless talent in Williams, and two valuable wide outs in Knecht and Chandler. A healthy Seahawks team is very similar: Deion Branch is one of the best players and mimics Heaps’ playing style, catching balls and making plays in the open-field. Williams is slightly more-proven (which is easier at this level) than Courtney Taylor who is less-athletic but more precise. Knecht is the dependable catch, similar to Engram. And Will Chandler is like the explosive Nate Burleson.

Everything just seems to match up well here.

Advantage: Skyline

Offensive Line

Skyline lost several starters on their offensive line, including leader and signal-caller Nathaniel Willingham. Although the Seahawk line is often hurt, they revamped the mediocre squad by bringing in a top left guard to recreate the days of Jones and Hutchinson — which led the team to the Super Bowl in 2005. The Spartans have a talented guard in Grant Engel and reports are that they have meshed well at a group despite inexperience. The offensive line could take another year to play like they did just a year ago. The Seahawks are set, but are on the decline.

Advantage: Seahawks

Defensive Line

The Skyline defensive line is returning one of the most talented players on the team, Rob Tramonte, on the defensive line. He is very similar to Patrick Kerney in that he isn’t a fantastic run-stuffer but can hit a gap and make a play with his fantastic speed in the backfield.

Advantage: Skyline

Linebackers

In the NFL, there are three elite linebackers corps: The Bears, the Patriots and the Seahawks. Each of the Seahawks backers could be in Honolulu each and ever year, and in his career, MLB Lofa Tatupu has been. OLB Julian Peterson is one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL, and the most unreliable thing about OLB Leroy Hill is his contract status (which is set to be expiring this year). On the other hand, the Spartans have a big question mark at inside linebacker. Senior Jordan Weil is likely leading the way going into the season, but he is undersized and won’t be a force like Riley Gervais was last season. Junior Anthony Dematteo is solid and will be great as a senior, but won’t be able to carry this group this season. OLB Ryan Somers is undersized, and although he was KingCo 3A Second Team, he wasn’t a powerhouse as a junior and likely won’t be as a senior. Here, there isn’t even a comparison.

Advantage: Seahawks

Cornerbacks

The similarities between these two groups are remarkable. Skyline doesn’t have a Pro Bowl caliber back, but like the Seahawks has a plethora of guys who could be placed in and could compete against most opponents. Kelly Jennings and Kyle Gutzler are very similar, they are very speedy, smart backs that use their wit to make up for their small statures. The only question mark is that this will be Gutzler’s first season with considerable playing time on varsity, which might be too much of a learning curve as a senior to truly excel in Skyline uniform. CB Will Chandler is solid, provided he stays healthy. One bad knee tweak while dropping back, though, and this team could be in trouble as the next player on the depth chart is Jake Knecht, who admits that he has struggled with the transition from safety to cornerback. The Seahawks have Babineaux, who can and has stepped in as a starter, and Wilson who is a decent nickel player. Skyline just doesn’t match up here, but at least they aren’t completely destroyed.

Advantage: Seahawks

Safeties

Surprisingly, here, neither team has any sort of a weakness. Meatball Marinara-loving Kasen Williams (I know because I work at his Subway of choice) is starting alongside senior Gino Simone. Although they both have flaws (neither is an excellent run stopper) they are near-perfect in coverage and can be relied on in a cornerback-to-safety handoff mid-play. Kasen has great size, and will likely succeed in his first year starting defensively. Simone, who started at safety last season, will only build on his solid, but not great year and develop into a threat. Remember: he saved Skyline from going down in the first Tacoma Doma playoff game in 2007 by picking off Franklin Pierce in the first quarter. As for the ‘Hawks, Brian Russell is aging and has never been a superstar (as both Skyline players could be), and Deon Grant, too, is not Pro Bowl caliber.

Advantage: Skyline