Story and photos by Doug Petrowski

The MTHS Hawk football team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing season last year that saw them win only twice while losing eight. The squad kicks off their 2012 season on the road Friday as they face the Stanwood Spartans.

This year’s Hawk team could be explosive on offense, returning key playmakers Beau Kennedy, senior quarterback; Devante Downs, junior running back; Anfernee Calloway, senior running back and a talented group of wide receivers.

Head coach Tony Umayam thinks the team is well-positioned to gain yardage on opposing defenses considering the players he’s got carrying the ball. “In the backfield,” Umayam said, “this is the deepest this school has ever been.”

The team has installed a different offensive scheme this year, but not one that is new to many of the players. “It’s the same offense we ran when I was growing up playing junior football,” said Kennedy.

It’s also an offense that will see the quarterback running with the ball on designed plays. “I’ll be carrying the ball some to take some of the pressure off of Devante so teams won’t be able to just key in on him,” Kennedy added.

Downs’ rushing statistics dropped last season after an outstanding sophomore year in 2010 due to teams specifically designing their defenses to stop him, Umayam said.

When the Hawks put the ball into the air, Kennedy will have plenty of targets, with senior wide receivers Quintin Barnard, Tye Esparza and Mason Stone all looking to have big years. Look for juniors Zack Wallgren and Jonathan Williams to contribute with significant receiving yards also.

MTHS will face plenty of strong teams this year, as Glacier Peak and Meadowdale not only expect to fight it out for the Wesco South 3A crown, but to possibly advance far into the state tournament. The Hawks also face the always-tough Edmonds-Woodway Warriors in the second game of the year, and an improving Lynnwood Royals squad that has moved up to 4A for 2012.

After opening on the road, the Hawks will play five straight games at Edmonds Stadium, 7600-212th St. S.W.. The team plays their final two scheduled games at nearby Shoreline Stadium, 18560-1st Ave. N.E., against Shorecrest and Shorewood High Schools.

You can see the entire Hawks 2012 football schedule here.

All Hawk 2012 football games, home and away, will be video broadcast online on the Hawks Live Sports Network, brought to you by MLTnews.com and sponsored by MS Helping Hands. All game will also be archived for future viewing.