FOOTBALL 2001

Steve Bloom/The Olympian
At 6-foot-4, Shelton senior wide reciever Anthony McCarty (center) has the height edge over most opposing defenders.

Bryce Kilmer

Brett Kilmer

Moore

McIntosh

Twin threats lift Highclimbers into Narrows

Kilmer brothers lead Shelton in another move

ELLIOTT SMITH, THE OLYMPIAN

SHELTON -- Brett and Bryce Kilmer play an integral role on the Shelton football team, but that doesn't mean that Highclimbers coach Matt Hinkle always knows which one he's talking with.

"Sheesh, they're seniors and I still can't tell them apart," he said.

"Can you believe that?" Brett Kilmer said with a laugh.

The Kilmers are twin threats (excuse the pun) for Shelton, manning the offensive and defensive lines for a veteran Highclimbers squad hoping to bounce back from a subpar season.

"They're the foundation," Hinkle said. "They're tough kids."

In fact, the twins are pretty hard to tell apart, save for the 10 extra pounds on Bryce.

You'd think that would equal all sorts of hijinks on unsuspecting teammates and strangers, but they play it pretty straight. The Kilmers haven't even tried the old "fool your teacher" trick yet.

"I'd be afraid he would mess up my grade-point average," Bryce said.

The twins save their games for the field, where they've developed a knack for opening holes and stopping tacklers, but not for the mythical communication link between twins.

"There's none of that with us," Brett said. "Some people say that if he gets hit like 10 miles away, that I would feel it. No. I don't want to feel it."

The Kilmers will be part of a defensive unit that Hinkle feels is his team's strong suit. With seven starters returning, they are experienced and hungry.

"Everyone worked really hard in the offseason," Brett said. "And we're excited about being in the Narrows League."

For the Highclimbers, the move to the Narrows is business as usual. In the past eight years, Shelton has participated in four different (Pac-9, Greater St. Helens, Black Hills and Rivers) leagues.

Most recently, as a 4A school playing in the Pac-9, Shelton was hindered by a Byzantine set of rules involving its playoff eligibility. The move should provide some much-needed relief.

"It works out well," Hinkle said. "It serves us a lot better. It's a good league. We'll have some growing pains, but we've seen most of the teams and we've played against Bremerton and Olympic."

Offensively, the quarterback position is up for grabs between seniors A.J. Mell and T.K. McIntosh, who spelled Mell last season when he was injured. Brandon Dahl and Brandon Smith will duel for the running back position, while Anthony McCarty is one of the area's best receivers.

"We'll try to keep a good balance between run and pass," Hinkle said. "This team is fairly experienced. The cohesiveness of the returners is refreshing. We're excited."

For the Kilmers, you can double that. And when you add on the annual post-game boxing match, they can't wait for the season to get started.

"After a game, someone has a party and they usually have boxing gloves," Brett said. "He won our sophomore year and I won last year. Now it's Round 3."

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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Shelton Highclimbers

-COACH: Matt Hinkle (8th year).

-2000 RECORD: 4-5.

-RETURNING STARTERS: 6/7.

-OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE SET: Multiple; 3-3

-KEY RETURNERS: Anthony McCarty, WR/DB, sr., 6-4, 190; A.J. Mell, QB, sr., 6-2, 185; Ryan Norris, WR/DB, sr., 6-1, 195; Brett Kilmer, OL/DL, sr. 6-2, 225; Bryce Kilmer, OL/DL, sr. 6-2, 235; Dan Moore, TE/DE, sr. 6-2, 230.

-STRENGTHS: The Highclimbers return a host of players who saw action last season. Their cohesiveness during fall practice should pay off during the season.

-WEAKNESSES: The unknown. Shelton moves over to the 4A Narrows League, where things will be a little different from playing in the Pac-9.

-WHAT TO EXPECT: The Highclimbers have seasoned players and the move to the Narrows has renewed their enthusiasm. But snagging a playoff spot will be a daunting challenge.

Schedule

Fri., Sept. 7 at Olympia

Fri., Sept. 14 N. KITSAP

Fri., Sept. 21 at Port Angeles

Fri., Sept. 28 OLYMPIC

Fri., Oct. 5 at Central Kitsap

Fri., Oct. 12 at Gig Harbor

Fri., Oct. 19 S. KITSAP

Fri., Oct. 26 BREMERTON

Fri. Nov. 2 League cross-over

Home games in CAPITALS.

All games at 7 p.m.