FOOTBALL 2001

Steve Bloom/The Olympian
Tony Rapaglia returns at quarterback for Timberline as the Blazers hope their 14 returning starters pay off in a Pac-9 title.

Ware

Rough

Rapaglia

Title No. 1 goal for battle-tested Blazers

Veteran team knows stopping N. Thurston key

ERIC D. WILLIAMS, FOR THE OLYMPIAN

LACEY -- After a 6-3 season a year ago, the Timberline High football team is focused on taking home a Pacific-9 League title in 2001.

The Blazers return 14 starters and a host of talent sprinkled throughout the roster.

However, they know the route to a Pac-9 title will probably wind its way through crosstown-rival North Thurston.

"Basically we've got to stop Alex," said senior lineman Aaron Ware, referring to all-everything North Thurston running back Alex Pittelkau. "He's the man. He's the best running back in the league. If we stop Alex, we stop Thurston."

Ware and fellow bookend tackle Mike Oliveria will key Timberline's spread offensive attack. Both lineman attended the University of Oregon lineman camp this summer and rated in the top 10.

Oliveria, a first-team, all-league offensive line selection, is the bigger at 6-foot-5, 285 pounds. Ware, 6-5, 235, is quicker and known for his prowess at defensive end. Both may land at Division I institutions next fall.

Running behind Timberline's experienced line is the combination of seniors Joe Smith and Dan Rough, who combined for nearly 1,000 yards last season.

Smith, a smooth runner who made it to district in the 100- and 200-meter dash events last spring in track, is the more elusive, while the hard-nosed Rough prefers to take the North-South route through the defense.

"Staying focused is probably the No. 1 thing for us right now," Smith said. "We have to be able to pull out wins as a team instead of relying on one person."

"We've just got to come out and work hard and expect to win," Ware added.

Senior returning quarterback Tony Rapaglia will run the passing attack. The talented thrower is counting on getting more consistent play from the Timberline receiving corps, which dropped too many balls last season.

"(Nic) Iverson's got some really good hands," Rapaglia said. "Right now the guys are doing a better job of catching the ball."

The Blazers also sport the league's premier kicker with senior Rob Foppiano returning. Foppiano was a Pac-9 all-league choice as a kicker and punter last year. He averaged 42 yards a punt and had a season-long field goal of 43 yards.

Timberline head coach Kevin Young, in his second season, has high expectations.

"We should compete for a league title," Young said. "I think we just need to stay healthy and avoid turnovers. Our league is going to be strong. Just about everybody has improved. There's not going to be an easy week."

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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Timberline Blazers

- COACH: Kevin Young (2nd year).

- 2000 RECORD: 6-3, third in Pac-9, lost to Columbia River in pigtail.

- RETURNING STARTERS: 7/7.

- OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE SET: Spread (one back); 4-3.

- KEY RETURNERS: Tony Rapaglia, QB, sr., 6-1, 180; Dan Rough, RB-OLB, sr., 5-10, 185; Mike Oliveria, OL-DL, Sr., 6-5, 280; Aaron Ware, OL-DE, sr., 6-5, 235; Joe Smith, RB-DB, sr., 5-9, 170; Michael Franklin, FB-LB, jr., 5-10, 210; Nic Iverson, WR-DB, sr., 5-8, 150; Mike Paet, WR-DB, sr., 5-10, 160.

- STRENGTHS: Experience. Timberline has most of nucleus from a year ago back. Offensive tackles Mike Oliveria and Aaron Ware along with quarterback Tony Rapaglia should help move the offense.

- WEAKNESSES: Depth. After the first-teamers, Timberline backups are short on experience. "We need to find a few more guys ready to play and contribute," coach Young said.

- WHAT TO EXPECT: With 14 of 22 starters returning, the Blazers should make a run at the Pac-9 title.

Schedule

Fri., Sept. 7 at Centralia

Fri., Sept. 14 BLACK HILLS

Fri., Sept. 21 at North Thurston

Fri., Sept. 28 at Marysville*-- 7:30

Fri., Oct. 5 CHEHALIS

Fri., Oct. 12 at Tumwater

Thu., Oct. 18 YELM

Fri., Oct. 26 at River Ridge

Fri., Nov. 2 ABERDEEN

*non-league

Home games in CAPITALS.

All games at 7 p.m, unless noted.