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SILVERDALE BAPTIST ACADEMY SEAHAWKS
Head coach: Mike Connor (7-7 here and overall)
Returning starters: 7 offensive; 6 defensive
Last year's record: 5-6, lost in Division II-AA first round
Key players: Turner Junkins (5-10, 175) Jr. QB/DB, Brody Lamb (6-0, 185) Jr. LB, Connor Delashmitt (6-0, 185) Sr. RB/LB, Kyle Shoemaker (6-1, 195) Jr. OL, Ryland Cobb (6-0, 225) Jr. OL, Cam Bowen (6-0, 175) Jr. WR/DB, Brett Rogers (6-1, 175) Jr. DB, Cam Mullins (6-2, 170) Sr. WR/DB
Season outlook: The Seahawks are motivated to prove wrong preseason prognostications and show they are much stronger than their predicted sixth-place finish in the region.
One reason they can be confident is that Delashmitt, one of the state's most versatile playmakers, is back. The all-state running back carried 205 times for 1,073 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns last season, and he also had 422 yards on kickoff returns and 198 yards on punt returns. However, a young line will need to deliver to make a successful run possible.
Junkins totaled 1,400 offensive yards last season and could take a major leap this year if he's able to eliminate the inconsistency in his throwing accuracy that appeared at times. Bowen had four touchdown catches and nearly 300 yards last season and will be a go-to target, along with Mullins.
Lamb swarmed ball carriers last season, totaling a team-high 94 tackles - including five for loss - and recovering two fumbles. Sebastian Hanks and Bryson Qualls are two seniors who will look to lead on defense after combining for nearly 100 tackles and seven tackles for loss last season.
Silverdale will open its region schedule when Chattanooga Christian visits on Sept. 3.
"We have a lot of experience at key positions returning," Coach Connor said. "However, we will have to play a lot more guys both ways this season. We are very thin at the line position and need some guys to really step up there."
Staff file photo / Silverdale Baptist Connor Delashmitt (29) rushed for 15 touchdown and more than 1,000 yards last season as a junior, when he was also a weapon on special teams as a returner.