Issaquah wins passing tournament at Lakewood High School

Last year, Ryan Bergman took over a team that played in the Class 4A state title game and, in his one year as the starter, put up big numbers during a successful playoff run to the quarterfinals.

This year, Ethan Kalin steps into the starter's role vacated by Bergman.

"He looks to be at two-year starter for us," Bennett said. "He's a good sized kid. He's 6-1, 230 pounds with a very strong arm. He does a nice job in getting comfortable back there. He was our JV guy last year as a sophomore and has done everything we've asked."

Kalin inherits a group of talented pass catchers, including Evan Peterson. As a junior in 2009, Peterson set school records for catches in a game (13), yards in a game (271), tied the mark for touchdown catches in a game (four). He finished the season with 90 catches for 1,538 yards and 19 TDs, all school season records.

"Evan is looking better than ever and he's had a great summer, so we're really optimistic we're going to be able to throw the ball pretty well this year," Bennett said.

The key for the the Eagles' new duo is to develop their timing before the season begins. They are off to a strong start after winning the third-annual Cougars Passing Tournament at Lakewood High School in Marysville last weekend.

"It was a good tournament," Bennett said. "We've gone up there the past three years and theu do a nice job."

Last year, Issaquah defeated Bothell in the tournament's title game.

"It's a nice way to conclude the summer for us," Bennett said.

Issaquah also lost to Skyline in the title game of the University of Washington's 7-on-7 passing tournament earlier this summer.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, high-school practices begin Aug. 18.