The center of power in the SPSL South shifted on Friday night.

Ninth-ranked Federal Way ended Curtis’ 28-game regular-season winning streak with a 17-7 victory over the three-time defending SPSL South champion Vikings Friday.

The Eagles mobbed each other after the final whistle sounded, a blue and white gyrating mass of jubilation at midfield, but they weren’t prepared to say they’d taken the lead in the race for the league title.

“It’s three games into the season, it’s early to start talking about league titles,” Federal Way coach John Meagher said. “It’s the beginning of the race; not a sprint, it’s a marathon.”
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Curtis has found a new playmaker.

Junior running back E.J. Deveaux shredded Rogers’ for 228 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Vikings to a 26-20 win Friday night in University Place.

“We thought E.J. has a lot of life,” Curtis coach Clay Angle said. “He’s got great moves, runs with a very low profile.”

After graduating every major offensive contributor from the team that rolled through the SPSL South undefeated and reached the Class 4A state semifinals last fall, the Vikings showcased a dominant rushing attack that gobbled up 388 yards on 49 attempts.

“We wanted to play some smash-mouth,” Angle said.
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I ventured out to watch the scrimmages at the University of Puget Sound football team camp on Wednesday and shot some video. I saw the following teams scrimmage: Arlington, Auburn Riverside, Bonney Lake, Curtis, Enumclaw, Gig Harbor, Skyline, Tahoma and Timberline.

A few quick observations:

1. Skyline quarterback Max Browne looked very good. Spartans coach Mat Taylor said Browne, a highly-recruited junior, is progressing and playing even better than last year. To put that in perspective, Browne threw for 4,182 yards, 50 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 2010.

The Spartans defense shined, too, coming up with a few picks. And …

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Central Washington University’s Stan Langlow, a 2009 Curtis High School graduate, was named to the Sporting News’ preseason Division II All-American team as a defensive back.

Langlow started nine games as a redshirt freshman in the 2010 season, leading the Great Northwest Athletic Conference with seven interceptions. According to a CWU release, Langlow is the only GNAC player on the list and one of five sophomores among the 27 players honored.

Langlow was a TNT all-area first-team selection at receiver in 2008 when he led the SPSL South with 820 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches on 39 receptions. …

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Rahmel Dockery needed a few extra minutes to make sure he was making the right decision.

While four of his classmates were being introduced during a signing day ceremony at Curtis High School, Dockery was huddling with his parents outside the staff development room running through a list of pros and cons for Washington State University and Oregon State University.

“It was a last-minute thing,” said Dockery, The News Tribune’s all-classification state football player of the year in 2010. “We talked about the schools and it was a 50-50 thing on where I was going.”

Minutes later, Dockery, with his mother Leata Alaalatoa standing next to him, told the packed room that he would sign with WSU.
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The News Tribune will publish its 24th annual Northwest Nuggets recruiting package on Sunday, Jan. 23. Here are some recruiting tidbits to tide you over until then:

DOCKERY BEING COURTED
Curtis football standout Rahmel Dockery’s recruitment was ratcheted up this week.

The receiver/cornerback and his family met with Oregon State head coach Mike Riley Wednesday night and Washington State assistant coach Mike Levenseller on Thursday, said his father, Steve.

Dockery, The News Tribune’s all-classification football state player of the year in 2010, has taken official visits to Hawaii and Oregon State, and will visit Washington State next weekend.

EDISON COMMITS TO PORTLAND STATE
Cornelius Edison gave an oral commitment to Portland State University after taking an official visit to the campus last weekend. Edison, a 6-foot-4 and 280-pound senior, also had an offer from Army and was being recruited by Eastern Washington, San Diego and Central Washington.

Edison was a member of The News Tribune’s All-Area team and was named the SPSL South’s offensive and defensive lineman of the year in 2010.

GOMEZ TO EWU
Graham-Kapowsin senior lineman Thomas Gomez has given an oral commitment to play football at Eastern Washington University, according to G-K coach Eric Kurle. Gomez, who stands 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, was a member of The News Tribune’s All-Area football team in 2010.

Eastern Washington won the NCAA Division I Football Championship last season.
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I received this e-mail, regarding a celebration for the Curtis High School football team, and wanted to post it here so anyone interested can attend.

To Friends of Curtis Football, University Place Viking Football players and coaches, and fans of the Curtis Viking Football Team,

On Satuday Dec. 11 at 2 p.m., the Curtis High Cafeteria will serve as the venue for a Recognition and Congratulation ceremony for the Curtis High School Varsity Football team and coaching staff and FANS of Curtis Football.

All the team members present will be introduced by grade and many of the Senior class of 2010 will be available for Autographs and photo opportunities. Refreshments will be available at 2 p.m. and season highlights will be shown during the celebration.
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CLASS 3A PLAYOFFS
No. 5 Lakes (11-1) vs. No. 1 Bellevue (11-1), 7 p.m. Friday, Tacoma Dome
Radio: KJR 950 AM
Lowdown: Because of its precise execution of counters, traps and other misdirection plays, two-time defending champion Bellevue’s wing-T offense is incredibly difficult to prepare for. Lakes lost out on valuable practice time this week because bad weather and driving conditions cancelled school. Lakes has overcome plenty of obstacles already this season, so what’s one more? If the Lancers can stay home on defense and keep the Wolverines’ big-play capabilities in check, Lakes will have an opportunity to knock Bellevue off its championship pedestal. Read more »