UPDATE: A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Jan. 21 at the gym/cafeteria in Federal Way High School.

Not long after Bill Harris hired Jean Licari as an assistant track and field coach at Federal Way High in the early-1990s, he realized she would exceed his expectations.

“We knew that she was an athlete, she was a runner,” he said, “but we hired her to be throws coach. She was great. She worked hard to become a skilled a coach.”

Licari, also a math teacher at Federal Way, eventually became head coach of the Eagles cross country and girls track and field teams. For more than two decades, she was involved as anyone at Federal Way, touching countless lives.

On Sunday, Licari died, losing a battle with Leiomyosarcoma, a rare malignant cancer of smooth muscle. Licari, 45, is survived by her husband Pat and two teenage daughters, Katelin and Madison.

“Her family and Federal Way High School, those were the biggest things in her life,” said Kathy Harris, who coached and taught with Licari.
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Less than two years ago, Kelyn Rowe was dominating South Puget Sound League opponents on the soccer field.

On Thursday, the 2010 Federal Way High graduate was the third overall selection in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft, taken by the New England Revolution.

“I’d like to say I expected it,” Rowe said in a telephone interview. “It’s all been a blur. The past two years have been good.”

Jason Baumgardt, Rowe’s coach at Federal Way, isn’t surprised to see Rowe go from prep to pro so quickly.

“Not at all,” he said, “Kelyn’s a special player.”
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SPSL SOUTH BOYS BASKETBALL PREVIEW CAPSULES

CRYSTAL BALL
1. Curtis (23-6)
2. Federal Way (14-10)
3. Spanaway Lake (7-13)
4. Beamer (6-13)
5. Puyallup (21-9)
6. Emerald Ridge (2-18)
7. Bethel (10-13)
8. Rogers (17-8)
9. Graham-Kapowsin (1-18)
*2010-11 records

STARTING FIVE
F Darius Johnson-Wilson 6-6 Sr. Curtis
Played a key role in Vikings reaching state finals last season

G D’Londo Tucker 5-11 Jr. Federal Way
Lightning-quick guard leads an attack that will push the tempo

F Braxton Tucker 6-4 Jr. Spanaway Lake
Double-double machine will emerge as one of league’s standout players

W Thomas Rhodes 6-3 Sr. Beamer
He’ll have more games with double-doubles than not

G Dom Jordan 5-9 Jr. Curtis
Experienced point guard can distribute ball and score when needed

FASTBREAK
The SPSL South is wide open this season. Want proof? None of the players selected to last year’s all-league first- or second-team return. Unlike in past seasons when there’s been a clear-cut frontrunner, expect a wild season filled with teams beating up on each other. Read more »

Federal Way High’s football team huddled around coach John Meagher, steam rising from their heads and beneath shoulder pads on a chilly Saturday evening, as he addressed them on the field for the final time this season.

“These kids played their hearts out tonight,” Meagher said. “They shouldn’t hang their heads for one second. I’m deeply proud of them.”

The fifth-ranked Eagles lost for the first time, falling 21-11 to No. 4 Eastlake in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs. The Wolves (10-1) will host No. 8 Lake Stevens in the quarterfinals.

Despite two college-bound players sitting out with injuries, Federal Way held the high-scoring Wolves well below their usual output – Eastlake entered the contest averaging 39 points per game. Portland State-commit Uso Olive, a 6-foot, 305-pound senior nosetackle, was nursing a torn meniscus and middle linebacker Jordan Pulu, a 6-foot-1, 235-pound senior orally committee to Washington State, was on crutches with a broken ankle.

With the heart of its defense sidelined, Federal Way’s speed kept the Wolves from breaking big gains around the end, and the Eagles were stout enough inside to hold Eastlake from grinding out long drives. The Wolves finished with just 137 rushing yards on 43 carries.
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Well, that was fun. Let’s do it again Saturday.

The first night of the first round of the football state playoffs produced upsets – who foresaw defending 2A champion and second-ranked Tumwater going down 41-6? – a super-human performance – Interlake’s Jordan Todd rushed for 432 yards in a 49-41 win at Franklin Pierce – and the game everyone wants to see – Bellevue vs. Lakes.

And we’ve still got half the first-round schedule left for Saturday.

Here’s a brief recap of Friday night’s happenings:

CLASS 4A
Central Valley dumped defending state champion and third-ranked Ferris 23-7. There’s goes my pick to win the state title in 4A.

The Greater St. Helens League beat up on the SPSL North, with No. 9 Skyview defeating Kentwood 34-7 and Union handing No. 10 Kentlake its first loss, 31-7.

CLASS 3A
No. 2 Lakes beat Mountain View 28-0 and No .1 Bellevue easily handled Eastside Catholic 42-0, setting up an epic showdown between the two Class 3A superpowers. The game will be played 7:30 p.m. Friday at Harry E. Lang Stadium in Lakewood. Read my story on Lakes’ win for more information.
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CLASS 4A

Lowdown: There’s no disputing Woodinville’s defense is fantastic. Only once have the Falcons allowed more than 14 points in a game. It’s fair to say that Woodinville hasn’t yet seen an offense of Bethel’s caliber. The Braves average nearly 500 yards per game and have been held under 40 points just twice. Bethel can score in bunches, but can its defense hold Woodinville in check? QB Brett Arrivey is poised and RB Alec Schwend is good for at least 100 yards per game. If you’re looking for an upset this weekend, this could be the game.

TNT pick: Woodinville 21, Bethel 20

Edmonds-Woodway (6-4) at No. 1 Bellarmine Prep (10-0), 1 p.m. Saturday at Mount Tahoma Stadium

Lowdown: Good news for Bellarmine Prep: the Lions could welcome back RB/DB Isaiah Flynn, who’s missed the past four games with a knee strain, and RB/ILB Joe Lovejoy, who sat out last week with a knee injury. Flynn adds an explosive element to Bellarmine Prep’s rushing attack and Lovejoy is the heart of the Lions’ stout defense. After a miserable 0-3 start to the season, Edmonds-Woodway has been on fire, winning six of seven games – the only misstep a 35-31 loss to No. 8 Lake Stevens.

TNT pick: Bellarmine Prep 34, Edmonds-Woodway 17
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Wild. Unreal. Amazing.

Pick an adjective; it won’t do justice to the finish of ninth-ranked Federal Way’s 28-26 victory at No. 10 Bethel on Friday night.

“I’ve never experienced an end of the game situation like that,” Eagles coach John Meagher said, “in terms of the range of emotions that I felt.”

The final two minutes were such a roller coaster that three times Federal Way celebrated victory – just once with the win secured – but could finally exhale when quarterback Evan Elliott kneeled in the end zone, taking a safety as time expired. The Eagles had preserved their undefeated record in a matchup of SPSL South titans.

Trailing 28-24 with 2 minutes, 20 seconds remaining, Bethel stuffed Federal for no gain on fourth down and took over at its own 28. Less than a minute later, quarterback Justin Hordyk had guided the Braves to the Eagles’ 30.

One the next play, Hordyk threw to David Fontenette, who tangled with defensive back Marcel Morris. A referee originally ruled that Morris intercepted the pass, but the call was overturned after an officials’ huddle.
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Three to See in Week 5

SPSL SOUTH
No. 9 Federal Way (4-0 overall, 4-0 league) at Bethel (3-1 overall, 3-0 league), 7 tonight

Lowdown: Federal Way’s dynamite defense collides with Bethel’s barnstorming offense in a contest that could determine the league champion. Led by DB D.J. May, LB Jordan Pulu and NG Uso Olive, the Eagles have stymied opposing offenses, holding them to only 54 points. Federal Way is particularly tough against the run, allowing a league-best 56.5 yards per game. But pass defense has been Federal Way’s Achilles heel – the Eagles rank dead-last in the league, allowing 186 yards per game. That bodes well for Bethel QB Justin Hordyk, who’s thrown for 838 yards and 8 TDs. Hordyk leads the SPSL in total offense, averaging 302 yards per game. RB Jeffrey Holder (359 yards and 7 TDs) gets the bulk of the Braves’ carries, while WRs Brandon Kirian and David Fontenette are Hordyk’s top targets.

TNT pick: Bethel 33, Federal Way 31
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