The Foster football team “took a step in the right direction” this season, says Coach Matt Leonard, but needs a strong off-season to move forward.
The Bulldogs finished the season 3-3 in Seamount League play, with a 39-0 Homecoming win over Evergreen.
Thirteen Foster players were named to all-Seamount League teams, including linebacker Alvin Noa and center Zane Galoia to the first team.
The team entered the district tournament as the No. 2 league seed, in part because of a 31-10 victory Oct. 3 over the Renton Indians. The Bulldogs lost Nov. 7 to Olympic High School of Steilacoom, 47-6, ending their season.
“To win in the playoffs you have to play at a different level, with a different focus, and we were not able to do that,” said Leonard.
The positives for the season were an improved conference record, suffering only one “bad” beating (Kennedy Catholic, 49-0) as opposed to last year – and making the playoffs, Leonard said.
“We lost a number of close games that I feel we should have won,” he said. “The next step is finishing off teams and winning the close games, which we didn’t do this season.”
Next year, a “strong core” returns in skill positions, but the team loses all its linemen on both sides, “which will be a major loss,” said Leonard.
“Games are won and lost in the trenches,” Leonard said.
A “very strong group of young kids” dedicated in the weight room and on the practice field “should fill in nicely,” he said.
And, Foster’s entire starting secondary will feature three-year starters, as well as all-leaguer Alvin Noa, Leonard said.
“We have a rock-solid quarterback, Zane Jacobson, who will no doubt lead our passing attack and stabilize our offense,” he said of the junior named to the Seamount second team.
What’s really needed is a “strong off season,” said Leonard.
“We were a talented team that didn’t work hard enough in the off season,” he said. “It will be key for us to work hard this off season to match our opponents.”
ALL-LEAGUE HONORS
The following Foster football players received all-Seamount League honors:
• First team
Junior Alvin Noa, linebacker, and senior Zane Galoia, center.
• Second team
Senior Ronnie Roberson, defensive end; senior Patrick Saau, linebacker; sophomore Kevin Le, defensive back; senior Samatar Ahmed, offensive guard; senior Patrick Straight, receiver; senior Anthony Noa, running back; and junior Zane Jacobson, quarterback
• Honorable mention
Senior Justin Satele, defensive tackle; junior Anthony Noa, linebacker; senior Laveasale Eneliko, defensive back; junior Josh Lemaota, defensive back; and senior Keith Hill, offensive tackle
