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backfield. He's one of the best inside runners as far as traps and counters that I've coached. This could be his year to take off." The Engineers are expecting big things out of junior wideout Kenny Tush. "He's just a pure athlete," Stilwell said. "He had three receiving touchdowns last year and I look for him to build on that this year." Sophomores Tye Whaler, Christian Sullateskee and freshmen Ethan Parsley and Martin Kirk could help at the wide receiver position. "They're shifty H-back kids," Stilwell said. "Undersized but good athletes. We need to find a way to get them the ball and make some plays." Senior Avery Guyll returns as the start - ing tight end. "He's one of those kids you can count on to do things right," Stilwell said. "He's going to do what you tell him to the best of his ability." Junior Adrian Mendoza and sopho - mores Fred Upton and Caden Willis will help at the tight end spot. Willis has been especially impressive. "Caden Willis came into his own as a freshman, now he's a sophomore," Stilwell said. "He had a big catch against Oaks and a touchdown catch against Summit Christian. He's a gritty kid that won't run out of energy. He won't come off the field this year." Junior Bryce Thompson is the Engi- neers' only starting offensive lineman back from last year. He also saw signifi- cant playing time as a freshman the year before. Thompson will play a left guard position. "He knows the offense and is a big athletic kid," Stilwell said. "He's got to be the anchor on the offensive line." Freshman Luke Bateman is penciled in at the right guard. "He's aggressive and loves football," Stilwell said of Bateman. "You can't teach that. He's bought in and ready to go. He didn't miss a day of workouts." Junior Andy Lee will man the center position. Lee has rejoined the team after not playing the last two years, Stilwell said. "He's a big kid, stronger than I thought he was going to be," Stilwell said of Lee. "He stepped in at center and took con - trol. He's a quiet kid, does what he's told and he's smart. If he'll stick with it he'll help us out a lot." Sophomore Caleb Orullian will shift time between both guards and is the "biggest kid we have," Stilwell said. "Once he figures out what's going on he can help us a bunch," he said. Sophomores Blaze Lykins and Steven Curry also can help on the offensive line. "We'll go as the offensive line goes," Stilwell said. Defensively, the Engineers will run a 4-1 defense with former head coach Doug Ward calling the plays as defensive coordinator. "We're glad to have coach Ward back," Stilwell said. "We try to get him to help every year." The Engineers have moved Thompson from defensive nose guard to defensive end. "He's real athletic," Stilwell said. "The things we're going to ask that defensive end to do we'll need athleticism there. This will let him play in more space. Bateman and Willis will play on the interior of the defensive line as will Or - ullian, Lee and Upton. "We're looking for more speed and aggressiveness," Stilwell said. The other defensive end spot is an open competition as of press time. Cur- ry will get a chance at the spot, and the Engineers could also move Willis outside if needed. Mendoza and Lykins also could be options on the defensive line. Hammer is an option on defense on the line and at linebacker, but the Engi- neers want to keep him as fresh as they can for offense. Jesse Guyll will man the one lineback- er position in the 4-1 defense. "Jesse led team in tackles last year with more than 120 tackles," Stilwell said. "He had a couple of fumble recoveries. He's one of the better linebackers to come through here. He was all-district last year, plays side-to-side real well. He just finds the ball." Hammer will back up at linebacker. Mitchell will man a high safety posi - tion after recording nine interceptions a year ago. "He finds ways to be around the ball and make plays," Stilwell said of Mitch- ell. Tush, who had six interceptions last year, will play one cornerback spot, while Avery Guyll will man the other cornerback. Avery Guyll had two inter- ceptions and a fumble returned for a touchdown last year. Whaler, Sullateskee, Parsley and Kirk could also help in the secondary. 2019 Football Preview 20C n Wednesday, August 28, 2019 Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer Watts Continued from Page 14C Graham Thomas/Herald-Leader The Watts (Okla.) Engineers open the 2019 season on Aug. 30 at Decatur.