Union High School head coach, Cale Piland...

Last night as I was walking into the Sounders 1-0 win over FC Dallas in the US Open Cup Semifinal, I recieved a return email from Union High School head coach Cale Piland. I sent him an attachment with a few questions, he responded to every question I asked...

WHSF: What, if any, things do you take from last seasons loss to Bothell that you feel could help you in this seasons game?

CP: Just the experience itself. Traveling is always a challenge. Having been to Pop Keeney will provide our kids with a level of familiarity.

WHSF: Can you give me 2-3 things you feel will be necessary to beating Bothell this time around?

CP:We will need to run the ball and be able to limit their running game. Additionally, we must win the turnover battle.

WHSF:WR Trent Sewell of Bothell appears to be ready for a big season, what do you do to stop a player of his ability?

CP:Try to limit his touches as much as possible.

WHSF:If a Bothell fan were reading this blog, who are 3 players they should watch for and why?

CP:Brandon Brody-Heim will be our primary back. Kaben Humphrey-Butler is our QB and already has been offered a full scholarship by Portland St. Tanner Nelson returns as a member of an experienced secondary.

WHSF: What would you say offensively is your strength this season?

CP:Ideally, we will have a balanced attack.

WHSF:What would you say defensively is your strength this season?

CP:Our secondary possesses a lot of experience.

WHSF:Your team is 31-6 in its first three years of play, what do you attribute to your early success?

CP:We’ve had a number of great players who were willing to work and do what is necessary to be successful.

WHSFWhat is it gonna take to get back to the Tacoma Dome this season?

CP: We need to stay healthy and continue to improve each week.

Best of luck this season coach, I hope to see you guys in the Tacoma Dome at the end of the season.

---

A little more about Union:

The Titans return some very skilled players on both sides of the ball. The obvious is Brandon Brody-Heim a Senior at RB/LB, Tanner Nelson a Senior WR/DB and Gabe Rego another Senior WR/DB. The best player on the field Friday night at Pop Kenney might be Senior QB Kaben Humphrey-Butler. He is considered a "Dual Threat" QB, which is usually a nice way of saying he runs but doesn't have great accuracy, but Humphrey-Butler has that accuracy. Video I have posted below has some great clips of Humphrey-Butler in action.




---

I tried contacting Bothell in hopes of getting a preview from them as well, but have yet to get a response. If I do get one it will be posted tomorrow.

---

I would like to thank Coach Piland for taking a few minutes to answer the questions I had. He was a class act when I played for him and appears to have not changed one bit. I hope to catch up again with him come playoff time, his team should be there.