Coming off a strong 2009 season that saw their third state appearance in four years, the Mount Si football team looks to make a splash again in a Kingco 3A league loaded with tough teams.

Turnout was big for the Wildcats this autumn: nearly 50 freshmen and more than 60 sophomores, juniors and seniors tried out.

“We have three full levels of football teams in our program,” said coach Charlie Kinnune. “We’re up over 100 and really excited about our present and our future.”

Back for his 19th season, Kinnune is the dean of Kingco coaches in terms of experience, and he thinks that has a lot to do with community expectations.

“What that really says is that our community is pretty stable, our community desires continuity,” Kinnune said. “I think they’ve generally been happy with the product that we’ve put on the field.”

The product this year is expected to be a strong one, led by tight end Joe Farmer. The senior, who has generated some buzz on Internet recruiting sites, is being looked at by several Division I colleges, and Kinnune hopes Farmer can live up to the high expectations.

“We expect a Division I performance from Joe,” the coach said. “If he wants to play on Saturdays at the Division I level, he’s going to have to dominate on both sides of the ball out here.”

Farmer knows what’s expected of him.

“I’ve just got to go out and play hard every play (and) just prove that I deserve those offers,” he said.

Other players to watch include senior quarterback Ian Ilgenfritz, senior running back Shelby Williams, and a line which includes seniors Alec Deichman, Tino Paophavihanh and Kasey Channita. Among the top newcomers is a name familiar to Wildcat fans: Trent Riley. A sophomore who made waves last winter as a freshman helping lead the Wildcats boys basketball team, Riley will be playing wide receiver, and he’s ready.

“They can expect energy and just playing with heart and giving it my all at all times,” Riley said.

Kingco is expected to be extremely difficult this season. Many expect Liberty, led by their big three of quarterback Trey Wheeler, running back Chandler Jenkins and wide receiver Jake Bainton, to possibly contend for a state title. Then, there’s Bellevue, always difficult every year, and upstarts Juanita and Mercer Island also are expected to be big challenges. But the goal remains the same.

“Every year, our goal is to be playing a significant Week 10 game,” Kinnune said. “We believe that an early tough schedule and a tough league schedule makes us very, very strong for our tenth game.”

Mount Si opened their home schedule last week against Bothell. This week they play Lake Washington in the league opener at Lake Washington.