Head Coach: Wade Pelc
I am so humbled and honored to be welcomed to Kentlake as Head Football Coach (2022). As a Nebraska native and Husker fan, my passion for football started early and carried me through my playing days at Truman State University (MO). My coaching career began at my college alma mater before joining the high school ranks as a Coordinator for seven years at Kirksville High School (MO) and Covenant Day School (Charlotte, NC).
I am even more excited to introduce my wife Laura and year-old son Leo. I convinced her to marry me nearly four years ago when we met in Missouri working together. She has spent the last three years teaching middle school and Leo has spent the last year eating and stealing hearts with steel-blue eyes. We can’t wait to move out to Kent and climb every mountain–literal or figurative.
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Defensive Coordinator: Justin Callander
Born and raised in Renton, Washington, Justin has (2) amazing children; Daughter Ahlexys (24) and Son Parker (19 – Currently Plays football and track at Willamette University). “I am truly blessed with an amazing; my Mom Nancy (Yanni) and my Dad, Terry. I have 4 younger sisters (Megan, Breanne, Nicole, and Olivia) and 4 beautiful Nieces (Hannah, Macy, Ellie, and Olivia).”
Justin loves to stay active, Fish, Hike, Camp, Road Trip, Mountain Bike, Kayak. He loves going to the family cabin in Ocean Shores and he’s a PE teacher at Canyon Ridge Middle School here in Kent.
Callander played high school football, wrestling, track, and Baseball at Renton High School and Graduated in 1996. He then went to the United States Air Force Academy and played football there for one season before suffering a knee injury. He then transferred to Willamette University in Salem Oregon and played Football and Track there for 4 seasons. He was part of some very special teams while at Willamette. (Part of 3 league Championships and played in, and lost one National Championship!)
Justin started his coaching career at Liberty High School in Renton upon Graduation and served as a position coach as well as an assistant coordinator. Then moved onto Kent-Meridian High School and a one-year stint at Tahoma High School in 2016. He then returned to KM in 2017 as the Head Coach. This is his first year at Kentlake High School and states, “I am beyond excited to be part of the Falcon Program!”
Offensive Coordinator: Austyn Bentley
Offensive Line Coach: Karl Maw
A longtime teacher at Kentlake HS. I enjoy reading, movies, comic books, and tabletop gaming. You might find me announcing a few wrestling matches at Kentlake, with occasional guest appearances from Machoman.
Education/Play
Graduation from Central Western University with a degree in English Education. I spent my football years as an offensive and defensive lineman.
Coaching
Started coaching in 2000, I have coached football at Auburn HS, CWU, and Kentlake. With the Kentlake Football program I spent several years as the Defensive Tackles Coach, and in 2020 started at the Offensive Line Coach. I am the Co-Head Coach for the Kentlake HS Track Team and the Throws Coach.
2021-2022 Season voted one of the NPSL Assistant Coaches of the Year!
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Quarterback and Linebacker Coordinator: Josh Rigtrup
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Defensive Back & Wide Receiver Coordinator: Demario Dunmore
Originally from East Palo Alto, CA. Played High Ygnacio Valley High School and also played College Football at The College of San Mateo.
Passionate about health and giving back to our community. I started coaching football in 2014 and became a Speed and Agility Trainer in 2018. My goal is to help our community youth become the greatest versions of themselves by teaching them life skills through football.
History: Kent Knights (2015-2017), Kent Cobras (2014 -2015), Burien Knightz (Spring of 2021 to Current)
I’m the proud father of Diaviante Dunmore, Senior at KL, Marsias Dunmore, Sophmore at KL, and Amara Murphy-Dunmore, Freshman at KL.
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Defensive Back & Running Back Coordinator: Thomas Taylor