The Columbian: High school fall sports 2017

HIGH SCHOOL FALL SPORTS 2017 A special section of The Columbian

All-Around ArsenAl The spread, high school football’s hottest offense, gives local quarterbacks plenty of options

Inside Sunday, August 27, 2017

➤

Preview stories and projected lineups for each local football team

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Analysis, key games, and predictions for all four local leagues

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NEW THIS YEAR: Previews and storylines for girls soccer, volleyball, cross country, girls swimming, boys tennis and boys golf

HIGH SCHOOL FALL SPORTS 2017

A special section of The Columbian ■ Football stories by

Meg Wochnick

■ Additional stories by Micah Rice, Tim Martinez, Jeff Klein and Meg Wochnick ■ Cover photos by

Ariane Kunze

■ Page design by

Micah Rice

TABLE OF CONTENTS Cover story

2-3

4A GSHL Football

5

Camas

7

Battle Ground

8

Heritage

9

Skyview

10

Union

12

3A GSHL Football

13

Evergreen

15

Fort Vancouver

16

Hudson’s Bay

17

Mountain View

18

Prairie

20

2A GSHL Football

21

Columbia River

23

Hockinson

24

Ridgefield

25

Washougal

27

Woodland

28

1A Trico Football

29

La Center

30

King’s Way Christian

31

Seton Catholic

32

Teams beyond Clark Co.

33

Girls soccer preview

37

Volleyball preview

38

Psyched about the Spread Once considered a gimmick, it is now the preferred offense for most Clark County teams

By MEG WOCHNICK

Columbian staff writer or more than a decade, one word has defined a major strategic shift in football offenses: spread.

The spread is designed to widely scatter players across the field and to get athletes the ball in space. That stretches defenses, and in turn, forces defenders to worry about every eligible ball carrier and receiver.

The system continues to be a hot trend with evolving concepts, and now is an indelible part of offenses at all levels.

And it’s no different in Southwest Washington’s high school ranks.

Once considered a gimmick, the spread now is the predominant offense among the area’s high schools.

Camas’ Jon Eagle led the Papermakers to an undefeated season last December and has been a spread-offense coach for years. He believes the system came at the right time for football.

Factor in the recent runpass option (RPO), and the game’s fun-meter rises up a notch or two, he added.

Said Eagle: “What took us so long to figure this out?”

F

Offense that fits players If you attend a high school game in Clark County this fall, chances are both teams’ base-set offense is a system that has been utilized in the college ranks even longer.

Only recently has the term “spread” become a catch-all phrase within the ever-changing landscape of spacing and speed.

Three words can describe goals of the spread: angles, numbers and space. That is, get athletes the ball in space by stretching the defense instead of jamming players close together near the line of scrimmage. As with every spread, the quarterback primarily lines up in shotgun and linemen have two-foot splits.

And the converts came in waves.

Union coach Rory Rosenbach won state titles in 2005 and ’07 at Oregon’s Marist Catholic in his spread’s infancy. The second title came after hitting the reset button when his offense struggled in the I-formation.

Heritage’s Matt Gracey also was an early convert to the spread, realizing his 2003 Winslow High School team in Arizona had more talented, fast skill players and fewer large linemen. But the learning curve was steep.

“It took a year to learn to catch the ball,” he said. “You don’t realize you’re throwing the ball a lot more.”

It was a new movement for everyone. Coaches found the spread fit any type of player: small receivers thrive in the slot; faster linemen benefit from zone blocking, just to name a few.

Gracey learned that — and more — at Class 2A Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula in 2005. Players threw in the towel with the Wing-T; the roster dwindled to

Girls cross country preview 39 Boys cross country preview 40 Boys golf preview

41

Girls swimming preview

42

Boys tennis preview

43

2

Hockinson’s Canon Racanelli led Southwest Washington in passing last season.

The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

27 by the end of his first season. The next year, using a spread, 53 players turned out on a team ranked fourth in the state in passing.

Quarterback Stefan Walker threw for 2,522 yards, rushed for 1,003, and Port Angeles finished 6-4 for the program’s only postseason berth that decade.

As he enters his third season at Heritage, Gracey said the spread won him over years ago. And he’s got a quarterback of similar traits as Walker — Michael Taras.

“It’s amazing how many more kids you end up getting out,” Gracey said. “You tell them, ‘You don’t have to be overly physical. It helps. ...

“It gives us, with our kids (at Heritage), a chance to compete in the best league in the state.”

Eagle, Camas’ coach, believes the spread came at the right time.

“The game needed to change; it’s not as physical as it used to be,” said Eagle, adding it suits the types of players he has at Camas: long, lean and bright, fast processors.

“That’s where the game is going; you can’t deny that.”

‘It was new; nobody was doing it’ The Columbian polled every Clark County high school football coach for this story, and 83 percent said their teams’ base-set offense this season is spread. In 2016, every 4A Greater St. Helens team ran a spread in a league that had the 4A state champion (Camas), another 4A state semifinalist (Skyview), and saw the five teams combine for a 38-16 record.

Last season, three area quarterbacks — Hockinson’s Canon Racanelli, Camas’ Jack Colletto and Skyview’s Brody Barnum — threw for more than 2,500 yards; Racanelli, now a senior, had an area-best 3,148 yards and 37 touchdowns.

But there was a time in Clark County when no one threw a football like Ben Huebschman at Mountain View.

In 2002, Huebschman’s 3,405 passing yards set a 4A single-season state record. It’s since been broken.

The system was a quarterback’s dream: a four-receiver, no-huddle, up-tempo offense.

Even the running backs had their share of yards.

“I’d always tell everybody, ‘A third of my yards came from screen plays,’” said Huebschman, now a paramedic in Portland.

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Woodland quarterback Wyatt Harsh.

But Mountain View’s shotgun formation was ahead of the curve.

Huebschman convinced coach Mike Woodward midweek before its Week 3 game against Battle Ground why lining up in shotgun was the answer, and Woodward never wavered. The Thunder scored 55 or more points four times after that, and won nine of their next 10 games to reach their second of back-to-back 4A state semifinals in the Tacoma Dome.

“I don’t know if we went under center the rest of the year,” Woodward said.

Woodward is now in his second season at Woodland, and Huebschman joined Woodward’s staff as quarterbacks coach last season. Looking back, Woodward doesn’t think his offense at Mountain View started a trend. Rather, he wanted to be different and used it as a strategy.

“It was new; nobody was doing it,” Woodward said.

“Once we had Hibby, he changed everything.”

Union quarterback Lincoln Victor.

Hockinson quarterback Canon Racanelli.

Newer concept

Harsh is now the school’s leader in career passing (5,178) and touchdowns (55).

Lincoln Victor said he finds Union’s spread offense under Rosenbach, the Titans’ second-year coach, the perfect fit because of its adaptability. Think of the playbook resembling basketball’s motion offense with Victor as the point guard.

“There’s so many things you can do out of one play,” said Victor, Union’s second-year starting quarterback.

“You (the offense) always have the advantage; the defense doesn’t know what you’re doing.”

Hockinson coach Rick Steele said Racanelli, his quarterback, will be more of a dual-threat and see time on defense for the first time in his career. Steele was a Wing-T coach before Racanelli entered his program three years ago. He said if he ran his old offense now, “half the athletes on the football team wouldn’t play football.”

Thank the spread for that … and a lot more.

“When you put athletes on the field,” he said, “good things happen. I love the Wing-T, but we’ve scored a lot of points in the last few years.”

Having a big-armed, record-setting quarterback changed everything for Woodward and Mountain View 15 years ago. His addition at Woodland this year with another record-setting quarterback, four-year starter Wyatt Harsh, also is a recent trend — the run-pass option (RPO). It’s essentially a triple-option, but with a twist: the quarterback can run the ball himself, hand it off to the running back, or stay in the pocket to find a receiver by basing their route on reading defensive coverages.

“It opens up a lot of things,” Harsh said.

Quarterbacking in a spread is all Harsh has known at Woodland. He drew inspiration from seeing cousin Trevor Hurn set the program’s single-season passing record in 2009 (2,632 yards).

“That’s what made me want to start (on varsity) as a freshman,” he said.

And he’s started every game of his high-school career.

The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

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4A GREATER ST. HELENS LEAGUE PROJECTED FINISH

Picks by Columbian sports staff

1

SKYVIEW: Six all-league defensive

2

CAMAS: The Papermakers are young, but when you’re the defending state champs, team can grow up in a hurry.

3

UNION: Titans loaded with talented

4

HERITAGE: Timberwolves have 10 new starters on defense. Is year three the season for the next step?

5

BATTLE GROUND: With new coach and new offense, Tigers still hoping to continue past trends.

starters are back on a Storm team that reached the state semifinals.

skill-position players looking to snap two-year playoff drought.

BIGGEST GAMES OCT. 6

VS.

5 p.m., Kiggins Bowl

OCT. 20

VS.

7:30 p.m., McKenzie Stadium

OCT. 20

VS.

8 p.m., Kiggins Bowl

OCT. 27

VS.

7 p.m., Doc Harris Stadium

AMANDA COWAN/The Columbian

Angelo Sarchi (1) and Michael Lundgren (51) are two of Skyview’s six returning all-league defensive starters.

Skyview, Union hope to deny Camas an eighth straight league title

I

n 2016, the 4A Greater St. Helens League had the 4A state champion (Camas, take a bow), another semifinalist (Skyview, we see you) and the five league teams went a combined 38-16.

But for many, that the league has just two postseason berths continues to create buzz.

“Two entries; it is what it is,” Camas coach Jon Eagle said. “It’s very challenging to get a playoff spot.”

Since 2010, Eagles’ Papermakers are unbeaten in league at 38-0 with seven straight league titles spanning 3A and 4A. And while he knows his team is full of youth and is stressing patience all around, Eagle knows not to undersell his team’s capabilities.

They won seven league titles in a row for a reason.

But knocking on the door are two teams — Skyview and Union — ready to take charge. For a team that likes to ride the under-the-radar wave, how can you discount Skyview? The Storm have six returning all-league defensive starters (Michael Lundgren and Jevon Kelly

are all-leaguers both ways, too) off the Storm’s first 4A state semifinal team since reaching the state title game in 2011.

Back-to-back 4-5 seasons at Union isn’t the norm, either, for a program that’s had seven playoff seasons in the 10-year history of the program. The Titans have depth at skill positions, but question marks are on the line where it’ll be mostly junior-heavy. Union’s Lincoln Victor and Heritage’s Michael Taras competed at the annual Northwest 9 quarterbacks camp earlier this month and are the league’s two returning starting quarterbacks. Heritage continues to make strides in the right direction under third-year coach Matt Gracey, who said there will be 10 new defensive starters and possibly three sophomores starting on the offensive line.

It’s a new start at Battle Ground with first-year coach Mike Kesler. The Tigers hope to continue the recent success of playoff-bound and winning seasons with more of a ground-game presence.

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PAPERMAKERS

CAMAS 2016 RECORD: 14-0, 4-0. First in 4A GSHL BEST STATE FINISH: State Champions in 2016

PROJECTED STARTERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

QB RB WR WR WR TE OL OL OL OL OL

Kyle Allen Will Schultz Shane Jamison Drake Owen Ryan Rushall Dawson Ingram Taylor Nye Tristan Souza Jordan Howes Everett Kuhnel Billy Schuldt

*** DL Dawson Ingram DL Billy Schuldt DL Tristan Souza LB Semisi Schultz LB Sam Malychewski LB Luke Bruno LB Will Schultz DB Ben Petrie DB Isaiah Abdul DB Ryan Rushall DB Shane Jamison Coach: Jon Eagle (10th season)

6-2 6-0 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-1

190 190 205 180 180 220 235 245 200 200 230

Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Soph.

Sr. Sr. Sr.

6-4 6-1 6-2 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-0 6-3

235 230 245 200 205 190 190 175 170 180 205

Sr. Sr. Soph.

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr.

Fresh faces aplenty, but goals remain high for reigning state champs

SCHEDULE

Home games at Doc Harris Stadium League games in bold Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 12 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

at Central Catholic (Ore.) at Sherwood (Ore.) Davis-Yakima Coeur d’Alene, (Id.) at Battle Ground at Skyview Heritage at Sunnyside Union

PATRICK HAGERTY/for The Columbian

Drake Owen (21) ranked second on Camas with 752 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches last year.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

6 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

5 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Doc Harris Stadium Near the campus of Liberty Middle School, 1125 N.E. 22nd Ave., Camas

R

eturning members of Camas High School’s football team barely started the celebration of the program’s first state title last December when work turned toward preparing to repeat.

One of the first was Kyle Allen, the backup to last year’s 4A state player of the year, quarterback Jack Colletto.

How soon after the Papermakers beat Richland 24-14 for the 4A state title did Allen look toward 2017?

“Right after the state title game,” he said.

He hit the weightroom; the quarterback put on 20 pounds this off-season on his 6-foot-2 frame. He studied film as much as he could, and worked with receivers at every opportunity.

Camas’ recent history of producing elite quarterbacks runs deep. Allen knows the pressure he’s facing, and is ready to step into the spotlight.

“I’ll play my game,” he said, “and do the best I can.”

The senior is one of many new faces in new starting positions on a team now tagged as the defending 4A state champions. It’s a very youthful squad featuring six returning starters — three on offense, three on defense. That is

why Camas coach Jon Eagle is stressing patience.

“We can’t run away from it; we’re going to be young,” Eagle said. “We’re used to having success. It’s going to take time.”

Sure, changeover happens annually, but this is still Camas, a program that hasn’t lost a league game in seven seasons. That’s because players step in and step up, trust the process and the training, Eagle said.

“We’ve got a recipe that’s been working,” he said.

Which is why this scene isn’t entirely new. Eagle draws comparisons to Camas’ 2011 team that reached the 3A state semifinals with a number of starting sophomores.

So that’s why there’s no hesitation from Drake Owen, who joins Ryan Rushall as one of two returning starting receivers, when it comes to getting those underclassmen to deliver when their time comes.

And their time is now.

“That’s motivation to work harder and try to fill in the spots we lost in the senior class,” Owen said. “Camas always is a team to beat during the season for other schools in our league. The goal for us is to do it again.”

The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

7

BATTLE GROUND

TIGERS

2016 RECORD: 7-2, 2-2. Third in 4A GSHL BEST STATE FINISH: First Round in 1979, 2015

PROJECTED STARTERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

QB RB RB WR WR TE OL OL OL OL OL

Brock Robinson Izak Brundage Jordan Sullivan Isaiah Cummings Sam Kee Noah Barr Austin Stewart Aksel Fridriksson Beckett Honeycutt Austin Martin Blake Harris

DL Aksel Fridriksson DL Blake Harris DL Austin Stewart LB Noah Barr LB Jordan Sullivan LB Trent Thompson LB Tyrel Halme DB Brock Robinson DB Bowden Strouse DB Isaiah Cummings Coach: Mike Kesler (first year)

***

6-0 5-10 5-11 5-10 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-2

185 175 190 175 185 220 230 215 240 280 280

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr.

6-2 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-11 6-2 5-9 6-0 6-2 5-10

215 280 230 220 190 210 175 185 180 175

Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Soph.

Sr. Jr. Sr.

SCHEDULE

Home games at District Stadium League games in bold Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 12 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

at Beaverton (Ore.) at Tualatin (Ore.) at Mountain View Prairie Camas at Union Skyview at Heritage Davis-Yakima

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

District Stadium On the campus of Battle Ground High School, 400 W. Main St., Battle Ground

8 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

Noah Barr (50) is among the senior leaders aiming to keep standards high at Battle Ground.

AMANDA COWAN/The Columbian

Despite another winning season, sting of missing playoffs fuels Tigers

T

he feeling of frustration and emptiness is almost as fresh now for Noah Barr and his Battle Ground teammates as it was the first week of November 2016.

The Tigers, fresh off back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in more than two decades, weren’t postseason-bound despite a 7-2 overall record.

Seven victories likely would have been good enough any other year, yet the 4A Greater St. Helens League’s two playoff berths meant the third-place Tigers were on the outside looking in.

Barr, a senior lineman and linebacker, said this is what’s pushing him this fall.

“I’ve been wanting to get back and work my butt off,” he said.

At the same time, it’s a fresh start, too. Battle Ground graduated much of its personnel from a spread-offense system that averaged 34.3 points per game in the past two seasons.

A fresh start, but the mindset remains: building on what’s been accomplished.

“We want to win more games than last year,” Barr said.

Fresh, too, meaning a new head coach. Mike Kesler is a first-time head coach after spending the past 20 years assisting three head coaches at Evergreen and Union.

And he knows how to win.

The teams he coached went 115-32, won six league titles and played in two state championship games.

Winning doesn’t mean anything unless a family culture is first created.

Back in June during a spring scrimmage, Kesler was swarmed by the players he formerly coached at Union.

Puzzled, the Battle Ground players asked what gives.

Kesler told them this: “That’s what buying in is,” he said, “and as soon as you buy into a team, you’re family. I’m gone (from Union) now and they wish me all the luck in the world, but they still love me. That’s what we’re trying to instill here.”

The Tigers are transitioning to a two-back scheme to utilize their strength in the run game. While they might be young, once the confidence rises, senior Brock Robinson says watch out.

“We’ll be a really good football team,” he said.

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HERITAGE

TIMBERWOLVES

2016 RECORD: 4-5, 0-4. Fifth in 4A GSHL BEST STATE FINISH: Regional Round in 2007

PROJECTED STARTERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

QB RB WR WR WR TE OL OL OL OL OL

Michael Taras Kahai Umiamaka Chase Hendy Jordan Oliveras Ammon Garrison Robbie Meadors Solofua Vercher Andrew Thom Cade Gardner Adam Gray Hunter Larson

*** DL Solofua Vercher DL Cade Gardner DL Quobe Altig-Johnson LB Robbie Meadors LB Antonio Mata LB Skylar Scoggins DB Ammon Garrison DB Orlando Patino-Gonzalez DB Niethan Stanley DB Kahai Umiamaka DB Michael Taras Coach: Matt Gracey (third year)

6-2 5-8 5-9 6-1 5-10 6-0 6-4 5-11 6-1 6-1 6-3

190 180 170 175 165 185 270 200 215 265 275

Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Soph.

Jr. Soph.

Sr. Sr.

6-4 6-1 5-10 6-0 5-9 6-1 5-10 5-6 6-0 5-8 6-2

270 215 175 185 180 175 165 170 170 180 190

Soph.

Soph.

Sr. Sr. Jr. Soph.

Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr.

Young Timberwolves look to build foundation of winning program

SCHEDULE

Home games at McKenzie Stadium League games in bold Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 12 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

at Prairie Evergreen at West Valley-Yakima Redmond Union at Benson (Ore.) at Camas Battle Ground Skyview

STEVE DIPAOLA/for The Columbian

Robbie Meadors, celebrating a touchdown last season, joins Michael Taras and Ammon Garrison as Heritage captains.

7 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

McKenzie Stadium Near the campus of Evergreen High School, 2205 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver

T

he history books will never show it, but the Heritage Timberwolves went to the postseason in 2016.

But they never took the field. They were spectators.

To be the elite program third-year coach Matt Gracey wants, he looked to a fellow coach and program — Jon Eagle and the Camas Papermakers — to see how it’s done. That’s why Gracey took his players to watch the Papermakers’ first-round playoff game last fall.

But what the Timberwolves learned from the trip to Doc Harris Stadium was much more than watching Camas beat Enumclaw on its way to winning its first state title four weeks later.

Yes, the two teams are league rivals, but Heritage wants to be of the same quality. Last fall’s trip was a start.

“Hopefully,” Gracey said, “this new attitude will get there. It has rubbed off on the younger guys.”

Gracey knows his program isn’t there yet. But it’s all about baby steps, senior quarterback Michael Taras said.

Some teams speak about winning state titles, but Taras is taking a more realistic approach.

First, let’s win a league game, he said. Heritage went

0-4 in the 4A GSHL last fall.

Then, let’s aim for a winning season. Heritage hasn’t had that since 2008.

“Start with that foundation,” Taras said, “and build up.”

And it starts with something even Gracey had never done in 20 seasons of coaching high-school football.

He named team captains for 2017 last November for a young team expected to start three underclassmen on the line. Heritage lost 10 defensive starters.

The senior captain trio of Taras, Robbie Meadors and Ammon Garrison already has made a difference before the season opener.

Let Gracey speak of the result.

“I don’t have to yell anymore,” he said. “They’re handling it themselves, and it’s kind of refreshing.”

It’s a change of pace for a team that hopes to change its pace this fall. Last season, Heritage was the only team to lead Camas at halftime during the Papermakers’ run to the state title. And that only fuels the motivation for players like Garrison, also a returning starter.

“We want to compete with those guys,” he said. “... it all starts with believing.”

The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

9

STORM

SKYVIEW Under-the-radar mentality suits stacked Storm just fine

W

hen you think of the Skyview Storm, what comes to mind?

Well-coached? Annual challengers in the 4A Greater St. Helens League?

Yes, and yes.

How about postseason consistency? Yes on that, too.

Over coach Steve Kizer’s 13-year tenure, the Storm have missed the playoffs just once; their 12-year playoff run is the secondbest streak among teams in the 4A GSHL this year.

Yet you might as well call the Storm underdogs.

That’s how they feel, and more importantly, that’s how they like it.

But it doesn’t mean there are not lofty aspirations.

“We want everything,” senior Cole Grossman said. “We want league, we want state. Our team is pretty confident we can do it.”

And accomplish it under AMANDA COWAN/The Columbian the radar, too.

Remember the 2016 Skyview’s Angelo Sarchi (1) rushed for six TDs last year, but Skyview Storm, with a 3-3 made his biggest mark as an all-league defensive back.

10 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

record through six weeks after falling to Camas in their league opener? From there, the team won six straight to reach its first 4A state semifinal since 2011.

Kizer hopes that can happen again. This time, with a stacked defense that opposing league coaches were praising as early as July. Skyview returns eight starters on defense, including six firstor second-team all-league honorees.

“We should be OK,” Kizer said.

Just OK, coach? Three returning linebackers and another four on the defensive line who saw extensive playing time make for a strong front seven.

The biggest question mark is at quarterback, where a trio are battling for the starting job. Kizer labeled Max Rose as the starter for the team’s opener against Sunset of Beaverton, Ore. It’s part of another tough nonleague slate that includes O’Dea and Eastside Catholic the first three weeks. All three were state playoff teams in 2016.

Grossman said teams as strong as that trio can be a good measuring stick. If Skyview gets the wins, all the better, but a loss isn’t the end of the world.

Just look at 2016 as an example.

“Those are going to be some good games,” Grossman said a matter-offactly. “It’s a good way to see where we can improve (win or lose).”

2016 RECORD: 9-4, 3-1. Second in 4A GSHL BEST STATE FINISH: Second in 2011

PROJECTED STARTERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

QB RB WR WR WR TE OL OL OL OL OL

Max Rose Angelo Sarchi Cole Grossman Tavis Pinkney Carter Hill Jayden Chatman Tanner Greene Taylor Vo Michael Lundgren Jevon Kelly Noah Hellyer *** DL Levi Hoppes DL Jevon Kelly DL Jayden Chatman DL Noah Hellyer LB Austin Nolan LB Michael Lundgren LB Chad Eigsti DB Dyvon Green DB Angelo Sarchi DB Carter Hill DB Jevon Sewell Coach: Steve Kizer (14th year)

6-1 6-0 6-5 5-10 5-10 6-2 6-3 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-4

190 195 210 165 165 230 225 240 220 260 255

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

6-2 6-0 6-2 6-4 6-0 6-1 6-3 5-7 6-0 6-0 6-1

215 260 230 255 210 220 205 170 195 185 185

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

SCHEDULE

Home games at Kiggins Bowl League games in bold Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 12 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

Sunset (Ore.) Eastside Catholic at O’Dea Mountain View at Columbia River Camas at Battle Ground Union at Heritage

8 p.m.

8 p.m.

5 p.m.

8 p.m.

7 p.m.

5 p.m.

7 p.m.

8 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

Kiggins Bowl Near the campus of Discovery Middle School, 800 E. 40th St., Vancouver

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Columbian teams with Scorebook Live The Columbian/Scorebook Live The Columbian has entered into a Content Licensing and Co-Marketing Agreement with Scorebook Live, Inc. with the intent of providing area high schools with an elevated level of coverage in football and basketball.

Scorebook Live will work collaboratively with The Columbian to provide fans with “live” scoreboards, schedules, league standings, and other exciting content that will be available at www. columbian.com and www. scorebooklive.com.

“I see Scorebook Live benefiting athletes, coaches

and the sports media who cover their teams. It will provide accurate and timely statistics to help in our game coverage. That, in turn, frees up reporters to shoot more video, take photos and delve into deeper storylines,” said The Columbian Sports Editor Micah Rice.

The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

11

UNION

TITANS

2016 RECORD: 4-5, 1-3. Fourth in 4A GSHL BEST STATE FINISH: Second in 2008

PROJECTED STARTERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

QB RB WR WR WR TE OL OL OL OL OL

Lincoln Victor JoJo Siofele Alishawuan Taylor Darien Chase Braedon Ensley Aiden Nellor Demitru Salagor Giovanni Rojo Devin Wilson Nick Kennedy David MacDonald

*** DL Zion Fa’aopega DL Aiden Nellor DL Sausau Fa’alevo LB Alex Barrett LB Alex Vallejo LB Riley Miller LB Alishawuan Taylor DB Darien Chase DB Dustin Nettles DB Carter Sutton DB Tyrek McCullum Coach: Rory Rosenbach (second year)

5-9 5-9 6-3 6-2 5-7 6-5 6-5 5-9 5-11 5-11 6-4

165 200 220 180 130 220 225 240 225 195 245

Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr.

6-3 6-5 6-2 5-10 5-11 5-11 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-2

245 220 330 195 185 195 220 180 190 160 170

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr Sr.

.

Titans make commitment to get back to their winning roots

SCHEDULE

Home games at McKenzie Stadium League games in bold Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 12 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

Hermiston, Ore. at Mountain View at Eastside Catholic Tumwater at Heritage Battle Ground Evergreen at Skyview at Camas

STEVE DIPAOLA/For The Columbian

Zion Fa’aopega and his teammates want to put the rest of the 4A GSHL on notice that Union is back.

4:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

8 p.m.

7 p.m.

McKenzie Stadium Near the campus of Evergreen High School, 2205 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver

12 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

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he Union Titans have appreciation for the championship-caliber teams that played before them in the school’s brief history.

They also know the standard that is Union High School football. It isn’t sub-.500 seasons they’ve had the past two seasons.

“That’s not what Union is about,” junior quarterback Lincoln Victor said.

What Union is about is seven postseason appearances, a 2008 state championship game appearance and eight winning seasons since the school opened in 2007.

Victor knows it. His brother Kapono played on Union’s 2008 state runner-up team.

So does JoJo Siofele. His brother Leon played on three straight state playoff teams from 2011-14.

So naturally, getting Union back to that standard is what these Titans want, which is why they feel there’s something special brewing about this season.

“Everyone has that vision,” Victor said. “We’re trying to get back, and get Union back on the map.”

First, the learning curve of a first-year coach and new offense is gone.

Next, it’s a blend of old and new. Victor is one of two 4A Greater St. Helens League starting quarterbacks returning. Siofele is back at running back, too; his knee injury in the season opener against Hermiston (Ore.) cost him the rest of his sophomore season.

New are a bunch of faces at skill positions. That includes one of the area’s top receivers in Darien Chase, who played for Mountain View last season. Dustin Nettles, a first-team all-league receiver and defensive back at Evergreen last year, is now at Union.

Head coach Rory Rosenbach knows the tradition always is to compete for a league title at Union. That’s no different now as the program’s third head football coach enters his second season.

“That’s the expectation,” he said. “The kids know that, and understand they have a chance to do it. If the chemistry is good, it’ll go our way.”

And once again, with the 4A GSHL receiving just two playoff berths, finding a way to the postseason is no easy task in what Rosenbach called the toughest league in the state. Union’s last postseason trip was 2014.

Said Siofele: “We’re ready to go out and win.”

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3A GREATER ST. HELENS LEAGUE PROJECTED FINISH

Picks by Columbian sports staff

1

MOUNTAIN VIEW: Deepest team under coach Adam Mathieson aiming for another undefeated league season.

2

KELSO: Plenty of veterans return,

3

HUDSON’S BAY: Praised by ex-NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe at summer camp, that’s saying something.

4

EVERGREEN: Team speed a strength again. So is team unity after a gut-check at team camp.

5

PRAIRIE: Will spread offense lift

6

FORT VANCOUVER: Ex-NFL veteran

but Hilanders are thin in starting experience up front.

Falcons to new heights?

bringing new life, culture to Trappers.

STEVE DIPAOLA/for The Columbian

BIGGEST GAMES SEPT. 29

VS.

4:30 p.m., McKenzie Stadium

OCT. 6

VS.

7:30 p.m., McKenzie Stadium

OCT. 20

VS.

Peace Pipe Rivalry Game 5 p.m., Kiggins Bowl

Mountain View, including receiver/defensive back Mitchell Delmage (6), is looking for a second straight league title.

Mountain View favored, but don’t be surprised by surprises

S

teve Amrine’s Kelso Hilanders have played second fiddle in the 3A Greater St. Helens League standings the past three seasons, falling to the eventual league champion.

So when asked about the 3A GSHL for 2017, his thoughts were this: “Until someone beats Mountain View,” Amrine said, “it runs through them. They’re the one until proven otherwise.”

It might not be as clear as glass, but numbers back it up. The Thunder are unbeaten in league their last two seasons in which they played as a Class 3A team: A combined 10-0 in 2013 and 2016, which for now gives them the nod as the favorite in the 3A GSHL race.

But don’t count out the Hilanders, who at 8-3 last season had their best finish under Amrine. Kelso returns a three-year starting quarterback, a 1,000-yard rusher and a two-time team-leading linebacker from a team that gave Mountain View its smallest margin of victory last

season in Kelso. The two teams meet in Vancouver in Week 6.

Hudson’s Bay could be a surprise team with first-year head coach Ray Lions and a wealth of senior-laden talent.

Lions isn’t changing much from ex-coach Mark Oliverio’s spread offense, and the Eagles turned plenty of heads at summer camp.

Evergreen looks to continue building upward after snapping its eight-year playoff drought last season.

Team speed once again will be the Plainsmen’s strength.

Prairie is doing away with its flexbone offense and switching to a spread with the addition of ex-Battle Ground offensive coordinator Mike Peck, and already, rave reviews are in. The Falcons last made the postseason in 2011.

Fort Vancouver hopes to make a statement with exNFL and Washington State standout Steve Broussard in his first season as head coach.

The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

13

14 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

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EVERGREEN

PLAINSMEN

2016 RECORD: 2-8, 2-3. Tied for third in 3A GSHL BEST STATE FINISH: State Champions in 2004

PROJECTED STARTERS

Returning All-League selections in bold QB RB WR WR WR TE OL OL OL OL OL

Triston Fich Eli Vaa-Leiataua David Crawford Jerontae Burns Luke Allen Nadil Hodzic Rae Farr Conner Ball Nate Fuatagavi Alex Alexander Alex Rodriguez

DL Alex Murphy DL Serge Rusnak DL Nick Rossmeisl LB Alex Alexander LB Jacob Tillman LB Eli Vaa-Leiataua LB Dylan Goodpaster DB Luke Allen DB David Crawford DB Jerontae Burns DB Nadil Hodzic Coach: Terry Hyde (third year)

***

6-1 5-10 5-10 5-9 5-10 5-10 6-4 5-10 6-2 5-10 6-4

215 190 170 160 165 175 220 200 315 210 280

Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

6-1 6-1 5-10 5-10 5-11 5-10 6-1 5-10 5-10 5-9 5-10

180 250 200 210 200 190 180 165 170 160 175

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr.

SCHEDULE

Home games at McKenzie Stadium League games in bold Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 12 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

Columbia River at Heritage Hudson’s Bay at Black Hills Prairie at Fort Vancouver at Union Kelso Mountain View

7:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

8 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

McKenzie Stadium Near the campus of Evergreen High School, 2205 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver

Columbian files

Alex Alexander (59) is among a senior class looking to build on Evergreen’s first postseason berth in eight years.

New attitudes, summer gut-check have Plainsmen in right mindset

W

hen Terry Hyde returned to the same place where he assisted from 1992 to 2004, the goal was elementary — Get the Evergreen Plainsmen back to where they once were.

A consummate winner in the Greater St. Helens League, Evergreen once had eight playoff appearances in a 13-year stretch.

Hyde might sound cliché when speaking about the number of wins he wants (five) and to be one of the three 3A GSHL playoff-bound teams. But that’s what needs to happen in order to get the Plainsmen — or, the ship, as he calls it — sailing in the right direction.

“We have to get that fifth win,” said Hyde, now entering his third season as head coach. “That’s the big brick in our foundation.”

Five or more victories hasn’t happened at Evergreen since 2008. Last year’s Plainsmen snapped an eight-year playoff drought before falling to eventual state champion Kamiakin.

Now, the goal is to keep that drought in the past.

So far, building the foundation has been a stepping

stone. But what separates this year’s Plainsmen, for starters, is the difference in players’ attitudes. It’s more than just wanting to win and repeating last year’s feat of reaching the playoffs.

And nothing was more notable than at summer team camp at Western Oregon University, where junior Luke Allen called a players-only meeting after the team played poorly in a scrimmage.

That was the start of a turnaround, senior linemen Alex Rodriguez and Conner Ball both said.

Attitudes changed. Adjustments were made.

“A lot of us really came together,” Rodriguez said.

Added Ball: “We worked together like a family. ... It’s something we know we’ve had to work on for a long time.”

Would a players-only meeting have happened last year? No, the senior duo said. Two years ago. … maybe.

“It’s something we could’ve done as sophomores,” Bell said, “but nobody would have listened.”

And that’s why the Plainsmen are sensing a breakthrough. One that hopefully makes a difference on Friday nights.

The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

15

FORT VANCOUVER

TRAPPERS

2016 RECORD: 1-8, 0-5. Sixth in 3A GSHL BEST STATE FINISH: Quarterfinals in 1973

PROJECTED STARTERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

QB RB RB WR WR WR OL OL OL OL OL

Joseph Endonino Rickie Williams Nick Hawk Nick Larenza Shawn Mintah Angel Gonzalez Rameses Juarez Nehemiah Rasheed Ezekiel Block Colby Milani James Durr

*** DL Ezekiel Block DL Nehemiah Rasheed DL Rameses Juarez DL Aaron Mino LB James Durr LB Colby Milani LB Angel Gonzalez DB Nick Hawk DB Angelo Laro DB Shawn Mintah DB Rickie Williams Coach: Steve Broussard (first year)

5-10 5-8 5-7 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-2

170 185 160 170 180 170 230 220 200 200 200

Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr.

6-0 6-0 6-3 6-0 6-2 6-0 5-10 5-7 5-8 6-1 5-8

200 220 230 245 200 200 170 160 145 180 185

Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr.

Former Seahawk Steve Broussard already making a difference

SCHEDULE

Home games at Kiggins Bowl League games in bold Aug. 31 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 12 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

King’s Way Christian The Dalles (Ore.) at Hoquiam at Benson (Ore.) Kelso Evergreen at Mountain View at Hudson’s Bay Prairie

MEG WOCHNICK/The Columbian

First-year head coach Steve Broussard is establishing a culture of enthusiasm and accountability at Fort Vancouver.

7 p.m.

5 p.m.

7 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

8 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

7 p.m.

Kiggins Bowl Near the campus of Discovery Middle School, 800 E. 40th St., Vancouver

16 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

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heir season opener is still four days away, but already, the Fort Vancouver Trappers feel like winners in 2017.

Winners because of what they feel they can accomplish. If not this year, then definitely in years to come, Nehemiah Rasheed said. They feel this season is start of big things in a new era of Trappers football.

“We should get hold of that opportunity and take it while we have it,” said Rasheed, a two-way senior lineman.

That begins with Fort’s big-name off-season coaching hire. But ex-Seattle Seahawk running back Steve Broussard isn’t relying on his stacked résumé, which includes a nine-year NFL career after earning the Pac10 offensive player of the year honors in 1989 at Washington State.

Change and motivation first comes from the players.

“Coming from their peers,” Broussard said, “it means a lot more.”

But Broussard and his staff’s impact already is noticeable. Since Broussard’s retirement from the NFL in 1998, he has been a position coach at five NCAA Divi-

sion I schools. He felt now is the time to head up his own high school program after four seasons as an assistant (2000-03 in California; last fall at Union).

“I’ve wanted to have an influence on more than just my position,” he said.

Numbers at Fort have almost doubled from spring ball, and this after only six were cleared for the first day of spring practices. Instead of feeling deflated, Broussard roamed the hallways. He found a common theme between him and students disinterested in football.

“We don’t want to lose,” Broussard said.

This year’s motto — “It’s not about me” — screams loudly on the backs of T-shirts worn by players and coaches. It makes for a different brand of football, a culture change so to speak.

Fort’s 2004 season was its last playoff appearance, but Rasheed stresses this isn’t the old Fort. Players like him know change will eventually come.

If not this season, then soon.

“Our mentality is different,” he said. “The focus is really different, and everybody’s here trying to get better.”

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HUDSON’S BAY

EAGLES

2016 RECORD: 5-4, 2-3. Tied for third in 3A GSHL BEST STATE FINISH: Quarterfinals in 1999

PROJECTED STARTERS

Returning All-League selections in bold QB RB WR WR WR TE OL OL OL OL OL

Brian Perez Marco Cadiz Carter Morse Julio Vara Quadrese Teague Myles Artis Logan DeGrandpre Levi Grahnert Angel Terry Enrique Leon Victor Montez

*** DL Myles Artis DL Enrique Leon DL Angel Terry DL Logan DeGrandpre LB Daniel Berdogin LB Akilotoa Kaumatule DB Carter Morse DB Julio Vara DB Elijah Fishel DB Marco Cadiz DB Quadrese Teague Coach: Ray Lions (first year)

5-11 5-9 6-1 5-3 5-7 6-2 6-2 5-9 6-0 5-10 5-10

180 150 175 140 165 190 235 190 310 225 245

Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr.

6-2 5-10 6-0 6-2 5-8 5-9 6-1 5-3 5-9 5-9 5-7

190 225 310 235 170 185 175 140 165 150 165

Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr.

SCHEDULE

Home games at Kiggins Bowl League games in bold Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

La Salle (Ore.) at Rochester at Evergreen Woodland Mountain View at Prairie Mark Morris Fort Vancouver at Kelso

5 p.m.

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

8 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

5 p.m.

7 p.m.

Kiggins Bowl Near the campus of Discovery Middle School, 800 E. 40th St., Vancouver

SAMUEL WILSON/for The Columbian

Myles Artis, right, says last year’s near miss of the postseason has Hudson’s Bay determined to “get over that hump.”

Eagles not interested in being labeled an ‘almost’ team

I

f Hudson’s Bay’s football team is a locomotive, think of first-year head coach Ray Lions as its new conductor.

The senior-heavy group, playing for their third coach in four seasons, continues to speed down the tracks despite the hiccups of coaching changes thrown their way.

But those tracks, the seniors say, are in the right direction.

Just look at the past two seasons: A three-win improvement from 2015, and the 5-4 record in 2016 was the program’s best since 2002.

That’s fine and dandy, senior Myles Artis said, but learning how to handle success is the biggest hurdle the Eagles have to overcome.

“We haven’t achieved anything yet,” he said.

The Eagles know how close they were to reaching the postseason a year ago, not only losing to Kelso in a would-be playoff-clinching game in Week 9, but watching Evergreen win a three-way tiebreaker to secure the 3A Greater St. Helens League’s final postseason berth.

They’re not interested in becoming an ‘almost’ team again, Artis said.

“We’re trying to get over that hump and show people what we can do,” he said.

Under Lions, that’s what Bay hopes to accomplish.

The 36-year-old ex-two-sport All-American at Linfield College isn’t changing what’s been working offensively.

He’ll continue utilizing the skill-position athletes he has watched from afar coaching Ridgefield’s defense the past five seasons.

And he got a big glimpse early at summer team camp. The Eagles drew a lot of praise not only from Linfield’s coaches, but coaches at other high schools.

One of them was Washington native Drew Bledsoe, a 14-year NFL veteran quarterback who now is the offensive coordinator of his son’s high school team, Summit of Bend, Ore. The Eagles scrimmaged the reigning Oregon 5A state champions, and Bledsoe went out of his way to praise Bay’s players afterward on their competitiveness, drive and how they played the game the right way.

For Lions and his staff, that was the highlight of the camp … from a Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, of all people.

“That’s a testament to the work we’ve put in the offseason,” Lions said. “When you hear that from Drew Bledsoe, you know you’ve done things right.”

The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

17

MOUNTAIN VIEW

THUNDER

2016 RECORD: 7-4, 5-0. First in 3A GSHL BEST STATE FINISH: Semifinals in 2001, 2002

PROJECTED STARTERS

Returning All-League selection in bold

QB RB WR WR WR TE OL OL OL OL OL

Glen Perry, Jr. Nile Jones Jack Mertens Makai Anderson Michael Bolds Rodolfo Montiel Joey Roberts Zeek Fromel Jack Folden Thai Hindman Alex Hegel

*** DL Grant Francis DL Tyler Black DL Nick Jones LB Rodolfo Montiel LB Sean Delmage LB Andrew Gulliford LB Kobe Anderson DB Mitchell Delmage DB Philip Earnhardt DB Jack Mertens DB Payton Regas Coach: Adam Mathieson (10th season)

5-8 5-8 5-7 6-0 5-9 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-9 5-8 6-2

160 175 155 165 135 195 195 210 190 180 235

Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr.

6-2 5-8 6-1 6-0 5-10 5-8 5-9 5-6 5-8 5-7 5-8

215 215 230 195 160 165 175 155 140 155 155

Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr.

Players take reins to maintain winning culture at Mountain View

SCHEDULE

Home games at McKenzie Stadium League games in bold Sept. 2 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 12 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

Ferris Union Battle Ground at Skyview at Hudson’s Bay Kelso Fort Vancouver at Prairie at Evergreen

2 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

8 p.m.

8 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

McKenzie Stadium Near the campus of Evergreen High School, 2205 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver

18 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

STEVE DIPAOLA/For The Columbian

Glen Perry, Jr., left, moves to quarterback after rushing for more than 800 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

A

lot of football teams talk about culture, and what they want their culture to look like.

Actually, it’s coaches who usually talk about the culture they want their players to follow and embrace.

So it’s refreshing when the culture talk comes from players, like it does for this year’s Mountain View Thunder.

Case in point: junior Nile Jones’ ‘We over me’ statement on social media in early June.

And that was that.

“We all work well together,” Jones said. “Everybody on the team is really close with each other, and that will help us throughout the season.”

Coach Adam Mathieson said he has been impressed watching his players be the driving force of their teamspecific goals.

“That doesn’t always happen,” he said. “The team gets it; they’ve been connected since then.”

Holding each other accountable for optional summer events is just the start of what Mathieson called a fun culture to be around.

“It’s the kids that have the say,” he said.

The kids also have a big say in what they hope to accomplish on the field, too. Senior lineman Zeek Fromel said confidence has never been higher for the defending 3A Greater St. Helens League champions.

Mathieson called this the deepest team he’s had in his tenure.

“We feel we can make a pretty good run,” he said.

Officially, Mountain View is 10-0 in league play their last two seasons as a Class 3A program. The Thunder were unbeaten last season as well as 2013, their previous season in Class 3A before moving to 4A for two seasons.

And the Thunder don’t just return seven starters on each side of the ball. Every player has experience in their position with the exception of Glen Perry, Jr., an all-league running back who moves to quarterback after rushing for more than 800 yards last season.

Mathieson refers to this year’s squad as Team 37, an annual theme he uses to tie players from past Mountain View teams and the future through the players in the present.

So what the identity of Team 37?

“I think that’s probably to be determined on the field,” Mathieson said.

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The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

19

PRAIRIE

FALCONS

2016 RECORD: 2-7, 2-3. Tied for third in 3A GSHL BEST STATE FINISH: Quarterfinals in 1985, 1986 and 1989

PROJECTED STARTERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

QB RB RB WR WR WR OL OL OL OL OL

Jayson Maddux Aaron Brumley Carson Slagle Nolan Mickenham Iszaiah Ward Logan Reed Austin Craft Aiden Solberg Christian Cha Max Valarde Tim Banaszek

*** DL Connor Rogers DL Ken Miller DL Austin Craft DL Trievion Douglass LB Aaron Brumley LB Carson Slagle LB Aiden Solberg DB Jake Bobst DB Nolan Mickenham DB Zack Wright DB Iszaiah Ward Coach: Kevin Baker (third year)

6-0 5-10 5-11 6-4 5-8 6-4 5-8 5-11 5-8 5-8 5-9

175 195 205 180 165 195 190 180 220 250 225

Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Soph.

5-11 6-1 5-8 5-11 5-10 5-11 5-11 5-8 6-4 5-11 5-8

205 240 190 205 195 205 180 140 180 175 165

Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Soph.

SCHEDULE

Home games at District Stadium League games in bold Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

Heritage at Hockinson Black Hills at Battle Ground at Evergreen Hudson’s Bay at Kelso Mountain View at Fort Vancouver

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

District Stadium On the campus of Battle Ground High School, 400 W. Main St., Battle Ground

20 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

AMANDA COWAN/The Columbian

Prairie’s Carson Slagle (32) and others are embracing a new offense as the Falcons are adopting the spread.

Falcons hope new-look offense leads to big things this season

A

fter coaching high-school football for 33 years, an “old dude” as Kevin Baker calls himself, Prairie’s head coach still embraces change when needed.

Even if that means demoting himself as offensive coordinator in favor of what he hopes will be a win-win all around for the Prairie Falcons. An offense kids will be excited about, fans are excited to watch, and a program that plans to play a more exciting style of football.

“I’m smart enough to know when it’s time to change,” Baker said, “and it’s time to change.”

That change is a new offense. Gone is the flexbone option in favor of the spread. Baker is handing the keys to the offense to new coordinator Mike Peck, who while new to Prairie, isn’t new to Clark County. He spent the past seven years as Battle Ground’s offensive coordinator.

His success with the Tigers has Falcons players pumped for what they can accomplish.

“I love the spread,” said senior Aaron Brumley.

“Everybody is coming out with the mindset to learn everything.”

And they’re learning everything on the fly.

It’s part of a change the Falcons are embracing, but another change they want to instill begins with changing outside perception.

On players’ minds this fall is getting past the hurdle of what they describe as being labeled as “the same ‘ol Prairie” — a team that opposing teams can push over and expect a victory every time they face the Falcons.

But there are a few tricks up their sleeves, and perhaps, a few surprises that lay in wait.

Because change is good, senior Carson Slagle said.

“We’re not doing anything we did last year,” he added.

Coming off a 2-7 campaign, Baker said what drives this year’s team is its unity, and a core that’s hungry to elevate the program to new heights.

And that starts with a new-look offense.

“Mike can help us break through that wall,” Baker said. “Kids have confidence in him because of what he’s done elsewhere.”

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2A GREATER ST. HELENS LEAGUE PROJECTED FINISH

Picks by Columbian sports staff

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

HOCKINSON: Hawks expect another big season from multiple playmakers.

COLUMBIA RIVER: Big numbers, new offense bodes well for Chieftains.

WASHOUGAL: Could be one of best

Panther teams in recent memory.

WOODLAND: Beavers have great playmakers in Harsh, Flanagan RIDGEFIELD: Don’t be surprised if

Spudders pull off some stunners.

R.A. LONG: Return of QB Owen Enriquez a plus for interim coach Rob James.

AMANDA COWAN/The Columbian

MARK MORRIS: Monarchs hope growth from underclassmen pays off.

BIGGEST GAMES SEPT. 15

VS.

7 p.m., Woodland High School

OCT. 13

VS.

7 p.m., Woodland High School

OCT. 13

VS.

7 p.m., Columbia River High School

Hockinson running back Matt Henry, now a senior, carries during a crucial win last season against Columbia River.

Hockinson seeks four-peat with perhaps most balanced team yet

W

hat’s in a recipe for league-title success?

If you’re the Hockinson Hawks, winners of three straight 2A Greater St. Helens League titles, there’s plenty of ways to answer that.

There’s defense, the staple of the Hawks’ first two league titles. Hockinson posted 12 shutouts in 2014 and 2015.

Then there’s last year, when you have Clark County’s passing leader quarterbacking your offense.

Hockinson is the first team since the 2A GSHL’s creation in 2006 to win three straight league titles. It’s searching for a fourth behind reigning league offensive MVP Canon Racanelli. He already is the program’s career passing leader and headlines a roster loaded in all phases.

But don’t Columbia River, featuring reigning league defensive MVP Koben Jamison. The Chieftains want to prove equally as big a challenger to Hockinson with their depth and size in numbers.

No 2A GSHL team is as big in numbers as the Chieftains, and if last year’s one-point Hockinson victory over River is an indicator, the teams’ Week 7 showdown could have league-title implications again.

Speaking of numbers, the league has one more playoff

berth allowed to it. This season, four teams will advance to the Week 10 state preliminary round.

Washougal was one of the surprise teams in 2016, winning its final three games to snag the final playoff berth and snap a nearly decade-long postseason drought. Now, the Panthers are eyeing more and have the returning experience to do so.

Woodland looks to end its two-year playoff-less streak with the league’s only four-year starting quarterback, Wyatt Harsh, and perhaps the league’s best all-around athlete, Tyler Flanagan. Harsh guided Woodland to its last postseason appearance as a starting quarterback his freshman season in 2014.

Expect bigger strides in the offense from Ridgefield under second-year coach Kim Ulman, and quarterback Dawson Lieurance, who showed growth at a number of off-season camps. How the season shapes up could depend on the play of the Spudders’ offensive line, which is thin in numbers.

Tough times could be ahead for R.A. Long and Mark Morris, which both struggled with program depth last season. The Lumberjacks feature their third coach in three seasons, while the Monarchs lost 23 seniors off a team that went 0-9.

The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

21

22 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

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COLUMBIA RIVER

CHIEFTAINS

2016: 5-5, 4-2. Tied for second in 2A GSHL

River brings back familiar offense, which should lead to more big plays

BEST STATE FINISH: Semifinals in 2002

hat’s old isn’t exactly new again with the Columbia River Chieftains.

Rather, it’s familiar.

“It feels good to see the old,” senior Koben Jamison said.

You see, that ‘old’ Jamison speaks of is welcoming the return of the spread offense he and the rest of his senior class were accustomed to under former coach John O’Rourke as freshmen and sophomores.

That’s what second-year coach Christian Swain will instill as part of a two-part multiple-set. He hopes it will cure the up-and-down 2016 offensive season, when River was shutout twice in five losses and didn’t win consecutive games after September.

Swain didn’t go as far as a guarantee, but he did say matter-of-factly the following: ■ River will be more explosive offensively.

■ River will have more big plays.

■ River will be a better passing offense.

“We’ll score a lot more points,” he said.

One more thing: River won’t be massive.

Well, they will be numbers-wise; they’re still the largest of any 2A GSHL team. The Chieftains took 85 to team camp, and cleared 105 over the summer, an increase of nearly 30 from last season. What they won’t be is massive up front, thanks to the graduation of a large offensive line.

The strength lies in team speed and overall athleticism, which hasn’t been a staple at River recently, Swain said.

W

PROJECTED STARTERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

QB RB WR WR WR TE OL OL OL OL OL

Matt Asplund Jarrett Seelbinder Kanen Eaton Koben Jamison Nathan Kunz Tristan Hoyer Beau Braden Jonah Leavitt Mitchell Chipman Peyton Harrell Elijah Hairston

*** DL Beau Braden DL Tristan Hoyer DL Austin Carter LB Brandon Henegan LB Thomas Karcher LB Rylee Sadler LB Koben Jamison LB AJ Jenkins DB Will Buss DB Kanen Eaton DB Nathan Kunz Coach: Christian Swain (second year)

6-4 5-9 6-3 6-1 5-11 6-1 6-4 6-0 5-10 6-0 6-3

200 165 175 195 185 215 245 265 215 230 280

Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr.

6-4 6-1 6-3 5-10 5-11 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-3 6-3 5-11

245 215 225 180 180 190 195 185 180 175 185

Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Soph.

Jr. Sr.

SCHEDULE

League games in bold Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

at Evergreen Tumwater at Washougal R.A. Long Skyview at Woodland Hockinson Mark Morris at Ridgefield

7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Chieftain Stadium On the campus of Columbia River High School, 800 NW 99th St., Vancouver

STEVE DIPAOLA/for The Columbian

Numbers-wise, River has the biggest roster in the 2A Greater St. Helens League.

But don’t sleep on the defense, said Jamison, the reigning 2A Greater St. Helens League defensive player of the year as a junior.

“You want defense to be an unrelenting force,” he said.

He’s one of seven returning defensive starters, and a player who continues to elevate his game, Swain noted. Equally known for his baseball talents, this fall is just Jamison’s fifth year playing football. Swain says the senior is a five-tool

player who thrives at a number of positions, defensively and offensively.

“He can do everything,” Swain said.

Which is why wherever Jamison is on the field, you know he’ll do his part.

The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

23

HOCKINSON

HAWKS

2016: 7-3, 5-1. First in 2A GSHL BEST STATE FINISH: Quarterfinals in 2014, 2015

PROJECTED STARTERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

QB RB WR WR WR TE OL OL OL OL OL

Canon Racanelli Bailey Jones Peyton Brammer Sawyer Racanelli Matt Henry Jake Beslanowitch Ryan Sleasman Nathan Balderas Zach Ristau Kordell Johnson Garrett Kondel

DL Nathan Balderas DL Kordell Johnson DL Ryan Sleasman LB Sawyer Racanelli LB Colton Wheeler LB Jake Beslanowitch LB Joe Brennan LB Jonathon Domingos DB Matt Henry DB Aidan Mallory DB Wyatt Jones Coach: Rick Steele (13th year)

***

5-11 6-2 6-4 6-3 5-10 6-4 6-1 6-4 5-11 6-3 6-3

180 215 190 200 170 210 250 285 180 255 255

Sr. Sr. Soph.

Soph.

Sr. Sr. Sr. Soph.

Sr. Sr. Jr.

6-4 6-3 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-4 5-10 5-11 5-10 5-11 6-0

285 255 250 200 185 210 190 170 170 170 180

Soph.

Jr. Sr. Soph.

Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr.

Hawks believe they have the right ingredients to be among state’s elite

SCHEDULE

Home games at Hockinson High School League games in bold Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

SAM WILSON/for The Columbian

Hockinson quarterback Canon Racanelli, left, has many weapons among his receivers and a bolstered running game.

at La Center Prairie at Woodland Ridgefield Mark Morris at Washougal at Columbia River Hoquiam R.A. Long

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Nautilus Stadium On the campus of Hockinson High School.

16819 N.E. 159th St. Hockinson

24 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

B

ailey Jones doesn’t boast much about himself on social media.

In fact on Twitter, all the Hockinson High School senior writes in his Twitter profile is one thing: #ouryear.

Ask him what that entails, and he’ll gladly shed light on how it came together through a group text message among his teammates that led to an unofficial team motto. The Hawks, after all, feel this is their year for a breakthrough.

“We all go together as a team,” Jones said.

Hockinson is on a streak of three straight 2A Greater St. Helens League titles and three straight 2A state playoff berths, including back-to-back state quarterfinal appearances in 2014 and ‘15.

What’s in store this year? That’s yet to be determined, of course.

“This is the year,” Jones said.

Or, in their terms, #ouryear.

Jones is one of the few changes to the Hawks’ offense.

Last season, the team was limited in the run game, so head coach Rick Steele approached Jones, a receiver, about sticking him in the backfield.

Jones happily accepted. He’d played receiver his entire career up until now.

“That’s my thing now,” Jones said about his transition to running back. “Maybe I’ve always been a running back and just didn’t know it.”

With depth at receiver and lack thereof in the run game, Steele said Jones is a perfect solution because of his size (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) and speed.

But what isn’t changing is the passing game.

Reigning league offensive MVP Canon Racanelli has thrown 70 touchdowns the past two seasons, as well as an area-high 3,148 passing yards in 2016. His leading receiver, brother Sawyer Racanelli (1,027 yards, 12 TDs) returns for his sophomore season.

This group could possibly be Hockinson’s best team because it has the right mixture, Steele said. The offensive line averages 250 pounds, athletes are all over the field, and the defense returns all five linebackers in a 3-5 defense.

And that mix is ready for that next step.

“When they come out ready to go and right mentally,” Steele said, “we can beat anybody.”

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RIDGEFIELD

SPUDDERS

2016 RECORD: 4-5, 3-3. Fifth in 2A GSHL BEST STATE FINISH: 1995 State Champions

PROJECTED STARTERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

QB RB RB RB WR TE OL OL OL OL OL

Dawson Lieurance Hunter Abrams Jeremy Martin Tucker Roberts Carter Pankow Brock Harrison Cameron Salewski Kalvin Staker Simon Berkey Malaki Kasuta Makani Schultz

*** DL Makani Schultz DL Kalvin Staker DL Malaki Katsuta LB Hunter Abrams LB Mattew Torres LB Brock Harrison LB Andrew Rommell DB Jeremy Martin DB Matthew Gama DB Carter Pankow DB Max Decker Coach: Kim Ulman (second year)

6-2 5-9 5-10 5-11 6-0 6-3 5-11 6-5 5-10 5-8 6-0

200 205 150 155 150 245 170 230 180 220 245

Jr. Soph.

Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Soph.

Jr.

6-0 6-5 5-8 5-9 5-11 6-3 5-9 5-10 6-1 6-0 5-10

245 230 220 205 160 245 190 150 175 145 160

Jr. Jr. Soph.

Soph.

Soph.

Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr.

Spudders want late-season momentum to carry into this year

SCHEDULE

Home games at Ridgefield High School League games in bold Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

at Castle Rock W.F. West at La Center at Hockinson Washougal at Mark Morris at R.A. Long Woodland Columbia River

AMANDA COWAN/The Columbian

Ridgefield’s Jeremy Martin, now a senior, had a team-high eight rushing touchdowns last season.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Ridgefield Stadium On the campus of Ridgefield High School, 2630 S. Hillhurst Road, Ridgefield

R

idgefield High School’s football team didn’t make the postseason in 2016, but the Spudders didn’t see it that way.

They view their regular-season finale against playoffbound Columbia River — a five-point road victory — as their true playoff game. The Spudders closed out the season winning three of their final four games.

What made the win even sweeter? With key starters out, the Spudders made adjustments on the fly and counted on underclassmen to be instant playmakers.

“It showed how much heart we had,” junior Brock Harrison said. “You noticed they’re realizing we can beat a team like that, which was really nice to see.”

That game was a glimpse into what’s ahead for the Spudders, and that future is here. The adjustment period with a first-year coaching staff and a new offense is in the rearview mirror. It’s Year Two under head coach Kim Ulman and his shotgun wing-T offense.

Like Harrison, Ulman is looking forward to the continued progress made in the final month of 2016. Ridgefield averaged 20 points a game in October.

“Hopefully, that happens a little earlier this year,” Ulman said. “I’m interested to see how much improvement we have.”

Time will tell, and a lot of that could depend on the offensive line. Ulman said the line will determine what kind of season the Spudders could have because they’re thin in numbers, size and feature plenty of new faces.

Ulman doesn’t shy away from having a small-statured line — “as long as we get the off the ball and are aggressive,” he said. But the lack of depth is a concern.

“It’s kind of scary right now,” Ulman said.

On the flip side, what isn’t scary is the number of underclassmen with returning experience. There’s plenty, including Harrison who, at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, is a returning two-way starter at tight end and linebacker.

Junior Dawson Lieurance is one of three returning quarterbacks in the 2A GSHL who started as sophomores.

And the trick to sustaining what they started? Having players step up, Harrison said, “and knowing what it means to grow every day.”

The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

25

26 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

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WASHOUGAL

PANTHERS

2016: 5-5, 4-2. Tied for second in 2A GSHL BEST STATE FINISH: Semifinals in 1974

PROJECTED STARTERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

QB RB RB WR WR TE OL OL OL OL OL

Ryan Stevens Kade Coons Nathan Tofell Max Churchman Jakob Davis Grant Lewis Ian Harris Mason Armstrong Jackson Lindell Brenden Brock Aidan Bristol

*** DL Blake Webb DL Cole Robb DL Nick Oakes LB Jakob Davis LB Brevan Bea LB Grant Lewis LB Nathan Tofell DB Max Churchman DB Preston Thornton DB Kade Coons DB Ryan Stevens Coach: David Hajek (fourth year)

5-11 5-9 6-1 5-7 6-2 6-0 6-1 5-11 6-1 5-10 6-2

185 170 180 140 180 190 215 175 240 180 215

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Soph.

Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Soph.

Sr.

5-10 6-0 6-5 6-2 6-0 6-0 6-1 5-7 5-10 5-9 5-11

170 220 215 180 175 190 180 140 165 170 185

Sr. Sr. Sr. Soph.

Soph.

Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr.

Home games at Fishback Stadium League games in bold at West Seattle Castle Rock Columbia River at Mark Morris at Ridgefield Hockinson at Woodland at R.A. Long Santiam Christian (Ore.)

Panthers don’t want to be ‘one-and-done’ after ending playoff drought

L

SCHEDULE

Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

NATALIE BEHRING/for The Columbian

Washougal quarterback Ryan Stevens returns after earning all-league honors and taking the Panthers to the playoffs.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Fishback Stadium On the campus of Washougal High School 1201 39th St., Washougal

ike the ladder that is the recent success of Washougal High School’s football team, the Panthers’ are hopeful the next step is a continuing climb.

First was snapping a nine-year postseason drought by grabbing the No. 3 seed in the 2A Greater St. Helens League, and reaching the state preliminary round in 2016. Yet senior Jackson Lindell doesn’t want to be, in basketball terms, a “one-and-done.”

“We want to go further than that senior class did,” Lindell said.

Then, hopefully, give the underclassmen something to strive for in the future.

“To go further than us,” he said.

But for now, that “one-and-done” Lindell speaks of is playing more football in November.

Washougal lost to eventual state quarterfinalist Tumwater in last season’s Week 10 game. That postseason taste was a great stepping stone. But senior Kade Coons said the Panthers want more than just a single playoff game.

Not only are the Panthers thinking a repeat postseason trip, but multiple playoff games.

That’s a big motivation for 2017.

“We’re definitely feeding off that energy,” he said.

History isn’t on Washougal’s side. The Panthers can’t change the past, but can make their own future.

The program has gone beyond the state preliminary round twice in school history, the last being 1999. While coach Dave Hajek knows his team hasn’t accomplished anything yet, he believes it could be well on its way again because of the Panthers’ blend of talented youth and veteran experience.

“It could be the best team in the past 30 years,” he said, “if not longer.”

That experience Hajek speaks of starts with a seniorladen offensive line. Four of the five have started at least nine career games; Lindell and Aidan Bristol have 15 career starts dating back to their sophomore seasons.

Then there’s players such as quarterback Ryan Stevens, an all-league returnee, and Coons, a two-time all-league player at different positions (receiver and defensive back).

He’ll transition to running back in Washougal’s I-formation.

Brevan Bea (linebacker) was one of two freshmen league-wide to earn all-2A GSHL honors last season.

The team tasted success in 2016 going .500 and making the postseason.

Now, said Hajek: “They want to go further.”

The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

27

WOODLAND

BEAVERS

2016: 5-4, 4-2. Tied for second in 2A GSHL BEST STATE FINISH: Second place in 1982

PROJECTED STARTERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

QB RB WR WR WR WR OL OL OL OL

Wyatt Harsh Kenyon Guy Tyler Flanagan Tristan Harris Alex Bishop Christian Yager Alex Wakefield Jake Ripp Jacob Flanagan Jason Bowman

*** DL Logan Knight DL Jacob Flanagan DL Jack Ripp DL Alex Wakefield LB Brock Murray LB Elijua Schultz LB Jack Wear DB Anthony Clifford DB Tristan Harris DB Tyler Flanagan DB Wyatt Harsh Coach: Mike Woodward (second year)

6-0 5-9 5-11 5-9 6-3 5-10 6-2 5-10 6-2 6-2

190 160 180 170 160 160 250 190 180 210

Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Fr.

5-9 6-2 5-10 6-2 5-6 5-7 5-11 5-6 5-9 5-11 6-0

210 180 190 250 140 190 180 160 170 180 190

Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr.

Record-setting QB Harsh hopes to stretch season into playoffs

SCHEDULE

Home games at Beaver Stadium League games in bold Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

at Kalama La Center Hockinson at Hudson’s Bay at R.A. Long Columbia River Washougal at Ridgefield at Mark Morris

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

5 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Beaver Stadium On the campus of Woodland High School, 1500 Dike Access Rd., Woodland

28 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

ALISHA JUCEVIC/The Columbian

Woodland quarterback Wyatt Harsh talks with coach Mike Woodward. Harsh is the school’s all-time leading passer.

Mike Woodward has coached high school football for more than 20 years, and already after one season at Woodland, he knows this: ■ Wyatt Harsh will be more of a dual-threat quarterback this season.

■ Tyler Flanagan might be the best all-around athlete he has coached when he calls it a career.

■ Last season’s loss to Washougal will haunt him the rest of his career.

Let’s start with the game that gave him some sleepless nights. A play here. A bounce there. Lessons learned. One game can doom a team to miss the playoffs for a second straight season.

“Every game matters,” Woodward said. “One game can make or break a season.”

A season Woodland now hopes goes beyond nine games, something the Beavers haven’t experienced since 2014.

Harsh is the area’s only four-year starting quarterback and is the school’s career leader for passing yards (5,178) and touchdowns (55). He has been known as a pocket passer his first three years. Woodward admitted he didn’t fully grasp Harsh’s running capabilities last

season, but now is transitioning to the run-pass option.

And Harsh can’t wait.

“It opens up a lot of things,” he said.

Added Tyler Flanagan: “It gives you room to work …”

For Flanagan, early injuries to teammates last year meant he shined at both running back (567 yards) and receiver (698). But no matter where he plays, he’s equally effective, Woodward said. One of his best plays last season was a 72-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Ridgefield, zig-zagging his way for the score.

“He’s a freak athlete,” Harsh said. “When he gets to the open field, I’d take him one-on-one with anybody.

Maybe one-on-two.”

“He’s one of those special players you only see once every 15 to 20 years,” Woodward said.

As a freshman in 2014, Harsh threw for nearly 2,000 yards to lead Woodland to the state preliminary round, losing to W.F. West.

Nothing would be better for Harsh and the Beavers than not only reach the playoffs, but to win a postseason game.

“We want to get over that hump,” he said.

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1A TRICO LEAGUE PROJECTED FINISH

Picks by Columbian sports staff

1

LA CENTER: Not much is standing in the way of the Wildcats in what could be another memorable season.

2

COLUMBIA - WHITE SALMON: Experience

3

CASTLE ROCK: Second straight season with a new offense should give Rockets a spark.

4

STEVENSON: Bulldogs’ all-senior line

5

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN: First-year

is on Bruins’ side; lost just two starters from 2016 playoff-bound team.

leads experienced team looking to pull off upsets.

coach Tom Schroeder’s Knights may surprise some teams late in season.

BIGGEST GAMES

AMANDA COWAN/The Columbian

A state semifinalist last year, La Center is aiming for its first back-to-back league championships since 2013-14.

SEPT. 29

VS.

6 p.m., King’s Way Christian

OCT. 20

VS.

7 p.m., La Center High School

OCT. 27

VS.

7 p.m., Columbia High, White Salmon

La Center is clear favorite to repeat as league champion

T

here are no guarantees when it comes to high school.

These are teenagers, after all. Things change week to week. Heck, they can change day to day.

What doesn’t change when talking about the 1A Trico League is the team everyone else is chasing: the La Center Wildcats.

The program is the defending league champions and a returning 1A state semifinalist. This year, La Center is a heavy favorite to repeat with 26 seniors, a number Class 4A and 3A programs love to see, and a number any 1A coach would envy.

Said one opposing Trico coach: “You’re really battling for two playoff spots,” he said, “because La Center has one already locked.”

Is that a guarantee?

On paper, perhaps, and why not.

La Center’s last back-to-back league-title teams came as part of a three-peat stretch from 2012-14, and the talent pool of this year’s senior class runs deep.

“They’ve been playing together for a long time,” coach John Lambert said, “and are talented.”

Talented enough for another league title. And more.

At Castle Rock, ex-Battle Ground coach Eric Boswell is installing a single-wing offense with hopes of boosting his program that’s coming off a disappointing 2-7 campaign. The Rockets last made the state preliminary round in 2012, and haven’t made it out of the first round since 2008 when they reached the state quarterfinals.

Youth has described Stevenson the past few years, but an all-senior line leads an experienced Bulldogs team ready to take the next step. Coach Dave Waymire is impressed from what he saw at summer camp, and if his team stays healthy, he feels they’re contenders for a postseason spot.

King’s Way Christian, now in its second full season of 11-man football, is still learning under coach Tom Schroeder, who was hired in June. The Knights lost nearly 75 percent of its players because of graduation and the departure of Seton Catholic players.

Seton Catholic will play an independent schedule and return as a full 1A Trico League member in 2018.

The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

29

LA CENTER

WILDCATS

2016 RECORD: 11-2, 4-0. First in 1A Trico

Colton Dolezal is among 26 seniors, the largest senior class the La Center football program has ever had.

BEST STATE FINISH: Semifinals in 2003, 2016

PROJECTED STARTERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

QB

RB

RB WR WR OL OL OL OL OL

Hayden Williamson Jacob O’Donnell Colton Dolezal Evan Honore Thomas Dreyer Jack Hiller Dayton Erickson Ty Morris Jaryd Parmentier Caiden Krout

5-10 5-10

*** DL Collin Namanny DL Wyatt Siebert DL Jack Hiller LB Colton Dolezal LB Clint Smith LB Wyatt Dodson LB Hayden Williamson DB Jackson Leslie DB Tanner Dreyer DB Thomas Dreyer Coach: John Lambert (19th year)

6-2 5-9 6-0 6-5 6-3 5-10 5-10 6-3 6-3 6-7 6-5 6-2 6-2 5-10 5-10 6-1 5-11 6-0

160 Sr. 160 Sr.

240 160 160 250 265 260 170 215

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

210 190 250 240 190 155 157 165 155 160

Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

Most of team that reached state semifinals returns for another run

SCHEDULE

Home games at La Center High School League games in bold Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

Hockinson at Woodland Ridgefield Hoquiam at King’s Way Christian Stevenson at Burlington-Edison Columbia -White Salmon at Castle Rock

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

6 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

La Center High 725 N.E. Highland Ave., La Center

30 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

STEVE DIPAOLA/ for The Columbian

T

o understand where the La Center Wildcats’ football program currently is — fresh off their first state semifinal appearance since 2003 — go back to the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Emphatically, coaches and players say that playing home-and-home nonleague contests against 2A powerhouse Tumwater, winners of five state titles since 1987 under the state’s all-time winningest coach, is what they needed.

La Center was shutout in both defeats, but the Wildcats took away so much more than what the scores show. Programs like that, said senior Cole Seaman, a freshman and sophomore on those teams, is where the Wildcats want to be.

“We want to emulate that,” Seaman said. “We always love those challenging games and always are looking for a tough opponent.”

Which is why this year’s schedule features a road contest at 2A Burlington-Edison, which happens to be sandwiched between the final two league contests: Stevenson and Columbia of White Salmon.

Coach John Lambert said playing tough nonleague opponents paid dividends during last year’s 1A state

semifinal run, which ended with a loss to eventual state runner-up Connell.

“And I think it will this year,” Lambert quickly added.

And why not with a roster featuring a school-record 26 seniors, including a handful who started or saw significant minutes as freshmen. Almost every starting spot will be occupied by a senior, Lambert said, including four-year starter Jack Hiller.

You can’t put a bigger value on experience, and La Center has it with the biggest senior class of any 1A Trico League team.

It’s a class that’s had three years breaking down varsity film, three years of at least 10 games, including four postseason games a season ago before falling to Connell in game No. 13. That deep postseason run is what Lambert described as a whole new season.

“The number of (repetitions) these guys have gotten through the years they’ve been here, you can’t quantify that,” Lambert said.

Now, La Center’s senior-laden squad is more prepared and hungrier for something bigger, senior Dylan Seaman said.

“We’re coming back this year and we’re ready,” he said.

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KING’S WAY

KNIGHTS

2016 RECORD: 7-3, 2-2. Tied for second in 1A Trico BEST STATE FINISH: Eight-Man Quarterfinals in 2011

PROJECTED STARTERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

QB RB WR WR WR TE OL OL OL OL OL

Kemper Shrock Gage Koenders Bailey Meeks Bryce Dodge Isaac Peterson Jett Buffett Chandler Wann Colton Lange Riley Danberg Blake Scully Nate Snider

*** DL Riley Danberg DL Chandler Wann DL Nate Snider LB Jett Buffett LB Colton Lange LB Gage Koenders LB Dylan Scott DB Isaac Peterson DB Bryce Dodge DB Bailey Meeks DB Gideon Rounsley Coach: Tom Schroeder (first year)

6-5 6-1 6-0 6-3 5-11 6-1 6-2 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-1

185 190 190 175 180 225 200 180 240 180 220

Soph.

Soph.

Fr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

6-2 6-2 6-1 6-1 5-10 6-1 6-1 5-11 6-3 6-0 5-9

240 220 220 225 180 190 210 180 175 190 170

Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Soph.

Jr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Jr.

SCHEDULE

Home games at King’s Way Christian League games in bold Aug. 31 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20

at Fort Vancouver 7 p.m.

Forks 5:30 p.m. at Bainbridge 7 p.m.

Kalama 6 p.m.

La Center 6 p.m. at Castle Rock 7 p.m. at Columbia-White Salmon 7 p.m.

Stevenson 6 p.m.

King’s Way Christian High 3300 N.E. 78th St., Vancouver

ARIANE KUNZE/The Columbian

King’s Way Christian head coach Tom Schroeder has worked to build unity among a team that graduated 27 seniors.

New coaching staff has young Knights ready to pull off surprises

T

he King’s Way Christian Knights never touched a football for the team’s two-day unity camp just before official practices opened in mid-August.

This year more than ever, with so many fresh faces from players to coaches, the trip was necessary.

And it was well worth it.

“It was definitely needed,” senior Riley Danberg said, “and it definitely helped.”

Gone are 27 seniors from a team that won seven games, second most in program history.

Gone is its head coach from 2016, who departed five days into June’s spring ball.

Think the Knights are behind the 8-ball? Think again.

Credit first-year coach Tom Schroeder and his experienced, hand-picked staff for the easier-than-expected transition.

He’s one of three ex-Camas assistants (Mark Hungerford, Buddy Buffett) off the Papermakers’ 2016 4A state title-winning staff.

Another two, brothers Dave and Wes Armstrong, have head-coaching know-how in multiple sports. This is Dave Armstrong’s first time coaching football since

he was Skyview’s head coach in 2002. He’ll be Schroeder’s defensive coordinator while Schroeder will call the offense.

Schroeder is accustomed to winning from his 11 seasons at Camas, so don’t expect anything less now that he’s leading the Class 1A Knights, his first headcoaching gig.

“We have to bring it every day for the kids to buy into what we’re doing,” Schroeder said. “Anything we ask of them, they do it. We have to make right decision for it to happen.”

Last season, Seton Catholic suspended its football program, and its 16 players merged with King’s Way. The Cougars are now back to having their own program, and while King’s Way’s dwindled to as few as 15 players at one point this summer, high expectations remain.

Numbers are around 30 now, which gives players like Danberg, one of three returning all-1A Trico players along with fellow seniors Michael Garrison and Chandler Wann, plenty of reason for optimism.

“We’ll definitely surprise some people and win some games,” Danberg said.

The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

31

SETON CATHOLIC

COUGARS

2016 RECORD: Did not play BEST STATE FINISH: Haven’t qualified

PROJECTED STARTERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

QB RB RB WR WR TE OL OL OL OL OL

Tyvauntae Deloney Taj Muhammad Myles McGovern Matt Kent Luke Pitzer Joe Dearey Bobby Voitik Aidan Kirby Sam Lopez Ken Koceja John Harter

*** DL Bobby Voitik DL Sam Lopez DL Ken Koceja DL Aiden Miller LB Myles McGovern LB Aidan Kirby DB Taj Muhammad DB Jonathan Stell DB Mikey Silveria DB Patrick Ryan DB Joe Dearey Coach: Will Ephraim (third year)

5-10 5-6 5-8 6-0 5-6 5-10 5-9 5-10 5-2 6-0 5-7

165 145 150 160 135 160 200 150 225 175 140

Soph.

Jr. Jr. Sr. Soph.

Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Soph.

5-9 5-2 6-0 6-1 5-8 5-10 5-6 6-0 5-10 5-9 5-10

200 225 175 180 150 150 145 190 150 160 160

Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Soph.

Jr. Jr.

SCHEDULE

Home games at Seton Catholic Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 14 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

at Friday Harbor (site TBA) 12:30 p.m.

Charles Wright Academy 1:30 p.m.

Nestucca (Ore.) 1:30 p.m. at Elma 7 p.m. at Stevenson 7 p.m. at Columbia-White Salmon 7 p.m.

Horizon Christian 1:30 p.m. at Shorewood 5 p.m. at Vernonia (Ore.) 7 p.m.

Seton Catholic College Prep 9000 N.E. 64th Ave., Vancouver

32 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

ALISHA JUCEVIC/The Columbian

Taj Muhammad rushed for nearly 500 yards last year for King’s Way. Now he is ready to lead Seton Catholic’s revival.

New field, new beginning for Cougars after one-year hiatus

T

hese are exciting times at Seton Catholic College Prep.

The newly constructed turf field at the Class 1A private school still needs grandstands, but it’s ready to be christened by the Cougars’ football team.

That’s right: Football is back at Seton Catholic.

The field represents more than just one of the two new athletic facilities on campus. It also means a rebirth of the football program that went dark weeks before the 2016 season began because of low numbers; the 16 players and coaches instead blended with King’s Way Christian.

The merger was a crushing blow for players like Taj Muhammad and Aiden Kirby — “It honestly made me not want to play football,” Kirby said. But it equally made them and their returning teammates stronger and ready to return to having Seton football again.

The message: Seton football is here to stay.

“The whole vibe is different,” said Muhammad, who rushed for 456 yards and scored three touchdowns as King’s Way went 7-3 in 2016. “We’re closer as a family and having fun at practice. It’s a nice experience.”

Coach Will Ephraim said while the experience was positive for him and his players, players quickly realized they wanted their own team, own field and to represent their own school again.

“They’re excited about that now,” he added.

Now, they have all of that.

Ephraim said the ahead-of-schedule field construction means all home games are on the field in front of the high school. All games are on Saturday afternoons.

To ease the Seton’s transition back to football, it will play an independent schedule and is slated to return to the 1A Trico League in 2018. However, a postseason opportunity is still possible if specific criteria are met.

That includes beating all three of its 1A opponents: Elma, Stevenson and White Salmon.

Numbers are healthy once again with an estimated 30 players. Continuing with Seton’s ‘new’ theme are new uniforms. Muhammad kept quiet on details other than to say they’ll be flashy; they’ll be revealed to the student body on the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 28.

Said Ephraim: “It’s a new chapter for Seton. … why not have a new look?”

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KELSO 2016: 8-3, 4-1. 2ND IN 3A GSHL KEY PLAYERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

AJ Hoggatt sr. qb Max McDaniel sr. rb/lb Bryce Miller sr. lb Emmitt Kinch sr. wr/db John Roberts sr. rb/lb Peyton Noah sr. wr/db Jordan Miller sr. rb/lb Coach: Steve Amrine (5th year)

HILANDERS SCHEDULE Home games at Schroeder Field, 1904 Allen St., Kelso League games in bold

Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20

at Mark Morris 7 p.m.

R.A. Long 7 p.m.

Lake Washington 7 p.m. at Centralia 7 p.m. at Fort Vancouver 5 p.m. at Mt. View 7:30p.m.

Prairie 7 p.m. at Evergreen 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 27 Hudson’s Bay

TEAM NOTES The Hilanders return 12 starters, including a three-year starting QB and their leading tackler the past two seasons. What excites Amrine most is team speed and overall athleticism.

7 p.m.

2016: 2-7, 1-3. T-4TH IN 1A TRICO KEY PLAYERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

Nathan Halladay sr. lb Parker Patching sr. ol/dl Seth Werly jr. qb/db Nate Myklebust sr. rb/db Hunter Jensen sr. ol/dl Peyton Watts jr. fb/de Brady Bach jr. rb/lb Coach: Eric Boswell (4th year)

MONARCHS

2016: 0-9, 0-6. 7TH IN 2A GSHL KEY PLAYERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

Dawson Fritz jr. qb/db Ethan West jr. k Noah Mejia jr. rb/lb Willie Harris jr. rb/db Coach: Shawn Perkins (15th year)

SCHEDULE Home games at Longview Memorial Stadium, 2903 Nicholls Blvd., Longview League games in bold

Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20

Kelso 7 p.m. at Centralia 7 p.m. at R.A. Long 7 p.m.

Washougal 7 p.m. at Hockinson 7 p.m.

Ridgefield 7 p.m. at Hudson’s Bay 7 p.m. at Columbia River 7 p.m.

Oct. 27 Woodland

TEAM NOTES The upward trend begins now for the Monarchs. Last year’s winless season — their first since 2002 — is in the rearview mirror. This year’s team saw lots of action as underclassmen.

2016: 1-5, 1-8. 6TH IN 2A GSHL KEY PLAYERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

Owen Enriquez jr. qb/db Parker Reeves sr. rb/lb Elijah Allen sr. rb/lb Cole Kotera sr. wr/db Conner Wallace sr. wr/db Coach: Rob James (interim)

SCHEDULE Home games at Longview Memorial Stadium, 2903 Nicholls Blvd., Longview League games in bold

Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20

Centralia 7 p.m. at Kelso 7 p.m.

Mark Morris 7 p.m. at Columbia River 7 p.m.

Woodland 7 p.m. at Montesano 7 p.m.

Ridgefield 7 p.m.

Washougal 7 p.m.

Oct. 27 at Hockinson

TEAM NOTES Change comes at the Jacks once more with a new coach for the third time in three seasons. A big plus, though, is Enriquez back under center, hoping to flourish after a 1,000-yard passing season.

7 p.m.

Ridgefield at Washougal at Montesano Aberdeen at White Salmon King’s Way at Stevenson Onalaska

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

BRUINS

COLUMBIA 2016: 5-4, 2-2. T-2ND IN 1A TRICO KEY PLAYERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

Chandlor Bucklin jr. wr/db Trenton Howard jr. rb Oscar Kirkwood jr. ol/dl Jarin Musgrove sr. ol/dl Alex Medina sr. ol/dl Tylan Webster sr. lb Coach: John Hallead (6th year)

7 p.m.

LUMBERJACKS

League games in bold

Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20

SCHEDULE Home games at Columbia High School, 1455 NW Bruin Country Road, White Salmon League games in bold

Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20

at Goldendale at Elma Tenino at The Dalles, Ore. Castle Rock Seton Catholic King’s Way at La Center

Oct. 27 Stevenson

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

2016: 5-4, 1-3. T-4TH IN 1A TRICO KEY PLAYERS

Returning All-League selections in bold

Braeden Waymire sr. lb Brandon Connell jr. qb/db Lincoln Krog jr. rb/db Skyler Bernt sr. ol/dl Jesse Aguiar sr. ol/dl Coach: David Waymire (7th year)

TEAM NOTES Experience and depth is on Columbia’s side, aiming for its highest league finish under Hallead. Speedster Chandlor Bucklin had three special-teams TDs in 2016.

Columbia High School

BULLDOGS

STEVENSON

SCHEDULE Home games at Stevenson High School, 390 NW Gropper Rd., Stevenson League games in bold

Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20

at Lyle-Wishram Corbett, Ore. Portland Christian Tenino Seton Catholic at La Center Castle Rock at King’s Way

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

6 p.m.

Oct. 27 at White Salmon 7 p.m.

Longview Memorial Stadium

TEAM NOTES The Rockets hope a new offense (single-wing) and defense (4-3) translates to more success.

Halladay, the league’s defensive player of the year in 2015, is back after missing 2016 (knee).

Castle Rock High School

Longview Memorial Stadium

R.A. LONG

SCHEDULE Home games at Castle Rock High School, Westside Highway, Castle Rock

Oct. 27 La Center

Laulainen Stadium at Schroeder Field

MARK MORRIS

ROCKETS

CASTLE ROCK

TEAM NOTES Young no more, the entire line is returning seniors with a large group of juniors behind them. “We have a lot of experience for the first time in years,” Waymire said.

Bernt and Aguiar are all-Trico.

Stevenson High School

The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

33

34 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

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The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

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36 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

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GIRLS SOCCER SEASON STORYLINES TO WATCH

CHAMPION CAMAS: Defending 4A state champion Camas returns one of the state’s best players in Maddie Kemp.

But the Papermakers must replace nine starters who graduated.

RIVER REPEAT?: All-Region player of the year Ellie Walker has graduated, but Columbia River returns a good portion of last year’s 2A state championship team, including three all-leaguers.

SMALL WONDER: One of the area’s best players is found

at one of the smallest schools. MacKenzie Ellertson scored 38 goals last year to lead King’s Way Christian to its third straight state berth. The junior is a two-time 1A Trico League MVP.

UNION RISING: The Titans graduated just three players from a team that went 12-7-0 and reached the state playoffs. Senior Chloe Brusseau leads three returning all-leaguers.

FALCONS ROOST: Prairie has won at least a share of the

past two 3A GSHL titles. But the Falcons can expect a tough test from Mountain View and returning league MVP Emma Cox.

KEY DATES SEPT. 12

CLASH OF CHAMPIONS: Reigning 4A state

OCT. 11

3A THROWDOWN: Prairie faces Mountain View at McKenzie Stadium in a match that could decide the 3A GSHL title.

OCT. 24

GRAND FINALE: Columbia River, Ridgefield and Hockinson were 2A GSHL co-champs last year. The regular-season finale between Hockinson and Ridgefield could be vital.

champion Camas travels to face 6A Oregon champion Sherwood.

NOV. 17-18 FINAL FOUR: The state semifinals and

finals take place in Puyallup (3A, 4A) and Shoreline (1A, 2A).

DAN TRUJILLO/Camas Post-Record

Maddie Kemp, center, scored a school-record 31 goals last season as Camas won the 4A state championship.

Quick-striking Maddie Kemp aims to keep Camas on top

W

hen Maddie Kemp strikes, it can happen fast.

So fast, in fact, that the Camas soccer star doesn’t always remember the details. “(Our trainer) asked me how I had scored one of my goals,” Kemp said. “I couldn’t even remember. I didn’t have a concussion. I just couldn’t remember because everything happened so fast.”

Last season, Kemp had quite a few memorable moments. Her 31 goals set a Camas High School record as the Papermakers won the Class 4A state title. Kemp was honored as the Class 4A player of the year by the Washington State Soccer Coaches Association.

So how will Kemp top last year? Now a junior, she says success won’t be judged by individual statistics.

“It’s not about the goals you score or the assists you have,” she said. “It’s about doing it for the team. If you accomplish those things, it’s because of the people around you.”

Last year, Kemp was a key weapon for a Camas team

that was both deep and experienced. The Papermakers allowed just two goals in 22 matches.

Nine of those 11 starters have now graduated. Kemp is now the undoubted leader of this year’s team.

She knows there isn’t time to rest on last year’s laurels.

“We’re trying to focus on this year because it’s going to be hard,” she said. “But we think that every year, that we’re not going to be as good. We always seem to find our way.”

Kemp has verbally committed to Gonzaga, where a new coaching staff made her a focal point of their recruiting efforts.

Kemp knows she’ll be “man-marked” tightly, maybe even double-teamed, in many matches this year.

Bring it on, she says.

“It doesn’t really bother me,” she said. “If they want to waste their people to man-mark me, there will be other people open. It’s not like it’s just me.”

The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

37

VOLLEYBALL SEASON STORYLINES TO WATCH EXPERIENCED CAMAS: Defending 4A GSHL champ Camas

returns most of its key players. That includes first-team all-leaguer Keelie LeBlanc, a 6-foot outside hitter.

PRAIRIE PERFECTION: Prairie didn’t lose a set in 3A GSHL play or district tournament. Behind All-Region player of the year Zoe McBride, the Falcons are favored again.

REPLACING A LEGEND: Woodland celebrated end of coach Jeff Nesbitt’s 31-year career with 2nd at the 2A state tournament. Danielle Hutton now leads the program.

NEW 2A CROP: Last year, every first-team all-leaguer

in the 2A GSHL was a senior. Ridgefield’s Anika Nicoll, Washougal’s Emily Johnson and Woodland’s Taylor Foster could be next up.

TRICO TUSTLE: La Center went unbeaten in the Trico League last year. But Castle Rock and returning league offensive MVP Auna Dolan could test the Wildcats.

KEY DATES SEPT. 9

EARLY-SEASON TEST: The Sterling Volleyball

Classic brings 20 teams to Auburn. Prairie and Columbia River will be there.

SEPT. 23 KENT CLASSIC: Camas, Union, Skyview,

Prairie and Columbia River will be among 29 teams in one of the state’s top regularseason events.

OCT. 14

MOUNTAIN VIEW INVITE: Nine Southwest

Washington teams take a break from league play to vie for area bragging rights.

NOV. 3-4 BI-DISTRICT TOURNAMENTS: To reach state, the top 3A and 4A GSHL teams must survive the 16-team bi-district gauntlet.

NOV. 10-11 STATE TOURNAMENT: The state tournament

takes place in Kennewick (3A, 4A), Lacey (2A) and Yakima (1A).

38 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

NATALIE BEHRING/For The Columbian

Megan Hammes, left, and Bergyn Tumlinson are among eight returners from last year’s team, with placed 7th in state.

Prairie has both talent and experience to make deep run at state

T

here’s a pride that permeates the Prairie volleyball program.

It has powered the Falcons to the state tournament seven of the last eight years, including a state championship in 2012.

And it has Prairie aiming high this season. Led by All-Region player of the year Zoe McBride, eight players are back from a team that did not lose a set in 3A Greater St. Helens League play or the district tournament that followed.

Prairie finished seventh in last year’s state tournament, only losing a first-round match to eventual champion Lakeside of Seattle.

The goal this year?

“We want to take first,” first-year coach Jen Palmer said. “We have a good solid group. They are mentally prepared to get better every single day.”

An assistant coach at Ridgefield last year, Palmer joined Prairie initially as an assistant coach to Andrea Doerfler. Both are coaches with the club team NW Reign.

When Doerfler stepped down, she recommended

Palmer be chosen for head-coaching duties.

“I am extremely honored to be a part of this amazing program,” Palmer said. “Andrea left big shoes to fill, and I will do my best to uphold the traditions and success of Prairie High School.”

In McBride, Prairie has a versatile standout. The 6-foot outside hitter led the team with 508 kills, but was also second in blocks (40) and third in digs (313).

Aryah Marlow, Abby Brotherton, Zoe McBride Megan Hammes, Molly Packer and Returning Katie Vroman are also back after seeing All-Region significant action during the Falcons’ state player of year tournament run.

A local team has reached a state championship match each of the past two years. Woodland finished runner-up at the 2A tournament last year and Columbia River was 3A runner up the year before.

With both talent and experience, Prairie is hopeful it can keep Clark County’s seat among the state’s best volleyball teams.

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GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY SEASON STORYLINES TO WATCH

1 2S 3S

CAMAS COMEBACK: The Papermakers fell short of a

third straight state title last season. But the entire varsity group is back and eyeing a championship.

KYVIEW CHALLENGER: Not all the fast 4A GSHL runners are at Camas. Skyview senior Ellen Burbank placed eighth at state and second at districts.

PEEDY SOPHOMORES: Two sophomores could make a big impact. Natasha Lewis of La Center was ninth at 1A state meet. Halle Jenkins of Camas was fourth at districts and 20th at 4A state meet.

4

3A CHASE: Fort Vancouver’s Emily Phelps was runner-up at last year’s 3A district race behind senior Savanna Craig. She can expect a challenge from Prairie’s Hannah Kneeshaw, who was third.

5E

XPERIENCE AT 2A: Most of the top local 2A runners are back this year. District champ Lexie Rutherford of Ridgefield is back, as is runner-up Natalie Biddix of Woodland. They are joined by Washougal’s Amelia Pullen, who placed 20th in state last year.

KEY DATES SEPT. 8 RUN-A-REE: The 57th Annual Steve Maas Run-a-Ree at Hudson’s Bay marks the unofficial start of the local XC season.

SEPT. 30 NIKE PORTLAND XC: Many locals join some

of the best prep runners in the West at this large event at Portland Meadows.

OCT. 18 DISTRICT MEET: Greater St. Helens League

titles are on the line at the 4A District Meet at Lewisville Park in Battle Ground.

OCT. 28 WESTSIDE CLASSIC: 3A and 4A runners look

to punch their ticket to state against the top runners from the state’s western half.

NOV. 4

STATE MEET: Champions for all classifications will be crowned at the WIAA state meet at Sun Meadows Golf Course in Pasco.

Emma Jenkins has Camas aiming to return to top of state podium

A

s team captains go, Emma Jenkins appears to have a pretty easy job.

Jenkins leads a Camas girls cross country team that is loaded and primed to make a run at a state championship.

So what does the senior see as her biggest job as captain?

“To keep things fun,” the softspoken Jenkins said. “Cross country can be so hard, and the training can be so difficult that you have to keep things fun. So we try to have team dinners or other get-togethers and just keep talking to each other when we are stretching or out on a run.

You want to make everyone feel part of the team.”

The Papermakers are primed to have a lot of fun this fall. Camas returns its entire varsity seven from last year’s team that placed second at the 4A state meet.

Along with Jenkins, that includes five other all-leaguers — seniors Ellie Postma, Madison Child and Kaylee Merritt, junior Rachel Blair and sophomore Halle Jenkins.

“And we’ve got some good freshmen coming in this year,” Camas coach Laurie Porter said. “We’ll have tremendous depth this season.

I really think that our junior varsity squad could challenge for a spot at state.”

Leading the way is Jenkins, the 4A Greater St. Helens League runner of the year, the reigning district champion and two-time reigning bidistrict champion.

“Emma isn’t really outspoken, but she just goes about her business of getting the work done,” Porter said. ”I think that’s what makes her a great leader. She’s quietly gone about having a great high school career in cross country, and I think she’s ready to have a big senior year.”

A soccer player in her youth, Jenkins turned out for the cross country team in middle school as a way to build conditioning for soccer.

“But once I got to high school was when I decided to dedicate myself full time to running,” she said.

She made a big splash as a fresh-

AMANDA COWAN/The Columbian

Emma Jenkins won the district title and placed fifth in state as a junior. man, placing fourth at the 4A state meet in cross country and leading Camas to 4A state team title.

The Papermakers defended their state title her sophomore year as Jenkins placed seventh at state.

Last fall, Jenkins placed fifth at state as Camas placed second, falling to Issaquah by 18 points.

That runner-up finish is fueling the Papermakers this fall.

“I think that is on all of our minds,” Jenkins said. “I think having the goal of winning a state championship again is motivating us as we prepare for the season.”

Jenkins has led team training runs three times a week this summer.

Last month, the team headed to White River for a running camp.

“That really helped us bond together as a team,” Jenkins said.

And it’s the team that is foremost of Jenkins’ mind.

“People think of cross country as an individual sport, and the individual aspect is certainly a big part,” she said. “But it’s really a team sport. It’s about working together as a team to push each other and motivate each other to do your best.”

And have a little fun along the way.

The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

39

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY SEASON STORYLINES TO WATCH

1

NEXT CHAMPION?: Clark County had two individual state champs last year. Who could be next? Daniel Maton of Camas is a good bet. The junior finished eighth in state last year and won state track titles in the 800 and 1,600 meters this spring.

2NJ

OT UST FOR GIRLS: The Camas girls team is a juggernaut. But the boys command plenty of respect, having placed fifth at state last year.

Three of the team’s top five runners are back.

3F

OLLOWING FAST FOOTSTEPS: Ridgefield’s Silas Griffith won last year’s 2A state title as a senior.

Fellow Spudder Kyle Radosevich is looking to take the next step after placing 12th as a sophomore.

4 3A F 5E

LOCK: Who can challenge defending 3A district champion Mountain View? It might be Prairie. The Falcons return four of their top five.

XPERIENCED LA CENTER: At 1A, La Center could be poised for a good year. The Wildcats return four seniors who placed in the top 20 at district.

KEY DATES SEPT. 8 RUN-A-REE: The 57th Annual Steve Maas Run-a-Ree at Hudson’s Bay marks the unofficial start of the local XC season.

SEPT. 30 NIKE PORTLAND XC: Many locals join some

of the best prep runners in the West at this large event at Portland Meadows.

OCT. 18 DISTRICT MEET: Greater St. Helens League

titles are on the line at the 4A District Meet at Lewisville Park in Battle Ground.

OCT. 28 WESTSIDE CLASSIC: 3A and 4A runners look

to punch their ticket to state against the top runners from the state’s western half.

NOV. 4

STATE MEET: Champions for all classifications will be crowned at the WIAA state meet at Sun Meadows Golf Course in Pasco.

40 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

Defending 3A district champ Sam Johnson fueled by work ethic

S

am Johnson is not afraid of a little hard work.

Every weekday this summer, Johnson has been getting up early each morning to work a summer job with his cousin from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

And while it would be easy for a teenager to simply come home after work and plop down on the couch all evening, the Mountain View High School senior’s evening including heading out for a six-mile run.

“I prefer running in the evenings, instead of getting up early — or earlier — in the morning,” Johnson said. “Plus I think it tests your commitment.

It would be really easy to be tired after a long day at work and say ‘You know, I think I’m going to take today off (from running).’

But then I think about what my dad always says.

‘Sure, you could take a day off. But just remember to all those other runners in the state who aren’t taking the day off, and then you’ll be one day behind them.’ “ Johnson knows all about the pain of finishing just behind others. Johnson finished sixth in the 1,600 meters in the 3A bi-district track and field meet last spring, when the top five earned a spot at the state meet.

“Missing state really hurt,” Johnson said. “So the next day, my focus turned to getting ready for cross country season.”

Johnson drew his love of running from his father, a former college distance runner. He’s been running since the third grade but

ARIANE KUNZE/The Columbian

Mountain View’s Sam Johnson has reached the 3A state meet two years in a row. The goal for his senior season is to help his team qualify for a second straight year. it really took hold when he reached nationals in middle school while running for the Evergreen Storm youth cross country club.

“That really told me that this was something I could be good at,” he said.

Johnson was the 3A Greater St. Helens League runner of the year in cross country last fall, helping the Thunder reach the 3A state meet.

“I made it state as a sophomore as an individual, and that was great,” Johnson said. “But after experiencing state, I knew that I had to try to experience state with my team.

And luckily, we were able to do that last season.”

Johnson placed eighth in the bi-district meet in Tacoma, and teammate

Shun Yamaguchi followed in ninth, helping the Thunder place third and earn a state berth.

Both runners return as team captains.

“Having guys like Sam and Shun as captains really helps,” Mountain View coach Fred Larsen said. “They’ve done a really great job of getting the team together for training runs. And Sam is really great about making sure everyone feels like part of the team, even the younger kids.”

It’s all part of keeping the team-first attitude in focus, Johnson said.

“We lost some key seniors last year,” Johnson said. “But we’re hopeful with some of the new runners we’ve added this year, we can make it back

to state again.”

Johnson wouldn’t want to miss out on sharing the state experience with his teammates again.

“A lot of runners will say their favorite courses are the one that are flat and fast,” Johnson said.

“But I really like the state course in Pasco. It has some rolling hills, but I love the atmosphere. All those people lining the course Is great. There are so many it’s hard to tell if they are cheering for you, or the guy coming up behind you. I love big meets like that. I also like (Nike XC Portland). It has a flatter course, but it’s great because there are so many runners who come from all over. It makes for a great cross country atmosphere.”

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BOYS GOLF SEASON STORYLINES TO FOLLOW MORE TITLES FOR TITANS?: Reece Boyce, Dylan Henry, Seth Finnie and returning district champion Keith Lobis represent a loaded Union squad ready to make it eight district titles in a row.

PRAIRIE’S STREAK: Not only have the Prairie Falcons won

the past 3A GSHL titles, but the program is on a 28-year streak of consecutive winning seasons. Jacob Abrahamson (29th at state) is the Falcons’ top returning state placer.

GOLFERS TO WATCH ■ Keith Lobis, Union ■ Reece Boyce, Union ■ Jacob Abrahamson, Prairie ■ Kyle Gomez, Columbia River ■ Nate Kutch, Seton Catholic

KEY DATES SEPT. 18 TITAN CUP: A Ryder Cup-style event, returns

to Camas Meadows featuring Camas, Columbia River, Mountain View and host Union.

SEPT. 27 PRAIRIE INVITATIONAL: 4A and 3A Greater St. Helens League teams will converge The Cedars on Salmon Creek for the annual Prairie Invitational.

MAY 22-23 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: After a long layoff, players who qualified in the fall will vie for state titles.

It’s a safe bet Keith Lobis, Union will make memories this year

L

ike his favorite golf courses, Keith Lobis has his favorite poker chips.

At every course and tournament he plays, the Union High School senior doesn’t leave without a pit stop at the pro shop. A poker chip serves as more than a ball marker.

“It’s a way to have a memory of the course I got to play,” the Union High School golfer said.

Get ready to see new chips in Lobis’ bag this fall after his memory-filled summer of golf.

The senior’s jam-packed summer not only spanned the Northwest, but treks to California and Florida to play at prestigious events at Torrey Pines and PGA National.

Oh, yeah: he played some pretty good golf, too.

“This is by far my best year,” Lobis said.

For starters, he won his first Oregon Golf Association event — the Central Oregon Junior -- in July by two shots (136), and qualified for the IMG Academy Junior Worlds in San Diego, and the Optimist International Junior tournament in Florida, finishing 24th out of 160.

Lobis credits his big summer to his short-game improvements, and experiences at high-stake tournaments dates back to last season’s district meet when he won the individual title by four shots after firing a final-round 6-under 66 at Tri-Mountain Golf Course.

When the pressure is on, Lobis now knows how to respond.

“I can stay in routine,” he said, “and be able to

Contributed Photo

Union golfer Keith Lobis collects poker chips from golf courses around the country. The defending 4A district champion uses them to mark his ball on the green. continue to have a good round.”

What’s been more impressive is Lobis’ rise in golf as a newcomer. He began as an eighth grader, and seriously picked it up

freshman year realizing his height of 5 feet 10 wouldn’t take him as far in basketball as he wished.

Now, after a hot summer on the links that’s sparked college interested, he’s also

ready to help Union to its eighth consecutive district title.

With a fresh batch of poker chips and all.

“I’ll be pulling out some new ones,” he said.

The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

41

GIRLS SWIMMING SEASON STORYLINES TO WATCH HARDWARE FOR CHIEFTAINS?: Will Columbia River’s con-

tinue its momentum? New head coach Alyssa Manlow’s Chieftains don’t lose much from a team that placed sixth at state and returns all swimmers from its thirdplace 400 freestyle relay team, including three who had two top-8 individual finishes.

YOUTH BE TOLD: Columbia River wasn’t the only storyline that dominated the girls state swim meet for Clark County. So was the youth. In fact, three then-freshmen — River’s Sydney Boyle, La Center’s Hailey Grotte and Camas’ Bailey Segall — had impressive state debuts.

What will they do for encores?

SWIMMERS TO WATCH Sydney Boyle, Columbia River 200 IM/100 breaststroke Kara Noftsker, Columbia River 100 freestyle/200 freestyle Makena Wilcox, Columbia River 50 freestyle/100 butterfly Hailey Grotte, La Center 100 freestyle/100 breaststroke Bailey Segall, Camas 500 freestyle Sruthi Ravi, Mountain View 100 backstroke

KEY DATES OCT. 21

SW WASHINGTON INVITATIONAL: All 4A, 3A

and 2A Greater St. Helens League teams will converge at Mark Morris’ Dick Mealy Memorial Pool for the annual Southwest Washington Invitational, the final tune-up before the postseason.

NOV. 3-4 DISTRICTS: District 4 4A and 3A prelims and finals at Gaither Pool, Kelso.

NOV. 10-11 STATE: WIAA state meet at King County Aquatic Center, Federal Way.

42 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

Makena Wilcox, right, is aiming to cap her senior season with a third trip to state.

Contributed photo

Columbia River’s Makena Wilcox dives into the art of swimming

M

akena Wilcox isn’t afraid of early hours and hard work.

She’s a swimmer, after all. Early hours are part of a swimmer’s regime.

But so is hard work, and that goes for in and out of the pool.

This summer, Wilcox spent 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. every weekday interning with Bonneville Power Administration, intersecting her love of math and science with visual graphics.

As a full-time student at Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, where Wilcox has studied since sixth grade, she compares the art of swimming to dance.

And it makes perfect sense.

Repetitive movements, perfecting technique, “and practicing and training to perfect four different strokes,” she said.

“But it’s so complex.”

Wilcox has done a lot of perfecting in the pool the past three seasons on Columbia River’s girls swim team. As a two-time state participant and two-event podium placer in 2016, she’s one of a number of returnees with state experience.

But it’s more than state that’s been memorable for

the senior.

Although she doesn’t walk the same hallways and take the same classes as her teammates — she has taken one class at River — swimming’s environment among her Chieftain teammates is second to none, she said.

The encouragement. The friendships.

The support. The connections. That’s what makes swimming fun.

“It really is a large family,” she said.

But yes, on her mind for her final season of high school swimming is Makena returning to state at Federal Way’s King Wilcox County Aquatic Center. Her specialties Two top-eight are the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly, finishes at state and after a pair of 16th-place finishes last season at the Class 3A meet in 2015, she swam faster times and improved her placings to a pair of top-8 podium finishes at the 2A meet last fall.

Hard work — albeit a lot of fun — still a requirement.

“As long a I can end it looking back knowing I had fun,” she said, “I’ll be really happy with how the season goes.”

www.360preps.com

BOYS TENNIS PLAYERS TO WATCH

1A 2G A 3

NDREW KABACY, SKYVIEW, SR.: Defending 4A state champ, three-time 4A GSHL first team singles honoree.

UNNER HARLAN, BATTLE GROUND, SR.: Placed fourth at state, two-time 4A GSHL singles first teamer.

LEX CALPAGIU, UNION, SR.: Half of the 4A state doubles champion team, three-time 4A GSHL singles first teamer.

4J

OSH KIM/SAM SO, MOUNTAIN VIEW, SRS.: State

qualifiers in doubles.

JEFF KLEIN/The Columbian

KEY DATES SEPT. 6 OPENING DAY: Union at Mountain View,

matchup of two undefeated league teams from a year ago.

SEPT. 25 BATTLE GROUND AT SKYVIEW: Kabacy vs. Harlan potential first meeting of season between the area’s top two players.

OCT. 4

UNION AT SKYVIEW: First of two league matchups will go a long way in deciding 4A GSHL team title.

OCT. DISTRICTS: The district tournaments will be 20-21 followed by bi-districts the next week, where state berths are on the line.

MAY STATE: After a winter layoff, state finals at 25-26 Richland (4A), Kennewick (3A), Seattle (2A), Yakima (1A).

Skyview senior Andrew Kabacy returns to the courts in an attempt to repeat as 4A state singles champion.

Lots of local talent looks to knock off defending state champs

T

he 2016-17 season will be a hard act to follow for Clark County boys tennis players.

State champions in 4A singles and doubles, four total state placers, and a 4A team title. All this after being shut out a year earlier.

No reason to think 2017-18 will be any different.

Since they were sophomores, Skyview’s Andrew Kabacy, Battle Ground’s Gunner Harlan and Darian Manalo, and Union’s Alex Calpagiu have been constants in the 4A Greater St. Helens League first team singles selections.

Kabacy and Calpagiu have been first teamers since they were freshman.

This year, Kabacy enters his final season as the defending 4A state singles champion. Harlan placed fourth at state in singles, and Calpagiu won the 4A state doubles title with Andrew Chanthavong, who graduated in the spring.

So who’s going to be his biggest challenger?

“Gunner again,” Kabacy said. “And Alex.”

Kabacy said he knows Harlan’s game well as they have been playing each other since they were 8-year-olds.

“He’s just good,” Kabacy said.

Harlan has played well in USTA events over the summer, moving up the Northwest Section rankings to No. 14 in the boys 18s age group as of mid-August. He won a singles and doubles title at the Vancouver Tennis Center Summer Junior Advanced tournament in July, and was

runner-up at the Pacific University Advanced Championships in early July.

Skyview returns its top doubles team in senior Chris Sheppert and junior Joey Gaylor. They reached the consolation quarterfinals at state last year with a three-set victory that proved key in the Storm winning the state team title.

“We have a bright season ahead,” Skyview coach Jay Gowan said. “We have a united team very motivated for even more success this year.”

With the large number of players that usually turn out each season, don’t count out Camas in the 4A GSHL team race. Union ran the table last season at 8-0 (13-0 overall), with Camas and Skyview tying for second at 5-3.

Mountain View will remain strong in the 3A GSHL after its perfect league season a year ago.

The Thunder get back doubles state qualifiers Josh Kim and Sam So, both seniors, along with returning player Edmund Hsu, a senior, and incoming freshman Vincent Hsu. “I’m expecting to have four to five strong players and a supporting cast that will be really good behind them,” Mountain View coach Nick Frost said. “Our team should be stronger than last year.”

Columbia River went 8-0 in the 2A GSHL last year, but has just one returning senior in Tyler Troelsen.

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44 The Columbian, Sunday, August 27, 2017

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