PORT ANGELES — A young varsity Port Angeles Roughriders team will be one year older, stronger and wiser this season. And they’ll be one year hungrier.
The Roughriders enter the 2017 season with a chip on their collective shoulder. It’s the elephant in the living room that you can’t ignore — placed there by a winless 2016 and a 16-game losing streak dating back to a win over Vashon in September of 2015.
That young 2016 team graduated just seven seniors, as most of the starters on offense and defense were either sophomores or even freshman. Those young players gained some valuable experience last year as they are already varsity-tested entering their junior and sophomore years.
Fifty-five kids have come out for football this season, said head coach Brett Curtis. The Roughriders will field a varsity and JV team but not a C team.
“We’re feeling pretty good about where we’re at. We have a good core of kids. They did a lot of work in the weight room and we have some pretty athletic returning players,” Curtis said.
Curtis expects North Kitsap to be the power of the league and that Olympic is strong, too. Sequim with several of its athletic skill players returning will also be tough.
Curtis said the Roughriders believe that as a year older and more experienced than last year, their goal goes beyond just snapping that losing streak. They are serious about the goal of making one of the three Olympic League 2A playoff spots. He also said the kids are fully aware of that losing streak and it’s placed a big chip firmly on their shoulders. Curtis said the Roughriders can’t focus on the past, but they can certainly use it as a motivator.
“We have our work cut out for us, but we feel playoffs are a realistic goal,” Curtis said. “Without dwelling on the past, we have to learn from it.
“We’re creating an attitude that we expect to win. The past is the past. We’re extremely hopeful that the culture shift is starting to take root.”
While that core of sophomores and freshmen will make up the bulk of the team, the Roughriders will have to replace several of its main skill players from last year. Receiver Ben Arnold and running back Jace Lausche graduated and starting quarterback Matt Warner and starting wide receiver Rudy Valdez have moved to other schools.
Curtis said the team has a solid stable of running backs with Trevor Shumway, Jarrett Burns and Glenn Deckard, all sophomores last year, handling the load in the backfield along with Jake Allen.
As for the quarterback position, Curtis isn’t ready yet to name a starter. Competing for that starting position are juniors Chris Guttormsen and Nate Drake and sophomore Brenden Roloson-Hines, who was on the JV squad last year.
Returning players
Curtis expects Easton Joslin, one of last year’s best skill players, to be a factor at wide receiver and at defensive back. Garrett Edwards, just a sophomore last year, is a big kid who will start at wide receiver this year. Anton Kathol, a freshman last year, is another big player expected to get in time at both tight end and defensive end.
Up front, the offensive line will be anchored by senior twins Ryan and Nathan Adamire, along with fellow senior, Bailey White. Cory Danielson, Cole Walsh and Skyler Cobb also are in the mix.
“Cole [listed at 6-0, 255 pounds] and Skyler [6-4, 210 pounds] are big kids. Big and Strong,” said Curtis. “These kids got good experience as 10th-graders last year.”
On the defensive side, returning players on the front line include Bryce Lauderback, Nathan Adamire, who will play a lot of defense and offense, Eric Alvarez and Tee-Jay Johnson. Curtis said a new senior on the team, Cyrus Johnson, has shown a lot of potential and figures to play a lot this year.
At linebacker, Burns, Allen and Shumway will go both ways, manning the linebacker spots, while Edwards will play a lot of free safety and Joslin will be a stalwart as a defensive back. Tyler Bowen will also play in the defensive backfield while Derek Bowechop, a freshman last year, will also get varsity time at defensive back.
On offense, the Roughriders will utilize a pistol formation much of the time and will stress a balance of run and pass, Curtis said.
“We want to control the ball, but we want to throw it as well,” Curtis said.
On defense, the team is going to use a lot of 4-2-5 formations, with the safeties playing up tight against the line in run support.
The Roughriders get some tough tests early, opening the season Sept. 1 against 3A Mount Tahoma on the road. They host a Port Townsend team that went to the 1A state playoffs in 2016 on Sept. 8 then play Olympic League 2A powerhouse North Kitsap on the road on Sept. 15.
Port Angeles capsule
Last year: 0-9 overall, 0-7 in Olympic League 2A League.
Offense: Pistol formation.
Defense: 4-2-5 base.
Key contributors: Easton Joslin, WR/DB; Garrett Edwards, WR/DB, Safety; Trevor Shumway, RB/LB; OL/DL Ryan Adamire; Nathan Adamire OL, DL.
Key newcomers: Cyrus Johnson, DL.
Expected team strength: More experience, varsity battled-tested sophomores and juniors.
Question mark: Must replace last year’s starting quarterback Matt Warner and Rudy Valdez, a valuable returner and receiver.
Game to watch: First home game on Sept. 8 against Port Townsend. Last year, a good Redhawks team beat the Roughriders 35-0. How the Roughriders do in that game could be a sign if last year’s young players have improved.
Port Angeles quarterback Chris Guttormsen looks to pass during a game against North Mason last season. Guttormsen is competing for the starting QB position this season.
