FORKS — The vast sections of FieldTurf stretching across the former grass expanse of Spartans Stadium is a tantalizing prospect for the Forks football team.
They’ve yet to be cleared to practice on the new artificial turf surface, but that will come, likely in the days leading up to the team’s Sept. 2 opener at home against Vashon.
The new turf field is about as far away as new head coach Emil West could get from his high school years playing on a glacier silt field (since replaced with turf) at Alaska’s Juneau-Douglas High School.
“We are hoping that we get a day or two on the field but we just have to play it by ear and see what they say,” West said.
“I’m just waiting for the OK. All the hard work, planning, the school board meetings, all that went into it, we just want to take it slow and have everything all ready before we play Vashon.”
West, an English teacher at the school, served as the team’s defensive coordinator and line coach last season. He’s coached the game at stops in North Carolina and his native Alaska after finishing his playing career.
He played center under former Los Angeles Rams center Doug Smith at Orange Coast Community College in California and later at Fort Lewis College in Colorado.
“Playing for Smith was a big turning point for me,” West said. “I tried to sponge up everything I could. He played in the NFL and was one of the guys blocking when Eric Dickerson ran for 2,000 yards [2,105 in 1984]. So with that NFL background we weren’t really questioning what he had to say, just listening and learning.”
While enrolled in a master of arts teaching program, West coached with Juneau-Douglas football coach Bill Chalmers, also an English teacher.
“He’s been the best mentor for me,” West said of the state-title winning Chalmers.
“He really impressed upon me how you can impact kids on both levels — on the field and in the classroom.
“I ask myself all the time, ‘What would old Chalmers think’?”
Through early preseason practices, Chalmers likely would agree with West’s return to the basics of the game.
West has replaced much of the spread offense the team employed last season in a bid to better match his players’ skill sets.
“We have some spread sets in, but we are focused on getting back to the fundamentals, back to the basics,” West said.
“Living and dying by the spread just doesn’t seem to fit the personnel that we have.
“We are going to establish the run, eat the clock. I was an offensive lineman and I coach like I played.”
And West also said he’s placing more importance on preparing his players for the rigor of the season.
“There’s much more of an emphasis on conditioning this season,” West said.
“With the smaller numbers [West said 30 to 40 players have turned out] we have it will be absolutely critical to be in better condition this year.”
West has been moving his chess pieces around the board so far in practice. Many players are working at new positions.
This includes Forks’ lone Evergreen League first-team selection, senior Jack Dahlgren, who was recognized for his efforts on the Spartans’ offensive line in 2015.
He’s moved to tight end where he can still contribute solid blocking as well as catch passes.
“It’s been a beautiful thing so far,” West said of the transition.
“Jack can do it all. He can do anything we ask him to. Anywhere you put him he’ll be one of our best players. We really want to utilize his speed and we are looking forward to what he can do there.
“With that speed he can burn past linebackers covering him, so he’s really been focusing on learning the routes.”
Dahlgren likely will play defensive end and linebacker as well.
Last year’s quarterback, Cole Baysinger, also will line up in a different spot.
“We are looking at him as more of an X-factor type, this year,” West said.
“Some wide receiver, maybe some running back. And he’ll play some cornerback [on defense].”
Another X-factor type is senior Jeffrey Schumack, whom West considers his most promising newcomer.
“He’ll play some wide receiver and also will be in at running back in some varied offenses,” West said.
“My job is to be as creative as possible in getting the ball in his hands.”
Other ball carriers include seniors Kenny Gale and Garrison Schumack.
“Kenny is a leader for us,” West said. “He runs forward, runs hard and you know what you’ll get from him.
“Garrison Schumack really earned that fullback spot at camp at the University of Oregon. “He has done really well on iso [isolation] plays taking out the linebacker. He’ll get some carries, too.”
Sophomore Tristan Pisani also is expected to see some carries.
Sophomore Eden Cisneros, a running back last season, is now playing on the offensive line, West said.
“He’s also going to play some defensive end,” West said. He’s a natural fit there.”
West will count on senior Billy Palmer at left guard.
“He’s our senior leader,” West said. He’s so dependable.”
Other linemen include sophomores Luke Dahlgren, who played left tackle as a freshman, along with Iziah Morton, Shane Queen, Zeke Rosa and junior Corbin Baker. Baker is nursing an abdominal injury and will be out for the early portion of the season.
They’ll be protecting sophomore quarterback Gabe Reaume, who started at the position for the Spartans JV last year.
“He’s our guy,” West said.
“I’m really excited to see what he can do on the field. He throws a beautiful ball. He works with a QB coach on his own time.
“But his heart and leadership stick out more than anything. He’s cool, calm and collected.”
He praised Reaume’s commitment to making 5:30 a.m. weightlifting sessions despite living 45 minutes outside of town.
West said he wants his players to reflect the mentality of their hometown.
“This is a working-class town and we want to embody that and make football a microcosm for life,” West said.
“We need to outwork the other teams. And that’s how we will be successful.”
Forks capsule:
• Last Year: 1-8 overall, 0-7 in Evergreen League.
• Offense: Pro style I-formation
•Defense: 4-4-3 base
•Contributors: Luke Dahlgren TE/DE; Kenny Gale RB/LB; Billy Palmer OL/DL; Cole Baysinger WR/DB; Eden Cisneros OL/LB; Keishaun Ramsey WR/DB; Garrison Schumack FB/LB; Tristan Pisani RB/LB; Gabe Reaume QB/DB; Luke Dahlgren OL/DL; Nathan Williamson TE/LB
•Key newcomer: Coach West is as high as one can be about the expected impact of senior Jeffrey Schumack. Schumack apparently was something to see as a youth football player in Forks.
•Expected team strength: West said the team’s strength is its work ethic. More specifically, the team’s strength will be its depth at the running back position.
•Question mark: Still a young team at most spots. Can they step up and compete in a difficult Evergreen League?
•Player they’ll miss the most: Reece Moody headlined a small crop of Spartan seniors last season at tight end and linebacker.
•Game to watch: The season opener against Vashon on the brand-new FieldTurf surface at Spartan Stadium will be a hot ticket for the Forks faithful.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News Forks running back Garrison Schumack rushes to the outside during a 2015 game against Elma. Schumack will line up at fullback and linebacker for the Spartans this fall.
Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News Forks’ Eden Cisneros, far right, tackles a Chimacum ball carrier as teammate Garrison Schumack tries to get off a block during a 2015 game.
Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News Forks head coach Emil West puts his players through a workout during spring football practice earlier this year.
