QUILCENE — Quilcene head coach Trey Beathard is riding the fence about his team’s chances this fall.
On one hand, the Rangers are a little light on turnout compared to recent seasons, and have a five-man senior class.
“I’m a little disappointed with our numbers,” Beathard said. “We have 21 out right now, and the senior class is the smallest we’ve had in our four years at Quilcene.”
Beathard is in his second year as head coach of the team, after swapping coaching spots with his former high school offensive line coach Byron Wilson prior to the 2016 season.
But there is reason for optimism that the Rangers will continue a run of form that has seen Quilcene post a 22-9 mark over the past three seasons, complete with three consecutive Class 1B district playoff appearances.
The Rangers return a skilled set of linemen, quarterback Andy Johnston is in his second year starting under center, and Quilcene has a number of capable playmakers at its back and receiver positions.
“I think we are a little bit faster and have better overall team speed,” Beathard said. “I also think we are a little bit physically stronger. We had a good core group of about 15 in and working during the summer.”
Quilcene has some tested starters along the line.
“All of our offensive linemen are returning except for my son Hayes Beathard, who graduated,” Beathard said.
“We do have a little bit of experience there, which should help us out.”
And the Rangers have some beef up front, such as Ethan Davis, who is entering his third year starting at center.
“He’s one of our bigger kids at 6-foot-1, 225 [pounds],” Beathard said. “He’s played some defensive line for us.”
Freshman Zack Budnek (6-2, 200 pounds) will start at tackle for the second straight season.
“He’s the only eighth-grader that’s ever started since I’ve been here,” Beathard said. “He’s physically mature for such a young guy and he’s a super hard worker.”
Beathard said Brennen Filmer, Kristian Mack and Garon Terry will be in the mix at the guard positions.
Returning players
Quilcene also has a big target at tight end in 6-5, 200-pound Robert Comstock III.
“He’s a good blocker and he caught quite a few passes for us last year,” Beathard said.
Johnston will be the one throwing the passes and running the Rangers offense.
“Andy is a senior captain for us and he’s the fastest kid we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Beathard said. “I timed him in the 40 [yard dash] and have him at 4.6 [seconds].
“He’s pretty athletic and if we didn’t need him to be our QB, I think he’d be the best receiver in the league. But we need him to play quarterback. In my opinion he’s our best player. He’s a strong armed, strong kid who puts in the work in the weight room. He’s not very tall, but he’s strong and runs well.”
Johnston also is a third-year starter in the defensive secondary and will play free safety for the Rangers, a position where Quilcene has had standouts in recent seasons.
“Our free safeties have been pretty good lately,” Beathard said. “Eli Harrison was a standout for us (26 interceptions from 2012-15) and last year Jarod Smith had double-digit interceptions.
“Andy is so fast he has run down some kids who have beaten our coverage and saved quite a few touchdowns for us. I think he’ll do real well at that position.”
Back on the offensive side of the ball, Johnston will hand off the ball to juniors Olin Reynolds and Ben Bruner.
“Reynolds is a well-rounded kid,” Beathard said. “A good runner, excellent receiver and pretty good at blocking.”
And Beathard said Bruner might be the team’s best playmaker.
“He has good speed and quickness and is hard to tackle in an open field,” Beathard said. He changes direction well and is extremely shifty.
“He didn’t play in our first game last year, but in our second game he had four carries and all were 40-plus yard touchdown runs. So he’s that home-run threat for us, always capable of breaking loose.”
Other players
Beathard said a couple of other players might see time in the backfield, including senior Eli Mahan who measures out at 6-1, 225 pounds.
“I’m not planning on just one kid having 25 to 30 carries per game, I’d like to have three or four kids with eight to 12 carries,” he said.
“And I think it helps your passing game when you have a returning starter at QB, so that should help us improve in that area. If we can get a few of these guys to come around and have big senior years we will be in business.”
There are more question marks on defense, Beathard said.
Comstock will start at defensive end where Beathard said he’s good at setting the edge and sticking to his responsibilities.
“Up front, other than Robert, we will have all new starters.” Beathard said.
Zach Budnek will work at nose guard and Mahan and Mack will play defensive end.
Quilcene also will have new linebackers, so right now it’s a matter of mixing and matching personnel to find the best fit.
“At linebacker junior Dustin Hughes, he runs full speed to the ball,” Beathard said. “I know it sounds stupid, but he does it every play and that matters. Because he works hard we’ve moved him around to various places to fill holes, and he hasn’t had a chance to learn and grow in one spot. Sometimes when kids are versatile it hurts them because they don’t get that chance to work at it really and learn how to do it.”
Beathard said he also likes what he sees from freshman Chase Newman.
“He’s a little undersized for linebacker, but he’s a smart footballer and a worker, which I like.”
Returning Sea-Tac 1B League champion Tacoma Baptist will offer the Rangers their stiffest test.
“They have their league MVP QB P.J. Talen back and about six of the eight kids who made all-league last year,” Beathard said.
“We do get them at home this year.”
Quilcene Capsule
• Last Year: 7-3 overall, 3-2 Sea-Tac League. Lost to Lummi in Quad-District playoffs.
• Offense: Power run
• Defense: 3-4-1
• Contributors:QB/DB Andy Johnston; TE/DE Robert Comstock III; RB/DB Olin Reynolds; RB/DB Ben Bruner; OL/DL Ethan Davis.
• Key Newcomer: A turnout of five eighth-graders is the most Beathard has seen in his four years in Quilcene. They might not help right away, but that experience will help down the line.
• Expected team strength: Big bodies return along the offensive line and returning starters are at the skill positions.
• Question mark: Defensive front is inexperienced on the whole.
• Game to watch: First Sea-Tac League game at Rainier Christian on Friday, Sept. 29.
Beathard believes he didn’t do a good enough job at convincing his players how tough the Mustangs would be in 2016 and the Rangers fell 40-26 in a game to decide the league’s second playoff berth.
Quilcene starting quarterback Andy Johnston hands off to Ben Bruner during a preseason practice. Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News
Quilcene’s Olin Reynolds runs with the ball during a preseason practice. Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News
