North Beach will start the year with a new quarterback, a new defensive system and a smaller roster, but it will be the same old goal for the Hyaks.
It has been two full seasons since North Beach has lost a regular season football game, but there will be a few new faces on the field for the Hyaks in 2016.
“We don’t have the returning star-studded names that we have had in the past, but we are fairly confident that we have some kids who can fill in and make their own name for themselves,” North Beach coach Todd Bridge said. “We graduated 18 kids in the last two years and that is a lot of big shoes to fill. Numbers are a little skinny right now, but, as they say, you can only put 11 guys out on the field at one time anyway.”
North Beach graduated three all-state players from last season and only a handful of the 21 players on the roster were starters a year ago. With different players at the top of the depth chart this season, Bridge has decided to make a few adjustments to the offensive and defensive systems the Hyaks have run in the past.
Offensively, North Beach will run more of an open system from past years where the Hyaks have primarily kept the ball between the hash marks. The Hyaks will still run a wing-T with assistant coach Hugh Wyatt calling the plays, but Bridge said the formations for much of the system will change.
“It is the same North Beach football,” Bridge said. “We are going to do things our way and hopefully we can get some positive results like we have in the past.”
Leading the Hyak offense at quarterback this season will be Brenden Chaney. The junior spent time at running back last season, but worked hard over the summer to get the footwork and mechanics down to step in under center.
“He is smart and extremely coachable,” Bridge said. “There is a tremendous amount of pressure that goes on a quarterback and this kid plays it well.”
Joining Chaney in the backfield will be junior Tavo Muro and sophomore Marcus Pope with senior Elijah Ewing and sophomore Patrick Day-Heyd also in the mix. Carlos Robles will start at receiver, while Ben Poplin will be the tight end for the Hyaks. Paving the way for North Beach will be seniors Seth Bridge and Hunter Dianovich at guard. Todd Bridge said Diego Gonzalez, Nolan Charley, Beau Hartsell and Ben Bridge will battle for the other three spots on the offensive line.
Defensively, the Hyaks will go with a 5-3 formation.
Seth Bridge will anchor the defensive line at nose guard with Poplin and Dianovich at the defensive tackle spots. The ends will be a rotation, which will include Charley, Muro and Chaney. There are still a few position battles for the Hyaks, but Todd Bridge said he expects to see Gonzalez, Day-Heyd and Rodney Washington at linebacker with Marcus Pope working as the free safety.
The reconfiguration of the Southwest Washington 2B football into three divisions brought the familiar rival of Pe Ell-Willapa Valley back into league play for the Hyaks. Bridge said he thinks Pe Ell-Willapa Valley and Ilwaco will be the favorites to win the Coastal Division at the start of the season, but he feels Raymond and the Hyaks will be fighting for a place at the top of the league as well.
“It is nice having Pe Ell-Willapa Valley in our side of the league, I like stiff competition,” Todd Bridge said. “We don’t talk about it’s our job to go out and defend the league title. The question I ask these guys every single day is ‘What’s your job today,’ and they say ‘Get better,’ and we take the field and that is our goal. The scoreboard will take care of itself.”
On the air
KOSW 91.3 FM will broadcast all 9 regular season games, starting with the Sept. 2 game at Rainier. Broadcasts start at 6:45 p.m.
with the pregame. Announcers are Tom Ferguson and Bill Green. Martin Ross will also participate in the four home games. Games can be heard on 91.3 FM or online at koswradio.com.
