Here is a preview of the Wahluke Warriors for the 2011 SCAC football season:
Coach: Brycen Bye (1st year).
Last league title: 2001 (split with River View, Royal).
Last playoff berth: 2003.
Home field: Wahluke High School, Mattawa.
Projected starters
OFFENSE POS YR HT WT
Jared Sabin QB Sr. 6-2 220
Ricky Silverio RB Sr. 5-7 185
Jaime Jimenez RB Jr. 5-10 200
Francisco Cuevas RB Sr. 5-8 180
Oscar Jimenez WR Sr. 5-11 165
Jordan Zirker WR Sr. 5-9 150
Tyler Yorgesen OL Sr. 5-10 190
Alberto Cruz OL Sr. 6-2 230
Antonio Martinez OL Sr. 5-8 185
Noe Lopez OL Jr. 5-11 225
Luis Martinez OL Sr. 5-10 210
Jaime Jimenez K Jr. 5-10 200
DEFENSE POS YR HT WT
Alberto Cruz DL Sr. 6-2 230
Antonio Martinez DL Sr. 5-8 185
Luis Martinez OL Sr. 5-10 210
Jared Sabin DL Sr. 6-2 220
Tyler Yorgesen LB Sr. 5-10 190
Jaime Jimenez LB Jr. 5-10 200
Ricky Silverio LB Sr. 5-7 185
Francisco Cuevas DB Sr. 5-8 180
Jonathan Abarca DB Sr. 5-3 135
Albaro Rodriguez DB Sr. 5-10 170
Rafael Mendoza DB Sr. 5-10 145
Jaime Jimenez P Jr. 5-10 200
Others to watch: WR Mendoza; WR Rodriguez; WR Abarca; DB O. Jimenez; DB Zirker.
Quick hits
* Bye is in his third season coaching at Wahluke, but this is his first head-coaching job. He is also the third coach in three years. He played high school ball at Pomeroy.
* Mendoza is an intriguing addition to the Warriors, after placing in the triple jump at the state track meet this spring. He could add a lot of speed and athleticism to the outside on offense and defense.
* The Warriors will run the Fly offense, with different variations out of that set.
* While Wahluke has struggled in recent years, the Warriors do have more than 20 seniors on the roster, so experience won't be a problem.
Outlook
With all new coaches comes change, but Bye's transition has been easier since he has been at Wahluke the past three seasons.
"The hard thing is getting used to a new personality," Bye said, "but they've been around me and I've taught most of the kids, and it has been a good transition for them."
The Warriors are hoping to be competitive in all games, which would then translate to some victories.
"We want to make the district playoff," Bye said. "That is our big goal to get to that playoff."
