When Terry Hyde returned to the same place where he assisted from 1992 to 2004, the goal was elementary — Get the Evergreen Plainsmen back to where they once were.
A consummate winner in the Greater St. Helens League, Evergreen once had eight playoff appearances in a 13-year stretch.
Hyde might sound cliche when speaking about the number of wins he wants (five) and to be one of the three 3A GSHL playoff-bound teams. But that’s what needs to happen in order to get the Plainsmen — or, the ship, as he calls it — sailing in the right direction.
“We have to get that fifth win,” said Hyde, now entering his third season as head coach. “That’s the big brick in our foundation.”
Five or more victories hasn’t happened at Evergreen since 2008. Last year’s Plainsmen snapped an eight-year playoff drought before falling to eventual state champion Kamiakin.
Now, the goal is to keep that drought in the past.
So far, building the foundation has been a stepping stone. But what separates this year’s Plainsmen, for starters, is the difference in players’ attitudes. It’s more than just wanting to win and repeating last year’s feat of reaching the playoffs.
And nothing was more notable than at summer team camp at Western Oregon University, where junior Luke Allen called a players-only meeting after the team played poorly in a scrimmage.
That was the start of a turnaround, senior linemen Alex Rodriguez and Conner Ball both said.
Attitudes changed. Adjustments were made.
“A lot of us really came together,” Rodriguez said.
Added Ball: “We worked together like a family. … It’s something we know we’ve had to work on for a long time.”
Would a players-only meeting have happened last year? No, the senior duo said. Two years ago. … maybe.
“It’s something we could’ve done as sophomores,” Bell said, “but nobody would have listened.”
And that’s why the Plainsmen are sensing a breakthrough. One that hopefully makes a difference on Friday nights.
2016 Record: 2-8, 2-3. Tied for third in 3A GSHL
Best State Finish: State Champions in 2004
Projected Starters
Returning All-League selections in bold
QB Triston Fich 6-1 215 Sr.
RB Eli Vaa-Leiataua 5-10 190 Jr.
WR David Crawford 5-10 170 Jr.
WR Jerontae Burns 5-9 160 Sr.
WR Luke Allen 5-10 165 Jr.
TE Nadil Hodzic 5-10 175 Sr.
OL Rae Farr 6-4 220 Sr.
OL Conner Ball 5-10 200 Sr.
OL Nate Fuatagavi 6-2 315 Sr.
OL Alex Alexander 5-10 210 Sr.
OL Alex Rodriguez 6-4 280 Sr.
* * *
DL Alex Murphy 6-1 180 Sr.
DL Serge Rusnak 6-1 250 Sr.
DL Nick Rossmeisl 5-10 200 Sr.
LB Alex Alexander 5-10 210 Sr.
LB Jacob Tillman 5-11 200 Sr.
LB Eli Vaa-Leiataua 5-10 190 Jr.
LB Dylan Goodpaster 6-1 180 Sr.
DB Luke Allen 5-10 165 Jr.
DB David Crawford 5-10 170 Jr.
DB Jerontae Burns 5-9 160 Sr.
DB Nadil Hodzic 5-10 175 Sr.
Coach: Terry Hyde (third year)
Schedule
Home games at McKenzie Stadium
League games in bold
Sept. 1, Columbia River 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 8, at Heritage 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 15, Hudson’s Bay 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Black Hills 7 p.m.
Sept. 29, Prairie 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Fort Vancouver 8 p.m.
Oct. 12, at Union 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 20, Kelso 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 27, Mountain View 7:30 p.m.
