“It’s going to be pretty interesting, no question,” he said.
What might not be questioned is the league favorite.
Mountain View’s league unbeaten streak as a 3A GSHL team now sits at 15 games after its third consecutive undefeated season. The Thunder have gone unbeaten in league the past two seasons — and the third time in five years — making them the favorite to repeat as league champions.
Kelso has finished runner-up in four consecutive seasons and will rely on an experienced line and the return of co-league defensive MVP linebacker Riley Noah, to make a league title push. Coach Steve Amrine’s Hilanders have given Mountain View its closest margins of victory of any league opponent the past two seasons, and the two teams meet Oct. 19 on Kelso’s new artificial turf.
One team that could surprise is Prairie. Mike Peck is now head coach after being the offensive coordinator last year. His spread offense that continues to evolve at a program that’s been knocking on the playoff door the past two seasons.
In Lions’ first season, Hudson’s Bay snapped a 16-year playoff drought by reaching the Week 10 state preliminary game and had its most victories since 2001. The Eagles hope to build on that momentum with a new starting quarterback Parker Marsh, who played significant minutes in the playoff loss to Bellevue.
While Evergreen is young, it’s equally athletic. The Plainsmen will be the least-experienced team in terms of varsity games in coach Terry Hyde’s tenure, but this is still a program just two years removed from the playoffs and has tied for third in league the past two years.
After Steve Broussard’s one-year tenure, Fort Vancouver has another ex-NFL veteran at the helm hoping to turn around the Trappers. Former Portland State standout Neil Lomax takes on his first high school head coaching job.
1) Mountain View: Thunder thinking big things beyond another undefeated league season.
2) Kelso: Hilanders look to experienced line, co-league defensive MVP for another playoff push.
3) Prairie: New coach, but same offense. Is this the year Falcons plow into the postseason?
4) Hudson’s Bay: Plenty of carryover from team that ended postseason drought.
5) Evergreen: Youth are everywhere … and so is overall team speed.
6) Fort Vancouver: Ex-NFL veteran tries to install new culture to the Trappers.
Oct. 5: Fort Vancouver at Hudson’s Bay, 8 p.m., Kiggins Bowl
Oct. 12: Hudson’s Bay at Prairie, 7 p.m., District Stadium
Oct. 19: Mountain View at Kelso, 7 p.m., Schroeder Field
