A glance at Columbia River’s roster will show the most eye-popping transfer in the county, in the addition of senior Dawson Lieurance.
He threw for 1,357 yards and 10 touchdowns last season at Ridgefield and joins a team with a senior under center, Matt Asplund (1,107 yards, eight touchdowns), which creates a quarterback battle between two capable arms.
A further look will show a dynamic receiving corps led by Kanen Eaton.
But what makes head coach Christian Swain’s head turn is his defense — one he describes as big, grizzled and smart.
“I think defensively, as a unit, we’ve got a chance to be the best defensive unit that I’ve ever had, and that’s saying something, because I’ve had some good groups,” Swain said. “They’ve got to prove it on the field.”
That starts with the linebackers. The Chieftains, who finished fourth in the 2A GSHL last season, return first team all-league selection Riley Sadler, who rounds out a unit that Swain calls his best linebacker corps he has coached in his 20 seasons.
Swain has been pleased with the team’s vigor in the weight room throughout the offseason. Instead of a handful of players benching 225 pounds consistently, that number is in the 40s this season.
“We’ve gotten bigger, stronger, faster. I think there’s a genuine confidence there physically,” Swain said.
And about that quarterback situation?
“We both want to start and we’re both going to work hard,” Asplund said. “I like Dawson. We’re good. Swain wants us to both play, but when tight games happen one of us is going to play.”
Swain sees it as a win-win.
“There’s very little separation between the two,” he said. “The competition is good, both guys are making the other guys better. There’s no scenario where one of them is going to get left sitting on the sidelines all year. That’s just not going to happen. They’re both way too good for that.”
3 THINGS TO KNOW
— Christian Swain is in his third season as head coach
— Will have more than 30 seniors
— Asplund and Lieurance both hope to play QB in college
2017 season: 4-6, 4-2. Won league second place tiebreaker.
Best finish: Semifinals in 2002.
Schedule
Home games at Columbia River High School
League games in bold
Aug. 31 at Centralia 7 p.m.
Sept. 7 Skyview 7 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Ridgefield 7 p.m.
Sept. 21 Hockinson 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Mark Morris 7 p.m.
Oct. 5 Washougal 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 at R.A. Long 7 p.m.
Oct. 19 Woodland 7 p.m.
Oct. 26 Clarkston 6 p.m.
