Ridgefield football preview: Spudders will rely on senior leadership amid coaching shakeup

For programs under tumult, a little leadership from within can go a long way.

And although Brock Harrison has one season left, he is dedicated to carrying the torch forward not only just for his Spudders, but also his hometown of Ridgefield.

Ridgefield dismissed coach Kim Ulman two weeks before the start of practice, a move made by newly hired athletic director Bryan Shipley in an effort to take the program in a new direction. Assistant coach Chris Abrams was hired as interim head coach for the season.

But not before a starting quarterback transferred away and a handful of players from last year’s team quit, leaving players like Harrison, a four-year contributor, entrenched in the rebuild.

It was never a question of whether or not the tight end/linebacker would play.

“I’ve grown up here and I have a lot of really good friends on this team, so I feel like if I were to have left I’d be letting them down, or stabbing them in the back a little bit,” Harrison said. “Since it’s my last year I want to stick with this program, we’re slowly adding the building blocks.”

Harrison wants to put a product on the field that will pack the Spudders’ home football stadium with community members and students alike. To do that, he knows the team needs to play an exciting style of football.

That’s where Abrams comes in. Two weeks before the season he began retooling the Spudders’ offense from the run-focused wing-T, to more of a spread.

“I think it will work a lot better for us, just with what we have, obviously we’re going to try to wear some teams down,” Harrison said.

On the backs of players like Harrison, lineman Simon Berkey and running back Hunter Abrams, the Spudders hope to offer a new look and revamped culture — one that has staying power.

“Since it’s my last year I want to stick with this program, we’re slowly adding the building blocks,” Harrison said.

3 THINGS TO KNOW

— Will field an experienced offensive line

— Chris Abrams was formerly an assistant at Wyoming powerhouse Star Valley

— RB Hunter Abrams is Chris Abrams’ son

2017 season: 1-8, 0-6 3A GSHL.

Best state finish: 1995 state champions.

Schedule

Home games at Ridgefield High School

League games in bold

Aug. 31 La Center 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 at Fort Vancouver 8 p.m.

Sept. 14 Columbia River 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 at Mark Morris 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 Washougal 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 at R.A. Long 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 at Woodland 7 p.m.

Oct. 26 Hockinson 7 p.m.