1A Trico football preview: La Center simply reloads after graduating all but two starters

But for teams around the league, try they will.

Lambert sees that coming, and with just two two-way starters returning — albeit, major contributors in Wyatt Dodson and Collin Namanny — he’s wary of the competition.

“I think it’s wide open this year, it really is,” Lambert said.

Stevenson returns first team all-league selections wide receiver Isaac Hoidal and running back Lincoln Krog from a team that went 2-2 in league and finished tied for second.

King’s Way has a new coach who seeks to lay the foundation for a new direction going forward and is aiming high.

“The last three years we haven’t won league or anything,” senior captain Dylan Scott said, “I want to go out there and win it.”

Seton Catholic rejoins the Trico League after a two-year absence — one year after the school did not field a team, it was independent last year. The Cougars replace just two starters and return a quarterback, running back and head coach looking to make an impact in the standings.

But when it comes to re-tooling a roster, history stands on La Center’s side.

The Wildcats have not lost a league game since the 2015 season. That was to Kalama before that school dropped to the 2B classification and won the 2017 state title.

While it may be tough to envision the Wildcats matching their second straight run to the state semifinals last season, the past dictates they could win — if not sweep — the league once again.

Projected Finish

Picks by Columbian sports staff

1 —  La Center: Replace a heap of seniors?  Historically not a problem for the Wildcats.

2 — Stevenson: Will returning star power be enough for a league title?

3 — Columbia – White Salmon: Skill players aplenty will prove tough to defend.

4 —  Seton Catholic: Back in the league, Cougars playing to stay.

5 — Castle Rock: Rebuilding year for Rockets with new coach, young roster.

6 — King’s Way Christian: New coach lays the brickwork for future.