Looking on Hudson’s Bay’s wall of recent list of three-sport varsity athletes, Josh McDonald reflects on past players — from Myles Artis and Julio Vara to recent graduate Carter Morse — as football players he looks up to.
Now a senior, McDonald is the one many of the young Eagles look up.
“I’m one of the older guys in the room,” the receiver and defensive back said. “… I take that as I have to do what I have to do so they see it as this is what you’re supposed to do.”
Just because the Eagles are young — in third-year coach Ray Lions’ words “super young” — doesn’t mean they expect a down season.
In fact, Lions sees benefits rather than drawbacks behind the youth.
“You know in the future,” the coach said, “you can utilize the experience when they’re younger.
This article is part of The Columbian's High School Fall Sports 2019 special section, published in print on Sept. 1. View it online.
With a new face and younger blood, you can mold and create what you want.”
And so far, they’re hungry to learn.
Lions expects to start two ninth-graders — Mateo Vavera at running back and Jalen Savalea on the offensive line. More underclassmen are expected up front, in the secondary and at linebacker.
McDonald is part of the senior class that as sophomores two years ago, helped Bay reach the postseason for the first time since 2001. A lack of varsity experience for 2019 doesn’t mean the Eagles aren’t going to try to prove something.
“I know for sure we’re going to be a gritty team,” McDonald said, “and we’re going to come out there and give it everything we’ve got. That’s who we are.
“We’re here to fight to stay in the game no matter what and we have to do we want to get the job done and win.”
3 things to know
— Young Eagles will be underclassmen-heavy at OL, LB, DB.
— Program last reached the postseason in 2017.
— Team is dedicating season to Xavion Moore, who died July 15 of complications from cancer.
