Prep football recap: La Center’s offensive line shares strong bond

Despite missing senior Lincoln Cooley because of injury, La Center’s offensive line didn’t miss a beat in last Friday’s 41-6 win at Kalama to improve to 8-0. It didn’t allow a sack and created plenty of open creases for the run game, as the Wildcats pulled away in the second half after leading 13-6 at halftime.

Four of La Center’s five starting offensive lineman are seniors who’ve played football together dating back to middle school. The chemistry and continuity continues to shine on an undefeated team poised for their sixth straight 1A Trico League title this week. As one of the state’s premiere games Friday, No. 3 La Center hosts second-ranked Seton Catholic (8-0) in what longtime La Center head coach John Lambert called the biggest game ever at the school. Previously, he said that honor went to the 2013 regular-season finale when La Center hosted Woodland for the Trico title in a battle of unbeatens.

Another senior — quarterback Wyatt Eiesland — is an offensive lineman at heart. He was La Center’s starting center in 2023 when La Center went 9-1 and reached the first round of the Class 1A state playoffs.

What’s it like protecting a quarterback who used to be an offensive lineman? A bit extra special.

“He knows the line and he knows how it works,” tackle Max Cooke said. “And he respects us a lot. To have a quarterback respect us and to have that chemistry and know what we’re doing and what our capabilities are helps us so much.”

Kelso extends postseason streak

For an 11th consecutive season, the Kelso Hilanders and coach Steve Amrine are headed to the postseason.

And to accomplish that, the Hilanders had to do something that isn’t always easy to do — go to McKenzie Stadium and beat Mountain View.

But behind 216 rushing yards from Aden Mintonye and a lockdown effort by the defense in the second half, Kelso beat Mountain View 21-12 to lock up a Week 10 playoff berth.

“Huge, and I’m very proud of this group,” Amrine said. “This has been a different group for us. They have believed since Day One. They have practiced hard. They enjoy being around each other. And they wanted to make sure that we had a chance to get back in this thing. I’m glad they got to come down and get rewarded.”

Kelso (6-2) hosts Shelton on Friday to conclude the regular season and possibly position the Hilanders to get a home playoff game.