MILL CREEK — This year’s Jackson football team has a pretty tough act to follow.
The 2003 squad made history by becoming the first Wolfpack team to win a Western Conference South Division championship and to advance to the state playoffs.
Running back Johnie Kirton, who is now at the University of Washington, rewrote the school record books and came within one yard of setting a state record for total yardage on the ground.
But as good as that team was, this year’s group of players might be a little better.
The Timberwolves bring back plenty of familiar faces on both sides of the ball with seven returning starters on offense and six on defense. Just as important, 23 seniors give the Timberwolves something they’ve never really had before.
“We’ve reached the point now where our depth is pretty good,” Vincent said. “We only had 11 seniors last year and of those 11 seniors only about half of them played pretty good minutes.”
So the experience level heading into 2004 is high. Those players who will be replacing last year’s starters saw significant playing time, Vincent noted.
Running back Travis Snider cites experience as the single most important factor in a team’s success. He likes what Jackson has coming back.
“There aren’t too many faces you’ll see stepping on the field for the first time and that’s always good,” Snider said.
Snider was expected to be a major contributor in the backfield but it appears the junior standout won’t be playing this season.
During last spring’s camp, Snider suffered a broken fibula and tore ligaments in his leg when he was tackled by a Cascade defender during the last play of a scrimmage between the two schools.
For most teams, losing a key player such as Snider would be a significant blow. But Jackson should be able to weather the setback.
The Wolfpack’s depth is cushioning the loss.
“We’ve got some other fullbacks that are stepping up,” said senior wide receiver/defensive back Richie Tri. “Some guys are changing positions to play fullback. They’re doing pretty well at the position … right now we’re still strong I feel.”
A number of players give Vincent different options in the backfield.
Junior Kevin Salkey, sophomore Kawika Emsley-Pai and senior Joe Jun are expected to carry the bulk of the load. Seniors Matt McEachran and Shawn Klaus are penciled in at fullback.
“You don’t lose a player (Snider) of that caliber and not feel it obviously,” Vincent said. “We’re fortunate from the standpoint we’re really pretty deep in the positions that he plays in terms of quality players.”
The Jackson offense is undergoing some retooling in the wake of Kirton’s graduation. The plan is to run a more balanced attack with senior quarterback Chris Bowen projected to play a more significant role.
Snider expects big things from Bowen.
“You’ll see balance. You’ll see a quarterback who didn’t get very many attempts last year start to throw the football a little bit,” Snider said. “Richie Tri at wide receiver is a great athlete. I think he’s going to excel this year. I think there’s going to be some breakout guys just coming up and stepping up to fill the holes.”
Vincent noted that there is good competition at the quarterback position with Bowen being pushed by junior Mike Santoro and sophomore Jake Gelakoska.
“He (Bowen) has got a couple of younger quarterbacks nipping at his heels,” Vincent said. “I thought one of our weaknesses last year was when we needed to throw the ball we didn’t throw it very well. Maybe we relied on Johnie a little too much. I’m just asking my quarterbacks to make good decisions and to be consistent. Any of those three can do that. I’m going to be happy with the play of my quarterback.”
Jackson’s offensive line, which opened so many holes for Kirton last season, looks to be every bit as good this year. The line consists of four seniors and one junior, who just happens to be a returning starter.
What impressed Vincent the most was the dedication during the offseason by the linemen. Anytime Vincent stopped by the weight room he saw most of the offensive and defensive linemen.
“They were here almost 100 percent attendance,” Vincent said. “They weren’t just here. They were working hard.”
It just isn’t the starters that are stepping up their level of intensity. The success of last season seems to have energized every player.
If there’s one lesson the Wolfpack took from 2003, it is that hard work pays off, Snider said.
“The program is just progressing more,” he added. “Everybody is just making examples for themselves instead of looking for somebody to do it. I think that’s really the biggest change for us this year because everybody is taking it upon themselves to go get things done … everybody is pushing hard for their spots.”
What’s also changed is that the Timberwolves won’t be overlooked by any team as they were last year.
As the defending league champions, every other team will have added motivation to knock off Jackson. Instead of being the hunter, the Timberwolves ares going to be the hunted.
“It’s going to be a lot tougher than it was last year to win some games,” senior lineman Brett Allanson said.
Going into the season with a target on their back is a new experience for the Wolfpack.
“We’re not going to think about it, but it’s impossible not to,” Bowen said. “I guess the mindset is … it’s going to be their (opponent’s) hardest work week when they play us.
“But that means that every week has to be even better for us, so that we can take them down.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
