New Royals coach likes numbers

The spring and summer usually is a time for football players to shake some of their rust off and to get reacquainted with their teammates as they look ahead to the start of practices in mid-August.

But for Lynnwood, the offseason took on an added importance as it marked the formal debut of new head coach Mike Don and his staff.

So far the response during practices at the high school and at the Shoreline Scrimmage is encouraging, especially with regard to the Royals’ numbers.

Lynnwood started with upwards of 80 players and generally had about 70 stick around for most of the spring and summer activities.

“It was really important to try and get them to understand our expectations and to get them going in the right direction,” said Don, an assistant coach at Woodinville the past two seasons. “We talked to the kids about the expectations and what it would take to be successful. They’ve stepped up and have been working real hard.”

Only one assistant coach from last year, Nate Krahn, is back, so the players are having to get used to not only Don but a new coaching staff as well.

Lynnwood was 0-4 in the Western Conference 3A and 2-8 overall last season.

“Offensively, we’re a spread team,” Don said. “Our goal is to keep it pretty simple.”

Don is slowly implementing the new offense, trying to make sure the players understand what he and his staff want.

“We’re just slowly working our way there,” he said.

The Royals lost quarterback Michael Stanley to graduation and his successor appears to be Blake Lord, who played wide receiver last season.

“He’s a natural leader,” Don said.

Lord will have some talented receivers to throw to, including returner Colton DeGraw. Some of the familiar faces for the Royals might end up in new spots.

“They’re are a lot of kids learning different things and doing a good job,” Don said. “We’ve got some other guys who can step in and do good things.”

The top running back appears to be Coleman Bryant, who is shifting from wide receiver. Bryant brings speed to the backfield, Don noted.

Lynnwood generally has been outsized on the line, but the Royals return a couple of players with decent size and skills. Jordan Thomas and Andrew Bashem should anchor both the offensive and defensive lines.

“Size isn’t the most important thing,” Don said. “It’s being technically sound and trying to get them to be aggressive.”

Much like the offense, the goal on defense is to have a simplified game plan.

“We’re going to keep it all really simple,” Don said. “We’ll let the kids run around and make plays and do less thinking and more playing.”

Especially encouraging to Don is the high attendance in the weight room. Morning and evening sessions have been well attended.

“We’ve consistently has 55 to 60 a day weight training,” Don said.

While the players have been taking care of the physical part of their preparation, Don and his staff continue to work on the mental game with the players.

“The big thing is to help them understand they can be successful football players,” Don said. “With hard work, they’re going to be successful. They can be as good as they want to be. But they have to go out and get it.”