PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Spartans switching to power game

FORKS — Excitement in Forks football led to a large turnout for spring ball, commitment was displayed through a well-attended summer of lifting and conditioning and the team, its leadership made up of high-academic achievers, already has shown character in the preseason.

“We talk a lot about the importance of big brother/little brother and they’ve taken the responsibility to help bring each other along,” head coach Trevor Highfield said.

“The teaching in the program that we are seeing is something I am proud of.”

Highfield is in his fourth year in Forks, so his senior class is the first to go through all four years under his watch.

He’s excited about that fact as well as being able to spend more time with his players.

“It almost feels like fall 2019,” Highfield said. “It’s so great to be back where we can watch film together, lift weights. “Not having the opportunity to be in the film room together, that hurts development when you aren’t able to make corrections and see growth happen.”

Forks will look different on both sides of the ball this season.

Offensively, with a crop of hard-running backs and a solid line, the Spartans are expected to embrace a power run game.

Junior Nate Dahlgren will serve as a team captain after racking up nearly 1,300 rushing yards as the Spartans (8-2) advanced to the Class 2B state quarterfinals.

“Nate as a sophomore he was really our bell cow carrying the ball,” Highfield said. “He’s been one of the leaders in the weight room in offseason, putting on body armor. As he’s continuing to grow, he’s a team captain, somebody the team looks to on both sides of the football to get us set correctly. He’s a steady leader, helps to make games great.

“He’ll be a key chess piece, but it’s the stuff he does off the field that’s even more impressive — a 4.0 student, does the right thing. An awesome deal to be able to point to our best player, first-team all-league on both sides of the ball, and he’s one of our best people on and off the field.”

Junior Gunner Rogers, another 4.0 student, will start at quarterback.

“Same boat as Nate in his commitment to the classroom and the weight room,” Highfield said. “He’s a solid 175 pounds and has done an amazing job. He’s coach [Rob] Roger’s son, he better know the game, so that helps. He is a smart kid, and offensively, he will carry the ball.”

Sloan Tumaua, an all-league offensive lineman last season, will continue to block and tackle for the Spartans. He also stands to see a carry or two at fullback.

“He’s at 220 pounds and has done a great job of lifting,” Highfield said. “We gave Sloan some things to motivate him and he’s lived up to it and should be our Mike linebacker and fullback for us.”

Matthew Wallerstedt, a 3.9 student and a second-team defensive line pick last year, returns to anchor the lines.

“He’s a team captain and has been doing an awesome job of leading that line group,” Highfield said.

Ryan Rancourt will play at receiver and in the secondary.

“He has potential to be a big-play receiving threat for us,” Highfield said. “I still think about the huge catch he made for us against Kalama to win that game two years ago. He’s also a 4-year starter at corner.”

Other contributors include seniors Kaleb Blanton and Conner Demorest, junior Walker Wheeler and sophomore lineman Brody Lausche.

“Walker Wheeler, I feel he can be explosive with the ball in his hand,” Highfield said. “We are going to be getting people the football a variety of different ways.”

Forks Spartans

• Head Coach: Trevor Highfield (fourth season, 16-9).

• Last Year’s Record: 8-2, won district and state opener, advanced to Class 2B state quarterfinals.

• Key Returners: Nate Dahlgren (RB/LB, Jr.); Gunner Rogers (RB/LB, Jr.); Sloan Tumaua (OL/RB/DL, Jr.) Matthew Wallerstedt (OL/DL, Jr.); Sebastian Quenneke (OL/DL, Jr.); Ryan Rancourt (WR/DB, Jr.); Walker Wheeler (RB/LB, Jr.); Brody Lausche (OL/DL, Soph.).; Conner Demorest (WR/DB, Sr.) Kaleb Blanton (C/DB, Sr.).

• Newcomers: “Landin Davis (TE/DE, Jr.) made some plays for us last year, but he will have the opportunity to see the field even more this fall.”

• Strengths: A strong returning crop of runners and offensive linemen should power the Spartans back to the state tournament.

• Areas to improve: “We’ve talked a lot about limiting explosive plays defensively and blocking downfield so we can bust some explosive plays when we are on offense. The idea is we might not be as stingy in terms of yards allowed as we have in the past, but we will prevent the big plays over the top.”

• Outlook: Napavine is the nearly unanimous preseason pick to win the league, while Pe Ell/Willapa Valley also will pose a tough task for Forks. “Napavine will be a tough, tough team and Pe Ell, they were tough last year and they were young.”

Spartan Stadium’s new main grandstand is currently under construction with delays likely pushing its official opening to 2023. Fans will have to watch the game from the Forks Elementary School side of the field.

Schedule: Sept. 2: at Sequim; Sept. 10: at LaConner; Sept. 16: at Morton/White Pass (at Morton HS), Sept. 23: Ilwaco; Sept. 30: Raymond-South Bend; Oct. 8: vs. Friday Harbor at Anacortes; Oct. 14: at Rainier; Oct. 21: at Pe Ell/Willapa Valley (at Menlo); Oct. 28: Napavine.