Bearcats Enter 2018 With All New Look

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The W.F. Bearcats enter 2018 looking like a shiny new package.

After graduating 26 seniors last year and seeing Bob Wollan step down as head coach, the Bearcats enter the season with a new coach, a new quarterback and many new skill players and lineman trying to keep the team rolling full steam ahead.

There was no position secure in camp, according to new head coach Dan Hill.

“Everything, the whole thing is a competition. Nothing is set in stone. We’ve got kind of the first group,” Hill said. “There’s a lot of positions that somebody is right on their heels. So if they put in the work and are proving themselves, then they’re going to get their chance.”

Hill said the biggest change with him taking over as head coach will be the terminology.

“It’s all new terminology. Obviously, formations are formations, some will be the same, some things will be changed a little bit,” Hill said. “The big thing is a slant’s a slant, an out’s an out. The big thing was just terminology, there’s still a learning curve with some of the guys just learning the new terminology. As we progress through camp day to day and hearing all this stuff in their playbooks, it will all come full circle

There are a few positions that have a returner that will be looked to carry more of the load this season. Jaiyden Camoza saw significant time at running back last season and will look to be the workhorse in the W.F. West backfield and LeAndre Gaines moves from tight end to wide receiver. Hill noted the two players will be crucial to help the younger players get acclimated to the varsity level.



“Jaiyden, he saw a lot of time at the varsity level last year at running back and had a lot of success. He’s a quick and explosive kid, he loves the game of football. He’s been around all summer and all spring. He’s one of the guys that we can hang our hat on right now,” Hill said. “LeAndre, for him right now, it’s kind of a learning curve. He was a tight end last year, he’s out at receiver now. He’s in a little bit of an adjustment role, he’s picking it up fast. He’s a smart and savvy kid. He’s a good size body out there with a lot of talent, he’ll be a big part of the offense.”

Josiah Johnson and Brit Lusk are in the quarterback competition to replace EvCo Offensive MVP Nole Wollan from last season. Johnson has been taking reps with the first team, but Hill made sure to let Johnson know his job is not secure.

“They’ve got some good competition. They’ve got a lot of work to do still, they still got to get better at footwork,” Hill said. “They’ve still got to get better at throwing the ball. Obviously, they’ve got to get more in shape, both of them. There’s nothing set in stone and each of them has to continue to work and get ready to be the guy.”

The Bearcats finished 8-3 overall and 4-1 in EvCo games, losing only to league champion Tumwater. W.F. West defeated Woodland in the crossover round in Chehalis on a last second field goal, but lost to North Kitsap 38-7.

With tough competition in the EvCo and a tough non-league schedule, the Bearcats are hoping to continue the success they’ve had in recent years.

“It’s going to be tough competition. Rochester, they’re returning some guys from last season, Black Hills is going to be very tough. Tumwater is always Tumwater,” Hill said. “Centralia, they’ve got some upfront boys that are going got be juniors that are going to be big strong kids. Everybody is going to be better than they were last year. I think if we keep progressing, we’ll be better than we were last year. I think it will put us right in the mix as the season progresses.”