Here is The Chronicle’s Preseason Coaches Poll on how the C2BL should shake out...
1. Pe Ell-Willapa Valley
The Titans return a ton of players from a team that made the first round of the State 2B playoffs last year in its first year as a combination squad. Add in a year of experience across the roster and a year’s worth of getting comfortable with each other on and off the field, and all signs point upward for the Lewis/Pacific football cooperative.
“They’re the team to beat. Athletically, it’s not even close,” Napavine coach Josh Fay said. “If anybody’s telling you anything else, they’re not paying enough attention to everybody’s rosters.”
2. Napavine
The Tigers are a preseason No. 1 in the AP poll for a handful of reasons, including last year’s success (second in state), team tradition (always near the top of the league), and a handful of key starters back (QB Wyatt Stanley and LB Chase Van Wyck, both first-team all-state selections).
3. Adna
Adna played the bulk of last season with quarterback David Young on the sidelines on crutches. Young’s back on the field for his senior year, and the Pirates have a ton of experienced players back.
4. Toledo
The Indians lost a lot on the line from last year’s state semifinal team, but make up for it at the skill positions. All-state running back Taylor Hicks is back, as well as quarterback Dalton Yoder and running backs Dylan Hoiseck and Dakota Robins.
5. Mossyrock
New coach Jason Cole inherits a team that went through four quarterbacks between the first day of practice and the end of the season last year, none of whom were Timmy Allen — this year’s starter. That being said, reports are that the Vikings have looked good over the summer and could be fighting for a playoff spot.
6. Morton-White Pass
The Timberwolves’ numbers are down, but Braiden Elledge is a spark plug out of the backfield and should keep MWP competitive.
7. Onalaska
The Loggers’ combination of Stone Whitney (RB) and Evan Wrzesinski (QB) in the backfield will be dangerous if the offensive line holds up.
8. Winlock
New coach Ben Suhrbier will try to turn things around for the Cardinals, who haven’t had much C2BL success in the recent past.
9. Wahkiakum
The Mules had a few highlights last year, but most of them involved quarterback Gunnar Blix, who transferred to R.A. Long in time to start for the Lumberjacks’ baseball team, and turnout’s low this season in Cathlamet.
10. Toutle Lake
Head coach Art Walsh resigned a week before the opening kickoff, though the outlook wasn’t great for the Ducks before that development.
