Luke Kilgore / lkilgore@chronline.com Tenino quarterback Calvin Guzman rolls out to pass during a preseason practice.
Last year, Randy Swilley took the reins as head coach for Tenino football with a mere two weeks until the season began. With a complete offseason under their belts, the Beavers are now prepared to make waves in the Evergreen 2A/1A League.
“The commitment by the kids has changed immensely,” Swilley said. “We challenged them in the spring to buy in more and they really have. We don’t have any stragglers here.”
With 33 players turning out, numbers look small, but what the Beavers do have is a strong core group. Behind the unique single-wing offense lies Tenino’s deadliest weapon — senior Thomas Pier.
Pier, an all-league first team pick despite an injury-shortened season, racked up 1,780 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, and he is ready to come back with a vengeance.
“The single-wing is very simple but looks very complicated,” Swilley noted. “It’s based on power and deception, perfect for Thomas. It’s a wonderful offense.”
Senior quarterback Calvin Guzman returns to take the snaps, with some added pressure to his game. Averaging 8 yards a carry, the Beavers ruled the ground, but couldn’t muster much in the air. Swilley realized one-dimensional play wouldn’t equal ultimate success as far as postseason hopes go.
“Calvin is looking great and, really, for us to make the playoffs, he has to have a good year,” Swilley said. “To get to the next level, we need to be able to throw the ball, too.”
Guzman made the commitment, along with his receivers, to add passing to a deadly rushing offense, leaving Swilley excited for the outcome.
At the receiver spots are 6-foot-5 senior Nihls Peterson and 6-foot junior Spencer Brewer.
Tenino graduated just three seniors, but they were considerable losses in the form of all-league honorable mention running back/cornerback Zeb Chamberlain, honorable mention offensive lineman and linebacker Terran Gilbreath, and two-time, two-way first-team lineman Jonathon Jonesnewman.
Swilley has found pieces to fill the gaps, however. Senior back Kaleb Strawn returns at running back, Swilley expects him to take much of the pressure off of Pier.
“Strawn is a complete player,” Swilley said. “He blocks, runs, and catches the ball really well. He’s intelligent and really leads the kids by example.”
Swilley still believes he has a solid defensive scheme, and it all starts with Peterson, an all-league second-team pick at inside linebacker.
“Things kind of run through Nihls,” Swilley said. “Having a 6-5, 210 pound linebacker is definitely not a bad thing. Anytime you have a kid with that size on both ends of the field, you have a leg up.”
Size is not lacking on the defensive line with all-league second-teamer Jack Burnham (6-2, 265) and honorable mention Riley Noonan (6-1, 260) at either tackle position. The Beavers have put in work to fix their biggest flaw defensively, defending against the passing game.
With adjustments and a full year of preparation behind them, the Swilley and his squad are gearing up for what they’re hoping will be the statement year.
“This is as good a time as any,” Swilley said. “We’re excited to get out there and see what we can do.”
