ONALASKA — Flashback to 2010 for a moment.
It was the turn of a new decade, the introduction of the iPad and South Africa welcomed the globe for the World Cup. Believe it or not, Justin Bieber released his debut album that year.
A lot has changed in 15 years.
And as much as things evolve throughout the world, zoom into an Onalaska High School football practice and a model of consistency is shown.
Because since 2010, Mazen Saade has roamed the sidelines and a handful of former Loggers are back to be next to him.
“That’s a cultural thing,” Saade said with a wide grin. “You look at these kids that are out here, they're getting coached by real guys that have been in the same spot. When we tell them this can happen, that’s pretty special.”
Alex Frazier, Weylin Womack and Danny Dalstead all strapped on the pads on Friday nights during their prep careers for Onalaska and while they aren’t stepping onto midfield again, they’ll be on the field with headsets starting on Friday at Nooksack Valley.
To Saade, that’s more important than anything on the scoreboard.
“Culture is something you have to work on every single day,” he said.
On a Saturday morning, the first padded practice of the fall, it was Womack and Dalstead leading drills while Saade was by his famous golf cart.
And there’s plenty of coaching to do all-around.
Gone are program stalwarts such as C2BL East MVP Rodrigo Rodriguez, Blaze Underhill, Cooper Lawrence and Justin Jacoby amongst others. It’s a new era of Logger football, fueled by a junior class that saw plenty of action as sophomores.
“Work hard and do our best,” quarterback Lane Gordon said.
Gordon takes over as the signal caller in Onalaska’s power-run offense. He strengthened himself to prepare for the hits he’ll take with more carries and still being a leader in the secondary.
“I’m confident; we’re a good group of guys,” Gordon said.
Saade is overwhelmed with joy for the right-hander that spelled Underhill in various games last year to take over.
“We have the utmost confidence in Lane Gordon,” Saade stated. “He’s ready for every opportunity. That kid is resilient, loves the game of football, cares about this town, about his friends. He is so ready for this.”
Ethan Thayer, the Class 2B discus champion in the spring, will be the fullback and several others will get touches in the backfield. After Week 1, the Loggers scored at least 40 points in every game up until the state quarterfinals.
It was the pass happy offense of Freeman that put Onalaska in a stranglehold and its season came to an abrupt end with a 28-0 defeat.
“You got to show up and try your best everyday,” linebacker Carson Albertson said.
The front-seven may have the most ability to wreak havoc with senior Will Zandell, Morgan Allen, Thayer, Albertson and Nathan Preslicka.
Trying to repeat as the C2BL East champs won’t come easy. Week 8 on the road against Toledo – similar to last fall – may determine the top seed out of the division and could have seeding implications come November.
So too could Week 2 on the road versus Napavine.
“We’re gonna work harder,” Albertson said.
Still, regardless of what transpires this season, Saade always views winning the league as the first objective and getting in the playoffs second. Everything after that is a bonus.
Can Onalaska play after Thanksgiving once again? Doubt them at your own peril.
“You look at this crew, they know what is in front of them,” Saade said.
