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The last four years have been nothing short of a success for the W.F. West football program.
The Bearcats have reached four state tournaments in a row, winning 36 games in that stretch and reaching the semifinals twice in the last three years.
If W.F. West does make its fifth straight tournament appearance come November, it’ll be thanks to a new core. Eight two-way starters are gone from last year, including All-Area quarterback Gage Brumfield and four other All-Area honorees.
“We graduated a great class last year,” Hill said.
There’s no shortage of experience back in the fold, though. Graysen Serl, Miles Martin, and Wyatt Hoffman are the three starters back from 2024, and Connor Coleman is making his return to the football field after missing the 2024 season with an ACL injury.
“These guys have been a part of it,” Hill said. “We’re relying on those guys to start showing the way for everybody and leading them the right way through their words and actions.”
Hoffman started as a defensive back last fall, but the sophomore is set to make an even bigger impact this season as QB1.
As Brumfield’s backup last season, Hoffman got plenty of playing time in the second half of games throughout the year, and in his lone start against Black Hills, he threw for 200 yards and three touchdowns while throwing just two incompletions.
“He’s got his wits about him and understands the Friday speed,” Hill said. “He did a great job coming in as a freshman last year and learning the system. He’s pretty poised to be that guy for three years for us.”
Hoffman is excited for the opportunity, and he said the support from his older teammates have only given him more confidence.
“I’m very excited,” Hoffman said. “I think we can do good things on offense this year.”
Over the past two weeks, the line in front of him has taken shape.
Grady Oien and Peyton Santiago are expected to slide into the two guard spots, while Hudson McCallum will start Week 1 at left tackle. There were battles at center and right tackle, but Hill expressed confidence that whoever won those battles would also be ready come Friday.
They’ll need to settle in quickly. Like last year, there will be no gimmes early.
Another 2023 semifinal rematch with North Kitsap is on the docket Week 1 before a meeting with Capital, a 3A State Tournament team in 2024.
After matchups against Timberline and Shelton, the Bearcats will open league play against Aberdeen before heading to 4A Battle Ground.
It’s the same non-league slate that W.F. West played last year, and the Bearcats came out unscathed.
And if everything can click into place again, this core’s first run at Husky Stadium may be on the horizon.
“I think you have to make your own mark on things,” Martin said. “It’s gonna be a different crew, but all of our goals throughout the season are the exact same … Our big thing is keeping the Bearcat winning tradition. It’s winning football.”
