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MOSSYROCK — Veterans on the Mossyrock Vikings don’t want to get used to a season like 2024.
For seniors who have played since their freshman year, they experienced back-to-back 10-win seasons in their first two years and made consecutive trips to the 1B state tournament, including the semifinals in 2023.
But the Vikings stumbled out of the gate in their return to the 2B level, finishing just 2-7 in 2024, with one of those wins coming from a forfeiture. In 2025, new head coach Robbie Dailey, who spent last year as an assistant in Mossyrock, hopes to bring his team back to their winning ways with the help of a steady and motivated senior group who have gone the extra mile in practice, literally.
“Our seniors this year have been great. After every practice, every senior is running. I like to get them running and get conditioned to get going, and even after that, they still like to do that,” Dailey said.
The Vikings have embraced a “1-0” mentality where they narrow their focus to week by week, and even day by day as they learn a new offense and new defense ahead of the season.
“Each week’s a new week. It’s a new season,” senior wide receiver Freddy Solis said.
Mossyrock’s offense will miss a key contributor in Easton Kolb this fall, but there are playmakers who can help the unit rack up points. Sophomore Blue Sievers will be the starting quarterback, and the running game will be headlined by senior fullback Kyle Brockway in a system that seeks to misdirect opponents with countless ways to hand the ball off.
“You could throw anything at the defense. If something’s not working, you could go a completely different route with it,” Brockway said. “You could run up the middle, run outside, pitches.”
Solis and senior Gunnar Callies will catch passes from Sievers, who will be protected by an offensive line aided by four returning starters. The offense will miss the play of two second team all-C2BL honorees in tight end Charlie Edgar and offensive lineman Cameron Kuberth, however.
Defensively, defensive lineman Waylen Huguenin will be a playmaker for a unit looking to improve from a less-than-ideal season last year. Brockway is a thumper at linebacker who seeks contact.
“We want to fly fast to the ball and make contact and make the right tackle,” Dailey said of the defensive identity.
The Vikings understand the season will see some bumps and bruises as they adjust to the new schemes. But the locker room has a wealth of athletes who have experience in both eight-man and 11-man action, which Dailey believes is going to be a key to a turnaround in 2025.
“We have a lot of returning guys that have gotten a lot of playing time, so that helps any situation. A big reason why I took the job is that I know Mossyrock kids are big, tough guys,” Dailey, an Adna grad and former football player, said. “I played in the league for four years, and Mossyrock always punched you in the mouth and kept going. I’m expecting that with this group.”
The Vikings’ schedule gives them a chance to compete for a playoff spot. Their two toughest contests against Toledo and Onalaska come at home, while a date with Rainier will also be played in Mossyrock and they visit Toutle Lake and Morton-White Pass.
