Columbia River Chieftains: 2019 Washington high school 2A football preview
Here's an inside look at the 2A Columbia River Chieftains.
Links: Columbia River team page | 2019 schedule |Roster
2018 IN REVIEW
4-6 overall, 4-2 in 2A Greater St. Helens League (fourth place). Lost to Black Hills in district crossover game, 45-7.
COACHING RESUME
Brett Smedley, first season (three seasons as DC)
0-0 overall
RETURNING STARTERS
Offense - 2. Defense - 1.
TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
QB Mason Priddy 5-8, 150, Jr.
RB Isaac Bibb-O’Neill 5-11, 195
WR Max Sturtevant 5-4, 150, Jr.
WR Jacob Ayers 6-0, 160, Jr.
OL Kyle Sheldon 6-2, 255, Sr.
TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
DL Cody Hardy 6-1, 220, Sr.
DL Brayton Osterweil 6-3, 230, Jr.
DB Shawn Rain 5-9, 220, Jr.
LB Eddie Hockhalter 5-11, 200, Jr.
DL AJ Ayhek 6-2, 240, Sr.
THREE TO SEE
Isaac Bibb-O’Neill, running back/safety
All-league honorable mention as a junior. The smart runner also hits hard. He will be the primary running back, and also play safety.
Kyle Sheldon, lineman
Sheldon was a quick study of the Chieftains’ spread offense. The team will rely on his technique and lead-by-example mentality.
Cody Hardy, tight end/defensive line
Stepped in at tight end mid-season last year after an injury. Hardy has sound technique and a nose for disruption on the defensive line.
OUTLOOK
First-year head coach Brett Smedley played for Columbia River under John O’Rourke, and he’s determined to instill that culture within this year’s team. That starts, Smedley says, with tying the team to the community.
On the field, the Chieftains will debut a new look: the spread offense, orchestrated by offensive coordinator Nic Shular, who was on Smedley’s staff during his year as head coach of Coupeville.
River lost six all-league selections — and a big senior class — from last year and will lean on a big junior class to fill its shoes, along with its three returning starters: Isaac Bibb-O’Neill returns as the primary ball carrier and linemen Kyle Sheldon and Cody Hardy are set to lead the offensive and defensive lines, respectively.
2019 SCHEDULE
Sept 6: Centralia, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13: at Skyview, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20: Ridgefield, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27: at Hockinson, 7 p.m.
Oct. 4: Mark Morris, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10: at Washougal, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18: R.A. Long, 7 p.m.
Oct. 25: at Woodland, 7 p.m.
Nov. 1: at Clarkston, time TBD
*home games in bold