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

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