Richland Bombers: 2019 Washington high school 4A football preview

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Richland Bombers football team. Links: Richland team page | 2019 schedule | Roster 2018 IN REVIEW 7-3 in 4A Mid-Columbia

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Richland Bombers football team.

Links: Richland team page | 2019 schedule | Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

7-3 in 4A Mid-Columbia Conference (second place); lost to Mead in 4A districts

COACHING RESUME

Mike Neidhold, 12th season

91-32 record

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 0. Defense - 3.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

WR Ben Fewel, 6-0, 170, jr.

OL Jacob Kump, 6-0, 225, jr.

RB Sam Stanfield, 6-3, 245, sr.

QB Harrison Westover, 6-1, 175, jr.

OL Mason Williamson, 6-3, 290, jr.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

DB Marshaun Davis-Copeland, 5-9, 165, sr.

DB Ben Fewel, 6-0, 170, jr.

LB Ryan Johnson, 5-10, 210, jr.

DL Sam Stanfield, 6-3, 245, sr.

LB Kainoa Steward, 6-1, 205, jr.

THREE TO SEE

Ben Fewel, wide receiver

He’s most accomplished in deepest, scrawniest, scrappiest position group on team

Sam Stanfield, defensive lineman

Team’s lone returning all-league player at defensive tackle is also lacrosse standout

Kainoa Steward, linebacker

Transfer from Kamiakin runs like he’s irritated, hits like a possessed madman

OUTLOOK

After three consecutive state playoff trips, including a final one that netted the 4A state championship over Woodinville in 2017, the Bombers came into last season with high hopes.

But they lost the MCC title to Chiawana. And their state streak (and seven-game regular-season winning streak) was halted by the upstart Mead Panthers.

Then, tragedy struck in the winter. Projected starting quarterback Jack Briggs died.

And yet, after all of that, it was a teenager who was cut from the basketball team that sort of became a rallying point. Not only has Harrison Westover won over his teammates with his determination in earning the quarterback job, he has quickly established himself as a leader -- even with no varsity starting experience.

Westover reminds Neidhold of Cade Jensen, who led the Bombers to their last state title and was named a 2018 all-state quarterback. The first-year starter is an emotional-flatliner who studies every aspect of the position -- and who can deliver passes accurately in small windows.

If the aggressive front seven lives up to its billing, Richland should be the chief challenger to Chiawana’s throne.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept 6: Chiawana, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: at Hermiston (OR), 7 p.m.

Sept. 20: Sunnyside, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27: at Pasco, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: Walla Walla, 7 p.m.

Oct. 11: at Southridge, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18: at Kamiakin, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25: Kennewick 7 p.m.

Nov. 1: Hanford, 7 p.m.