Offensive linemen participate in blocking drills during the first day of practice on Wednesday, Aug. 16.

ILWACO — Optimism is brewing among the Ilwaco Fishermen football team heading into the 2023 season.

“We have a good group of kids out. We’re not world-beaters yet but we’re ten times better than we were last year,” said head coach Ron Rood.

The Fishermen finished 1-9 under Rood last season, his first as head coach. Ilwaco last recorded more than five wins in 2016, when the team finished 7-4.

But there’s optimism brewing ahead of this season, led by a dedicated senior class.

“We have a great group of seniors. Our numbers aren’t super yet because school hasn’t started,” Rood said.

The first team practice was held Wednesday, Aug. 16, with 20 players suiting up, including 11 on the line and nine in skill positions. More players are anticipated to join pending physicals and returning from summer vacation.

Roughly two weeks into practice, Rood has been most impressed with the attitude of the team and the gains they made in the offseason.

“A lot of kids came back stronger and more experienced. We didn’t have any seniors last year and now we have a good group (Boston Caron, Kaemon Sawa, Derrick Cutting, Andrew Gerlan, Ethan Hopkins, Sam Needham, Grady Cox and Cannon Johnson). We have a lot more size, strength and experience.”

Offensive and defensive philosophy

A trio of returning Fishermen were honorable mention All-League last year, including senior running back Boston Caron, junior tight end Robert Sanders and junior offensive lineman Dominic Bautista.

Ilwaco will focus on a ground-and-pound offensive approach, featuring Caron, a 6’2” 215-pound running back. Caron accounted for six of the team’s nine total touchdowns last season.

“We’re a power run team, we’ll throw it 10-12 times a game,” Rood said. Senior quarterback Ethan Hopkins is the current frontrunner to be under center this fall.

Defensively, the Fishermen will look to shut down opposing offenses utilizing a 4-6 ‘Bear’ defense, an alignment popularized by the Chicago Bears.

“It’s a pressure defense,” Rood said.

The Ilwaco coaching staff remains the same as last season, with line/tight end coach Brett Hopkins, quarterback/defensive back coach Eric McMillan and linebacker coach Matt McKinstry.

Season outlook

Ilwaco will compete in the 2B Central Division along with North Beach, Ocosta, Rainier, Toutle Lake and Wahkiakum.

Rood anticipates Rainier and Wahkiakum to pose tough league matchups while Raymond-South Bend and Forks will also be hurdles on the regular-season schedule.

“They handled us pretty good last year, but we’re a lot better this time,” Rood said.

Napavine, the 2022 2B state champions, are again among the season favorites to repeat as the top 2B team in the state. Raymond-South Bend, who went 9-3 in 2022 before falling to Pe-Ell/Willapa Valley in the state playoffs, could also contend and are led by all-league quarterback Austin Snodgrass.

The Fishermen will kickoff the season away at North Beach on Sept. 1.

Schedule:

Sept. 1 North Beach (away)

Sept. 8 Toutle Lake (home)

Sept. 15 Raymond-South Bend (away)

Sept. 22 Forks (home)

Sept. 29 Rainier (away)

Oct. 6 Wahkiakum (home)

Oct. 13 Ocosta (away)

Oct. 20 North Beach (home)

Oct. 26 Toutle Lake (away)

Nov. 3 TBA