ADNA — The same voice roamed the sidelines for two decades at Adna High School. K.C. Johnson was the model of consistency, leading the Pirates to winning seasons on a yearly basis and getting to state routinely.
Once he retired, the Pirates had Jason Dunnagan for a year, but they went fishing and reeled in Aaron Cochran.
Now, he’s trying to re-establish the culture for a team that is trying to have a winning season for the first time in five seasons.
“This has been a great offseason for them, I’m really proud of that,” Cochran said.
The COVID-19 spring season in 2021 featured one win and months later had four wins. Five wins took place in 2022 and Cochran’s first season totaled three victories last year.
A head coach at Goldendale that he turned around to nine-win and eight-win seasons that lost in the opening round in the state playoffs, Cochran has brought the same principles to Lewis County.
Midnight practice? Check. Plenty of options offensively? Check. A physical group in the trenches? Check.
“It is super nice having Cochran come back; he’s pushed us a lot,” senior Luke Mohney said. “We can all be better.”
Jackson Knittle and Ben Andrew bring size to the offensive line that will allow a bounty of backs to blow through A and B gaps.
Mohney is the speed demon that Cochran plans to utilize in various ways. Beau Miller uses strength and Gavan Muller is expected to be the primary pass catcher once again.
“We got some new things we put in, so we’re excited,” Muller said. “Expanding what we do and how we do it. We’re going to put in more effort and get that mental part down.”
At a critical juncture last fall, Adna made a change at quarterback. Layden York was inserted under center and previous starter Lane Johnson earned more touches via handoffs.
That change sparked a 56-6 victory over Wahkiakum in a Class 2B crossover play-in contest.
Now, York is the undisputed QB1.
“There’s always work to do and he’s gotten better,” Cochran said.
Muller and Miller will solidify the EDGE spots on defense with Knittle clogging the middle.
With how often teams in the C2BL North division prefer the ground game, the internal rush into the backfield is what most of the Pirates view as critical to victories.
“We want to stop the run,” Muller said.
Mohney and Jack Smith anchor the secondary. Adna will get tested early with returning 2B state quarterfinalist Toledo in the opener and 1A Tenino in Week 3.
League play opens with back-to-back home games against Raymond/South Bend and arch rival Napavine.
“Why would you waste your time doing all that offseason stuff (to) come out and do nothing?” Mohney said. “We’ve gotten a lot tougher.”
The Pirates were waxed in the actual crossover game by the Tigers that put a sour taste in their mouth.
Not only is the top goal to get back to the crossover round, but there is a larger priority.
“We want to execute every rep,” Cochran said. “The kids are the ones that are driving that. They’re buying into that and what they’re expecting of themselves.”
