NAPAVINE — For two years, there was a constant under center.
With his arm and his legs, Ashton Demarest made lives difficult for opposing defenses. He led the Napavine High School football team to two consecutive state championship games, including a state title in 2022.
The all-area MVP is at Eastern Oregon and the most important position is now in a true competition.
“That’s probably the million dollar question for us right now,” Tigers coach Josh Fay said.
One of the most dominant programs in Class 2B is testing itself not once, not twice, not thrice, but four times in the non-league slate and whoever winds up as QB1 may go all the way until the C2BL North division opener in Week 5.
Junior Grady Wilson and sophomore Beckett Landram are battling it out heading into the season opener against 2A foe Hudson’s Bay.
Before the pads came on in fall camp, Fay stated that Wilson was taking 60 percent of the reps and Landram the other 40 percent.
“I would like those two guys to make my decision hard,” Fay said. “They both have their upsides. Whoever is not there, there is not a scenario where one of those guys isn’t on the field.”
In his 18th season leading Napavine, Fay did lay down one caveat. If Wilson or Landram blow the doors open early, it will go that direction.
And the person taking game snaps will have plenty of playmakers surrounding him.
Karsen Denault, despite missing several weeks with a shoulder ailment, still snared 10 touchdowns and 554 yards. He played in the state title game against Okanogen with heavy protection.
“I think we’re going to have a pretty good season,” Denault said. “We’ll lock in. They understand what we’re here for and if they don’t, they’re going to (soon).”
Caleb VonPressentin and Cayle Kelly are expected to see touches out of the backfield and their offensive line will be on the experienced side.
Jack Nelson, named to the all-area and all-C2BL first team, anchors the unit that also brings back Pablo Ruedas and Diego Martinez.
“We’ve been in the weight room and trying to keep our body healthy,” Nelson said. “Our younger kids, they have the ability to play at the 2B level.”
Those three make up the corps of the defensive line, too. Fay believes it is the biggest strength of the Tigers this season.
“Those guard spots are still pretty open,” he said. “We (have) four guys and I like them all. It won’t come down to the physical part; it will come down who can execute what we’re trying to do. Between Jack, Diego and Pablo, those three are as good as any guys I've had up there collectively.”
Denault will “be given the green light” to adjust coverages depending on the offensive play at safety. Kelly, Wilson and Collin Shields will solidify the linebacker group.
On both sides of the ball, Napavine will face plenty of litmus tests’ in September.
To go along with Week 1 versus the Eagles, the Tigers will play Life Christian Academy and Cedar Park Christian on back-to-back Saturday’s. Then on a short week, they will trek to 1A powerhouse Montesano.
“It’ll probably help us out against the 2B teams,” Denault said. “It’ll make us get better, for sure.”
Just three home games are on the schedule for Napavine. The north division will have traditional rivals Adna and Pe Ell/Willapa Valley plus Raymond/South Bend, Ilwaco and Forks.
To get back to Husky Stadium for the second straight year, it might not be pretty record-wise.
And the guys inside the locker room couldn’t care less.
“Even if we lose (by) a couple points or don’t score, I think we’re going to be fine,” Nelson stated.
