WINLOCK — When it was a three-man front and five weapons at once, the Winlock High School football team was able to fly high with a traditional high-scoring 8-man offense.
It will be a vastly different looking group this fall with its program playing 11-on-11 for the first time in many years.
Wins and losses are secondary to head coach Ernie Samples this fall. The primary factor in determining success is playing tight games late in the fourth quarter.
“I think we can compete,” Samples said before kicking off his eighth season at the helm. “The wins and losses will take care of itself. I want to stay in the middle, always competing.”
The Cardinals will take the field for their 11-man debut in Week 1 against Pe Ell/Willapa Valley on the road. The first home game is in Week 2 against Ilwaco.
Much of the roster last played 11-man in middle school, but it will be the first time they play as preps. The other area team making the jump is Mossyrock, who Winlock faces in Week 4.
“I’m pretty confident we can adjust to it, but everyone has to have confidence in what we’re doing,” returning quarterback Landen Cline said.
Numbers are up due to Samples recruiting a lot of sophomores in gym class plus some incoming freshmen that played in eighth grade. Cline earned second-team all-league honors last fall while running back James Cusson snared a spot on the all-area team.
The bruiser in the backfield erupted for 1,340 yards that featured a 366-yard performance versus Sound Christian.
“Ready to lower my shoulder and take a hit,” Cusson said. “Working on controlling my jump cuts and more up field running.”
Samples praised the athleticism of Carter Svenson and has all three starters on the offensive and defensive line back. Cusson anchors the linebackers and Cline returns as a member in the defensive back room.
It was a younger Winlock group last fall with just one senior on the roster. That veteran presence is what Samples is banking on for a smooth transition.
“It is a fun time for us to crank it up a little bit,” Samples said. “I like the corps of this group.”
Road trips will be a common occurrence early. The Cardinals travel to Toutle Lake, Morton-White Pass and for a non-league matchup against Coupeville.
It was a tail of two halves for Winlock. It started 0-4 that included a forfeit against Naselle, but turned it around to close the regular season with five wins and a crossover spot.
The Cardinals are hopeful the second half of last year can be a springboard this fall.
“I think 11-man takes more skill and thought,” Cusson said. “It is going to help improve our game.”
