LEBAM — Roughly halfway between Pe Ell and Willapa Valley, just inside the borders of Pacific County and overlooking the Willapa River, the Pe Ell-Willapa Valley football team conducted its second practice of the fall season Thursday, with strong hopes for another big improvement after a solid 2021 campaign.
Practicing at the old Lebam Elementary School field just down the road from the tavern, the Titans have a few big shoes to fill, but return just about every big contributor from a good turnaround season last year that saw them fall to Toledo in the district crossover round.
From one win in the COVID-shortened spring two years ago to a third-place finish in the Central 2B North last year and six wins, PWV is looking to take a bigger step forward this season.
“I like that we finally have some kids with experience, instead of starting kids without a lot of varsity experience,” Titans coach Josh Fluke said. “The upperclassmen have started the last few years, took their lumps as sophomores, did okay last year, so now let’s bring something better to the table this year.”
Motivated by that season-ending loss last season to the Riverhawks — a squad that realistically could have been a Final Four team in the 2B state playoffs if it hadn’t seen state champ Kalama in the quarterfinals — the Titans want more.
Though PWV kept it close with Toledo throughout, a late touchdown, onside kick, and ensuing touchdown sequence left the Titans with a bad taste in their mouths. But, it gave the young team a taste of meaningful football late in the year for the first time.
“We felt what it was like to play in the big game,” Wil Clements said. “We felt what it was like to lose in it too. Now we know it hurts and we wanna be back there to be on the other side.”
With some good turnout numbers and young players, and an experienced core of players like Clements, Blake Howard, Kolton and Derek Fluke, and Garrett Keaton returning, the Titans will not be easing into their league schedule this year.
PWV immediately opens with an upstart 1A program in Tenino that made the state quarterfinals a year ago, welcoming the Beavers to Pe Ell Week 1. Immediately after, the Titans will take on Adna in a rivalry matchup on the road the following week.
But if last year’s experience was any indication, or the months of work PWV has put in the offseason to improve once more, the Titans are up for the challenge.
“It leaves them hungry,” Fluke said. “They’re excited to get back in that position and win and keep going.”
