HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Port Angeles looking to run and gun

PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Roughriders chances at charging back up the hill to contention in the Olympic League’s Class 2A Division will be prodded along by a new offensive formation — the pistol.

This offensive alignment positions the quarterback about 4 or 5 yards behind the center in position to take snaps, with two running backs split apart in the backfield in Port Angeles’ most basic set.

The formation strives to give the quarterback the ability to analyze the defense by moving him back from behind center while still keeping him close enough to the line of scrimmage to make a quick read of the defense.

It also should allow the Riders to better disguise their running plays without moving players in motion to create strong and weak sides.

Pistol formations tend to rely on a higher number of option plays and runs than other formations.

Run to set up the pass

That’s just what Riders’ coach Bret Curtis wants to do — establish the running game and sprinkle in some passing plays.

“We are going to go out of the pistol formation,” Curtis said.

“We talked long and hard about the change and we want to run the ball and we aren’t abandoning that.

“We won’t go 99 percent [run] to 1 percent [pass], but we feel very strongly about trying to establish the run and try to build on our passing game from there.

“Our philosophy of running the football hasn’t really changed, it’s just going to look a little bit different.”

Senior running back Jace Lausche is on board with the switch away from the pro-style formation that grew a little stale last season.

“I think it’s a lot better for us,” Lausche said.

“I don’t think the pro formation was our thing, I don’t think we had the personnel for it. I think the pistol will work a lot better for us because it’s more unpredictable on who’s going to get the ball. You can’t always guess that one person is going to get the ball all the time.

“And everybody is learning what the linemen are doing instead of just the line knowing, so it’s easier for us to understand what they are doing. “You can anticipate where the hole is going to be.”

Also expected to join Lausche in the backfield are juniors Bryce Lauderback and Jarrett Burns, as well as sophomore Trevor Shumway.

Junior Matthew Warner and sophomore Chris Guttormson are each vying for the starting quarterback spot.

They’ll be the ones catching the snaps out of the pistol formation.

“We just decided to get the QB out from under center and create a little space that way,” Curtis said.

“Those QBs I talked about are pretty athletic guys, so the switch to the pistol should get them to handle the ball a little more.”

Warner appears to have the upper hand in early practices.

“He’s looked very good, and we feel pretty good about the QB position,” Curtis said.

“[It’s] probably going to be a good competition between Matt and Chris Guttormson. Both are showing good leadership and are very committed to this team.

“They are going to be our QBs. We don’t know which one will be the one but they are looking good, looking solid.”

Warner is more your prototypical passing quarterback, a shade under 6 feet tall and a sturdy 175 pounds.

And he sounded hungry to attack the team’s full playbook at an early practice in which the coaching staff was sticking to learning three bread and butter plays.

“I’m excited for this offense. I’d like to get more plays installed, so we don’t fall into the trap of running the same plays over and over,” Warner said.

Guttormson, who played some receiver as a freshman last season, has the edge in quickness and mobility.

But Curtis said the pair’s skill sets are much the same.

“Both of them are pretty similar athletes and can run pretty well.

“Matt has a little more experience with his throwing, and is more of a passer. Chris is really good in space and is improving every day.

“And whomever is the starter at QB, we will be able to plug the other player into a different position and have them contribute.”

as they have the talent and ability.”

Blocking up front will be senior center Kyle Fuller (5’10, 180), senior guard Hayden Wickham (6’0, 270), senior tackle Austin Adamire (6’0, 280) and his younger twin brothers, sophomores Nathan and Ryan Adamire.

“We have some experienced linemen who will help us out this year in Kyle and Hayden,” assistant coach Brent Wasche said.

“And those Adamire kids have worked their butts off all summer long,” Wasche said.

“There’s still some butt left, though.

“I think Austin will be at one of those tackle spots and Nathan and Ryan will swap in and out at the other tackle.”

Junior Bailey White (5’11, 210) has moved to left guard after playing tight end last season.

“He’s a big kid, has great feet and he’s got the athleticism we need because we are going to run a lot of power and we need some quick pulling guards,” Wasche said.

“Bailey’s a tough kid, football strong.”

Wasche said Caleb Joslin has been moved in from wide receiver to play tight end.

“He’s a double threat as a blocker and pass catcher,” Wasche said.

“He’s worked himself into being strong. He’ll play a lot of inside linebacker too for us,so you’ll see him a lot.”

Wausche is fully behind the move to the pistol.

“I love it,” Wasche said. “The way we are doing things now, it’s simplify, simplify, simplify. We have a reason behind why we are running these plays, rather than a collection of plays … You are going to see a whole lot better offensive football team this year.”

Defensively, Port Angeles has a good but young crop projected to play in the secondary, headlined by sophomore Rudy Valdez. Valdez also will catch passes and return kicks for the Riders. Others in the mix are sophomore Garrett Edwards (6’0, 170)

“The core of our defense is definitely going to be in the secondary,” Wasche said. “We have a good group of athletes there.”

The expectation for Rudy is to be a lockdown corner. He’s got the speed, the athleticism. Garrett Edwards, a super versatile athlete that can come down at free safety. Easton Joslin [a 5’10, 150 sophomore], is another player who can play at corner or even slot in at inside linebacker.”

Trevor Shumway, who also should get some carries at running back, will play a hybrid safety-linebacker for Port Angeles.

Curtis agreed with Wasche’s assessment.

“It’s definitely a spot where we have a good collection of fast, athletic players,” Curtis said of his secondary.

“They don’t call them the skill positions for no reason.”

Results-wise, Curtis said he expects to win every game his team plays.

Realistically, with such a young group, Port Angeles is hoping to duke it out for one of the Olympic League’s playoff spots.

“Playoffs, our goal is to make the playoffs,” Valdez said.

“It would take a lot of work, but if we play hard and play for each other, I think we can do it.”

Port Angeles capsule:

• Last Year: 1-8 overall, 0-6 in Olympic League 2A Division.

• Offense: Pistol

•Defense: 5-2-2 or 3-3-5 depending on offensive matchups

•Contributors: RB/LB Jace Lausche; QB/LB Matt Warner; WR/DB/KR Rudy Valdez; Kyle Fuller C/LB; Austin Adamire OL/DL; Trevor Shumway RB/LB; Chris Guttormson QB/WR/DB; Caleb Joslin TE/DE; Garrett Edwards WR/DB; Mayah Thompson TE/DE; Bailey White G/LB; Bryce Lauderback RB/DE.

•Key newcomer: Varsity newcomer Jarrett Burns will likely get some burn at running back after playing mostly on the Riders’ JV last season.

•Expected team strength: Defensive secondary is fast and athletic, likely the most skilled unit on the team.

•Question mark: Youth and inexperience at a number of positions will test the Riders this season.

•Player they’ll miss the most: Last year’s workhorse running back/linebacker Kellen Landry graduated. But Landry’s absence may allow Port Angeles to spread out the rushing duties and be less predictable offensively.

•Game to watch: Peninsula pride is on the line during the Rainshadow Rumble rivalry game at Sequim on Friday, Oct. 21.

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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.