NEAH BAY — Optimism for Neah Bay football is running as strong as the salmon returns this summer, a positive development in both cases.
The Red Devils, minus a few stragglers still out on boats or hand fishing Makah rivers this week, are built for a good long run through the Class 1B Northwest Football League and potentially the postseason.
“It’s good,” Neah Bay coach Kane Bachelor said of turnout. “Neah Bay is having one of the best fishing seasons in years and years, so we still have some kids out. But we should have 20 eligible for our first game, which is enough.”
All the major pieces needed for a productive fall season return with experienced seniors running the show.
Julian Carrick returns at quarterback, fresh off a summer in which he focused primarily on his passing game.
“He had a great offseason,” Bachelor said. “Julian went to a couple of camps and really worked on his throwing skills in the quick passing game. Last season, he was mostly an option run QB, but he really focused on both sides of the position. He also visited UW and Eastern Washington. He has dreams of playing at the next level as a walk-on.”
He’ll also get the chance to catch some balls, either as a wide out on specially designed plays or defensively.
“We will split him out wide, but he’s so good with the ball in his hands, you can’t really afford to take it away from him too often,” Bachelor said.
Kaedan Butterfield looks to play an even larger role this season defensively.
“We are playing with him all over the defensive front, at end, tackle or linebacker,” Bachelor said. “We want to put him where people attack us because he can control the line of scrimmage. He’s already a big, mobile kid, but he put on 10-15 pounds.”
Butterfield will team with Andre Greene up front.
“Andre is our other big, strong kid, so we think we can put them on the defensive line and shut down the run game,” Bachelor said.
Greene, a fifth-year starter, also will anchor the offensive line at left guard.
“It’s a coaching cliche, but Andre showed up in the best shape we’ve seen him,” Bachelor said.
He’ll open holes for sophomore running back Jodell Wimberly.
“Jodell Wimberly is going to have a huge season. He’ll be our workhorse tailback,” Bachelor said. “We were really happy with him as a freshman. He makes cuts in practices where stuff opens up that I can’t see from behind the play, his vision is strong.
“If we can get him to the second level, he can get going.”
Neil Bowechop also returns to play wide receiver and defensive back. He’ll be wearing a cast on one arm after breaking a bone in his thumb.
Neah Bay Red Devils
• Head Coach: Kane Bachelor (2nd year, 5-3)
• Last Year’s Record: 5-3, advanced to Class 1B state tournament first round.
• Key Returners: Julian Carrick (QB/DB/K, Sr.); Kaeden Butterfield (TE/LB/DL, Sr.); Neil Bowechop (WR/DB, Sr.); Jodell Wimberly (RB/LB, Soph.); Andre Greene (OL/DL, Sr.); Tyler Swan (OL/DL, Fr.).
• Newcomers: Bachelor said Josh Angeles, a transfer student from Mexico, is out for the team. At 6 feet, 225 pounds, Neah Bay will find a spot for him. “He’s never played football before, but he’s getting more and more comfortable every day.”
Bachelor also said sophomore Jerriq Johnson is “giving us a reason to play him at defensive back.”
“He really worked in the weight room, on the field and on his footwork,” Bachelor said.
• Strengths: “Experience,” Bachelor said. “Everybody is coming back from last year, and they’ve all played a ton of football. We also should be versatile athletically and able to mix and match our players at different positions.”
• Areas to improve: “Consistency, and being able to take the step forward at the same time,” Bachelor said. “And tackling, tackling. tackling. We need to do better on our technique and tackling in space because if you don’t make one-on-one tackles in eight-man, it’s six [a touchdown for the other team].”
• Outlook: “With everybody coming back from last year, we have a bad taste in our mouths,” Bachelor said. “We need to handle our business on the West Side and make a run for the championship. And we have some great matchups, Naselle and in league with Quilcene and Lummi.”
• Schedule: Port Angeles JV, Sept. 3; Naselle at neutral site, Sept. 10; at Lummi, Sept. 16; at Crescent, Oct. 1; at Darrington, Oct. 7; Concrete at Neah Bay, Oct. 14; Quilcene at Neah Bay, Oct. 21; Lummi at Neah Bay, Oct. 28.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at mcarman@ peninsuladailynews.com.
