This is the fifth installment of a team-by-team high school football camp preview of each North Olympic Peninsula team leading up to practices, which begin Wednesday.
SEQUIM — Don’t expect the same Sequim football team in 2014.
“It’s a totally different team, even though it’s the same players,” head coach Erik Wiker said.
The Wolves’ spring and summer practices have been better than the past few years, Wiker said, because varsity-level players were participating.
In previous years, the Wolves’ spring and summer practices were packed with young players who weren’t expected to see much time on Friday nights.
Those young players showed up again this year, more seasoned and ready to contribute.
“It was improved from the last two years, and lots of kids,” Wiker said of the offseason.
“And more kids who are going to play on the varsity team.”
Sequim lost two All-Olympic League players in lineman Alex Serrano and all-around standout Brett Wright, but most of its other players are back, and, Wiker said, “They’re bigger, faster and stronger.”
With all these returners, the biggest battle of camp will be mental.
After years of being a league powerhouse, the Wolves have won two games in the last two seasons, and none in 2013.
“I’d have to say the focus will be us concentrating ourselves on getting better and getting them believing they can win,” Wiker said.
“We have to make sure they realize this is not last year’s team.”
Wiker said that the position battles will be “little ones.”
One position not up for grabs is quarterback.
Last year’s starter, Miguel Moroles, returns for his senior season after leading the Wolves in passing yards and rushing yards as a junior.
“He’s a good leader by example and has been running the system for a number of years,” Wiker said.
Behind Moroles, Wiker said the Wolves have “more running backs than we’ve ever had.”
At wideout, Josiah Anastasi returns and a stable of receivers will fight for snaps alongside him.
“They’re competing for playing time,” Wiker said, “but a handful of them will see the field if they’re working hard.”
And the lines, filled with youth in 2013, will boast experience this season.
This experience and depth on the offense will be a boon to the defense as well.
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Sports Editor Lee Horton can be reached at 360-417-3525 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.
Previous camp previews
Chimacum: http://tinyurl.com/CowboysCamp
Neah Bay: http://tinyurl.com/NeahBayCamp
Forks: http://tinyurl.com/pdnForksCamp
Clallam Bay: http://tinyurl.com/ClallamBayCamp
