Washougal’s strength is solid core

Comparing football and fruit isn’t always apples to apples, but it fits for this year’s Washougal team.

That’s because coach Dave Hajek spent the offseason preaching the importance of being what he calls a “core” player. Success this season is being seeded by a large senior class buying into that philosophy.

“I tell the players the core is the central part of the apple,” said Hajek, who is entering his 20th year coaching the Panthers. “Core players are guys who are leaders. You demonstrate that by attending things in the summer. You don’t have to be the best athlete, but if you’re a core player that tells us the team is important to you.”

Royce Jones and Travis Lundberg have bought into that philosophy and are expected to stand out on the field. They are among seniors who will fill 20 out of 22 positions in the starting lineup after both earned all-league honors last season.

Hajek said their leadership style reminds him of Elijah Franco, who capped his high school career as last year’s 2A Greater St. Helens League Defensive MVP.

“He wasn’t a rah-rah guy but when he spoke, people listened and they followed him,” Hajek said. “You’ll see that with Travis and Royce. If guys aren’t doing something they’re supposed to do, they’ll say something to them. But we haven’t had that problem a lot this year.”

Jones is among a trio of running backs who make that position a strength for the Panthers. Joining him in the backfield are Hunter Miller, a second-team all-league running back last year, and Deondrae Goodell, who started as a sophomore before missing last season with a knee injury.

But Jones’ offseason work in the weight room made his coach notice.

“He’s put weight on,” Hajek said. “He looks like a dude.”

At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, Lundberg is coming off a junior season in which he was a first-team all-league defensive end. He also plays tight end and was a district-champion discus thrower last spring.

“He’s a manchild,” Hajek said. “He’s no-nonsense. I’m here to work and be successful.”

Key players

• Lucas Phillips, sr., OL/DL: At 6-foot-2, 240 pounds, he’s not the heaviest on a line that has two 300-pounders. But the first-team all-leaguer is among the team’s best in the trenches.
• Parker Cherry, sr., WR/DB: A first-team all-league defensive back also caught four touchdown passes last season.
• Hunter Miller, sr., RB/DB: A second-team all-leaguer on offense is part of a deep running back corps.
• Tripp Leifsen, jr., QB: The junior is expected to take over at quarterback after making the leap from junior varsity.

Season outlook

Hajek expects his team to be among the top three in the 2A GSHL thanks to the experience and talent on both sides of the ball.

Last year’s team started 2-3 — scoring just 46 points over that span — before ending the regular season on a four-game win streak. Some of that slow start was due to facing tough opponents, such as two 3A teams and eventual league champ Woodland.

But Hajek said it took last year’s team half the season to learn its identity. He said the gameplan was fitted for the personnel of the prior year, when two-time All-Region quarterback Holden Bea passed for more than 2,500 yards and 28 touchdowns.

“It’s probably my fault, but we didn’t figure out our offensive schemes until after those (early) games,” he said. “This year we are miles ahead of where we were 12 months ago. I’m expecting better results.”

Ten seniors will start on a defense that held opponents to 12 points or fewer in six of 10 games. Hajek touted the work of defensive coordinator Anthony Rodriguez, who he says is on the fast track to becoming a head coach.

Mostly, Hajek has seen his team approach this season with the focus and maturity of a veteran group. What started with high attendance at summer weightlifting sessions has continued into fall practice.

“The one thing that’s underestimated with senior teams is that you’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “This is my last hurrah, so I’ve got to get my act together. That’s how I look at our seniors. This is it. There’s no next year.”

Washougal Panthers

Coach: Dave Hajek (20th year)

2024: 6-4, 5-2, third in 2A GSHL, lost in 2A state preliminary playoff

SCHEDULE

Sept. 4 at Mountain View, 7 p.m.

Sept. 12 at Prairie, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 Woodland, 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 at Mark Morris, 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 Ridgefield, 7 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Hudson’s Bay, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17 R.A. Long, 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 Columbia River, 7 p.m.

Oct. 31 at Hockinson, 7 p.m.