Eagles aim to move up with six seniors on squad

St. John/Endicott football season will start Saturday night with a non-leaguer against Highland Christian Prep from the Northwest 1B league. Coach Bob Clements and the Eagles have booked the starting time at 6 p.m. to allow the HC club more travel time from the northwest corner of the state.

The Eagles have six senior veterans back this year to start the season. They are veterans from a young team which took their lumps last year.

“We’ve got the experience from last year, and we expect it will make a difference,” said Clements.

Back for more are QB Dylan Schmick running back Trevor Johnson, end Steven Bowmen and linemen J.C. West and Miguel Rice. Coach Clements also has Jesse Nichols, the Eagles state wrestler, out for the first time this year as a senior. Nichols will also be a running back.

The Eagles have five juniors back on the team with Ben Harrison and Kyle and Evan Raynor. Harrison is a running back and defensive back, and Kyle Raynor worked shifts as the Eagle QB last year. The Eagles also have Dakota Hallenius back in the line as a junior. Lee Parrill, who has moved back to St. John from Oregon, is another junior lineman.

SJE sophomores are Dallas Schluneger, Cole McCanna and Mason Howell. McCanna is another running back and defensive end. Schluneger is a QB and Howell is a receiver.

The Eagles have just three freshmen, Thomas Newton, Sam Raynor and Lane Glorfield.

Coach Clements, who is moving into the head job for football to replace Joey McCanna, said their aim for the first two games will be to get on track to start the league season.

After Saturday’s game with Highland Christian, the Eagles will travel to Harrison, Idaho, to play Kootenai.

They have no game scheduled for the third week and will travel to Colton to play the Wildcats in the league opener.