Colton Wildcats will open new season vs WC Wildcats

Colton Wildcats start their season Friday with a long trip to Wilbur for a non-league against the WC Wildcats. The Colton Wildcats roll into the new season after posting a 3-3 in league play last year and a 4-6 overall before the playoffs.

Colton was among three SE contenders that were stopped cold by the NE entrants in the first round. The Wildcats were crunched 52-6 by Cusick, the same team that stopped them a year earlier at Newport.

Coach Vining has a large turnout, 24 players, but some of the experienced players, particularly in their passing game, now gone.

The Wildcats have four seniors back with Josh Straughan at quarterback as a four-year starter, a rare feat for high school football. Straughan pegged 3,669 yards passing and 34 TDs last year as a junior.

Jake Reidner, a three-year starter, returns as a defensive end and guard, and Tim Tilton returns with the same assignments. Matt Becker will be back as a wide receiver and linebacker.

Other seniors with the club are Dustin Devorak, a receiver and linebacker who did not play as a junior, and Bricyn Abdul, a linebacker and end who has moved back to Colton since last season..

Juniors back on the team are Nick Robertson, a safety and running back; Justin Meyer, center and nose guard; Logan Hudson, linebacker and Zach Devorak, receiver and linebacker.

Jake Straughan returns as a sophomore. He now stands at about 6-0 and figures to be a part of the passing game. The Wildcat offense could produce a Straughan-to-Straughan passing combo that will get the attention of scouts as the season advances.

The Wildcats also have Dalton Patchen in the lineup as a 6-5 receiver. Patchen is a sophomore.

Straughan and the Wildcats lost two on their key receivers, Taylor Spence and Stefve Eacker, to graduation. Also departing were Holdan Druffel, a part of the running game and linemen Taylor Jackson, Tim Warner and Travis Hoyle.

Starting his sixth year as head coach, Vining expects Garfield/Palouse and the SJE Eagles will again play a big part in the SE eights race this year. The Eagles and Vikings were the other two teams stopped by the NE clubs in that first playoff round last year.

The Wildcats will also keep an eye on the outcome of the LW-Salmon opener at LaCrosse Friday because Colton is booked to make a trip to Riggins next week to face the Savages in another non-leaguer.

Vining also expects Pomeroy, one of three teams to book a 3-3 in the SE league last year, to make a stronger bid this year.

Seth Paine and Gene Straughan are back as assistants this year with Ben Emerson also joining the coaching lineup.

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