Bulldogs enter season with new head coach

COLFAX - The Colfax Bulldogs football team will have a new head coach at the helm this season.

Coach David Cofer was previously the coach of the Pullman Greyhounds. He takes over for previous Colfax coach Mike Morgan, who ran the program for 28 years.

"I am very thankful for Coach Mike Morgan and the opportunity to take over this program," Cofer said. "There is a lot of tradition that was built in the past and I am excited to be part of it. This is a great community that supports high school athletics."

Cofer currently has a record of 38-26 in his 18 years experience coaching with seven years as head coach. Assisting him on the field will be Jason Cooper, Phil Morgan, Scott Parrish, Corey Alcantar, Jakin Richerson and Parker Adamson.

Colfax finished last season with a record of 2-8 and the team is looking to build a more competitive program. The team graduated only four seniors last year, and this season will see leadership in several veterans.

Seniors this year include Zach Cooper at wide receiver/defensive back, Darin Repp at wide receiver/linebacker, Dillon Gassenburg at wide receiver/defensive back, Charlie Henning on the offensive and defensive lines, John Largent as a running back/linebacker, Tyler Peterson at wide receiver/defensive back, Cameron Cox and Layne Johnston.

This year, the team has a lot of depth, which is important in 8-man football. Key newcomers and expected contributors include: Ryker Reed (sophomore), Gunner Brown (junior), Ledger Kelly (junior), Joel Burris sophomore), Tyler Hinnenkamp (junior), Tyler Hough (junior), Caleb Lustig (sophomore), Brayden McNeilly (junior), Issac Nelson (junior), Cooper Watt (junior), Grant Optiz (junior) and Aslan Burt (junior).

Cofer said a major team strength is its depth. The Bulldogs have a total roster of 44 players.

"As a team, we are very athletic and with increased numbers, depth could be a strength as the season goes along," Cofer said.

With that depth comes several players in new positions. That could be something the team needs to work on as the season progresses.

"There will be some positions that are new and players in them who lack varsity experience," Cofer said.

The main goal this year for the Bulldogs will be to put up a fight every game. Cofer said his team will try to improve each week and look to make the playoffs.

"Our goal this year is to go out and compete every Friday night and be aggressive on both sides of the ball," Cofer said. "We will be up-tempo and high-energy looking to improve each week to put ourselves in a position to be relevant in November."

The Bulldogs begin their season with an away game on Friday, Sept. 6, at Lake Roosevelt. The first home game will be against Kettle Falls at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, in Colfax.

"Looking at our schedule this year and the guys we have out, there is an opportunity to have success and get some excitement around our program.," Cofer said.