Ephrata Tigers gear up for 2012 season
To instill toughness, a strong work ethic and unselfishness in the program; these are the team goals set forth by Tigers coach Jay Mills for the 2012 season.
The team will need to accomplish all of the above to have a successful season as the program looks to be in a rebuilding mode this year.
The Tigers lost 12 seniors to graduation, including five of their six running backs, and two of their top three receivers from a team that went 2-8 and finished in eighth place in the Central Washington Athletic Conference (CWAC).
It's been five years since Ephrata has made it to the state playoffs, losing to Pullman 36-10 in the first round in 2007.
The team was a perennial 1A powerhouse in the mid-80s and 90s as the Tigers made it to the big stage nine years in a row, winning it all in 1986.
Gone off last year's squad are RBs Fidel Bazan who rushed for 436 yards and three TDs, Micha Ohl, 288 yards and three touchdowns, Dakota Blair, and Jacob Green who averaged 10 yards a carry, leaving only junior Dalton Balentine to carry the load in the Tigers Wing-T offense.
"We are still sorting out our running backs in camp," Mills said. "Some probable (starters) are Tyson Martin, Bryce Unruh, Dalton Balentine, Sergio Magana, Chance Flanigan, Sheldon Kosa, and Dylan Derr."
Missing in action at the receiver position are Christian Nuckolls, who averaged 19.5 yards per catch and Jacob Crowder, who had 69 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Running back Ohl, who accounted for 199 yards and two touchdowns, is gone as well.
That leaves only one proven veteran receiver in Jonnie Green who had caught 19 passes for 502 yards (26.4 yard average per catch) and five TDs.
"Robert Lund and Preston Sandberg will join Jonnie at the receiver position," Mills said. "I think we'll be improved at each offensive position this year."
Mills will also have to replace some key defensive players on the roster.
"We graduated three of four starters in the secondary, so we have big holes to fill there," he said. "Cornerback Jonnie Green is the only returning starter from that group. Chance Flanigan is working at corner and has good speed. We are working on developing depth at safety too ... Tyson Martin and Tyler Clark are playing there now."
Ephrata will need to figure out a way to shore up its 4-3 defense if the Tigers expect to contend with the likes of Prosser and Othello.
Last season the Tigers gave up 240 rushing yards, 102 passing yards and 30.8 points per game.
All is not lost for the Tigers in 2012 as the team does have 15 returning lettermen; four defensive and three offensive starters including junior quarterback Tyler Clark who orchestrated the Wing-T offense, accounting for 925 passing yards and nine TDs, and 72 rushing yards and two scores.
"Experience always helps at the varsity level," Mills said. "Tyler has progressed well this summer and in fall camp. The key to his success this season will be consistent performance."
Ephrata opened its season with a 22-21 come from behind nonleague road win to long-time rival Quincy Aug. 31 who moved down a classification and is now a member of the 1A Caribou Trail League.