PREVIEW: 2023 Gridiron Guide
A group of Ephrata defenders tackle a Quincy running back during a jamboree on Friday in Quincy. The Jacks and Tigers match up on the field on Sept. 8 in Ephrata.
IAN BIVONA/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
COLUMBIA BASIN — Eleven local football teams hit the field to begin the 2023 season later this week, and the Columbia Basin Herald has season previews for each school in Thursday’s Gridiron Guide. See below for a brief look at how each team is looking with the season on the horizon, with full previews in the Thursday edition of the Columbia Basin Herald.
Up in Coulee City, the Almire/Coulee-Hartline Warriors bring a more experienced roster of 31 players into the 2023 season, aiming to push further into the 1B State Football Tournament just two years removed from winning a title.
Ephrata’s late-season surge helped the Tigers qualify for the 2A state playoffs for the first time since 2007, but a large graduating class has left behind many roles to be filled.
Lind-Ritzville/Sprague finished the regular season with a 7-1 record last year, but a tie-breaker atop the Northeast 2B standings set up a challenging contest against Okanogan in the Week 10 Crossover. With a strong ground game returning, the Broncos are looking to get back to state.
Moses Lake lost its grip on the Columbia Basin Big-Nine title on a Hail Mary against Eastmont last season, and the Mavs have preached about finishing down the stretch in 2023. With a strong group of upperclassmen — about 20 seniors and 30 juniors — the Mavs look to win a CBBN title for the second time in three seasons.
There will be a new football team hitting the field this season, as the Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions will be joining the Central Washington B league.
Othello made a run to the 2A state quarterfinals a year ago, guided by the 22 seniors who graduated in June. Now, the Huskies look to fill those positions with young talent.
Quincy won four games last season after going winless in the two years prior. Second-year head coach Russ Elliott hopes the Jacks can build into a contender in the Caribou Trail League.
The Royal Knights raised the 1A state championship trophy for the third-straight season in 2022, and are vying for their fourth-straight this upcoming season. Behind an experienced offensive line, the Knights will be led by new starting quarterback Lance Allred, who played receiver for the team last year.
The buy-in has been strong from Soap Lake players throughout the off-season, spending time in the weight room and working out for the 2023 season. After young players got valuable experience a year ago, the Eagles are looking to compete for a league title this fall.
The Warriors fell just shy of reaching a Week 10 Crossover with a chance to go to state on the line, and Wahluke is approaching the 2023 season with the goal of building off that. Quarterback Andrew Yorgesen returns under center for the Warriors, one of Wahluke’s many seniors who hope to leave an impact on the program.
The Warden Cougars will be led by new head coach Dallyn McLean this fall, a former rugby player who was raised in South Africa. McLean brings in coaching experience from Rigby High School in Idaho and Moses Lake and has rejuvenated the Cougar football program with strong interest throughout the off-season.
The 2023 Gridiron Guide hits newsstands Thursday and is also available online at www.columbiabasinherald.com.
Editor’s Note: Tuesday’s edition erroneously said the guide would be in today’s edition. We appologize for any inconvenience.