Hungry for more

MOSES LAKE — After the winningest season in program history, the Moses Lake Mavericks (11-1) are looking to hit the gridiron with a chip on their shoulder this season. Under new Head Coach Kyler Haneberg, this year’s group is full of guys who are ready for their turn. 

“You can't deny how special they were (last year),” Haneberg said. “They've been waiting their turn behind this group that just graduated, and now they finally get their chance, and so they're pretty hungry to get started and get on the field.”  

Before taking over as head coach in the offseason, Haneberg was the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach under former head coach Brett Jay.  

“Of course, I got to give all my thanks to Coach Jay,” Haneberg said in previous interview. “I definitely wouldn't be here without his mentorship and him taking me under his arms. Everything I know comes from him.”  

Since his takeover, Haneberg has worked closely with his players through summer workouts, Lake Lifts and even without coaches players were putting in the work, he said. In that time, he has observed his players develop a hunger to make some noise this season.  

“They're always at the field with coaches. Without coaches, they're always getting work done,” he said. “They're constantly working out. They're constantly throwing the ball. Constantly just doing football drills, and they've been consistent in the weight room all year. We've had tremendous growth in our weight room and in all of our maxes, and so it's been great to see them have that buy-in.” 

Senior and team captain Reese Porter spoke to the growth he has witnessed from his teammates in the weight room this offseason.  

“Our numbers have just been increasing. I think we're at 10 300-pound benchers this year, which is two more than last year,” Porter said. 

He also feels there’s a chip on the shoulder of the 2026 Mavs. 

“I definitely feel that. I don't want to say anger, but definitely like greed towards wanting to be better and just wanting to fulfill what we had last year, and just keep on keeping on,” he said.  

As he looks ahead to this year’s slate, Haneberg anticipates this team to be challenged early on. On Sep 4 they open their season at home against the Richland Bombers in a non-league matchup before hitting the road in week two to face Couer D Alene. From there, they dive headfirst into Big 9 Conference play which he isn’t overlooking this year.  

“I think the Big Nine is going to be up this year,” Haneberg said. “I think a lot of those teams are a lot better, and I think the league overall is getting better, especially with some of the other coaches that we've added to the conference.” 

The Mavs will put out five starting offensive linemen who are seniors this season, Porter being one of them. As he approaches this season, he expects to take on a leadership role with the team in his final season as a Maverick – a fact that he is still processing.  

“It's weird being the old guy now,” Porter said. “I've always had somebody to look over my shoulder and like coach me through things, but now I'm that guy, and I kind of have to take that with a grain of salt and keep myself cool in times of struggle and pain.” 

The Mavericks will also have to replace historic production at quarterback after Brady Jay graduated. While the position was still up for grabs at the time of publication, Haneberg felt confident they were close to finding their guy for this season.  

While they await to make a big decision, the weapons on offense like Case Anderson and Taggart Rathbun will be there to make the transition smoother, Haneberg said.  

“We had some crazy depth, and so these guys are stepping up really well,” the coach said. “We're returning two starting receivers (Anderson and Rathbun), and so we have that. We have two receiver spots that are open, and we've had a couple of guys fill in those roles that have been interchangeable with one or two guys. We feel comfortable and confident in the guys that we have that they'll go out there and make plays.” 

On defense, Haneberg has identified the secondary as the make-or-break group for success on that side of the ball.  

“Our front seven are absolutely ruthless,” he said. “Our three guys up front will destroy quarterbacks, and our linebackers will get through. They're both 100 plus tackle linebackers, and so they know their job in the run game; we feel extremely confident in that. It’s (the secondary) who are going to step up this year and really provide that difference where we kind of lacked last year.”  

Though many questions are set to be answered in week one, Haneberg and the Mavericks feel like they have those answers in the locker room and look to show it at home against the Bombers.  

“I'm excited to play at home week one against a really good team. Couldn't ask for a better place, especially when you get that first win,” Haneberg said.  

    The Mavs’ Payton Phillips (left) helps double team pass rusher Jackson Smith (86) during a drill at practice.
  

    Landon Seitz signals to his teammate ahead of a passing drill at the Moses Lake Mavericks practice.
  

    The Mavericks’ TJ Jones (0) drops into coverage as he works through a defensive drill.
  

    Kyle Haneberg (Lake Lifts shirt) talks with a coach while the team runs drills at practice.