The Inglemoor High School football team won just one game last season against nine losses. However, head coach DJ Baddeley said that the team could have easily finished at .500.
“There were four more games that we could have won last year,” Baddeley said. “I was kind of frustrated last year because we had some talented guys. But we just have to execute in critical situations.”
Early losses last year snowballed for the team and the coach is hoping to get off to a fast start in 2015.
“It all starts at practice,” Baddeley said. “But if you can get a few games you can gain some momentum.”
Momentum might be a key word for the Vikings this season. The coach said that his offensive and defensive lines have improved and will be a strength of the team. Good lines can push an offense or defense forward – literally.
“We have a core group of guys there who have a chance to really help us,” Baddeley said.
Those players are junior lineman Mario Tupou, junior offensive lineman Max Larson and senior lineman Tim Starostka.
“Those guys are three leaders on our team,” Baddeley said. “They have led by example and that is what we look for. We have talked with all the players that they don’t need to wait until their senior year to be a leader.”
The coach said that Tupou had “a great off-season.”
Junior lineman Pete Satele will also be a force for Inglemoor and he comes with varsity starting experience from last season.
“These guys continue to work hard every day and compete,” Baddeley said.
The offensive line will be looked to to open holes in opposing defenses for junior running back Jalen Woodley, who earned an All-KingCo honorable mention last year.
“The guys on top need to have more heart – it definitely needed to change,” Woodley said. “You have to show that you care. You can’t doubt yourself. I have learned how to be a better teammate and show respect.”
As a result Woodley said that he thinks he is more teachable and coachable than last year.
But he also acknowledges how tough the 4A KingCo league is but he will not give in to it.
“It is not how you played last year it is about how you play now,” the junior said.
The Vikings will play in the annual Spaghetti Bowl against arch rival Bothell High School during week nine on Oct. 30. Bothell won the state title last year and Inglemoor will look to get back into the win column against the Cougars.
Senior running back Arvin Malkandi will give the Vikings a one-two punch that could wear out defenses.
The Vikings have two players battling for playing time at quarterback – Dalton Sullivan and Brayden Mills.
“They are working hard and doing a good job,” Baddeley said. “I expect us to be improved at the position.”
But the team’s wide receivers will need to gain experience in a hurry.
“We are pretty young at receiver but we have some play makers,” the coach said.
One of those receivers is junior Tym Merchel, junior Chen Ugegkowli and sophomore Gio Caggiano-Wilmot.
The Vikings will face a big challenge tonight in the opening game of the season as they travel to Juanita to face the Rebels. Juanita qualified for the 3A state playoffs but was derailed during the first round.
“We just have to continue to work hard every day and compete every day,” Baddeley said.
