One man was the face of the Inglemoor High School football team for 34 years. Frank Naish led the Vikings to the 1993 state title and also served as the schools athletic director for 18 years. But Naish retired last spring and the Vikings have a new man who will roam the sidelines in 2013 – DJ Baddeley.
“I am excited for the opportunity to continue to build and develop the program,” said Baddeley. “We are excited about the future and are committed to a program focused on competition, character and outstanding effort in all phases.”
But the new head coach is not new to Inglemoor. He is the school’s track and field coach, has taught history at the school for 17 years and was an assistant to Naish for 10 years before becoming the offensive coordinator at Woodinville High School.
“It has been a very smooth process,” said Inglemoor High School senior wide receiver John Gardner. “His way of coaching is a lot more modern of a process. Last year didn’t go so well, so I think the change was good.”
Inglemoor finished the season with a 3-6 record, including a loss to arch rival Bothell during the Spaghetti Bowl. But the players are more upbeat about this year’s prospects. Very few things will remain the same on the field as all of the offensive and defensive schemes that the team runs have been changed.
But with all the changes, one thing will stay the same – the talent on the field.
Gardner’s younger brother Jackson is one of the top athletes in the state, playing tight end and linebacker last season. He began the season with four sacks during the first four games of the year before being moved to defensive line.
Another playmaker is junior Isaiah Lewis at defensive back and running back.
The Vikings will also have a distinct size advantage with three linemen over 6-foot-3 and 285 pounds in the roster.
“We have a lot of good athletes,” said John Gardner. “You don’t see just one athlete that is going to carry the team because we play as a team.”
Gardner said one of the defense’s strengths will be its secondary.
“Our guys just fly to the ball and swarm the ball carrier,” the senior said. “I think we will have a lot of turnovers this year.”
Baddeley said that a big strength of the team are the players’ great attitudes and work ethic.
“The team had a great spring practice and team camp and continued with a great summer of strength and conditioning training,” said Baddeley. “The first preseason has been great. The players have bought-in and are working hard on the field and coming together as a team.”
The Vikings will have to play as a team as they face some tough competition this year.
“We have a very strong schedule with six of our eight opponents being playoff opponents,” said Baddeley.
The team starts the season by traveling to Kirkland to play Juanita. Baddeley will face his old team on Sept. 27 as the Vikings play Woodinville at Pop Keeney as the visitor. The team will finish its in-league play with the Spaghetti Bowl against Bothell on Oct. 18.
Vikings’ football schedule
Sept. 6 Juanita at home 7 p.m.
Sept. 13 at Meadowdale 5 p.m.
Sept. 20 Tumwater at home 7 p.m.
Sept. 27 at Woodinville (Pop Keeney) 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 Eastlake at home 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 at Redmond 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 Bothell at home 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 at Arlington 7 p.m.
Home games are played at Bothell’s Pop Keeney Stadium.
