Tigercats face rebuilding

Just how much pressure can one man take?

Picture this: You have won four consecutive state titles with a chance to go down in Washington state football history with the longest winning streak of any team in any classification. Your current winning streak is 48 games.

If that doesn’t create enough pressure, add the fact that you are essentially starting over.

Starting to feel a bit heavy?

Not for Jeff Nelson, head football coach at LaCrosse-Washtucna. Nelson has coached the Tigercats for 17 years. His record in his 12 years as head coach is an impeccable 106-19. But this year, Nelson said, will definitely be more of a challenge.

“It’s definitely a rebuilding year for us,” Nelson said. “We have a good nucleus of athletes, fairly good sized and pretty athletic. But we don’t have the depth or the line.”

Nelson lost many of his key players to what he calls one of the most talented 8-man teams in state history.

Included in last year’s graduates were two-time Southeast B-8 player of the year Jeff Bafus and first team all-league selections Matt Martin, Michael Martin and Kellen Hayes, all critical lineman in Nelson’s “biggest, most athletic offensive front five of any 8-man teams ever.

“The line I had last year was just tremendous. There wasn’t much coaching involved. They had been out there together for three years and they were tremendous.

“It will definitely be challenging. But I welcome the challenge. The guys I have right now any coach would be happy with.”

Part of the rebuilding process will be moving senior Jared Ayers-Stamper from quarterback to tight end. Ayers-Stamper will also play on the defensive line, a role Nelson thinks he will succeed in.

“(Jared) was a great quarterback, no question. But we need him on the line. I like having big guys up front and he will be a great blocker and a big target to throw to,” Nelson said.

The job of quarterback has been handed to young Justin Aune. Nelson is confident the sophomore is up for the challenge.

“We wouldn’t have put him in there if we didn’t think he could get the job done,” he said. “He’s a competitor and we knew that before we even tried him out (as quarterback). We have a lot of confidence in him and what he will do for us.”

Another key player on the offensive line will be senior Hans Guske, who started at safety last year and got some playing time as a running back and linebacker.

On defense, three starters return. Seniors Luke Stanley and Chris Keeney are Nelson’s key contributors. Stanley started on defensive line in many games last season and will start both ways on the line this year. Keeney played outside linebacker and will also start as a tight end this season.

Junior Tyler Startin rounds out the line and will also see playing time as a tight end and running back.

The pressure to rebuild and produce another state championship team doesn’t end with the title. Friday’s season opener at Kootenai (Idaho) means just as much to this team as a state title would – maybe more.

Should the Tigercats win, they will hold the longest winning streak in football in the state in all classifications. They are tied with Toledo High School – a 1A team – at 48 consecutive wins. Toledo set the record from 1974-78.

Nelson said it’s not going to be easy.

“(Kootenai) has some good speed. Anytime in an 8-man game when a team has speed, they can put a lot of points on the board.

“For this team, I know it’s an uphill battle to win a state championship. So (beating Kootenai) would be a little bit of a trademark for them. They haven’t talked too much about it, which is good, but they are ready for it. It’s definitely in the back of their minds.”

Just how easy have they made it seem in the past four years?

Last season the Tigercats outscored opponents 180-44 in three playoff games, averaging 60 points a game and allowing 14.7. They crushed Columbia 56-8 in the state championship game. In their state title runs from 2002-04 they outscored opponents 424-116.

Those are certainly big shoes to fill.

“We have nothing but high expectations,” Nelson said. “The kids know it, and it is going to be more of a battle this season. We won’t be able to just show up and walk over teams.”

Maybe that’s true. Or maybe, pressure and all, these Tigercats will rise to the occasion.