Southeast 1B: Touchet the powerhouse again

It’s hard to see anyone knocking off Touchet in Southeast 1B, according Garfield-Palouse coach Willy Woltering.

“They have a good program,” Woltering said. “They always have 20 to 30 kids. I think every kid in that high school plays football.”

The Indians fell in the State 1B title game last season to Liberty Christian, 58-50, and should be in the mix again this season. Touchet is ranked fourth in the Associated Press 1B preseason poll.

Garfield-Palouse

Gal-Pal returns junior quarterback Evan Weagraff, senior tailback Cameron Springstead and senior all-league lineman Mason Bates, and should contend with Touchet.

The Vikings will rely heavily on their run game with Weagraff and Springstead, although Woltering says he is forced to do so due to a lack of experience at receiver.

Colton

Colton returns seven starters – with only three seniors –from a 6-4 team that finished third in the league last season. Senior wide-outs Brady Chadwick and Grant Kinzer – who teamed to catch 73 passes for 1,528 yards and 26 touchdowns last season — will be viable options in the passing game. But replacing all-league quarterback Carter Dahmen, who threw for 3,993 years and 52 touchdowns last year, will be difficult for the Wildcats.

Pomeroy

Pomeroy boasts up-and-coming sophomore quarterback Jace Gwinn, who will lead the Pirates this season.

“He’s going to be pretty good,” Colton head coach Clark Vining said.