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closeThere’s a quiet optimism surrounding Nooksack Valley’s football program this season. The kind that might signal a turnaround is on the horizon.
The Pioneers’ potential success will start with their offensive and defensive linemen. It’s an experienced bunch and it is expected to be the strength of this Nooksack Valley team. Five of the Pioneers six linemen are back on offense if you count the tight end, and the entire starting defensive front returns.
“As a unit we’re excited to see what this group can do,” Nooksack Valley coach Robb Myhre said. “They get along really well together, they work hard and it’s just kind of that line that you want.”
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Sept. 5, at Mount Baker, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12, at Sedro-Woolley, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19, Concrete, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27, Friday Harbor, 2 p.m.
Oct. 3, at Lynden Chrisitan, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10, Meridian, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18, at Friday Harbor*, 2 p.m.
Oct. 24, Lynden Christian*, 7 p.m.
Oct. 30, at Meridian*, 7 p.m.
*Northwest District 1A game
Something else the Pioneers are excited about are the changes they have made to the offense for this season. Nooksack Valley fans can expect to see more of a shotgun look from the Pioneers, but a continued emphasis on the run.
“We’ll still be primarily a running team to take advantage of our line,” Myhre said. “But we’re experimenting a little bit.”
Quarterbacks Wade Rediger and Tyler Perry will be expected to make those new wrinkles work along with running backs Nick deGrasse and Trever Arnason. The new look should help the Pioneers improve on the 13 points per game they scored last season.
“This will be Nick’s time to shine,” Myhre said. “If he keeps working as hard as he has this fall he could have a good year.”
Nooksack Valley has made strides on defense as well. Four-year starter Arnason, along with Dante Aure and Drew Oliver will help anchor the unit. Junior Jessie Salmonson also looks improved.
“It should be a good league this season,” Myhre said. “I’m expecting some great games.”
Three Players to Watch
Trever Arnason, Sr., RB/LB
Arnason has steadily improved each season and could be poised for a big year. He’s a bruiser who finished with 381 yards last season and three touchdowns.
Wade Rediger, Sr., QB/S
Rediger played in just six games last season, but during that span he showed flashes of good things to come. He still has things to work on — improving his completion percentage and throwing fewer interceptions — but he has the tools.
Nick deGrasse, Jr., RB/LB
As a sophomore last season deGrasse was one of the best athletes on the team, but finding the right spot for him to showcase that talent was a challenge at times. This could be a good year for him.
Big Game
At Friday Harbor
Saturday, Oct. 18, 2 p.m.
Winning on the road was a challenge for the Pioneers last season and this one will be important for the postseason.
Three keys
1. Play to their strengths
The Pioneers return nearly every starting offensive and defensive linemen from last season. Controlling the line of scrimmage will be important. 2. Forget about last season
It’s easy to get trapped in the habit of losing and after closing last season with eight straight losses, that’s something the Pioneers will have to snap out of. 3. Win the first half
The Pioneers were outscored 169 to 57 in the first half last season. It’s hard to win games when you’re playing catch up all of the time.
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