Potlatch Loggers to lean on experienced O-line

In an ever-changing football landscape, the Potlatch Loggers are perfectly content keeping things the same.

While many of the other schools in the area are changing classifications, leagues, coaches or playing styles, the Loggers plan to keep doing things the way they’ve always done them under seventh-year coach Ryan Ball.

When the Loggers kick off their season at 7 p.m. Friday against Timberline in Weippe, expect a physical running style with multiple rushers getting involved and a few big throws from new quarterback Jay Marshall.

“We’re going to be very similar,” Ball said. “I’ve done this a few years and I’ve got 20-some years of varsity (coaching) experience, and I think people who watch my team kind of know what they’re going to get. We’re not going to change. It’s been pretty successful for us and I think these kids can function with what we’ve been successful with these last couple years.”

Led by an experienced offensive line

Potlatch’s biggest strength this season could be its offensive line, led by first-team All-Whitepine League honoree Jacob Keck.

Alongside Keck, a junior, are two-year starter Tanner Garrels, a senior, and junior Avery Smith. All three have extensive starting experience.

“I think that’s going to be the strength of our team,” Ball said. “We’ve got really three good guys up front with Jacob and Avery and Tanner. I think those three kids are as good as any line we’ve got in the league.”

Ball said the veteran O-line should help the process of breaking in their new quarterback.

“Having that line up front will give him time to develop,” he said.

Marshall replaces Jack Clark

Anybody who’s watched a Potlatch football, basketball or baseball game the last few years probably recognizes the name of Jack Clark, the Loggers’ departed quarterback who leaves some big shoes to fill.

But the Loggers are confident that Marshall is up for the challenge.

“I’ve been really pleased with how Jay Marshall has taken over the position,” Ball said. “He really worked hard this summer on his quarterback play and he’s throwing the ball really well right now so far in fall camp, and he’s looking pretty good.”

Marshall will also be helped by having some key returners at the skill positions, including his brother, Waylan Marshall, at wide receiver and senior Ben Johnson at running back.

A tough Whitepine League

A year after finishing with a .500 record, the Loggers broke through to the state play-in round last season, where they fell to 30-16 to the Valley Vikings of Hazelton.

This year, they’ll try to take their season a step further. But it won’t be easy in a tough 2A Whitepine League that now features the Kendrick Tigers, winners of three straight state titles at the 1A DII level (now just 1A).

Add in teams like much-improved Logos and always-tough Kamiah and Prairie and there might not be enough state tournament spots to go around.

“It’s going to be a competitive league, so I feel like every league game is going to be really difficult,” Ball said. “... Everybody in the league is going to have the ability to beat anybody on a given night.”

3 things to watch

• Brotherly love: One of new quarterback Jay Marshall’s targets at wide receiver is his brother, Waylan Marshall.
• Kamiah shut out Potlatch each of the last two seasons by a combined score of 82-0. The Loggers will be looking for revenge — or to at least get on the scoreboard — in their next meeting, Oct. 18 in Potlatch.
• Potlatch’s toughest games — against Kendrick, Prairie, Kamiah and Logos — all come at the end of the season. The Loggers could benefit from a fast start early in the season to build momentum for that late-season stretch.

POTLATCH

COACH — Ryan Ball (seventh year)

LAST YEAR’S RECORD — 6-3 overall, 5-2 in 1A DI Whitepine League.

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Jacob Keck, jr., OG/DL; Avery Smith, jr., C/DL; Tanner Garrels, sr., OG/DL; Jay Marshall, jr., QB/LB; Waylan Marshall, sr., WR/DB; Ben Johnson, sr., RB/DB; Brenton Breeze, jr., OL/DL.

SCHEDULE

8/30 — at Timberline (Weippe), 7 p.m.

9/6 — vs. Deary, 7 p.m.

9/13 — vs. Clearwater Valley, 7 p.m.

9/20 — at Lapwai, 7 p.m.

9/27 — vs. Troy, 7 p.m.

10/4 — at Kendrick, 7 p.m.

10/11 — at Prairie, 7 p.m.

10/18 — vs Kamiah, 7 p.m.

10/25 — at Logos, 7 p.m.

Wiebe may be contacted at (208) 848-2277, swiebe@lmtribune.com or on Twitter @StephanSports.