New look Mules start season on the road

With 27 players on the roster, the Wahkiakum Mule football team is ready to start the 2019 season. The Mules will leave school Thursday to travel across the state to take on the Colfax Bulldogs in a non-league game on Friday.

They feature just two seniors with playing experience and a bunch of juniors and sophomores who are coming of age, and a couple freshmen who, says Coach Eric Hansen, "might surprise some people."

Junior quarterback Kaden Anderson will lead the offense; he missed most of last season because of injury. Experienced running backs include Chance Cothren and Braxton Johns, both juniors. Senior tight end KC Berry will anchor the line.

With the exception of Berry, "We're new all the way across the front," Coach Hansen said Tuesday. "Everywhere."

The Central League is as tough as ever, with past state champions Toledo and Kalama in the River Division with the Mules. Winlock has some good players and should be a challenge this year, Hansen said.

The league's Mountain Division may be tougher, with Adna, Onalaska and Napavine all highly ranked; those are the teams who the Mules face following Colfax.

"As long as we can block and tackle, that's the key part," Hansen said. "They've been a great group to coach: They don't complain; they're trying to learn; they're working hard; they've been fun to coach. They've really given us their best effort."