QUILCENE — The Quilcene football squad lost four seniors and starters off last year’s team that steamrolled through the postseason and made it all the way to the Class 1B state championship game.
But don’t expect a big dropoff for the Rangers, who return a lot of firepower and young players looking to take the place of starting quarterback Nathan Kieffer, all-around star player Kevin Alejo, Ashton Johnston and SeaTac MVP Bishop Budnek, a stalwart at running back and linebacker.
“These kids were super unselfish and did what was best for the team,” said coach Trey Beathard.
Quilcene had arguably its best season ever in 2021, winning the 1B SeaTac title, then winning three state playoff games before finally falling 50-20 to powerhouse Almira-Coulee-Hartline in the championship game.
Beathard expects seniors Deakon Budnek and James Miller to be the team’s leaders and take up much of the slack from the graduating seniors.
Both players finished second in their weight classes in a recent state power-lifting competition. And at summer football camp, they were the second- and third-fastest players at the camp.
“I expect them both to be good,” he said. “They’re two-year captains. No one works or practices as hard as James and Deakon. They are leaders by example.”
Budnek will play at offensive line/tight end and linebacker while Miller will be an offensive lineman, running back and defensive lineman.
Beathard said he wouldn’t be surprised if Quilcene starts a little slowly this season, but expects the team to come on strong later.
“I think we’re going to have a pretty good regular season. It might take us a while,” he said.
A pair of players will get snaps at quarterback — freshman Jayden Love and Dominic Smith. Beathard also expects the speedy Love to play some at running back. Smith will also play defensive end and should rack up a ton of sacks much like he did last season when he led the state in sacks.
Beathard also likes 6-foot-2½, 260-pound noseguard and center Taylor Boling. He also expects sophomore Maxx Budnek to “take a big step up this year” at guard and defensive end, and expects sophomore Mason Iverson to make big strides this year.
Quilcene has an especially tough schedule this year. The Rangers are no longer playing SeaTac teams, so they face powerhouses Naselle and Lummi and an up-and-coming Neah Bay team. Mossyrock (Sept. 10) is also expected to be good this year, Beathard said, while Crescent usually gives Quilcene a hard game.
“We have as hard of a schedule as possible,” Beathard said.
Quilcene Rangers
Coach: Trey Beathard (seventh year, 49-9 overall)
Last year’s record: 10-2, second in state. Won fifth consecutive SeaTac League title, advanced to Class 1B State Championship game.
Key returners: Deakon Budnek (OL/DL, Sr.); Maxx Budnek (OL/DL, Soph.); Jayden Love (QB/DB, Fr.); James Miller (OL/DL, Sr.); Dominic Smith (TE/DE, Jr.);
Strengths: Experienced and big lines should help Quilcene control the line of scrimmage.
Areas to improve: Rangers must replace All-SeaTac League MVP Bishop Budnek, Kevin Alejo and a host of other skill position players.
Outlook: Quilcene is highly touted, some preseason predictions have the Rangers as high as No. 2 in Class 1B. Playing against tougher competition in the Northwest 1B Football League in the regular season should sharpen Quilcene for a playoff run.
Schedule: at Naselle, Sept. 2; Mossyrock, Sept. 10; Crescent, Sept. 17; at Concrete, Sept. 30; Lummi, Oct. 8; Darrington, Oct. 15; at Neah Bay, Oct. 21; at Crescent, Oct. 29.
