GSHL 4A

Heritage, which has about 160 players in fall practice, is planning to open the season playing two-platoon football. During the fall, the Timberwolves’ offense and defense has practiced separately except for intrasquad drills at the end of the practice.

Heritage, ranked eighth in the Seattle Times Class 4A Preseason Poll, returned nine offensive starters including five of six skill players. At the top of the list is senior quarterback Garrett Grayson, ranked 40th among the Northwest Hot 50 by Scout.com. Grayson has received interest from Alabama, Boise State, Colorado, Nebraska, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington.

Grayson is perhaps the school’s fastest sprinter, and he might line up at wide receiver when junior Andrew Bemis or sophomore Jake Dahlberg run the offense. Juniors Doug Van Aalst and Cody Yahn are all-league receivers, and senior C.J. Hatchett joins the offense after transferring from Evergreen. The Heritage defense is anchored by linebackers Dalton Malik, Loren Bonneville and Joe Rhea, lineman Dean Rogers, cornerback Mike McDonald, and Portland-area transfer Desmond Levia.

Skyview, which earned the district’s top seed before losing to Rogers in the first round of the state bracket, has about 140 players out for fall practice including seven offensive and seven defensive starters from a year ago.

Senior quarterback Austin Dodge, who is ranked on Scout.com, returns to run the spread option offense which also includes running backs Mike Spears, Adam Brown and Kevin Boyd. The Storm is lacking in experience on their offensive and defensive lines.

Mountain View has 32 players with varsity experience, including eight offensive and seven defensive starters. Senior defensive end Zach Chapman is ranked among the top Northwest players on Scout.com, and is being recruited by Tennessee, Eastern Washington and Washington.

The Thunder also returns senior all-leaguers Kyler Spears (defensive line), Andrew White (defensive back) and Tyler Burton (running back).

Battle Ground has a battle at quarterback between senior Scott Henderson and junior Chris Paul. Whichever players wins the starting job will be surrounded by a bevy of talented players including running backs Jordan Malvo, John Simon, Komivi Akengue, and receiver Jordan Monfort.

Evergreen begins the season with new coach Charles Anthony, who formerly coached at Cheyenne High in North Las Vegas. The Plainsmen defense will be run by sophomore quarterback Andy Beamis, who is ranked among the top prospects for the Class of 2012 by Scout.com

GSHL 3A

In two seasons of existence, Union has become a legitimate state title contender. After rolling through an undefeated regular season that included winning league and district titles, the Titans knocked off Timberline, Ferndale and Lakes before falling to Bellevue 35-6 in the state title game.

Union comes into the season ranked second behind Bellevue in the Seattle Times Preseason Poll, and boasts three of the top senior players in the Northwest according to Scout.com. Receiver Mitch Saylor is ranked 37th among the Northwest Hot 50 on the Scout Web site, and is tabbed the 89th-best prospect in the nation. He has received recruiting interest from Boise State, Colorado, Oregon State, Oregon, Stanford, Washington and Washington State.

Middle linebacker Taylor Nelson is being recruited by a number of schools including Brigham Young University, Oregon State, Washington and Washington State, and kicker Jed Barnett has received interest from Colorado, Nebraska, Oregon, Stanford, Texas and UCLA.

Senior all-leaguer Brandon Weller is back for his senior season at quarterback, and is joined by senior all-league running back Blake Russell, and linemen Tyler Knotts, Travis Kronstad and Devin Myers. The Titans’ defense will be led by all-league senior linebacker Zach Strausbaugh and defensive back Matt Merlino.

Camas, which was listed as “On The Radar” in the Seattle Times Preseason Poll, has more than 150 players in fall workouts. The Papermakers’ offense averaged 40 points per game last season, but the defense suffered as Camas finished with a 6-4 record.

Junior quarterback Logan Grindy returns to lead the offense, which includes receiver Jeremy Faulkner and linemen Blake Casebeer and Sydney Vailea.

Columbia River, which also lost in the regional playoffs, has about 125 players in practice. The Chieftains offense is led by quarterback Neil Daly, running backs Marcus Rodrigues and Jordan Currie, and receiver Wyatt Brinkman.

River’s defense is anchored by linemen Mark Joyner, Cody Gilder, Brandon Freeman, and linebacker Terence Joshua.

Fort Vancouver’s double-wing offense will feature running back Isaiah Thompson, who is projected to be the first Trapper back to rush for 1,000 yards in several years. Fort also welcomed back Tevin Wesley, who left Vancouver during the summer to live in Mississippi.

The Trappers return 10 offensive and nine defensive starters, including all-league defensive back Thiesen Chang, offensive lineman Erik Inoles, and linebackers John Chen and Marcus Bush. Michael Dunlap, a transfer from Portland’s David Douglas High, runs a 4.8-second 40-yard dash and will challenge for time at running back and linebacker.

A pair of underclassmen — sophomore Colin Seitz and freshman Coleman Weisenborn — are battling to become the starting quarterback. The Falcons return six offensive and five defensive starters, including Scout.com senior standout Hayden Lucia at linebacker.

Hudson’s Bay returns all-league tight end Jeremy Hickman and defensive back Danny Christensen.

GSHL 2A

Hockinson rolled through the GSHL 2A last season to an undefeated record, only to lose to Black Hills in a district playoff game. The Hawks, who had a successful camp at Linfield College, have a school-record 65 players including 14 seniors. Hockinson’s offense will be led by a number of talented running backs including seniors Aaron Hanson, Taylor Wolf, Matt Williams, Jacob Berry and juniors P.J. Owenby and Hayden Kytola. The defense will be anchored by linemen Wes Burleson, Alex Keller and Justin Gillespie.

The youthful Washougal Panthers, who have about 70 players in the program, will be led by senior linemen Ivo Arreola, Eric Hines and linebacker Ben O’Hara.

Ridgefield, which hopes to take the next step and become a playoff contender under first-year coach Kitt Rawlings, returns defensive linemen Mike Oman, James Oman and Clay Barton, along with punter Matt Newman and receiver Jake Jones.

Evergreen 2A

Centralia, which lost to Archbishop Murphy in the state quarterfinals, returns all-league running backs Zack Baldwin and Dominick Courcy, offensive lineman Kole Braaten and defensive back Easton Mastellar.

Tumwater, which fell to Pullman in the first round of the state playoffs, has reloaded with a number of younger players to complement several all-league returners including offensive linemen Nick Skinner, Randy Schroedel and Michael Smith, linebacker Jordan Weiks and receiver Kyle Warner.

Black Hills, which fell to Archbishop Murphy in the first round of the state playoffs, will run its offense around all-state running back Cody Peterson, the Evergreen League MVP. The Wolves also return all-state offensive lineman Ben Westrum, and all-league running back Taylor Charette, linemen Kyle Davidson and James Tran, and linebacker Evan Jackson.

All-state linebacker Jake Steelhammer, who also earned the league’s Defensive MVP award last season, returns to anchor the W.F. West defense. Also back for the Bearcats are all-league linebackers Tyler McCarty, Ben Bellmont and Brennan Casteel, defensive back Eric Forgione and kicker Ian Ward.

Aberdeen’s offensive line will be paced by junior Deshea Taylor, who is recognized by Scout.com as one of the top tackles in the Northwest for the Class of 2011. Also back for the Bobcats are all-league defensive back Tanner Sturm and quarterback Mike King.

Hoquiam returns several key skill position players, including senior quarterback Max Dickinson (1,300 passing yards, 16 touchdowns), running back Kolby Holmes and receiver Jerid Ronquillo. The Grizzlies’ defense will be led by linebackers Jordan Harrington and Nick Barry.

At River Ridge, a battle is shaping up at quarterback between senior Kyle Lamm and junior Adam Walker. All-league linebacker Ken McDougall is back for his senior season, and the lines will be led by junior Matthew Floyd and senior Jacob Martinsen.

First-team all-league running back Zach Tournquist is back for his senior season as the leader of the Elma offense.

SWW 1A Trico

La Center, which lost to Forks 27-3 in last season’s league playoffs, will dump its single-wing running game in favor of the double-wing to simplify its offense. The Wildcats bring back all-league linemen Zach McLaughlin and John Bechtold, and tight end/linebackers Dakota Davison Brody Hollingshead and Seth Baxter.

Stevenson returns 14 starters including a bevy of all-league players as the Bulldogs are poised to challenge for a postseason berth. The Bulldogs’ shotgun-style offense will be led by junior quarterback Zach Castro, who will throw to receivers Andrew Olsen, Kyle Russell, Nate Sharp and Matt Rathgeber, and running back Brody Pestana. The ‘Dogs line will include Dillon Ohnemus, Josh Andersen, Wade Huett and Christian Morris, and the defense includes eight strong linebackers.

White Salmon returns all-league standout running back Jensen Ladiges, tight end Dylan Robinowitz, defensive lineman Christien Contreras, defensive back Conner Warner and kicker Felix Torres.

SWW 1A Evergreen

Montesano, which beat Castle Rock for the district title before falling to Cascade Christian in the state semifinals, hopes to take the next step and play in this year’s Gridiron Classic.

All-state linebackers Kale Trimble and Ryan Campbell return for their senior seasons to lead the Bulldogs’ defense that includes seniors Parker Waber at linebacker and defensive back Tyler Fry. Josh Tyler and Sean McNealley are battling at quarterback, Trimble and Ty Ridout are among the receivers, and Campbell and Fry are the running backs.

Forks, which lost to Nooksack Valley in the first round of the state playoffs, return all-league lineman Tanner House, linebacker Colby Gagnon, receiver Fernando Hernandez, tight end Ken Hurn and defensive back Jacob Anderson.

A pair of all-leaguers — lineman Tyson Balzer and linebacker Chris Hirst — are pacing the defense of the Rainier, Wash. Mountaineers. Senior running back Kevin Volesky brings leadership to the offense, with seniors James Taylor and Bradley Seversille anchoring the offensive and defensive lines.

Speedy all-league running back Tyler McLemore returns for his junior year at Rochester, and is joined in the Warriors’ offensive backfield by Russ Aarts and receiver Cody Watt. Mike Gillette is a solid lineman, and Aarts also fills in at linebacker.

Onalaska has a pair of capable quarterbacks with senior Josh Urich and junior Dalton Richey. Kolby Steele is one of the Loggers’ top running backs, and Urich is also a good receiver. Steele is also a solid defensive lineman, and Richey plays in the defensive backfield.

All-league punter/linebacker Josh Moss is back for his junior season at Tenino, and is joined by all-league lineman Tim Neer, tight end Ryan Schlesser, linebacker Ansel Abbett and defensive back Ruke Chea.

Central 2B

Defending state 2B champion Napavine looks poised to defend its title. The Tigers beat three familiar foes in the state playoffs, Toutle Lake, Adna and Naselle, before knocking off Asotin 28-24 in the finals.

Marty Cozart returns for his senior season at quarterback, and will either hand-off to senior back Micah Brown or pass to senior receiver Matt Waltenberg. All-state pick Damon Garnas anchors the offensive and defensive lines which include junior Reese Stanley, and Waltenberg patrols the defensive backfield.

Adna, which knocked off Concrete 56-27 in the first round of the state playoffs before falling to Napavine 41-34 in the quarterfinals, returns all-state punter/quarterback Kyle Grosshans and all-state receiver Anthony Tatum.

Grosshans is ranked one of the top quarterbacks in the state for the Class of 2010 by Scout.com.

White Pass and Morton have combined forces to make one team after each school has suffered from declining enrollment in recent years. Morton, which had 135 students three years ago has declined to 72, while White Pass has dipped from 159 to 100.

The White Pass/Morton offense will be led by seniors Trevor Blackburn (receiver) and Kyle Payne (running back), the lines will be paced by Devin Sume and Michael Zacher, and Blackburn and Payne will patrol the secondary.

Running backs Richard Schultz and Richard Lacasse will lead the Vancouver Christian offense. Daniel Reinhardt, Patrick McKee and Aaron Eastman return to guide the Light offensive and defensive lines, with Lacasse and Reinhardt playing linebacker.

Mossyrock and Pe Ell, each finishing last season with identical 6-4 records, round out the league.

Pacific 2B

Willapa Valley of Menlo rolled to victory in its first 11 games before falling to league rival Naselle in the quarterfinal round of the Class 2B State Championships. The Vikings kept most of last year’s team intact, losing one offensive and three defensive starters.

All-state defensive back Matt Friese returns for his junior year, also serves as the quarterback. All-league seniors Jake Gerow and Will Rockett lead the offensive line and linebacking corps, and are joined on defense by senior lineman Josh Freeman, junior Shane Hamlin, and sophomores Tyler Wimberly and Nelson Stamper.

Senior Jon Nissell moves from fullback to tailback, and senior Jake Lundy takes over at tailback.

North Beach begins the season with new coach Robin Andrea, after Pacific League Coach of the Year Hugh Wyatt resigned in July after citing a lack of interest by his players. Andrea, who coached at Astoria from 1989-98, also led Naselle from 2004-07.

Senior Sawyer Reed and junior Matt Jennings lead the offensive and defensive lines. Quarterback Derek Archer is back for his junior year, and will throw to all-league senior receiver Russell Alfaro and junior wideout Maurice Alfaro.

South Bend returns a trio of all-league picks, including senior running back Zach Boyes, junior linebacker Myron Smith and junior defensive back David Lorton. The Indians’ offense will be operated by Lorton, who will either hand-off to juniors Ryan Vongmixay and Shaquille Acrey, or pass to junior Terrell Boyes.

Northwest Christian took another step in its third season of existence after doubling its league win total of 2007 with back-to-back triumphs over Ocosta and Raymond.

Junior quarterback Ben Connor and senior running back Fess Doelman return to lead the Navigators’ offense, with senior Caleb Fritz leading the offensive and defensive lines.

Raymond begins the season with new coach Mitch Cavender, who has more than 30 years of experience coaching in California and at Lake Roosevelt and Mary M. Knight in Washington.

The Seagulls return three seniors, including all-league defensive lineman Cameron Topping and Brandon Holland.

Ocosta went winless in league last season after the Wildcats were outscored by an average of 31-10. Steve Lake and Jacob Pratt return for the final seasons as running backs and linebackers, and junior Shane Titherington will be one of the team’s top receivers and defensive backs.

Lewis-Clark 3A

Vernonia, which finished second to Rainier in last year’s league standings, took a huge hit to its offensive scheme this season when all-state running back Trever Gwin transferred to Class 4A Scappoose for his senior campaign.

The Loggers, who fell to Willamina 33-21 in last year’s opening round of the state playoffs, return all-league senior lineman Levi Timmerman and defensive back Alex Lende.

Warrenton, which returned to the postseason after missing in 2007 for the first time since 1999, dropped its opening round state playoff game to Gold Beach 58-0.

Two-time all-league standout Stephen Petersen returns for his senior season on the Warriors’ offensive and defensive lines, and line-ups next to all-league junior lineman Billy Kerr. Josh Wheatley, who earned all-league accolades at linebacker and quarterback, returns for his senior year as the Warriors’ signal-caller.

Mark Morris High graduate John Mattila returns for his 36th season as head coach and brings a 236-113 overall record.

Neah-Kah-Nie of Rockaway Beach hopes to take the next step and become a playoff contender. A trio of all-league seniors — linebacker Nick Rogers, defensive back Eric Holmberg and tight end Dan Devel — will lead the Pirates’ attack.

Riverdale, which competed in the league last season, dropped down to the Class 2A Northwest League. In their three seasons as members of the Lewis and Clark League, the Mavericks won one league game (35-6 over Neah-Kah-Nie on Oct. 27, 2006) and had an overall record of 4-22.

The subtraction of the Mavericks leaves the Lewis and Clark with an uneven number of teams (5), giving each an extra nonleague game during the stretch of league contests.