By Oly Archibald

PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Roughrider football team has their final practice today before loading up on the bus for the 156-mile trip to Deming for their 2024 season opener against Whatcom County powerhouse Mount Baker on Friday night.

Mountaineer Head Coach Ron Lepper has been with the Mount Baker football team for 29 years and returns a few star players from their 2022 State 1A Championship game team.

All eyes will be on Mountaineer tailback Dylan Moa, a 6’0″, 200 lb senior who rushed for 785 yards on 144 carries last season, scoring 12 touchdowns. Moa, also a standout wrestler, is an excellent linebacker, recording 46 tackles last year with 8 tackles for losses.

The Mountaineers have a dangerous returner in senior Brady Bruland, a 5’10”, 170 lb tailback. Bruland rushed for 464 yards last year, scoring 3 touchdowns, while also returning 2 kickoffs for touchdowns.

The Roughriders return just one starter on defense and three on offense. They will start junior Jude Wallace, 5’10”, 170 lb, at quarterback. However, the Roughriders may play up to four quarterbacks, with senior Brandt Perry, 6’0″, 170 lb, considered the best passer. Junior Brayden Martin, a 6’1″, 165 lb baseball star for the Roughriders, is also in the mix. Additionally, the athletic Blake Sohlberg, a multi-sport star, will occasionally move from his receiver position to quarterback for special packages. A big season is expected from junior running back/linebacker Dylan Mann, 5’10”, 185 lb.

Junior Jude Wallace will get the start at Quarterback Friday night at Mount Baker

A big season is expected from Roughrider Jr. running back- linebacker Dylan Mann

The Newsradio KONP Firehouse Grill pregame show will begin at 6 p.m. with the Dustin Clark Show, followed by the Roughrider Locker Room Show featuring seniors Jordan Shumway and Kaiden Point. The Enemy Coaches Show with Mount Baker Head Coach Ron Lepper will follow.

The Roughrider VIP Halftime Show will feature Roughrider swimming coach Sally Cole and captains Danika Asgeirsson and Brooke St. Luise. Oly Archibald will provide play-by-play commentary, with former Roughrider quarterback Parker Nickerson offering color commentary.

Legendary Roughrider Swim coach Sally Cole will be on the Roughrider VIP Halftime Show with Captains Danika Asgeirsson and Brooke St Luise

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.