PHOTO: #36 Roughrider linebacker and starting running back Brayden Wopperer put on several pounds of muscle in the weight room last summer
By Oly Archibald
DEMING — The camps, drills, blackboard talks, and game film sessions are over for the Port Angeles Roughriders football team. Tonight, they take the field for real, facing the Mount Baker Mountaineers in Deming.
On defense, the Roughriders return just one starter, senior Blake Sohlberg. The defensive line will feature seniors Rylan Politika and Jordan Shumway, along with juniors Hunter Flores and Tucker Swan. The linebacker corps consists entirely of juniors: Easton Fisher, Lane Wilson, Dylan Mann, and River Flores. In the secondary, seniors Blake Sohlberg and Kaiden Point will start alongside junior Oliver Martinez.
The Roughriders’ receiving group is one of the team’s strengths. The coaching staff has high praise for tight end Rylan Politika, along with seniors Blake Sohlberg and Kaiden Point. Easton Fisher will start at another tight end spot. The backfield is solid, with Dylan Mann, Lane Wilson, and junior Brayden Wopperer, who, at 5’10” and 180 pounds, has dedicated significant time to the weight room, and it shows.
Success for the Roughriders’ running game will depend on the offensive line, which features Hunter Flores, Max Gagnon, Jordan Shumway, River Flores, and Conner Martin. Junior Jude Wallace will get the start at quarterback.
For the Roughriders to succeed, they must focus on stopping the run, running the ball effectively, moving the chains, and avoiding turnovers and penalties.
Mount Baker linebacker – running back Dylan Moa a 6’0″ 201 lb Senior rushed for over 700 yards and scored 12 TDs last season
Bob Tisdale Stadium is where the Roughriders open up their 2024 season tonight against Mount Baker
North Kitsap and Bainbridge are expected to compete for the league championship. Olympic, though young, has a talented team, and despite Bremerton’s losses, their JV squad is promising with plenty of upcoming playmakers.
Tonight’s Firehouse Grill pre-game show starts at 6:00 p.m. with the Dustin Clark Show, followed by kickoff at 7:00 p.m. Oly Archibald and Parker Nickerson will provide live play-by-play.
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The Sequim Wolves will kick off the Ian Henley era tonight, hosting Forks at 7:00 p.m.
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In volleyball action, Sequim will host Class 3A South Kitsap on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
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On Monday, the Roughrider girls’ soccer team travels to Klahowya for a 6:15 p.m. kickoff.