OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies return to football again following their success last season. Last year the Huskies finished the season with a 9-2 overall record and made the state tournament. 

“It sounds cliché, but there was quite a bit of adversity with our starting quarterback going down and other injuries,” said Huskies Defensive Coach Kevin Hale. “The kids managed to fight through it; it could have been a situation where they could have easily folded, but that didn't happen, and we made the state playoffs.” 

During the off-season, the Huskies graduated some seniors who contributed highly to the team, but coming into this season they have quite a few more coming on. Hale said the team will be senior-dominated, with the starting defense comprised of seniors who have been playing since they were sophomores. 

“We’re definitely senior-dominated,” said the coach. “That’s why I think we’ve got a chance to do something special this year.” 

Two of the seniors on the team, Gavin Carl and RJay Garza, are going to be key players to keep an eye on this season. Garza said he is excited to start the season and continue building up his relationship with his teammates. 

“I’m looking to have a good time with my guys I’ve grown up with my whole life,” he said. “I’m looking to make it further than we did last year and just to see improvement through everybody.” 

Carl said he’s been playing alongside some of his teammates since he was in third grade and that this will be a special season for the Huskies. He said the defense is working on improving tackling during practices leading up to the start of the season. 

Garza said he is working on improving his ability to catch, make and extend plays to give the offense a better chance at being close to the goal or to even score points. 

The seniors said being part of the Huskies football program has meant a lot to them and has taught them a lot of important life lessons over the years. They said the bonds with both players and coaches will be something they take with them their whole lives. 

“This program is really special to me because it’s really my getaway,” Carl said. “If I’m having a bad day, I’ll come out here and it just makes my day a whole lot better.” 

Along with the seniors, the team also has some strong younger players as well such as sophomore Elliot Mitchell, who was brought up from the C-team onto varsity. 

Mitchell plays left tackle on the Huskies’ offensive line and said he earned his spot through the work he put in over the summer at the football camps. He said he is looking forward to bonding with his teammates this season and for the opportunity as a team to prove themselves. 

“We’re making sure we’re conditioned so we can continue to play games all the way through without having to switch out and be tired,” said Mitchell. “Then also working on our plays and making sure we’re getting them perfected and getting them down.” 

The team came together before spring football began and decided that the goal for this fall is to win the state championship, said Hale. The team has worked to build itself up to this goal, and won against some top teams at a spring football camp in Idaho. 

The line on both the offense and defense is developing and the Huskies are showing impressive skill in all positions, the coach said. 

“These kinds of opportunities to do something special with this kind of group don’t come along all that often,” said Hale. “These kids are the ones that have to go out there and achieve that, but I know they can.” 

The Huskies’ first game of the season will be at home against Ellensburg High School Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. 

    Gavin Carl pushes against a tackle dummy during the Huskies afternoon practice. The senior said he has learned a lot during his time playing football and said being part of the program has allowed him to mature into who he is today.
  

    A Huskies player prepares to make a throw during one of the offensive drills at practice. Coach Kevin Hale said the team made it their goal this year to win the state championship.
  

    One of the Huskies receivers makes a catch downfield during the afternoon practice. The team is coming back this season with a number of experienced senior players as well as skilled younger players.
  

    Huskies offensive linemen ready themselves to practice the next play. Lineman Elliot Mitchell, far right, is a sophomore this year who was brought up to varsity through his dedication over the summer.
  

    Huskies Defensive Coach Kevin Hale works with a group of players on a drill for the defensive line. One of the team’s main focuses this season is tackling.
  

    A Huskies football player runs through traffic during a game against Toppenish last season.
  

    Othello graduate Jordan DeLeon (32) carries the football during Othello’s state playoff game against Sehome.