MATTAWA — When Wahluke Warriors Head Coach Anfernee Cortez looks back at last season, he sees a great learning opportunity. Though they went 2-7, the Warriors headed into the off-season motivated to make a change, he said.  

“I know we didn't have the season we wanted or expected, but that just gave us a better mindset of how we need to attack the off-season and the things we need to do to get better," Cortez said. “I think that has been helping us create a mentality of the type of work we need to be doing, and the type of commitment we need.”  

When the offseason began, Cortez and the Warriors football program got to work. They started by making the weight room more available to players for workouts and taking advantage of days when they could have more individualized practices for skill positions, he said. So far, he believes it has been beneficial for his players.  

In the midst of the physical training, Cortez is also focused on creating a gritty team and working on the mental side of football. He wants to instill more confidence in his players when they hit the field this fall, he said.  

“Football is not an easy sport,” Cortez said. “There's probably times where a kid may feel like they want to quit or might feel like they're down and going to lose, and that's a mindset we're trying to change.” 

Warriors quarterback Keaton Zirker has taken the offseason training in stride. As they hit the field for their first few practices, he is starting to see it pay off, Zirker said. Everyone is pushing each other through drills and building team chemistry.  

The players and coaches were bringing intensity throughout the practices. Zirker said it’s important to do that now so that they are used to it when the season starts. Zirker is heading into his senior year. He is also in his second year playing quarterback. He said he has been dedicated to refining his skills in the off-season.  

“I have been looking at film, seeing what I could do better, and like what I've been doing good, so I can build on that. I've been running routes with some of my teammates, just trying to get better myself,” Zirker said.  

Cortez said he is confident in Zirker’s ability to lead the Warriors. Last year, they tailored the offense to accommodate his skillset. However, this year they will be able to build off that and add more plays, he said.  

Cortez’s shift to mental toughness training has played to what he sees as a strength for his team – leadership.  

He harps on leadership consistently with his players, he said. Now that a lot of last year’s underclassmen are now upperclassmen, they can step into those leadership roles and be vocal with their teammates.  

He also pointed to their receiving group as a strength for them. The group will be led by rising junior Jose Acevedo. Cortez said he could put him anywhere in the lineup and he would be a valuable weapon for the Warriors offense.  

“We got a pretty good skill group, we got to get the ball to them and let them do work, and they have the assets, the physical abilities, the speed, stuff like that to make good things happen for us,” Cortez said.  

The Warriors will also have Alejandro Cruz who can play in multiple positions like quarterback, receiver and defensive back. Franco Perez is the lead running back and plays linebacker.  

“(Perez) is probably one of our toughest kids, and he really takes on that mindset that we instill in our kids to get after it. So, I'm excited for him,” Cortez said.  

When the Warriors kick off their season at home against Naches Valley on Sept. 5, they will be motivated to prove they belong in their league.  

“They've been working hard for us, and they understand what we want as coaches, and we understand what they want as players,” Cortez said. “That's to win football games, and to work hard, to give everything we got, and be the best teammates, be the best people for the team.” 

    Warriors lineman Andres Gutierrez goes through footwork drills during practice. Gutierrez is a rising senior for the Warriors.
  

    Warriors receiver and defensive back Yovani Garcia, right, lines up for a drill during practice.
  

    Two Warriors football players work on route running during practice. Head Coach Anfernee Cortez said he wants to instill confidence in his players to be successful on the field this season.