EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers are gearing up for another competitive season of football in the Central Washington Athletic Conference. As the season draws near, the Tigers are ready to get back on the field and improve their skills after their successes last fall.  

“I think things are looking good for us,” said Tigers Head Coach Patrick Mitchell. “Really hopeful and looking forward to this great group of kids that we’ve got this year.” 

The Tigers finished 6-3 in the regular season last year to be ranked fourth in the CWAC and qualifying for districts. Ephrata came just short of entering the state tournament after falling to Steilacoom in week 10 last season.

Mitchell said the team stayed strong through the offseason training as they went to a spring camp at Whitworth University. Those who were able to attend learned a lot about where they could improve ahead of the next season. 

As the summer progressed and Ephrata drew closer to the start of their season, the coach said the main focus for the Tigers returners was to come back and fill in for those who graduated. 

“There’s a lot of competition out there for a lot of spots as we’re reloading,” he said. “I think the kids really ran with that and challenged themselves and challenged each other for winning those spots and those roles as we go into our fall camp.” 

Some key returners for the Tigers this season consist of a mixed group of incoming juniors and seniors such as Chance Lee, Carson Andrus, Mitchell Morford, Owen Fitch, Conor Roth, Benson Bair, Cooper Kriete and Cooper Vasquez. In total, the Tigers are returning 15 seniors. 

“Less than we had last year, but some really dynamic players in there that we’re excited about,” said Mitchell. 

Vasquez, who is a junior and quarterback for Ephrata, said he is looking forward to getting back on the field with his teammates. 

“Most of these guys I grew up with so it will be fun,” he said. “(With) all these older guys, I think we can compete.” 

Heading into his junior season, the young quarterback is hoping the Tigers squad build off their successes from last year with a winning record and a consistent competitive spirit. Through this season he expects to see continued growth for both himself and the program. 

“I’ve got a lot of knowledge especially from Coach Mitchell about football,” said Vasquez. “I’ve gotten to bond with these guys a little more, be a team player.” 

As usual, Mitchell said the team's goal is to win the CWAC.  

“We aspire to go after that league title, and we want to set that goal there and set our goals to make a playoff run,” said the coach. “It’s kind of just our standard operating procedures that we want to challenge ourselves each and every year.” 

Navigating through the CWAC is always a tough task, but for the Tigers, their strategy is to focus on who they are as a team and build everyone into the best version of themselves, said Mitchell. Whether it’s at practice or in a game, Ephrata is working toward competing against themselves. 

As the Tigers head closer into the fall season, the coach said he is seeing an increased buy in from this squad. This will be another asset to have as they get ready to face tough competitors in the league. 

“As the cliche goes, it’s always one game at a time in the CWAC,” said Mitchell. “It’s usually a tough league that we’ve got a lot of good schools... We know what kind of football the CWAC can bring and we’re ready for the challenge each week.”  

The Tigers will start their season at home Sept. 4 against Selah at 7 p.m.

    A game of duck duck goose turns into a tackling drill for Ephrata’s football team as Will Finch tags his teammate at one of their practices.
  

    EHS players line up for a snapping drill at practice early in their season.
  

    Cannon DeLong from the Tigers receivers makes a catch at practice as the team split off for individual skills training.
  

    Tigers Head Coach Patrick Mitchell works with incoming junior quarterback Cooper Vasquez during an early-season practice.