Caribou Trail Football 2010

Kyle Green

Aug. 28, 2010

Change is the word for the 2010 season of Caribou Trail Football. The 2009 season ended with the fifth seat Chelan Goats upsetting the first seat Cashmere Bulldogs in a crossover game ending a long streak of state playoff appearances for Cashmere. Chelan in a big turn around from regular season (4 and 5) went on to play in the semifinal and loose to the eventual state champions Connell. The Caribou Trail put four teams into the playoffs taking all the spots from the crossover games sending Cascade, Omak, Okanogan and Chelan. Three of the four spots in the quarter finals where from the CTL.

The loss of two teams from the league opens up more non-league games for the remaining teams. Look for some exciting non-league contest with teams like Vashon Island, Royal, Connell, Cheney and Naches lining up with the CTL. Additionally a number of Canadian teams will make trips to our area to try out some USA football.

This year will prove to be a very interesting year in the CTL because of two teams, Brewster and Lake Roosevelt moving to B league status and dropping out of the CTL. The six remaining teams all claim to have a shot at playoffs this year.

• Cascade: The Kodiaks return four starters on offense and four on defense and will be moving up a number of talented younger players. Coach Ali lima-Daily likes his prospects having had a very good turn out in the weight room during summer. “ Our defense looks solid with potential for offense with some reps” said Ali lima-Daily.

• Cashmere: The only team to hold Connell on the ropes last year, the Bulldogs felt they had a shot at a repeat state title last year. They are focused this year and return with impact starters on both sides of the ball. “This has been the hardest working bunch this summer, I have ever had” says Coach Zukowsky. The bigger question, who will replace four year starter, Christian O’Neil, as fullback and linebacker.

• Chelan: It is easy to say that the incredible turn around for the Goats was with the addition of Quarterback Michael Amsel Jr. mid season last year. Amsel is back, only a sophomore, joining him are most of the skilled players from last year. Gone is the big and experienced line that opened up holes and gave Amsel time to throw. “We need to reload at the line, but I feel good about who we have” says Coach Talley.

• Okanogan: A lot of returning starters led by 6’4” Quarterback Ryan Price with fast receivers including three year starter T.J. Gilman and RB Conner Tupling. The Bulldogs will be a wide open offense this year. Coach Neely always has something up his sleeve at game time.

• Omak: The Pioneers held a surge of their own at the end on last year and played a very close quarterfinal game against Chelan. They return a number of players that have been starting and playing since their freshman year. Led by Senior Quarterback Brendan Aguilar look for Omak to be in it at the end.

• Tonasket: With four year starter tailback Keegan McCormick returning for his senior year the Tigers could be very difficult to deal with for many teams. Last year they held some surprises and had some moments on Offence, look for them to give a lot of trouble this year.

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