FOOTBALL 2001

Tony Overman/The Olympian
Senior Jeff Macke steps into the glamour role of halfback in Capital's Wing-T scheme this season.

Cougars head into year with unfamiliar label

After tough year, rare underdog tag hangs on team

ELLIOTT SMITH, THE OLYMPIAN

OLYMPIA -- The Capital Cougars... underdogs?

Hard to believe, but that's the role that Capital coach Wayne Sortun has cast his team in heading into the 2001 season.

A South Sound power for the past several seasons, the Cougars missed the playoffs last year after finishing with a disappointing 5-4 mark.

Now, Sortun and his squad know that it will take a concerted effort to turn things around.

"I think we would have to be pictured as an underdog," he said. "That's good and bad. It's the approach that the kids will have that will make a difference. They're proud of our tradition. They don't want to be a part of the team where the tradition dropped. They're working very hard."

Offensively, the Cougars will continue to run the Wing-T, an offense which has served them well throughout most of their playoff campaigns.

Taking over from the graduated Jake Carlyle will be senior Jeff Macke. Joining him in the backfield will be fullback Zac Bruner and wingback Jordan Carey.

"Jeff has the Friday night experience," Sortun said. "And we have great skill people. Carey is going to be an exciting wing back."

Stepping in at quarterback once again will be senior Jon Oatman, who broke his collarbone during last year's Wilson game. But Oatman is back at 100 percent and barring a late charge from several competitors, should lead the Cougars' offense.

"He's excited about the new year," Sortun said of his quarterback. "He throws the ball well and makes good decisions."

The Cougars plan to mix things up on offense, gearing more toward the 50-50 balance that most teams strive to achieve.

Defense is where Capital will have to earn its stripes. Last year, the young Cougars' defenders found themselves overmatched in several games, leading to some high numbers.

Bruner and Carey, along with senior Ty Casey, give the Cougars a speedy and experienced secondary that matches up well against opposing passing offenses.

With a year of experience under their belts, Sortun is hoping things will turn around on his run defense.

"I feel good about our pass defense," he said. "Where I'm concerned is with teams that run it right up your throat. Teams like Olympia and Wilson are very physical teams. We need some kids to step up."

Given the way things finished last year, a rebound year is quite likely. The Cougars aren't comfortable with wearing an underdog label.

"Hopefully this will motivate them to work hard," Sortun said. "In the high school game a large part of it is mental. If you have the correct mental attitude, you can overcome anything. We hope to carry that mentality through the next few years."

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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Capital Cougars

-COACH: Wayne Sortun (15th year).

-2000 RECORD: 5-4.

-RETURNING STARTERS: 8.

-OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE SET: Wing-T; 4-3.

-KEY RETURNERS: Jon Oatman, QB, jr., 5-8, 150; Ty Casey, WR/DB, sr., 5-9, 175; Jeff Macke, HB/DB, sr., 6-0, 170; Zac Bruner, FB/DB, jr., 5-9, 165; Mamo Ling, FB/LB, jr., 5-10, 205; Pat Ryan, OL, sr. 6-2, 210; Casey Smith, OL/DL, sr., 6-4, 205; Jordan Carey, jr., DB, 6-0, 190.

-STRENGTHS: The secondary returns several players who saw playing time last year. Macke is a strong runner and shouldn't have any problems finding room to run.

-WEAKNESSES: Smallish Cougars must use their quickness to overcome size differences against power teams in the Narrows.

-WHAT TO EXPECT: It's hard to imagine Captial staying down for too long, but it will be up to the defense to stop teams, or else the Cougars might find themselves in a lot of 35-30 games.

Schedule

Sat., Sept. 8 at Mountain View*

Fri., Sept. 14 MT. TAHOMA

Fri., Sept. 21 at Stadium

Fri., Sept. 28 BELLARMINE

Fri., Oct. 5 at Olympia, 7:30

Thu., Oct. 11 at Lincoln

Fri., Oct. 19 FOSS

Thu., Oct. 25 WILSON

Fri. Nov. 2 League Crossover

*non-league

Home games in CAPITALS.

All games at 7 p.m., unless noted.