FOOTBALL 2001

Steve Bloom/The Olympian
Evan Unzelman knows that while he'll get his share of carries at running back, the onus at Chehalis is on the passing game.

Peterson

Hamilton

Smith, Bearcats won't mess with formula

High-octane offense looks for playoff push

CHARLES DYE, THE OLYMPIAN

CHEHALIS -- The more things change, the more they stay the same. That much is true for Chehalis this fall.

The Bearcats graduated the state's leading receiver, but the state's leading quarterback returns.

With Brock Peterson now the Bearcats' No. 1 receiver after catching 43 passes last year, Sawyer Smith will be back under center for his senior season.

"Everything's the same as it was last year. Generally, we're changing everything to fit personnel. This year, we haven't really changed anything," Chehalis coach Ivor Hoglund said.

"They're going to see pretty much the same Bearcats they saw last year."

The team that fans and Pac-9 League opponents saw last year finished one game out of the playoffs at 5-4. They also saw Smith pass for 20 touchdowns and 2,480 yards to lead the state for the regular season.

"Sawyer will make the offense go again this year," Hoglund said. "If the run is there, he knows how to call it. We can take advantage of what the defense gives us."

Hoglund employs a Wing-T running game, with shifts into a single-back set for passing downs. Andy Olson caught 62 passes in the system last year and now plays for Western Washington.

"I think our running game is going to be big," Smith said. "We've got two good returning running backs."

The strength of the offense is in the skill positions with the starting running backs returning as well, though rebuilding makes the offensive line the question mark.

"Our passing game will balance out our running game. We'll throw quite a bit and with the veteran running backs we'll probably run quite a bit more," Hoglund said.

Those veteran runners are the stocky Evan Unzelman and fullback Jim Wilson.

"When you play on a team with a quarterback like Sawyer Smith, you're going to be passing the ball a lot more than you run the ball," Unzelman said. "It helps to have a guy like Sawyer who's one of the best quarterbacks in the state. It opens up a lot because teams aren't going to want to cover the run on you. They're going to want to get guys out and get guys on the receivers.

"The better we run the ball. The more we'll run the ball. If our running game doesn't move the ball, we're just going to throw all day."

That much is evident in Smith's passing numbers. And substantiated by Peterson's talent and experience. He has played every game since his sophomore season. The senior's 43 catches last year came in the same season as Olson's 62 grabs. With Olson gone, Peterson knows he'll be the primary target -- but not the only one.

"I've been teaching guys what the little secrets are, trying to get everybody ready for the playing field," Peterson said. "I know the coaches want me to be a leader, so they don't have to tell me. I just took it on myself."

Defensively, the Bearcats are anchored by talented athletes at linebacker and returning experience at cornerback.

David Veenhouer and Jason Capen return to start at linebacker. A pair of three-year starters -- Dan Arthurs and Andy Hamilton -- are back at corner.

All-league defensive end Jerad Penfield is back as well.

"We really feel pretty strongly about our defense. We feel like it's pretty solid. We really don't have a lot of concern there," Hoglund said. "Other than that, we feel pretty good. Our linebackers are pretty good."

The Bearcats want nothing more than for things to stay the same with a return to the playoff hunt. Nothing except for things to change to include them in the postseason.

"We always want to improve on the last year. One goal is to try to make the playoffs this year and win a game there," Smith said.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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Chehalis Bearcats

-COACH: Ivor Hoglund (24th year).

-2000 RECORD: 5-4.

-RETURNING STARTERS: 6/7.

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

-KEY RETURNERS: Sawyer Smith, QB, sr., 6-5, 190; Brock Peterson, WR, sr., 6-2, 190; Andy Hamilton, DB/WR, sr., 5-6, 155; Dan Arthurs, DB, sr., 5-7, 150; Evan Unzelman, RB, sr., 5-10, 170; Jim Wilson, FB/DL, jr., 5-11, 185; David Veenhouer, LB, jr., 5-8, 172.

-STRENGTHS: Offense should continue to rule the airways. Quarterback Sawyer Smith returns after leading the state in passing last season. Receiver Brock Peterson was second-team all-league with 43 catches and makes for a big target at 6-2.

-WEAKNESSES: Young offensive line will have to develop quickly to protect Smith.

-WHAT TO EXPECT: Chehalis should compete for a playoff spot if passing game comes together.

Schedule

Fri., Sept. 7 at Aberdeen

Fri., Sept. 14 CENTRALIA

Fri., Sept. 21 at Black Hills

Fri., Sept. 28 N. THURSTON

Fri., Oct. 5 at Timberline

Fri., Oct. 12 OAK HARBOR*

Fri., Oct. 19 TUMWATER

Fri., Oct. 26 at Yelm

Thu., Nov. 1 RIVER RIDGE

*non-league

Home games in CAPITALS.

All games at 7 p.m.