FOOTBALL 2001

Steve Bloom/The Olympian
Under the watchful eye of new coach Kevin Ridout (rear), Jeremiah Armga and the Tenino Beavers are fighting to bounce back from a dismal 1-8 campaign in 2000.

Beavers learning on the fly

New coach Ridout stressing fundamentals

DARRELL ROOT, THE OLYMPIAN

TENINO -- Two years after Terry Cosentino replaced Scott Chamberlain as Tenino's football coach, the Beavers are going through another learning experience.

New coach Kevin Ridout is starting to learn his players as they familiarize themselves with Ridout, his staff and their system.

"They've gone through quite a few coaches the last 10 years," Ridout said. "Scott wasn't there too long, and before it was Rod Anderson.

"So getting consistency going is the big thing. The kids have been very respectful and coachable, and I think the learning and progress we have will be outstanding.

"I see us having a decent balance between size and skill players," he added. "Our only limiting factor is how quickly we can put together the puzzle."

So far the Beavers have cottoned to Ridout, who has been an assistant at Montesano since stepping down as head coach at Hoquiam in 1996.

"He seems really good compared to past years," senior WR-LB Jacob Skeers said.

"More than other years, they are really stressing the little things. Like first steps rather than jumping into the bigger stuff."

"We're just trying to build character and keep a positive attitude on things out there," senior two-way lineman Brett Swidecki added.

Both Skeers and Swidecki, two of the team's four captains, are high on the Beavers' chances of improving on last year's 1-8 record.

"We can be decent," Swidecki said. "We've got a couple returning underclassmen, and we've got some potential.

"Actually, we've got a lot of people who will step up and take positions. We have underclassmen that are pretty good."

Returning starters RB-LB Michael Deiss and TE-LB Johnny Hansen are juniors, as are WR-DB Justin Yeager and OT-DT Kevin Jensen.

All four are among the 14 returning lettermen.

At 6-foot, 265 pounds, Jensen will be a big part of a rather large Tenino line.

"We have a pretty big line on both sides of the ball, and we have a couple of big middle linebackers," Skeers said.

"Our quarterback (Jeremiah Armga) isn't going to be breaking any tackles, but we're going to run some option stuff and he's getting it down pretty well as far as when to pitch the ball."

The Beavers aren't fooling themselves about being ready to conquer the Elmas, Montesanos and Rochesters of the league quite yet.

"I'm hoping we finish above .500," Skeers said. "We just need to go into every game thinking we can win it."

But the idea is to put the program in position to grow into success.

"The whole community is hungry for a very good football season," Ridout said.

"I'm optimistic this will be a very enjoyable year, that we'll improve and be competitive. But at this point we're just getting to know each other."

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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Tenino Beavers

-COACH: Kevin Ridout (1st year).

-2000 RECORD: 1-8.

-RETURNING STARTERS: 14.

-OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE SET: Pro-I, 4-4.

-KEY RETURNERS: Michael Deiss, RB/LB, jr., 5-10, 195; Johnny Hanson, LB/TE, jr., 6-3, 215; Jeremiah Armga, QB/DB, sr., 5-10, 160; Justin Yeager, WR/DB, jr., 6-0, 170; Jacob Skeers, WR/LB, sr., 6-0, 175; Kevin Jensen, OT/DT, jr., 6-0, 265; Derek Johnson, RB/DB, sr., 5-9, 155.

-STRENGTHS: With 14 lettermen possessing good size and speed returning, the Beavers have the potential to be a good team.

-WEAKNESSES: With a new coach and system for the third time in four years, the Beavers' learning curve will dictate their success. About 35 players turned out, so Tenino has to avoid injuries.

-WHAT TO EXPECT: A middle-of-the pack finish if the injury bug stays away and players keep an upbeat attitude when the going gets tough.

Schedule

Fri., Sept. 7 WHITE SALMON

Fri., Sept. 14 CASTLE ROCK

Fri., Sept. 21 at La Center*

Fri., Sept. 28 at Forks

Fri., Oct. 5 ELMA

Fri., Oct. 12 at Hoquiam

Thu., Oct. 18 MONTESANO

Fri., Oct. 26 ROCHESTER

Fri., Nov. 2 Divisional playoff

*non-league

Home games in CAPITALS.

All games at 7:30 p.m.