PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Young Lions look to roar in SPSL 3A

On a sunny Wednesday morning, Mike Clancy guides his lineman through a series of drills, the first of two practices for the day.

“Keep your pads down,” the Auburn Mountainview football coach yells as the lineman go through a two-against-one blocking drill where a defensive player tries to knock down an orange cone protected by two offensive players.

So far, Clancy likes what he sees. It’s hard to contain his enthusiasm when he talks about his young Lions.

“I’m real excited about this group,” he said. “They keep improving with every practice, and I’ve got real high expectations for how they’ll do this year.”

Last season the Lions finished with a 4-4 South Puget Sound League Division 3A record, 6-4 overall.

That squad was led by quarterback Cody McNeil, who returns with three years of starting experience under his belt.

McNeil, at 6-feet, 175 pounds, led the team in rushing with 1,007 yards and 944 passing yards. On defense, McNeil covered the field with 42 tackles and two interceptions.

According to Clancy, the Lions will look to McNeil, as well as his two other senior returning starters – Tate Newell (6-0, 185) at linebacker and wide receiver and Vince Wagner (5-8, 170) at linebacker and running back.

Wagner had 92 yards on 18 carries as a backup to starter Matt Gayman last season. On defense he had 61 tackles.

Newell led the team in tackles last season with 85 and had nine receptions for 87 yards.

“They are providing great leadership and are challenging the guys who haven’t seen a lot of time under the Friday night lights to step up and improve,” Clancy said of his seniors. “They’re doing everything in their power to help us be successful as a team.”

Clancy said the Lions will be strong at quarterback and linebacker, but the rest of the team is relatively inexperienced.

“The area we need to improve is offensive line,” he said. “They need to come together and gel and work together as a unit. They’ve got high expectations and need to step up and start working well together. That’s a real area that needs to get better.”

“One of our weaknesses is our inexperience under the lights on Friday night,” McNeil added. “A couple of the guys haven’t really played much football yet, but they’re looking good. I’m just excited to see what happens.”

In addition to his three returning starters, Clancy said that a trio of newcomers also were standing out early.

“Darrell Robinson, he’s a junior receiver and defensive back,” he said. “C.J. Valliant is looking solid at running back and linebacker. Jeremy Perkovich is a junior playing offensive and defensive line and he’s had a really good fall camp so far.”

In addition, the Lions are waiting for sophomore phenom Visa Thach, a transfer from Kent-Meridian, to be cleared to play.

According to Clancy, Thach is waiting for his hearing before the West Central District board to determine if he is eligible to play this year.

“Obviously, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that he’ll be eligible for the first game,” he said.

For McNeil, the real problem right now is waiting for the season to start.

“This team is a lot more solid, and we work well together,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to playing with these guys this season. Our work ethic is our strength. We’re always out here. We spent our whole summer working out here. I know they all work hard, and I’m looking forward to playing with them on Friday night games.”

With a tough league schedule ahead of the Lions, including games against powerhouse Lakes, Peninsula and Enumclaw, Clancy declined to make any predictions.

“I never predict a win-loss record,” he said. “I expect us to have a very successful season and improve on what we’ve built here the last four years. I expect big things from these guys.”

McNeil, however, was quick to make his prognostication for the Lions.

“I see us making the playoffs for sure,” McNeil said.

The Lions kick off their season at 7 p.m. Sept. 4, against Clover Park at Harry E. Lang Stadium in Lakewood.

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AUBURN MOUNTAINVIEW SCHEDULE

Sept. 4 – Auburn Mountainview at Clover Park

Sept. 10 – Bonney Lake at Auburn Mountainview

Sept. 18 – Auburn Mountainview at Peninsula

Sept. 25 – White Rivera at Auburn Mountainview

Oct. 2 – Franklin Pierce at Auburn Mountainview

Oct. 9 – Auburn Mountainview at Enumclaw

Oct. 16 – Auburn Mountainview versus Sumner at Sunset Chev Stadium