By PAUL DELANEY
Staff Reporter
There's an optimism surrounding a turnaround in the fortunes of Medical Lake football that appears to go deeper than just the words of fourth-year coach Rick Olson.
The combination of a more experienced squad, a kinder schedule and an apparent new attitude throughout the team gets its first test Friday night at 7 p.m. as the Cardinals entertain 2-B power Davenport.
“We have a chance to make something happen and control our own destiny,” Olson said.
“We're better this year than we were last year and definitely better than we were two years ago,” Olson said of his 2007 team that can only go upward from a 1-8 record in 2006 and end a seven game losing streak.
“We've got a great schedule to help us,” Olson said, noting Medical Lake follows their home opener with a road game at White salmon, Wash. next Friday.
Davenport was a playoff team in 2006, losing 19-0 to eventual 2-B state champion Asotin.
Despite playing a team that is two classifications below them, Olson knows the Gorillas still pack a punch and tradition as well.
“They graduated some great players,” Olson said, “but they return nine of 22 kids. They've got kids who know what it's like to win. They'll know how to get it done.”
But there may be a few less Davenport players to do that.
One recent development is the reported suspension of some players over athletic code violations and others being ineligible.
“We're preparing as if those kids were there,” Olson said.
“Until I see them not on the sidelines then I'll believe it.”
Medical Lake is on the opposite end of things but Olson sees some great potential out of small of stature sophomore quarterback Nick Pacheco.
“If he's 5-7 that's a stretch,” Olson said with a laugh.
Pacheco will throw primarily to a pair of junior wide-outs, Danny Klopfenstein and Akira Payton.
The biggest challenge Olson sees is getting better defensively.
To that end, Olson has also donned the hat of defensive coordinator this year, a role he relinquished when he became head coach in 2004. He's also returned to a 4-3 defensive scheme.
“We haven't matched up well with people in the past,” Olson said. That may have never been more evident than last season. “We gave up over 300 yards rushing a game last year,” Olson said.
Olson, a 17-year veteran of college coaching said that aspect of things appears to have improved with age. He points to a pair of senior linebackers, Jordan Mueller and Shane Forrester as cogs to the improved defense.
“We match up better defensively,” Olson said.
“We just have to quit giving up the big plays.”
The Cardinals also have four players who are not eligible for the Davenport game. They will be ready for the game at White salmon. Olson said the players had not had enough practice time to play.
(A complete report on Medical Lake football, and other fall sports will appear in the Cheney Free Press sports preview section on Sept. 13.)
Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected]
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