Montesano Bulldogs: 2019 Washington high school 1A football preview

By WILL HOLLAND Here's an inside look at the 1A Montesano Bulldogs. Links: Montesano team page | 2019 schedule 2018 IN REVIEW 8-2 overall record, 3-1 in 1A

By WILL HOLLAND

Here's an inside look at the 1A Montesano Bulldogs.

Links: Montesano team page | 2019 schedule

2018 IN REVIEW

8-2 overall record, 3-1 in 1A Evergreen League; lost in first round of playoffs to Mount Baker, 48-7

COACHING RESUME

HC: Terry Jensen

Record: 266-90 all-time coaching record (18th season with Montesano)

Coordinators: Terry Jensen (OC); Brian Hollatz (DC).

Base schemes: Multiple offenses, 3-4 defense

RETURNING 

Offense - 8. Defense - 8.

TOP RETURNERS

WR/DB Sam Winter, 6-1, 170, Sr.

FB/LB Brent Hollatz, 5-10, 170, Sr.

WR/DB Braden Dohrmann, 5-8, 140, Sr.

OL/DL/P Tanner Nicklas, 6-4, 234, Sr.

OL Kenny Koonrad, 6-0, 270, So.

THREE TO SEE

WR/DB Sam Winter, 6-1, 170, Sr.

Winter earned all-league first team honors on both sides of the ball last season, and probably would have received a selection as a return specialist as well if the league offered it. Doesn’t have a lot of conventional speed, but he seems to fly with the ball in his hands. The offense will move through this kid in the fall. 

FB/LB Brent Hollatz, 5-10, 170, Sr.

Another returning all-league selection on defense for the Bulldogs in Brent Hollatz. While only 170 pounds, the incoming senior plays two physical positions and plays bigger than he is. His sure-tackling abilities will be a big plus for the Montesano defense in 2019. 

OL/DL/P Tanner Nicklas, 6-4, 234, Sr.

Nicklas earned all-league honors as a punter last year, and he might be the biggest one in the country at 6-4, 234 pounds. He’ll also add some much-needed size to both sides of the line for the Bulldogs, who lose a two-way, all-league lineman in Kai Olson. 

OUTLOOK

The Bulldogs enter the 2019 season after capping off last year with a second-place league finish and an 8-2 record. Head coach Terry Jensen enters his 18th season at Montesano this year and his 32nd year as a head coach overall, with a 266-90 record. That’s a 75-percent all-time win percentage, and his 266 wins places him 8th among active Washington high school football coaches (all classifications). His record should continue to build this season, as Montesano is primed for yet another playoff run. Says coach, “We have high expectations with this many returners [...] We should be able to compete with everyone on our schedule”. The Bulldogs return all-league selections in Sam Winter, Brent Hollatz, and Tanner Nicklas, but lose a few key playmakers on both sides of the ball to graduation. Among the recently departed senior class were all-league selections Shaydon Farmer (QB), Teegan Zillyett (RB), and two-way lineman Kai Olson. They’ll leave some big shoes to fill, but this year’s 12-man senior crew should have more than enough experience to win some ball games for coach Jensen. 

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept. 6, 7 p.m.: Aberdeen

Sept. 13, 7 p.m.: at Shelton

Sept. 20, 7 p.m.: at Columbia (White Salmon)

Sept. 27, 7 p.m.: Port Angeles

Oct. 4, 7 p.m.: at Forks

Oct. 11, 7 p.m.: at Woodland

Oct. 18, 7 p.m.: Hoquiam

Oct. 25, 7 p.m.: Tenino

Nov. 1, 7 p.m.: at Elma

*home games in bold