High School

Woodland Beavers: 2019 Washington high school 2A football preview

Here's an inside look at the 2A Woodland Beavers. Links: Woodland team page | 2019 schedule |Roster 2018 IN REVIEW 8-2 overall, 5-1 in 2A Greater St. Helens

Andy Buhler, SBLive Sports

Woodland Beavers: 2019 Washington high school 2A football preview
Woodland Beavers: 2019 Washington high school 2A football preview /

Here's an inside look at the 2A Woodland Beavers.

Links: Woodland team page | 2019 schedule |Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

8-2 overall, 5-1 in 2A Greater St. Helens League (second place); lost to Tumwater in the district crossover (regionals).

COACHING RESUME

Garrett Lutgen, first season

0-0 record

Coordinators: Justin Gabbard (OC); Zach Lacey (DC).

Base schemes: Oklahoma Spread offense; Base 4-4 defense.

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 4. Defense - 5.

TOP RETURNERS

LG/DT John Arocan, 6-0, 235, Jr.

LT/DE Jason Bowman, 6-3, 225, Jr.

QB/CB Isaiah Flanagan, 6-2, 190, Sr.

RB/LB Brooks Massey, 6-1, 180, Sr.

RB/LB Ian Short, 6-0, 190, Jr.

THREE TO SEE

QB/CB Isaiah Flanagan, 6-2, 190, Sr.

A playmaker on both sides of the ball as a junior, Flanagan will face a tall task of stepping under center as the Beavers’ starting quarterback. 

LT/DE Jason Bowman, 6-3, 225, Jr.

A difference-maker, and a technically sound lineman, Bowman is a mutli-year starter who brings stability to a front replacing much of its core from last season.

RB/LB Ian Short, 6-0, 190, Jr.

Short, who saw the field as a back last season, will be looked upon to step into a sizable role as a running back and linebacker.

OUTLOOK

Expect a much different Woodland team this season.

The Beavers must replace all-purpose contributor Tyler Flanagan — QB, running back, receiver, kick returner, tackle machine — who graduated among the program’s top players of all time and had the school on the cusp of a 2A state playoff berth last November.

How does first-year coach Garrett Ludgren, who replaces recently retired head coach Mike Woodward and led the school’s JV program last season, plan to do that? A change of philosophy on both sides of the ball.

With nine returning starters, the Beavers turn to another Flanagan — Isaiah — to step in at quarterback in a potentially wide open 2A GSHL.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept. 6, 7 p.m.: at Kalama

Sept. 13, 7p.m.: La Center

Sept. 20, 7 p.m.: Washougal

Sept. 27, 7 p.m.: at R.A. Long

Oct. 4, 7 p.m.: Hockinson

Oct. 11, 7 p.m.: Montesano

Oct. 18, 7 p.m.: at Ridgefield

Oct.25, 7 p.m.: Columbia River

Nov. 1, 7 p.m.: at Mark Morris

*home games in bold

Published
Andy Buhler, SBLive Sports
ANDY BUHLER, SBLIVE SPORTS

Andy Buhler is a Regional Editor of Texas and the national breaking news desk. He brings more than five years of experience covering high school sports across the state of Washington and beyond, where he covered the likes of Paolo Banchero and Tari Eason served on state tournament seeding committees. He works on the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national boys basketball rankings. He has covered everything from the Final Four, MLS in Atlanta to local velodrome before diving into the world of preps. His bylines can be found in The News Tribune (Tacoma, Washington), The Associated Press, The Columbian (Vancouver, Washington), The Oregonian and more. He holds a degree from Gonzaga and is based out of Portland, Oregon.

Home/Football