Wapato Wolves: 2019 Washington high school 2A football preview

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Wapato Wolves football team.

LINKS: Wapato team page | 2019 schedule | Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

2-8 overall, 0-4 in the 2A Central Washington Athletic Conference - South (5th place).

COACHING RESUME

Greg Gurtlier, seventh season

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 7. Defense - 8.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

OL Quincy Dollente 5-10, 215, Jr.

WR Michael Martinez 5-11 175 Jr.

RB Tyron Garcia 5-7, 160, Soph.

OL Eddie Mendez 6-2, 250 Jr.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

DL Quincy Dollente 5-10, 215, Jr.

LB Luis Gonzalez 5-10, 185, Sr.

DL Eddie Mendez 6-2, 250 Jr.

SS Michael Martinez 5-11 175 Jr.

THREE TO SEE

Quincy Dollente, defensive tackle

Second team all-league selection as defensive tackle as a sophomore.

Michael Martinez, receiver/strong safety

Three-year two-way starter. Played quarterback last season. One of the most athletic kids at Wapato High School.

Javier Garza, receiver/free safety

Will be a first-year starter, but has contributed in several places over the last two seasons. Capable at many positions. “If I asked him to carry the water jug, he would,” coach Greg Gurtlier said.

OUTLOOK

New playmakers are set to step in for Wapato and they face a tall task: replacing wideout Damien Travis and running back Jesse Frank, both all-league selections.

But in perhaps the last year of a two-division CWAC before the state ushers in new reclassification rules, the distance between a postseason berth and a week 8 season finale might be just one or two games. And that margin will be crucial for Wapato, which went 0-4 in the CWAC South last season, losing by an average of 52 points.

The Wolves hope to nab their first league win in several years.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept 6: at Wahluke, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: Highland, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20: at Cashmere, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27: Toppenish, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: Quincy, 7 p.m.

Oct. 10: Selah, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18: Grandview, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25: Prosser, 7 p.m.

Nov. 1: CWAC crossover, 7 p.m.

*home games in bold