Linfield football 2018 preview—
‘Cats on the prowl: Linfield seeks 63rd consecutive winning
season, playoff success
Story by
Logan Brandon
Photos by
Rusty Rae
McMinnville
N-R/News-Register, Aug. 31, 2018
Linfield football simply bristles with offensive weapons entering the
2018 season.
Stable of reliable running backs led by all-conference rusher Chidubem
Nnoli?
Check.
Veteran-laden wide receiving core boosted by senior J.D. Lasswell and
converted quarterback Aiden WIlder?
Double check.
A massive and technically proficient offensive line headlined by
All-American Dakota Smith?
Better believe it.
Playoff-caliber starting quarterback?
McMinnville alum Wyatt Smith emphatically crosses that off the Wildcats’
list.
This Linfield offense is primed for a breakout campaign. Commanding this
dangerous unit is coach Joseph Smith, who returns for his 12th year as head man
and 26th overall.
Count Coach Smith as a cautious advocate for his team’s scoring
potential.
“Our offense is doing some good things, but I’d like us to be a little
more consistent. But that’s how every coach feels after two-and-a-half weeks of
practice,” noted Coach Smith.
He continued, “Our offensive line has a chance to be solid in the running
game. We have some very good backs, so (running the ball) needs to be the
strength of our team.
“As that running game goes, it opens up so many things for us in the
passing game. Getting those big chunk plays from intermediate and deep passing
comes from that running game.”
Linfield’s tail back depth ranks among the best in the program.
Of course, Nnoli leads the way with his amazing blend of speed and power.
He gashed opposing defenses for 1,051 yards and nine touchdowns on 202 carries
last season. After another offseason workout program, Nnoli appears even more
powerful at this position.
As a second-year starter, Nnoli’s comfort in the offense is also much
better. He feels his general awareness of the play-calling and offensive
schemes to be miles ahead of last season.
“Things have slowed down for me,” he explained.
Overall, the junior appears excited for the offense to reach its
potential.
“I think the ceiling is very high for this offense,” noted Nnoli. “We are
really deep at running back and receiver, Wyatt is coming back with a year of
experience and the line, the most important unit, they’re looking really good
right now; should be a special year for us.”
Wyatt Smith, a sophomore, earned the starting quarterback job after
displaying incredible resolve as a freshman during the ‘Cats’ postseason run
last year. He threw for 1,065 yards and seven touchdowns and completed 64
percent of his passes.
Dakota Smith, who protects Wyatt’s blindside as the team’s starting left
tackle, believes one crucial trait separates Wyatt from the quarterback pack:
Poise.
“Wyatt is very patient. Most young quarterbacks today like to scramble,
but he is able to stay in the pocket. He does a great job deciding when to step
up and when he needs to escape the pocket,” explained Dakota.
Fortunately, Wyatt relies on a solid offensive line for protection this season.
The experience at the interior is impressive, and Dakota holds his fellow
linemen in high esteem.
“Gabe Majarro, who is a Tacoma guy just like me, makes all the calls for
our line. He does a great job directing our offense.
“Our two guards – Aaron Kokubun and Cody Mitchell – are massive and will
create some running lanes for us. Duncan Mattson is a senior who has great
length at his position,” said Dakota.
Coach Smith said Wyatt’s performance during the stretch run solidified
his candidacy for the starting role.
“He basically earned the job in last year’s playoffs, coming in late in
the game and getting some wins for us,” said Coach Smith.
“The quarterback position is so much about decision-making and being able
to keep your poise when all heck is breaking loose.
“He throws the ball very accurately – has a good arm and makes good
decisions.
“Decision-making and accuracy are the two biggest things that a starting
quarterback needs, everything else is a bonus. Wyatt is used to big situations
growing up and he’s used to dealing with pressure.”
Wyatt explained the experience he gained as a starter boosted his
conviction entering Year Two.
“Any experience you can get helps big time,” he noted. “Being able to
play those last four games last year gave me a lot confidence.
“Things don’t seem like they’re going 100 miles an hour this year. I know
how to handle the game now, which is something I’ve learned since high school.”
The receiving group boasts serious star power. J.D. Lasswell posted a
conference-leading nine touchdowns on 33 receptions a year ago. He gained 637
total receiving yards using quickness and sure hands to decimate defenses.
Joining him are junior wide out Tyler Torgeson and slot receivers Keegan
Weiss, Kory Day and converted quarterback Aiden Wilder.
Wilder, who hassled defenses as a constant running threat at QB, remains
too much of a weapon to keep off the field, said Coach Smith.
“Aiden is transitioning really well to that receiver role for us,”
explained Coach Smith.
“Obviously he can still play quarterback for us, but right now he’s
focused on being a receiver.
While the Wildcat offense looks promising, questions remain for a defense
which lost multiple playmakers.
“Our defense is progressing nicely – that was certainly an area of
concern coming in, considering the seniors we graduated,” noted Coach Smith.
“With time, our defense has chance to be very strong. It’s a matter of
learning from our mistakes and how big the mistakes we learn from.”
Continuity isn’t a strength of the unit, but several impact players
return, including in the secondary.
“Duke Mackle and Tyler Burgeron look very, very good at the safety
positions. Marquis (Perrilliat) and Anthony Guttadaro have been really strong
at corner and Chris Adamo has done some very nice things so far. I think we
have really good secondary in the making, and that’s so important,” said Coach
Smith.
Mackle, an all-conference safety, posted 35 tackles, returned two
interceptions for touchdowns and forced a fumble. He dismisses concerns
regarding the defense’s experience.
“We have had a lot of seniors step up who earned playing time last year,”
he observed.
“We have guys that know the defense well and they have a lot of
potential. We’re not really hurting too much, even though we need a few young
guys to step up.
“We can be as good as we want to be,” added Mackle. “It depends on how
hard we work and how much we study the playbook. Our coaches are pushing us
every day in practice, really challenging us, so that’ll put us in position for
success.”
Depth at linebacker and on the defensive line must be reconciled before
Linfield’s season opener September 8 at Montana’s Carroll College.
“If our linebackers just get some time and experience, they’ll get
better.
“Coach (Phil) Rombach is doing a great job with that unit and Coach
(Jackson) Vaughn is as good as it comes as a defensive coach,” said Coach
Smith.
Patrick Pipitone stands as a dynamic athlete at linebacker, a player to
watch in the heart of the ‘Cat defense.
Though Linfield’s consecutive winning seasons streak sits at 62, Coach
Smith notes the squad doesn’t stress about records.
“I think our program doesn’t think about it all.
“One: we usually have pretty good starts so it’s not an issue.
“Two: Our sights are so much higher; a conference title and making a deep
playoff run are our main goals here. As long as we focus on how good we can be
there’s no pressure about the streak,” he said.
Entering the season ranked number-five in the nation, the Wildcats hold
high expectations yet again. A year ago, they lost only twice, both times to
Texas powerhouse University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Asked what it takes to overcome the juggernaut, Coach Smith answered,
“The most talented team in the country beat us the last two years. If the
bracket stays the way it is, then we have to find a way to beat that team.
“They are very talented – they gave up only two touchdowns last year, so
it’s pretty ridiculous.
“They’re tough to score on so we have to move the ball and put it in the
end zone versus that defense.
“We have a long way to go before we worry about that game,” he added.
#
