Making The Rounds, GSHL Fall Camp Visits: Heritage
Written by on August 24, 2010
Heritage coach Nate Becksted talks to his players about the importance of being smart football players during practice on day 5 of fall camp.
New look Heritage is ready for a dog fight in the 4A Greater St. Helens League.
At the beginning of the 2008 season Heritage was a 4A top 10 ranked team, by the end of the season they finished 5-5 losing in the qualifying round to South Kitsap.
Many people felt that Heritage had the tools to make a strong showing in the playoffs last season, with Sr. QB Garrett Grayson and Sr. WR’s Cody Yahn, Doug Van Aalst and C.J. Hatchett, but the Heritage coaching staff knew they were young up front and that those were some lofty goals.
“Last season was a bit disappointing for everybody in the program,” said Heritage head coach Nate Becksted. “We had some unrealistic expectations being ranked in the top 10 at the beginning of the season when we were so young up front.”
Well now Grayson is gone, and so are all the WR’s. But Nolan LaValley, Terrall Quigley, Casey Hoodenpyl, and Bryce Sanders are all back on the offensive line, and that has the coaching staff very excited.
Becksted sat down with his incoming senior class and stressed the importance of getting back to being a team, and working together as a group. Leading the efforts to create a family atmosphere has been the offensive line.
“Not only is the offensive line the strength of our team in terms of performance, but also just the strength of our leadership.”
This season, Heritage is trying to change the direction of the program.
“Conditioning, defence, special teams, running the football on offense, weve had to recommit to a lot of those things,” said Becksted. “I think the kids have really bought into that.”
Over the past few seasons Heritage has been known for spending very little time on defense and special teams. This season that is changing as Monday’s second practice was all defense, and Tuesdays scheduled practice is again all defense.
“Sometimes being good on defense is just means being in good shape and having to run hard.”
One thing Becksted has always stressed is that his job first and foremost is to develop productive young men.
“We emphasis being a man, learning responsibility, being accountable, sticking together through thick and thin,” said Becksted on his teams goals for the season. “That’s my A-1 priority that trumps anything else.”
On the field, Becksted feels the 4A GSHL is one of the top leagues in the state and feels that whoever comes out of the league as the #3 team could win some games in the post season. He hopes his team is one of those 3 teams come November, and thinks the players are ready to work for those goals.
“If we are better on defense. If we are better on special teams. If our kids don’t get out played in the 4th quarter because of conditioning, then I think we will have had a successful season,” said Becksted. “Its going to be a dog fight every Friday night.”
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11 Responses to “Making The Rounds, GSHL Fall Camp Visits: Heritage”
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This team is the going to be story of the year this year am telling don’t hate on MY BOYZS AND MY TEAM.
Doubtful
Belive it when i see it
heritage had a much better team than the 5-5 record showed last season. they had the players to go a long way in the post season. some of those players were not used in the correct positions and didn’t play when they should have been. hopefully this season players are used correctly and in the right situations. the emphasis on D and special teams is one step in the right direction.
Heritage had a bunch of selfish dudes who would have caused Union to lose 3 or 4 games had they played for them!! Don’t post that junk!! As a player, you do what the coach asks because the coach believes your talent will help the team win! Heritage has always had kids who think they are one thing when really they are something else. When they don’t get their way, they sabotage their job instead of doing what is best for the team!!!
“On the field, Becksted feels the 4A GSHL is one of the top leagues in the state and feels that whoever comes out of the league as the #3 team could win some games in the post season. He hopes his team is one of those 3 teams come November, and thinks the players are ready to work for those goals.”
Do the top 3 teams in the 4a GSHL make it to the playoffs?
no only two
no, 3, weird trade deal with other leagues.
How on Earth can 4A GSHL have 3 teams advance to the playoffs?
I don’t think that is possible with only 5 teams. But I’m not an expert so don’t hold it against me.
It has not been set yet, however from what I have heard that is what it is looking like. 4A, 3A and 2A will each get 3. Don’t ask why, just take them.
Well thats good news. Evergreen will take the first spot then the other teams can fight for the other two.
Due to global warming, everyone is going GREEN!