Grid team kicks off preseason with coach and team new and looking to future

It seems like yesterday that the surprising La Conner High football team was securing an NW2B title with a season-ending four-game winning streak after three straight single victory years.

And, in a way, it was yesterday as the upstart Braves and their league foes shifted traditional fall schedules to spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yet much has changed in just four months.

First-year La Conner head coach Jeff Scoma stepped down in June to lead the 3A Stanwood High grid program and has been replaced at the Braves helm by defensive coordinator Charlie Edwards, who inherits a young roster that must cope with heavy graduation losses.

“We’re going to be really young,” Edwards, who launched preseason practices at Whittaker Field last Wednesday, told the Weekly News. “We’ll have mostly freshmen and sophomores and maybe just six or seven upperclassmen.”

Fortunately, for La Conner fans, Edwards has a proven track record when it comes to developing young talent. He has been a longtime youth sports coach here, guiding local football, basketball and baseball teams.

“My plan,” Edwards confirmed in a recent on-line interview with La Conner Schools Director of Special Programs Andy Wheeler, “was to coach kids until they get to high school and then sit back and watch and be a fan.

“But, plans change,” said Edwards.

Scoma brought Edwards on board at the high school level to direct a Braves defensive unit that scored high marks last spring for forcing critical fumbles and interceptions.

In that role, Edwards built upon the rapport he had developed earlier with La Conner players when they came through the local youth sports ranks.

“I love being called ‘coach.’ To me, it’s a term of endearment,” stressed Edwards, who said that more important than wins and losses is his ability “to be as positive an influence as I can. I want the boys to be winners in life. Wins (on the field) are great but knowing they’re part of a team and the team is there for them is the big thing and that they enjoy being part of something successful.”

Edwards said sports are a great outlet for students.

“They have so much to teach,” he said, “(but) I wouldn’t force football on any student. Once they come out, though, they realize how much fun it is.”

That was certainly the case for Edwards, a 1991 La Conner High grad who played running back and linebacker under then-head coach Ward Weidenbach.

“I still remember the plays and emotions and want the boys to have good memories when they look back as well,” Edwards said prior to the team’s initial workout.

His plan is to install a ball control offense that keeps opposing defenses guessing while employing defensive schemes designed to fly to the ball and create turnovers.

Edwards said he expects big contributions from seniors Jahrel Cayou, a 5’-11,” 220-pound linebacker and 5’-8,” 165-pound running back/linebacker Haydin Dinius; and juniors Kali Adams (running back/defensive back) and Scott Cayou (defensive tackle/linebacker), among others.

Edwards anticipates a tough league race ahead with Friday Harbor returning. The Wolverines did not field a spring football team as the San Juan Islands were experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases.

“Our big rivalry would be with Friday Harbor,” Edwards said. “They’ve been a big powerhouse in the league and, of course, there’s Coupeville.”

La Conner split a two-game series with Coupeville to kick off what was a five-game schedule last spring. A 21-0 home win over the Wolves was the first of four consecutive La Conner triumphs that clinched the league championship for the Braves.

La Conner hosts Friday Harbor Sept. 17 (7 p.m.) and visits the Wolverines Oct. 22 in a 6 p.m. kickoff. The Braves travel to Coupeville Sept. 24 (7 p.m.) and entertain the Wolves Oct. 15, also at 7 p.m.

Edwards said he and his staff will place a major emphasis on player safety throughout the upcoming season.

“It’s a physically tough game,” he said of football, but one that promotes fitness, teamwork and camaraderie.

Those are attributes Edwards believes are well worth sharing and a decisive factor that led him to coaching.

“It just kind of grew on me,” he noted. “Coaching is about the kids and helping them learn life experiences and expectations through something fun like football.

“I want the kids to enjoy what they’re doing, even when it comes to practice,” said Edwards. “These four years of high school fly by.”

For Edwards, the past few weeks – since getting the nod to become La Conner High’s new head football coach – have likewise flown by.

“When the opportunity came up,” he said, “I was a little nervous, but excited. I can’t wait for us to get started. We hope the community will come out and support us.”

La Conner is slated to open its 2021 fall schedule Sept. 4 (3 p.m.) at 1A Bellevue Christian. The Braves debut at Whittaker Field Sept 10 (7 p.m.) opposite Sultan, another non-league test.