Led by strong linebacker group, Gig Harbor eyes return to playoffs
In a typical year for high school football teams, five months after the end of the season generally means springtime workouts, practices and possibly introducing concepts that will be implemented into the following season.
For the Gig Harbor High School football team, their 2020-21 season ended just five months ago with a record of 3-1. The change to a spring schedule was largely due to the Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association moving fall sports amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, to fifth-year head coach George Fairhart, the spring ball schedule is a blessing in disguise because the Tides feel they’ve gotten a jumpstart on their new campaign. The team is eager to return to the field and take on the 3A South Sound Conference once again.
“I like this team so far, I like this attitude and effort,” Fairhart said. “In a lot of ways, playing football in the spring jump-started this season. I feel like we are a lot farther along than we normally are and we are ready to go. I like our league, I really do. There are a lot of good teams and a lot of good coaches. We weren’t in the league; we didn’t scout everybody last year so it’s a little different coming in not having that familiarity.”
Last season, the Tides averaged 14.25 points per game on offense, while conceding 15.25 points. Leading the offense statistically was junior Colin Montgomery. Doing a little bit of everything, Montgomery ran the ball for 118 yards and caught the ball for 112 yards and a touchdown.
The Tides also split time between two quarterbacks last season: juniors Payton Knowles and Will Landram. Knowles put up solid numbers, passing for 505 yards and five touchdowns; and Landram added 172 passing yards and a touchdown to the total.
Going forward, Landram will be one to take snaps under center.
“It feels good to be back out here with my friends again. I’m expecting to do better and getting a few more wins,” he said. “We are very physical with each other, and we try to push each other by cheering the others on in drills. I bring to this team leadership and I’m the one that will get us going.”
The Tides return seven offensive starters from last year, including Landram and Montgomery. The offensive line returns several key starters, too.
One returner is senior Matthew Brown, who plays left guard and defensive tackle. He’ll try to help keep a clean pocket for Landram, and it is the chemistry that he builds with his fellow linemen that will make that job easier.
“I think we will do a lot better than we did last year. I think we’ve made a lot of improvements at quarterback and our line, and I think people will be able to see that,” Brown said. “I feel like especially on the offensive line, it starts there. If we do our job, it benefits everyone else. If I can play my role and everyone else can do that too, we all will have a very big impact and that will show.”
Senior Hudson Cedarland will play tight end and linebacker for the Tides. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder is a Washington State commit. He’s considered a three-star recruit by 247sports.com, the No. 14 player in the state in his class and is projected to play linebacker for the Cougars.
In the shortened spring season, Cedarland recorded 27 tackles, three tackles for a loss, two sacks, and grabbed two interceptions as well. Cedarland doesn’t do it alone, as he has built chemistry with fellow seniors Parker Born and Mic Blake after playing together since their youth football days.
It’s because of their deeper understanding of their positions that makes the linebackers the strongest unit on the field, in Fairhart’s view. All three players are very proficient in terms of communication and understanding of concepts.
“I watch a lot of film, and myself and some of the other linebackers get together to talk about the other team’s running backs, different counters, and stuff they’re going to run against us,” Cedarland said. “I think a thing that us linebackers have in common is that [Born], [Blake] and myself have been playing together since sixth grade and we’ve always been linebackers together. When you’re out there with people you know, it’s a nice feeling.”
Born put together a solid year on both sides of the ball as well. Not only did he record 15 tackles and two for a loss on defense, but he also put up 145 receiving yards and a touchdown as well.
As part of the linebacking crew, Born believes that their leadership and skill will bleed over to the linemen and defensive backs as well.
“We did pretty well last season going 3-1, and our defensive backs and linebackers are all looking really good, so we should have a great secondary” Born said. “We need to keep our energy up and I feel like that’s something we do really well. If we can keep the team’s spirits up, then we work well together.”
Standing out in the secondary will be junior Christian Parrish. He had a quiet season, but still recorded 10 tackles, one for a loss and two picks on the season.
Like the rest of the secondary, Parrish’s goal will be to keep the plays in front of him and go after the ball whenever it comes his way.
“We’re not going to let the other team catch the ball on us, we are stopping them no matter what,” he said. “It’s me versus the guy across from me, and I’m getting the ball.”
Gig Harbor won its season opener last Friday, 49-0 against Shelton. The Tides will face Bonney Lake next on Friday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at Roy Anderson Field.
GIG HARBOR TIDES
Coach: George Fairhart, fifth year
Spring 2021 record: 3-1, fifth place in 4A SPSL
Offensive coordinator, base scheme: Jeff Mladenich, Spread
Defensive coordinator, base scheme: Darrin Reeves, Even
Top players: LB/TE Hudson Cedarland, 6-4, 220, sr; WR Colin Montgomery, 6-1, 165, jr; QB/P Will Landram, 6-4, 160, jr; DL/OL Matthew Brown, 6-0, 240, sr; LB Parker Born, 6-4, 220, sr; DB Christan Parrish, 5-11, 165, jr.
Outlook: Gig Harbor was only able to get in four games last season, but they still were able to hold their own in the 4A SPSL. Now that they are back in the 3A SSC, everything that was old is new again. They will be grappling with youth in the quarterback position in Will Landram but should see some good production from Hudson Cedarland and Colin Montgomery. Cedarland is also the anchor to what Fairhart believes is the best unit on the field in the Tides’ linebackers. Cedarland, Parker Born and Mic Blake hope to lead the Tides back to the playoffs.