Takari Hickle is gone, but Tenino has another 1000-yard rusher to feature in Power-T

A year ago, Tenino’s football team was built around a unicorn.

Takari Hickle, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive end and running back, was the rarest of Class 1A players, a can’t miss Division I prospect. He rushed for 2,091 yards and 24 touchdowns as Beavers’ coach Cary Nagel revived an old school offense, the Power T, to propel Tenino to a 10-2 record and its first victory in the state playoffs since 1986.

But with Hickle now at Oregon State, opponents who think Tenino’s run as a 1A Evergreen Conference contender is over may get the proverbial rude awakening.

“Takari was a special player. He’s a big physical kid with speed,” said Nagel. “Being a Division I type of player in 1A, there’s certain times where he’s going to make plays that really flash.”

But with four returnees on the offensive line and Dylan Spicer, who ran for 1,174 yards for 13 touchdowns in 2021, still around, the Beavers hope to have one of the most potent rushing offenses in Washington, after averaging 447 yards per game a year ago.

“Dylan’s obviously not going to be as physical as Takari was just because of the size differential,” said Nagel. “But Dylan runs the ball very very tough. He lowers the shoulder, he gets us the yards, he’s a very inspiring back in that sense that when we hand him the ball, we know we’re going to get a physical fast-track effort from him.”

Former quarterback Kysen Knox, who will yield signal calling duties to Cody Strawn, long penciled in as a starter at QB, but plagued by injuries, and former lineman Randall Marti are also expected to carry the ball.

Tenino held a team camp on its campus over the summer and visiting coaches noticed the Beavers’ depth.

“We had a couple of coaches ask ‘hey coach, where are you finding all these running backs?’ It’s a testament to our coaching staff. They do a really good job with these guys in the weight room and the kids have really bought in.”

Spicer is ready for an anticipated increase in his workload in a run-first-run-almost-always offense minus its featured back from a year ago.

“I’m working and getting in shape because I’m expecting a lot more carries this year,” he said. “I have a lot on my shoulders and have to really take care of the team.”

A two-way player, Spicer earned internet fame last season with a dramatic chase down of an Onalaska punt returner just before halftime that saved a touchdown and perhaps the game.

Asked to give a scouting report on himself, Spicer kept it simple: “Just fast.”

Nagel expounded a bit.

“He’s explosive. His ability to close defensively is fantastic.”

Offensively, Tenino’s change in quarterbacks may or may not result in more passing from a team that threw the ball only 11 times all last season.

“We want to dominate the ground game and we want to take opportunities in the air when we have a chance to. Cody can do both those things,” Nagel said.

The element of surprise is key to whatever passing game Tenino decides to use. Three of the five passes the Beavers completed in 2021 went for touchdowns.

“That’s the idea,” Nagel said. “Run run, run, run, run and then when we catch them falling asleep, we’re going to hit them over the top.”

Interest in the Beavers’ unusual offense can overshadow the emphasis Nagel wants his team to place on defense. He’s been happy with that side of the ball during practice.

“Our defense is extremely active,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of guys that have played a lot of football. We tackle very well and our guys fly around pretty good.”

Two-way lineman Andres Zamudio and free safety Kaden Sayamnet, both seniors, have set the pace.

“Andres has been fantastic. He’s a leader and a captain. He’s a tough guy to deal with on both sides of the ball.”

Zamudio was second team All-Area a year ago, but Sayamnet has been more of a surprise during pre-season practices.

“Kaden’s really flashed for us this spring and summer. He’s been coming down and making some big plays and doing a good job in pass coverage and run support,” Nagel said.

The bottom line? Tenino had a superstar whose time at the school may deserve to be called The Takari Hickle Era. Yet, the Beavers have no plans to let its end mean the end of their time as a top team in 1A statewide.

“We’re still a great team,” said Spicer. “Takari was a great player for us, but we have so many great returning players. We’re going to do just fine.”