Coach: Adam Mathieson

2018: 11-2, Class 3A state semifinalist; 5-0 3A GSHL, league champion

Biggest offseason news:

This team returns one all-league player, one starter. Yes. One. But here is why that is not a concern to the coaching staff. This Mountain View program is a true program. It is not a one-year thing. This offseason really showcased how it has become this way, coach Adam Mathieson said. The senior leaders from the previous years have taught the younger players, and when they become seniors, they teach the younger players, and so it goes. There are not many big-name players on this team — yet — but these players are as committed as any from previous teams. “The program is getting less and less coach driven and more and more player driven,” Mathieson said. “That doesn’t necessarily equate to wins and losses but it stabilizes our culture. ‘How do you behave in school? How do you talk to officials?’ We’re to the point, those things are taught more by the players and less by the coaches.”

This is Team 39 at Mountain View. Team 38 won a Class 3A Greater St. Helens League and went to the state final four. Team 39 expects to win a bunch, too. Photo by Mike Schultz

At stake in 2019:

Just keep the Mountain View momentum. The program has won the past three league titles and last year reached the state semifinals and notched a program-best 11 wins. Of course, that team also had 16 players — yes 16! — who were voted all-league and 15 — yes 15! — of them graduated. Because of that, no one is really thinking Mountain View as a final four team again. But another league title? With Mathieson as the coach, with all those guys getting better last year playing behind those all-leaguers? Oh, winning league is definitely the plan for the Thunder.

Spring/Summer standouts and stories:

“Everybody, because we didn’t know anything about anybody,” Mathieson said. “Everything we’ve done, from the weight room starting in January, to practice in June, and team camp, summer lifting, 7-on-7 … everything we do is an opportunity for the kids to showcase and get better. It wouldn’t be good if I could just name one or two kids. That’s a really positive thing. We have several young kids who have really done a nice job.”

Skill position players of note:

Alec Cann. Not a starter last year but did have one of the biggest plays of the year. Mountain View was in a close game for a half against Kelso. It was Cann’s interception return for touchdown that changed the momentum, and Mountain View clinched another league title. This year, Cann is battling for the quarterback spot.

Alec Cann and Kury Santiago are in a quarterback battle. Only one can start, but the coach said both athletes will be on the field somewhere this season. Photos by Mike Schultz

Kury Santiago is also hoping to win the quarterback battle. If he does not, look for him to be a wide receiver. Cann and Santiago will see the field, no matter who is playing QB.

Dominic Stephens is listed as a tight end but might be a wide receiver, too.

Davis Delmage is the third Delmage brother to play for the Thunder. Pencil him in at wide receiver.

Malikiah Batties has been performing well in the offseason as a tight end and linebacker.

The Thunder are still looking for their No. 1 option at running back. Isaiah Johnson, Alex Drake, and Kevin Chen should have their opportunities.

Linemen of note:

Preston Collins: The lone returning starter. A great teammate, he runs well for a guy who is 6-4, 290 pounds. He played some tight end for the Thunder in 7-on-7, to give you an idea of his athleticism.

Preston Collins is the lone returning starter for the Thunder, plus he earned all-league status last season as a lineman. Photo by Mike Schultz

Gage Rutherford. Was not a starter last season, but an injury forced him to play the final quarter of a playoff game. Mathieson said he was pleased with his performance that night, a tough situation in a close game that ended with a Mountain View win.

Gage Rutherford, right, is one of 21 new starters this season for the Thunder, but that does not mean the team lacks experience. Rutherford was key in a reserve role on the offensive line last season. Photo by Mike Schultz

Eric Brown. Played a lot last season as a backup on the line and as a linebacker. Likely will be the center this season.

Nakoa Dizon will likely be a two-way starter for the Thunder, on the O-line and as a defensive end.

Coach Talk:

“We’re excited to get going with Team 39,” Mathieson said, noting this is the 39th season of Mountain View football. “Expectations don’t change. If you outhit, outhustle, and you’re more mentally tough than your opponent, you can then look up and the scoreboard and see what happens. You get what you get from Mountain View. We don’t play extremely well one week and lay an egg the next. What you get from Mountain View is what you get.”

Biggest game on the schedule:

Get it out of the way early. The Union game. Week 1. The Thunder have a brand new team. The Titans have a brand new team. A year ago, this was an epic game that came down to the wire. Union won and never lost the rest of the season. Mountain View would go on to win 11 in a row. Two great programs — with question marks coming into this season — opening the campaign at McKenzie Stadium.