High School Football: Kalama focused on path forward in 1A Trico League

Eyes on the Prize – Chinooks shuffling players around to find the right mix

Hudson Moon of Kalama stares through his colorful visor to haul in a pass during preseason football practice, Monday, Aug. 26, at Chinook Stadium in Kalama. / Photo by Candy Durgeloh for Blast Zone Media

By Drew Lawson for Blast Zone Media / blastzonenews@gmail.com

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

KALAMA — Last season, in their first year back in the 1A Trico League, the Chinooks managed to snare a playoff spot despite losing three of their final four games. This year, Kalama is hoping to nab one of the Trico’s four postseason berths with a bit more comfort down the stretch.

To do so, the Chinooks will have to rely on their best athletes to carry the load on a roster that’s lacks some of the depth that fans up on the hill in Kalama have become accustomed to over the past decade, or more.

“We had 34 turn out for the first day of practice,” head coach Mike Phelps said. “We have a really small sophomore class that affects the numbers…there’s only three in that class, and that makes an impact over four years.”

And with the team lacking depth in the senior class, as well, the Chinooks will be reliant on its platoon of juniors in order to stack victories.

— The Kalama Chinooks work through a series of positional drills during preseason football camp, Monday, Aug. 26, at Chinooks Stadium. The ‘Nooks are looking for better health and more consistency in 2025. / Video by Patrick Durgeloh for Blast Zone Media —

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