Ridgeview football players look forward to putting a disappointing 2016 season behind them.

The Ravens brought 70 players out for the start of practices last week, with an eye toward big improvement in the 2017 season, which starts Sept. 1 at Thurston.

“We actually have the heart,” said senior tight end/defensive end Cooper Majetich. “We have a lot better leadership than last year. We think that’s going to play a huge role.”

The Ravens finished 2016, their third season in Class 5A and first in the new eight team Special District 1, with a 1-8 record, with the only victory a 12-6 league win against Hood River Valley on Sept. 16.

But they have reason to believe it could be a different story this year. The Ravens are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since they won they state Class 4A title in 2013.

“I see a lot of improvement year over year,” said sixth-year coach Andy Codding, the only head coach the Ravens have had. “I see a lot of athleticism and speed. I see strong desire in the older kids to improve.”

Around 25 players return from last season’s varsity, Codding said. One goal for this season is to keep the players healthy. The Ravens were hit hard by injuries in 2016.

The Ravens have improved their strength and conditioning program, which Codding hopes will lead to fewer players missing games because of injury, he said.

The Ravens have two players competing for the quarterback spot — junior Payton Davis and senior Max Hopper. Codding said on Aug. 15 that he was looking forward to the practice two days later, when the players would be able to play in full pads.

“When that contact starts to happen, you see who responds the right way and who is going on the shelf,” Codding said.

Codding is also pleased with his skill position players at receiver and running back.

“We’ve got some really good football players that we just need to put in the right spots and get them some opportunities and space,” he said.

The seniors this season are making an effort to be positive examples to younger players, said senior receiver and outside linebacker Bryce Olson.

“We’re taking time actually coaching them as seniors, not just watching them, helping them develop by showing them the ropes,” Olson said. “We have lots of talented people, pretty much everything you need. We just need them to feel honored to be able to play football and give it their all.”

The younger players are noticing the effort the seniors put in, said junior running back and outside linebacker Noah Brown.

“The seniors this year are good leaders and they help us know what to do out there on the field,” he said.

When asked what his individual goals are this year, Brown responded, “Win football games.”

“I feel like we’re capable of a lot more than last year,” he said. “We’re a small group, especially in the senior class, but we have a lot of leaders and a lot of hard workers on the team.”

— Reporter: 541-548-2186, gfolsom@redmondspokesman.com