Coming off a strong 2009 season, the Cedarcrest varsity football team is aiming high in what would normally be a rebuilding year.

“We are a young team,” said seven-year head coach Jason Frederick. “We graduated a lot of seniors last year.”

Top newcomers include Nick Gagner, Martin Vakamoce, Zac Wilhelm, Axel Ellsworth and Josh Davidson. Frederick also has a corps of returners to count on, including Jared Klingenberg, Paul Wilen, Tanner Marty, Clayton Fleming, Chris Dowd and Justin Houser.

“We are working to finish toward the top in league,” said Frederick, whose goal for the Red Wolves is to “become a team and form a strong brotherhood.”

Recent Cedarcrest graduates on the gridiron at college level include Jacob Kreigbaum, in his first year at Whitworth, and Evan Schreurs, a freshman at Pacific University.

Assistants include George Anderson, Scott Henry, Jerrell Wills, Dave Ryles, Hal Webb, Mike Miyoshi and Rick Grey.