Optimism high as Washington prepares for its follow-up

CEDAR RAPIDS — Maybe it was the unseasonably cool morning. Perhaps, the Washington Warriors know the potential that lies ahead.

Either way, when the Warriors opened practice a couple weeks back, the mood was light.

There was levity in the air. It sounded like optimism.

'I think everybody's just so comfortable with each other,' senior Connor Vincent said. 'In the weight room, everybody's been getting faster and stronger. We've got a lot coming back.'

Something special may lie on the horizon. We may be about to witness a new Golden Age of Washington football.

The Warriors followed an 0-3 start last season with a six-game winning streak, highlighted by a convincing upset win over then-No. 1 Cedar Rapids Xavier. The run ended with a first-round playoff loss to Cedar Falls.

They've gotten an appetizer. Now, in the second year of the second tenure of Coach Paul James, they want more.

'The expectations are higher, but we don't feel any pressure,' said offensive lineman Julian Good-Jones, who has committed to Iowa State. 'If we play like we're capable, I don't think there are many teams in the state that can stay with us.'

James has the luxury of strong back-to-back-to-back classes, starting with the junior group. Last year's sophomore team was undefeated. So was the freshman team.

'There's a lot yet to be determined,' said James, the 2013 Gazette Coach of the Year. 'The potential is there to have a decent team. How good we become, that is up to the kids, how hard they work.'

Washington returns nearly all of its skill personnel, including quarterback Reid Snitker, receivers Landen Akers and Isaiah Nimmers and backs Masen Taylor and Johnny Dobbs.

'We have playmakers back at every position,' Good-Jones said.

Snitker was thrust in the starting quarterback role last year when practice began, then threw for 1,479 yards and ran for 545 with a combined 20 touchdowns.

'I would definitely say I'm more relaxed and comfortable this year,' he said. 'My arm is stronger and I have a better handle of the offense.'

Akers and Nimmers both caught more than 30 passes last season. Both of Nimmers' touchdown catches came in the final minutes of a frantic rally against Waterloo West in Week 5 that helped the Warriors gain steam.

'I think we have guys that can go deep for big plays, and we'll be able to pound the ball, too,' Akers said.

At 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, Good-Jones is one of the key guys to help protect Snitker, as well as open holes for what should be a potent running game. He made his college commitment this summer, 'so I can focus on the Warriors this fall.'

The Mississippi Valley Conference schedule has been replaced by districts in Class 4A. The Warriors were assigned to District 6, along with MVC rivals Iowa City High and Cedar Rapids Prairie, along with Muscatine, Ottumwa and Burlington.

Washington is as logical a choice as anyone in determining a favorite.

'We should probably be in the conversation,' James said. 'We'll see how things develop.'

The Warriors open against Cedar Rapids Jefferson on Friday, then begin district play Sept. 26 at home against Muscatine.

'The season gets long, and sometimes players and teams wear out,' Good-Jones said. 'I don't think that's going to happen with our team. We want to go a long way. We want to make it to the UNI-Dome.'

CEDAR RAPIDS WASHINGTON, AT A GLANCE

Coach: Paul James (13th year, 64-52)

Last year: 6-4 (lost in first round of 4A playoffs to Cedar Falls)

Key returners: QB Reid Snitker, WR/DB Landen Akers, WR/DB Isaiah Nimmers, OL Julian Good-Jones, DL Royal Silver, FB/LB Connor Vincent

Key losses: WR/DB Jake Bjornsen, WR/DB Clayton Bjornsen

Key to making playoffs: Play to potential. It would take something catastrophic for this team to miss the playoffs.

Games to watch: Iowa City West (Sept. 12), at Cedar Rapids Prairie (Oct. 10).

SCHEDULE (*district game)

Aug. 29 — Cedar Rapids Jefferson

Sept. 5 — at Cedar Rapids Kennedy

Sept. 12 — Iowa City West

Sept. 19 — at Linn-Mar

Sept. 26 — Muscatine*

Oct. 3 — Ottumwa*

Oct. 10 — at Cedar Rapids Prairie*

Oct. 17 — Iowa City High*

Oct. 24 — at Burlington*

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@sourcemedia.net