After four years as an assistant football coach at Idaho State overseeing safeties, 2011 was Amrine’s first season as a head football coach at the high school level when the Castle Rock native arrived at Centralia.
And if there’s one emphasis in Year 2 with the pro and spread offenses Amrine brought in, it’s scoring more.
While the Tigers earned their sixth winning season in seven years in 2011, the hit-and-miss offense was mostly missing. The Tigers averaged 10.1 points a game.
“We have to be able to score points,” said Amrine, who also was an assistant coach at Central Washington and Eastern Washington. “You’re not going to win in this conference on that.”
More is expected to be on the shoulders of junior quarterback Joe Blaser, whom Amrine called the kind of “even-keel guy you need at quarterback.”
Linebacker Justice Tasby is regarded as one of the top linebackers in the 2A Evergreen Conference by opposing coaches.
The 6-foot, 200-pound senior ran two interceptions back for TDs last season and has “a really good nose for the ball” Amrine said.
An all-league athlete in football and basketball – and playing both ways in football – Tasby will see more time as a tailback.
“He’s a naturally gifted athlete,” Amrine said. “You’re not going to sneak up on the guy.”
Home games in CAPS. All games at 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 31: at Hoquiam
Friday, Sept. 7: WASHOUGAL
Friday, Sept. 14: at Aberdeen
Friday, Sept. 21: EISENHOWER
Friday, Sept. 28: CAPITAL *
Friday, Oct. 5: RIVER RIDGE *
Friday, Oct. 12: at Tumwater *
Friday, Oct. 19: at Black Hills *
Friday, Oct. 26: W.F. West * About the TIGERS
Coach: Steve Amrine, second year
2011 record: 5-4.
Offense: Coordinator (set) – Steve Amrine (pro, spread). Returning starters – 3. Top players: QB Joe Blaser, 5-11, 165, jr.; FB Chuck McKeerver, 5-8, 230, sr.; WR John Sharkey, 6-2, 170, sr.
Defense: Coordinator (set) – Brad White (multiple). Returning starters – 4. Top players: LB Justice Tasby, 6-0, 200, sr.; DB Jake Riccardo, 6-0, 185, sr.; DL Jeff Carlisle, 6-2, 240, sr.; DL Alex Daarud, 6-0, 285, sr.
Outlook: The Tigers are implementing a two-offense scheme with the pro and spread following a season in which they averaged 10.1 points per game, with a single-game high of 27. A big plus for Centralia is the size of its line. The five starters average 245 pounds. Justice Tasby is regarded by coaches as one of the top linebackers in the EvCo.
mwochnick@theolympian.com
mwochnick@theolympian.com 360-754-5473 www.theolympian.com/southsoundsports @megwochnick * 2A Evergreen Conference game
