Twins lift Capital’s hopes

By Meg Wochnick | The Olympian • Published August 23, 2008

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OLYMPIA — For Riley and Reid Wall, it’s the commitment they’ve been waiting to see since their freshman season.

Just three years ago, the Walls were among only a handful of players who made a strong dedication of being in the weight room at Capital. The numbers just weren’t there.

But now, with the Walls set to begin their senior season, they and 50 to 60 other Capital football players have been in the weight room consistently during last school year and into the summer months.

That resurgence has been seen by all.

“There’s something about it in there,” Reid Wall said. “Coach (J.D) Johnson makes it a lot of fun, and kids enjoy being in there.

“It’s helping our kids’ attitude, and he’s put a good feeling into the program and school.”

Johnson said it was a little tough in the beginning getting other players and parents on board with what the program was trying to accomplish under his system. But once on board, there became a noticeable difference.

“We’re a lot faster and quicker and we’re a lot stronger,” said Johnson, who begins his second year at the helm of the Cougars. “The weight room accomplishes more than strength and speed. It brings out teamwork and trust.”

The devotion the Walls have to the weight room was obvious right after their junior season on the basketball court. After Capital lost in the district tournament in February, they hit the weightroom again — and were each other’s lifting partner — preparing for their senior football season that very next day.

“They’re committed,” Johnson said. “They lead by example, and they’re the total package.”

The two-headed monster of Riley and Reid Wall are two of 17 returning starters (eight on offense, nine on defense) for Capital, and are two of a few Cougars who can be seen on both sides of the ball. Both play strong safety on defense, and both are in the backfield at running back and fullback on offense, and a bit at receiver, Reid said. Riley earned first-team all-Western Cascade Conference honors last season at running back, rushing for more than 1,000 yards. But Reid, who missed a few games last year due to injury, most likely had a bit to do with Riley’s total yardage, laying down a good block.