THEY WANT MORE

After finishing 7-3 and capturing its second consecutive Northeast A League championship last fall, Colville enters the 2026 season looking to keep that run going while taking another step once the postseason arrives. Head coach William Benbrook said the Crimson Hawks were pleased with what they accomplished during the regular season a year ago, but the ending left the program wanting more.

“We are expecting to build on last season,” Benbrook said. “This group of seniors is motivated to repeat as league champs.” Colville’s back-to-back league championships isn’t an easy accomplishment as the four-team league is typically fairly evenly matched. “We are super happy with last year’s regular season but felt like we could have played a couple more weeks in the playoffs,” Benbrook said.

“We want to get to that spot again.” The Crimson Hawks will lean on a core group of established leaders as they pursue another league crown. Senior offensive and defensive lineman Toby Fowler, senior wide receiver and defensive back Jeff Sears, and junior quarterback and linebacker Gunnar Baker were selected as team captains.

Benbrook also identified senior running back and linebacker Baxter Phipps, junior wide receiver and defensive back Sam Sears, and sophomore lineman Sawyer Dallman among the players providing leadership. One of Colville’s biggest advantages could come up front. On the line, the Crimson Hawks return four starters and have seven linemen total with varsity playing time. That experience along the offensive line will surround a group Benbrook believes has plenty of options at the skill positions.

He described Colville as having “several good running backs and receivers,” while expecting the Crimson Hawks’ defense to play with speed and physicality. Among the new names to watch is senior running back and defensive back Jayson Clark, a transfer from Wyoming whom Benbrook described as the “fastest player on the team.” Junior linebacker Ryan Hopper also returns after missing last season because of injury, while freshman tight end and linebacker Bryant Lopata is another young player who could make an impact.

Despite the returning talent, Colville will have to replace considerable starting experience on both sides of the ball. Three players are expected to make their first starts on offense, while five first-year starters are projected on defense. “Depth is always a concern at 1A level,” Benbrook said. “To be competitive we need to win the turnover margin and protect the ball.” Colville will again have little room for error in an NEA that Benbrook expects to remain competitive.

“We have a strong league that is alway coaches well,” Benbrook said. “The top 3 teams are always competitive with each other.” Lakeside returns a first-team all-league quarterback, while Riverside brings back two wide receivers who earned all-league recognition in 2024, giving the Crimson Hawks experienced competition as they try to defend their championship.

For Colville, however, the identity players want to establish is about more than talent or experience. Benbrook said his players have made it clear how they want opponents to view the Crimson Hawks by the end of the season. “Our players want to be a tough and conditioned team!” Benbrook said. “They have asked the coaches to push them toward this identity.” After consecutive league championships, Colville now gets the opportunity to see whether that identity can carry the Crimson Hawks to a third straight NEA crown and deeper into the postseason.