RAINIER — Five-alarm fire warnings were ringing throughout the Rainier High School football team in 2025.
Losing the first four games of the season, and back-to-back fourth quarter leads wiped away, was far from how head coach Andy Bartell thought the season would go. Then it seemed to spiral out of control after losing 52-0 in Week 4 to Onalaska.
“We could have mailed it in,” Bartell said. “They kept fighting.”
What followed was a complete reversal and it spurred the Mountaineers into the Class 2B playoffs and a Round of 16 appearance. Now, with all but five players back, they feel different heading into Week 1 against arch rival Tenino.
And re-energized.
“We want to start way better and be one of the top teams in 2B,” junior lineman Kaynen Barger said. “Having that mindset to be great and not backing down.”
Rainier had one final non-padded practice on Friday afternoon. Here are three takeaways from the two-hour session from the outfield of the baseball diamond.
Second-straight season of a freshman QB
Jackson Stockdale won the starting quarterback job last year as a freshman, but has transferred to 2A Mark Morris this fall. In comes Ryan O’Neal, another freshman that’s been a part of winning at the middle school level.
In offensive drills, he was at his best out of the pocket on bootlegs. When he was in the pocket, he did deliver a pair of strikes to his receivers.
“There is a demeanor to him where he is always going to win and you can’t coach that,” Bartell said. “His on-field trait is that he moves very well. We’re gonna get him on the move. It allows the misdirection and run game to be better.”
Rectifying defensive performances
Not only were the fourth quarter shortcomings paramount, so too were the uncompetitive defensive performances in five of the first six weeks.
Versus Tenino, Onalaska and Toledo – all teams that won at minimum a crossover – the Mountaineers were outscored 144-6. Bryce Keller, a second team all-league linebacker, has belief this year’s defense will be better.
“When you go out there, you want to keep believing in yourself,” Keller said.
Tic-Tac-Toe battle
Rainier’s practice concluded with a game of tic-tac-toe. Five different teams were formed and played until a winner was determined. One of the assistant coaches preached body control, patience and reaction time.
An area of improvement Bartell wants to see is a cut down on pre-snap penalties.
“We’ve been working hard in getting the plays down and that will help,” lineman Blake Roberts said.
