With seven road games this season, the Battle Ground Tigers are destined to travel roughly 1,148 miles, and head coach Mike Woodward has compared his squad to a group of road warriors this year.
With his team just wanting to play football, the Tigers aren’t focused on the venue they are playing at, but instead what they are capable of from sideline to sideline. Woodward did acknowledge the fans’ disappointment in not having plenty of opportunities to watch the Tigers play at home. Battle Ground will have just three opportunities to play before the hometown crowds at District Stadium, including their away matchup in week three against Prairie High School.
Beyond the schedule, Woodward is looking forward to this squad, a relatively fresh group of starters, after 90% of 2023’s 24 graduates heavily contributed to the Tigers’ newfound success last year.
“I love these kids. They just play with great energy, and I think they’re always up for any challenge,” Woodward said. “We always say that if you’re born and raised in Battle Ground, you automatically have grit, you know, and a lot of schools can’t say that. They might have a certain skill level or certain things that they bring to the table, but you can’t teach grit, and our kids certainly have that.”
All four linebackers graduated last year, and Woodward said the 2024 group is raw and a tad inexperienced, but he added that the players have shown promise this summer. The defensive line group for the Tigers will remain a strength, with Aiden Goncalves being “unblockable,” Woodward said.
A familiar face returns for his junior season, Trent Richardson, a corner and wide receiver, who will be a “dynamite player” for the Tigers after he last played his freshman season. Boston Walker, a 6-foot-5-inch transfer from La Center High School, will play his senior season in Battle Ground at outside linebacker and wide receiver. On the offensive line, 6-foot-9 Tyler Kangas leads the way as the experienced player of the position group.
After six non-league games, the Tigers enter a daunting final three games in the 4A Greater St. Helens League.
“Our league, in my opinion, is the toughest in the state of Washington,” Woodward said.
