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RITZVILLE–The Dayton-Waitsburg Wolfpack football program got to taste some live action here Saturday in the annual High School Jamboree.

The Wolfpack opens the fall season Friday night at the Waitsburg High School field against a strong Granger High School team, said Head Coach Troy Larsen. "This is going to be a test for us, but I am looking forward to seeing the energy the Wolfpack will bring and how we stack up to the largest school in the 2B athletic conferences.

"Out of the 34 Wolfpack student athletes, we took 19 that had the required eight practices to play in a jamboree," he said. "With harvest, and family vacations wrapping up, we should see more upperclassmen get eligible for the opener and by week two should be near full strength."

Under the jamboree format, each team played 20 offensive and defensive plays, Larsen said.

"We had the opportunity to go live against some of the top 2B programs in the state Saturday," Larsen said. "I was really impressed with how the DW defense came out and tackled, holding some high-powered running teams to small gain.

"If Saturday was any indication of what the season will look like, I am feeling good with the defense and what Gabe Kiefel has going," he added. "Gabe has them tackling, and more impressive tackling in the open field."

Larsen praised speedy Hudson Reser's deceptive presence for the defense on the field. The quick and rugged senior is on the slight side size wise but in previous years in the DW program has earned his stripes. "He really showed everyone what he can do at the outside linebacker position and Kaylub Prather did the same rotating between DT and middle linebacker," Larsen said.

"Spencer Hansen introduced himself to the 2B ranks with multiple pass break ups and an interception from the safety position, while Daylan Marlow ended the scrimmage with an interception against Medical Lake," the coach noted.

-Photo courtesy of Roger Harnack, Ritzville-Adams County Journal

Wolfpack defender Cyson Morris (13) takes down a Colfax Bulldog ball carrier in jamboree action at Ritzville last weekend, while Hudson Reser (9) an unidentified Wolfpack defender and Levi Boudrieau (28) move in to help. The Bulldogs had 10 offensive plays against the Dayton-Waitsburg defense in the jamboree format.

New assistant Dirk Hansen has introduced a new offense for Dayton-Waitsburg. "After 13 years in the spread, he has reintroduced a tight end and fullback to the mix," Larsen said. "Both Reser and H-back Preston Hansen had great days running the ball and really fed off each other."

Larsen also has experienced senior Monte Pettichord picking up where he left off the last couple of years.

"He really ran the new offense well," Larsen said, "with the highlight of a 40-yard touchdown pass to Spencer Hansen in the end zone to cap off the day for the offense."

Schools at the jamboree were Warden, Chewelah, Lind-Ritzville-Sprague, Medical Lake, Colfax, Davenport, and DW. Each team played 20 offensive and defensive plays.

The Wolfpack played five offensive plays against the LRS defense and five against the Medical Lake Cardinals' defense.

The DW defense faced Medical Lake and LRS for five plays each, and then went head-to-head with Colfax for 10 plays.

Davenport's defense took on DW's offense for 10 plays.