MARYSVILLE — Despite a mass-senior exodus for the Marysville-Pilchuck football team, coach Brandon Carson says they are still league contenders.

“Our goal like every year is to win the league title,” Carson said. “We’re going to try and take it game by game.”

Now, with M-P’s standout defensive and running back Austin Joyner taking his talents to the University of Washington, and several other talented running backs gone, the offensive landscape has changed quite a bit.

It will largely be a feeling-out process before the season starts but there will be some key returners on defense, including senior linebacker Daryl Cerdino and junior defensive back Keith Pablo as well as senior defensive back Dylen Boomer.

“Offensively, we have a bunch of young guys and we’re just trying to find out who plays where,” Carson said.

But M-P does return senior quarterback Erik Lind, who has yet to show off his arm to its full potential.

“We’ll see what games do for us,” Carson said. “We’ll probably lay a few more things on his shoulders and see where that takes us.”

“They’re a hard-working group and they’re going to do their best to compete like crazy on Friday nights,” Carson said. “I like the effort and enthusiasm thus far and I think good things are ahead of us still.”

MARYSVILLE — Marysville Getchell senior Collin Montez can do it all, football coach Davis Lura said.

Montez rushed for more than 2,000 yards as running back last season, but with MG’s starting quarterback, Taylor Kollemer, out with a broken foot, it could be Montez taking his place.

“Montez is the best football player with uncanny talent,” Lura said. “He is a very humble kid and coachable.”

Montez’s size and aggressiveness could also be used as middle linebacker, Lura said.

If Montez starts at quarterback, then it will be junior Gage Thomas who will need to step up as the ball carrier. He was second in getting touches last season as a running back.

Who ever fills that quarterback spot, will be surrounded with a group of returning receivers, including juniors Kyle Pinca and Zack Townsend who saw plenty of action last season, Lura said.

“I thought we were very competitive last year,” Lura said. “It’s a tough league but it’s pretty even.”

TULALIP — Tulalip’s gridiron gang returns proven talent this coming season.

One of those is junior Robert Miles Jr. who has been all-league for the last two years.

Not only can he play multiple positions, including quarterback and wide receiver, he is expected to break all the school records, coach Jim Kavaney said.

There will also be the return of all-league senior tackle Nate Williams and junior tight end Braxton Lake. Willy Enick will play full back as a senior who started last season.

Kavaney was also pleased with the turnout of first-years at practice.

“I like that we got a lot of young guys,” Kavaney said. “We just need everyone to be here and eligible.”