MARYSVILLE — Tulalip Heritage High School Hawks football is back after a century.

Never mind that the team went 2-6 this year — it’s about restarting a tradition.

“This was their first year, but the kids tried really hard and persisted,” Heritage principal and Tribal member Shelly Lacy said. “There were some big losses, but they kept positive.”

This season also served Heritage’s rivalry with Lummi Nation School by expanding it to the gridiron.

Heritage utilized the “I” formation with lots of option plays and stuck to head coach Jim Kavaney’s philosophy of “block hard, tackle hard.” They beat Northwest Conference rival Highland Christian High School of Arlington, 56-32, on Sept. 17 and conference rival Rainier Christian of Auburn, 26-20, on Sept. 24 for back-to-back wins. The Hawks started the season 2-1, but dropped their final five games.

“I thoroughly enjoyed it,” said Kavaney, who coached at Arlington High School for 17 years before becoming Tulalip’s head coach this year.

Seniors Izzy Enick, Tison Fryberg, Jesse Fryberg, D.J. Kidd, Moses Williams and Mitch Jimicum earned letters this season, as did juniors Brian McCafferty and Kyle Jones, sophomores Nelson Iukes, Brandon Jones, Alan Enick and Josh Hamilton. Freshmen Dontae Jones, Anthony McLean, Domingo Rabang and Trevor Fryberg lettered as well.

Kidd won Tulalip’s “Mr. Offense” and “Team Captain” awards. Izzy Enick earned the “Hardest Hitter” award. Tison Fryberg was this year’s “Most Improved.” Kyle Jones was “Mr. Defense,” received all-Northwest 1B League honorable mention at defensive tackle and will be next year’s team captain.

Kidd received honorable mention for his work at defensive back. Tison Fryberg earned honorable mention as a wide receiver and defensive back.

Junior Tylee Fryberg and sophomore Mateo Hernandez received certificates of participation.

The team graduates Izzy Enick, Jess