Fort Vancouver football: Ex-NFL veteran already making a difference for Trappers

Their season opener is still days away, but already, the Fort Vancouver Trappers feel like winners in 2017.

Winners because of what they feel they can accomplish. If not this year, then definitely in years to come, Nehemiah Rasheed said. They feel this season is start of big things in a new era of Trappers football.

“We should get hold of that opportunity and take it while we have it,” said Rasheed, a two-way senior lineman.

That begins with Fort’s big-name off-season coaching hire. But ex-Seattle Seahawk running back Steve Broussard isn’t relying on his stacked resume, which includes a nine-year NFL career after earning the Pac-10 offensive player of the year honors in 1989 at Washington State.

Change and motivation first comes from the players.

“Coming from their peers,” Broussard said, “it means a lot more.”

But Broussard and his staff’s impact already is noticeable. Since Broussard’s retirement from the NFL in 1998, he has been a position coach at five NCAA Division I schools. He felt now is the time to head up his own high school program after four seasons as an assistant (2000-03 in California; last fall at Union).

“I’ve wanted to have an influence on more than just my position,” he said.

Numbers at Fort have almost doubled from spring ball, and this after only six were cleared for the first day of spring practices. Instead of feeling deflated, Broussard roamed the hallways. He found a common theme between him and students disinterested in football.

“We don’t want to lose,” Broussard said.

This year’s motto — “It’s not about me” — screams loudly on the backs of T-shirts worn by players and coaches. It makes for a different brand of football, a culture change so to speak.

Fort’s 2004 season was its last playoff appearance, but Rasheed stresses this isn’t the old Fort. Players like him know change will eventually come.

If not this season, then soon.

“Our mentality is different,” he said. “The focus is really different, and everybody’s here trying to get better.”

2016 Record: 1-8, 0-5. Sixth in 3A GSHL

Best State Finish: Quarterfinals in 1973

Projected Starters

Returning All-League selections in bold

QB Joseph Endonino 5-10 170 Sr.
RB Rickie Williams 5-8 185 Jr.
RB Nick Hawk 5-7 160 Jr.
WR Nick Larenza 6-2 170 Jr.
WR Shawn Mintah 6-1 180 Sr.
WR Angel Gonzalez 5-10 170 Jr.
OL Rameses Juarez 6-3 230 Jr.
OL Nehemiah Rasheed 6-0 220 Sr.
OL Ezekiel Block 6-0 200 Jr.
OL Colby Milani 6-0 200 Jr.
OL James Durr 6-2 200 Jr.
* * *
DL Ezekiel Block 6-0 200 Jr.
DL Nehemiah Rasheed 6-0 220 Sr.
DL Rameses Juarez 6-3 230 Jr.
DL Aaron Mino 6-0 245 Sr.
LB James Durr 6-2 200 Jr.
LB Colby Milani 6-0 200 Jr.
LB Angel Gonzalez 5-10 170 Jr.
DB Nick Hawk 5-7 160 Jr.
DB Angelo Laro 5-8 145 Jr.
DB Shawn Mintah 6-1 180 Sr.
DB Rickie Williams 5-8 185 Jr.
Coach: Steve Broussard (first year)

Schedule

Home games at Kiggins Bowl
League games in bold
Aug. 31, King’s Way Christian 7 p.m.
Sept. 8, The Dalles (Ore.) 5 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Hoquiam 7 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Benson (Ore.) 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 29, Kelso 5 p.m.
Oct. 6, Evergreen 8 p.m.
Oct. 12, at Mountain View 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Hudson’s Bay 5 p.m.
Oct. 27, Prairie 7 p.m.