Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Lamarie Dunn is one of just three returning starters for the Loggers in 2019.

By Ray Hamill — After graduating all but three full-time starters from a year ago, the Eureka Loggers will have a very new look this year.

But that doesn’t mean they won’t pack a punch.

The Loggers return a handful of top talent from a 2018 team that was 12-1 and reached the state semifinals, as well as numerous players who have been waiting for their opportunity.

“We had a lot of kids who sat on the bench and some of them are good players who just didn’t get a chance behind last year’s senior class,” head coach Jason White said “Now it’s their time to shine.”

And that means making their own piece of history.

“This team’s got to create its own identity,” the head coach added. “Its own story and journey.”

Monster season

Key to that will be the presence of a handful of stars in particular.

At defensive end, Miles Meynell is expected to have a monster season after maturing into an elite lineman as a junior.

Meynell already has received an offer from San Jose State.

It’s a position the Loggers will be deep at, with Gary Jimenez slated to start opposite Meynell after really stepping up his game from a year ago.

Jimenez’s big improvement allows White and defensive coordinator Andrew Haroldson to switch standout junior Chase “Biscuit” Steubing to outside linebacker.

Steubing was one of the finds of the season a year ago and is expected to have an even bigger impact in 2019.

“That kid is strong as an ox,” White said. “He lives in the weight room. He’s pretty devastating honestly.”

Steubing will also play tight end and has been displaying some good hands in training camp.

Bell takes over at QB

Another key for the Loggers this fall will be the play of quarterback Trevor Bell, and the senior appears ready to step into the sizable shoes of the departed Cruz Montana, who has taken his game to Lewis and Clark.

“Trevor’s looking great,” White said of Bell, who impressed in limited action a year ago, catching the attention of several opposing coaches. “He has worked his butt off in the offseason and is doing everything right. He knows the offense inside and out and he’s a lot stronger. And he’s got speed.”

Josiah Graham

Bell will rely on receiver Josiah Graham, who impressed a year ago and is expected to play a bigger role in 2019.

“He’s turned into an incredible receiver,” White said. “He spent a lot of time working with (offensive coach) Mo Purify in the offseason.”

Lamarie Dunn also returns to the offensive backfield and is likewise expected to play a bigger role this fall after growing in stature as the 2018 season progressed.

A switch at center

Drew Jensen, a part-time starter at guard a year ago, will switch to center and nose guard and is also coming off a big offseason.

Alongside him, sophomore Sky Barone has caught the coaches’ attention in training camp and will start at guard.

Junior Holden Davis and senior Diego Garcia will each also start at running back and linebacker.

“He’s playing outstanding football right now, and knows what’s going on,” White said of Garcia who appears ready to step into a much bigger role.

Fresh off an outstanding summer in baseball, Hayden Bode will switch his attention to football and will start at free safety.

“He’s got a lot of range” White said of Bode. “He’s kind of a perfect free safety.”

As far as expectations go, White isn’t giving too much away.

“We’re going to try and compete one week at a time,” he said. “I live by that cliche, and I expect us to compete week in week out.”

Also gone from a year ago is offensive coordinator Garett Montana, with White taking over the offense along with co-offensive coordinator Purify.

The rest of an experienced staff returns in tact.

The Loggers open the season at home to Placer next week and will play just four home games in the regular season.