Shannon Litz/Nevada Appeal
There's been a growing frustration within the Douglas football program for the last six years.
Ever since the Tigers advanced to the regional title game in 2003, there's been little question that Douglas is among the elite programs in the region.
Six playoff appearances (McQueen and Manogue are the only other 4A teams that can match that total), a Sierra League title and four league runner-up finishes later, Douglas has just one playoff win to show for it - and that came in 2004.
It's something that's been on head coach Mike Rippee's mind for some time now.
"That's saying nothing against the kids," he said. "We have had great kids this whole time, kids who are willing to do whatever it takes, but for some reason I haven't been able to get them over the hump."
After Douglas saw its 2009 season end with a heartbreaking overtime loss to rival McQueen, a simple phrase began to linger in Rippee's head.
Finish the hunt.
"We've been in the hunt for a long time now," he said. "We've made the playoffs many, many times since 1996 (Douglas has made the playoffs 13 times since first making the large-school classification playoffs in '96) and we've had varying degrees of success once we got there.
"We just felt the need to come up with something different, something the kids could focus on. We expect to get to the playoffs at this point in the program, but now we want to complete it. So that's out motto this year - 'Finish the Hunt.'"
It's emblazoned on the team T-shirts this season. It's on signs in the locker room and the weight room. Rippee even ordered orange and black camouflage hats for the coaches to wear this season.
"The kids have really responded to it," he said. "They practice hard, they work hard and hopefully good things happen for them. We can't be satisfied with just making it to the playoffs anymore."
A main focus heading into the season will be developing what Rippee calls a "shut-down" defense.
"We look at our playoff losses and you just can't give up three touchdowns in a playoff game (referring to last year's 24-21 loss to McQueen)." he said. "We need to be a shut-down defense and we haven't been able to do that. As a unit, with our coaching staff, we are focusing on that.
"Defense is all about attitude, playing with pride. It's instincts."
That will all start with the linebacking corps where senior Shane Connelly is the most experienced returner. He started most of the season at outside linebacker before missing a number of games with an injury. He'll be charged with filling in where first-team all-state linebacker Johnny Pollack left off in the middle.
Connelly will see competition from sophomore Conner Peterson for the starting spot there and Riley Griffith and Justin Tenney are expected to start at the outside linebacker spots.
"We don't have, say, Manogue's size at linebacker, but we have great technique and conditioning," Rippee said. "There is good quickness there. We won't overpower you but we can hopefully make things happen out there."
Balance will be the key word for the offense as returning starting quarterback Zack Williams (6-3, 200) gives the Tigers one of the best dual-threat signal callers in region.
"He's a big, strong kid," Rippee said. "His ability to run the ball adds an extra dimension to the offense. He's kind of in that Tim Tebow mold and he's not afraid of contact. We're excited to see what he can do."
Williams threw for 1,108 yards and 11 touchdowns last year and ran for 297 yards and six touchdowns.
Williams will have a talented group of pass catchers, led by senior Austin Neddenriep (6-2, 165) to work with and a deep stable of running backs to help spread the defense.
Ryen Ake is expected to start the season as the primary ball carrier for the Tigers, although Matt Metz and Peterson are expected to see significant time there as well.
The development of the running game will hinge on how quickly an inexperienced offensive line can come together, Rippee said.
The unit lost its top returning starter, Patrick Miller (6-2, 240) to a torn ACL suffered at a wrestling camp before football practice opened.
Still, Rippee said he believes the line will be a major strength for the team.
""All we have up front are quiet, smart kids that work hard and get the job done," Rippee said. "They'll hang in there and keep coming at you. I'm very pleased with the starting five we have up there."
The biggest wildcard in the mix, in every sense of the word, will be transfer Trevor Hemsath, a 6-6, 280-pound tackle who played eight-man ball for Smith Valley last year. His dad, Scott, was a standout for Douglas in multiple sports in the '80s and played basketball at the University of Pacific.
"You can't coach someone to be 6-6, 280," Rippee said with a laugh. "He's a man-child out there. The transition from eight to 11-man football is difficult, but right now he is our best run blocker.
"He really gets after it. He's very, very strong. When we do one-on-one matchups, he's just amazing to watch. We're hoping for a big season for him."