2023 Program Preview: Thurston

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are getting closer to the start of the high school football season in Oregon, which means it is time to look at the football programs around the state. Oregon high school football is in a fantastic place, and I could not be more excited to help educate our readers on the programs they will be watching on Friday nights. The team next up is Thurston High School, home of the Colts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Colts are led by long-time coach Justin Starck, who also serves as the Athletic Director for Thurston High School. Coach Starck led the Colts to an impressive 2022 season, as they finished 9-3 and made it to the 5A semifinals before falling to the eventual champions, Summit. Coach Starck expects another impressive season in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When asked about his goals and expectations this season, Coach Starck said, "We are pumped for the season. We are hopeful that we can make another run deep into the playoffs. Our goal is always to win our league and practice on Thanksgiving day." Although last season was an excellent year for the Colts, the program is unsatisfied. Thurston will undoubtedly be a title contender in 5A this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thurston has lost a plethora of talent from last year's team. Here is a list of All-League players that have departed the program:<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>C Brian Dally Jr. (1st Team)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>LB Vaun Halstead (1st Team)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>DB Darien Witham (1st Team)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>DL Justin Dulac (2nd Team)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>LB Romynn Schaeffer (2nd Team)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>P/K Connor Nevin (1st &amp; 2nd Team)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>DL Corren Hester (Honorable Mention)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With this Thurston team's high expectations of a state title despite losing some top-tier talent, I asked Coach Starck for some of his guys that he expects to help meet those expectations. Here are the guys Coach Starck named as his top players:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["738767"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The first player Coach Starck mentioned is his star wide receiver. Here is what he had to say about Walker, u0022[player_tooltip player_id='738767' first='Walker' last='Bonar'] is a two-sport playmaker who emerged as Thurston's top receiver in the 2022 campaign. Bonar is a precision route runner who excels making the tough catch. He was selected to the Les Schwab Bowl roster.u0022 I have covered Walker before and have a similar scouting report on him. He will be a fantastic player this season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["152362"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The next player mentioned by Coach Starck is an imposing athlete who will be switching from wide receiver to running back offensively this season. Here is what Coach Starck had to say about his new running back, u0022[player_tooltip player_id='152362' first='Ethan' last='Burkhead'] is a burner who is dynamic with the ball in his hands. Burkhead previously played receiver for the Colts, but we want him to have more touches, so he will take over at running back this year. He was selected to the Les Schwab Bowl roster.​u0022 Expect Ethan to be a top player in 5A.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["209500"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The next player is another prospect I have covered. Here is what Coach Starck had to say on Luke, u0022[player_tooltip player_id='209500' first='Luke' last='Newell'] is the younger brother of division one tight end, Jake Newell. Luke is in the same mold. He's a big target with great hands who creates matchup issues for smaller defenders. He was selected to the Les Schwab Bowl roster.u0022 Luke is a fantastic football player and is an uber-athletic tight end, he is a borderline wide receiver. He will be a top player not just in 5A but in all of Oregon.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["406763"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The last player Coach Starck gave us some information about is his young quarterback. u0022​[player_tooltip player_id='406763' first='Noah' last='Blair'] had a breakout sophomore season, leading the Colts to the 5A semi-finals. His 72% completion percentage and only four interceptions to 22 touchdowns set him apart from most QBs in the state. Look for Blair to be in the news this season,u0022 wrote Coach Starck. If Noah can just slightly improve on his sophomore season, Thurston will be a serious title contender in 5A.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64cd8afd214f3"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those four players are the only players Coach Starck gave us some information about, but he mentioned several others that others should keep an eye on this year:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block 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/--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thurston will be a fun team to watch this season, as the Colts have plenty of skilled players. The ultimate question is; do they have enough to compete with Summit for a state championship? We will find out because a state title is the goal for the 2023 Thurston Colts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->