The Wallowa Cougars are stronger, faster and prepared to defend their Old Oregon League title, and it’s a good thing because the Cougs enter the 2006 season as one of the favorites in the OOL.

And if their first week of practice has been any indication, the Cougs will have something to say in state playoffs, as well.

WHS football coach Greg Oveson said the team has made great strides over the first week and it is right on course.

“We’re getting to where we want to be,” Oveson said. “We got most of our offense in and our defense is coming along, considering we had to replace almost our entire line.”

The Cougars, Oveson said, are going to be fast this season and they have size, especially at the wide receiver position. He said Wallowa is going to use those qualities to its advantage. Defensively, the Cougs will use a defense that will stop the run and force teams to throw the football.

“Our defense is really going to have to step and and have solid protection for the quarterback, because without protection we won’t be able to run or throw the ball,” Oveson said.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Cougs return senior wide receiver Kaleb Oveson, who grabbed over 90 passes for over 1,700 yards and 30 touchdowns last season. Also looking to repeat on a successful 2005 campaign is versatile running back Geoff Long, who racked up over 1,200 total yards, both in the air and on the ground, along with 17 touchdowns.

Another player to look out for on offense for the Cougars will be senior wide receiver Kainoa Delatori, who will help to spread out the offense. With him on one side and Oveson on the other, it will be very difficult for opposing defenses to double team one of them, and in the end, will give both receivers an alarming advantage over the majority of defensive backs they will face.

The one player Wallowa will have to find ways to replace is former quarterback Patrick Green, who graduated in the spring. Green not only led the team behind the line of scrimmage, but he also found ways to make plays with his speed and quickness. Last season, Green accumulated over 3,000 yards passing and 46 touchdowns.

The one player who looks to step into the role of quarterback and make an immediate impact is junior Brandon Mahon. Mahon saw some action last year, but this will be his first full season under the tutelage of Oveson.

“Brandon is not as fast as Patrick was, but he’s pretty close and he’s a better passer, which should help out our passing game,” Oveson said. “He has been working really hard in practice and I’ve seen a lot of improvement.”

Another area of concern for WHS this season will be the offensive and defensive lines. Because of graduation, the Cougs will have to replace six linemen, including Kasey McKenzie, Jeffrey Snyder, Lewis Lathrop and Victor Bednar, who all played both sides of the ball.

Overall, offensively, the Cougs will attempt to use the team’s speed and height advantage to make plays on the perimeter, going back to a option-oriented offense. The team will also focus on using power up the middle, with Long handling the bulk of the carries from the backfield.

With Mahon taking the controls under center, Oveson said he expects him to both run with the football and make the option play a dangerous one, keeping defenses on their toes. Mahon, he said, has the ability to make plays with his legs, as well as getting the ball down the field to his receivers.

“The way football is played in our league (Old Oregon League), a quarterback has to be able to run and throw,” Oveson said.

The Cougars are hoping their influx of strength and speed on offense will be enough overshadow the loss of several players on defense and earn the team a third straight trip to the quarterfinals in the 1A state playoffs.

WHS begins its season on Friday against Mohawk at the Dufur Classic. Game time is at 1 p.m.