Wilsonville’s football team is looking to pick up right where it left off last season.

The Wildcats, Class 5A runners up in 2016, won the Northwest Oregon Conference and lost to Hermiston in the semifinals last year. They graduated a lot of talent but should have no problem retooling.

This year’s senior class is deep and athletic, featuring a nucleus that has been together since the fourth grade with players such as running back Cooper Mootz, quarterback Nathan Overholt, cornerback Trevor Antonson, defensive tackle Caleb Baker, safety Kevin Burke, guard Kody Gray and receiver Isaiah Haqq.

Wilsonville returns most of its weapons on offense, led by Overholt, who was recently offered a scholarship to Davidson College; and Mootz. The offensive line lost only Fernando Salazar, who is playing at Western Oregon.

The Wildcats were an offensive juggernaut last season, and they have all the pieces and playmakers to dominate again.

The Wilsonville defense is athletic, deep and dangerous, despite graduating two major-college players in linemen Draco Bynum (Washington) and AJ Burkhead (Air Force).

The senior class is filling holes left by graduating players very well, and the defensive dominance looks to continue in Randall Stadium.

The Wildcats’ ball-hawking defense showed up in their jamboree against Silverton and Southridge. The team looked impressive and gave Wilsonville fans a sneak peak of what is to come.

The team’s energy and swagger is electrifying as it appears to have all the pieces in place to make a long playoff run.

Wilsonville will open the season as one of the favorites to win the expanded Special District 1. 

But that’s not what the Wildcats are focused on right now. They must take care of business in their opener Friday against a talented Crater team.

The Wildcats may get an added advantage against Crater. The game originally was scheduled to be played at Crater, but due to poor air quality from wildfires, the game may be moved.

Brenden Ertle is a senior on the Wilsonville football team