Will It Be Their Year?

SEATTLE- After a season full of thrills and spills, the O'Dea Fighting Irish had high hopes coming into the 2021-2022 football season.

They ended the season last year 8-3 and finished 2nd place in the Metro League just behind their rival Eastside Catholic Crusaders.

With their 27-21 defeat to Kennewick High School in the state quarterfinals last year, the Irish were heartbroken.

But with the new season beginning, the players will be fired up for what lies ahead.

Key Departures:

• Mark Nabou (offensive lineman)

• Oliver Braitsch (defensive lineman/offensive lineman)

• Trey Stokes (wide receiver/defensive back)

• John Kohler (quarterback)

• Zach Newsom (linebacker)

• Joe Gallagher (wide receiver/defensive back)

• Jonias Utu (offensive lineman)

With these departures the Irish will look to strengthen their squad so they can compete in the new season.

Key Returners:

• Jason Brown Jr. (running back)

• Tucker Ashcraft (tight end)

• Darien Maragh (wide receiver)

• Antone Araujo ( quarterback/defensive back)

• Isendre Ahfua (offensive lineman/defensive lineman)

• Dylan Cohen (offensive lineman)

• Anthony Hall (tight end/defensive lineman)

• Kyan McDonald (defensive back)

With the return of these big time players, the Irish will be in good hands coming into the season.

Coming into the season the Irish are ranked 4th in the Washington high school rankings.

The team has high hopes for the season. "Just to create a better brotherhood and go all the way in state and possible even winning it," junior strong safety Sir Keenan Hart said. "I think we have what it takes to go all the way. If we just stick with what we have going and fix the small things, we can win it all."

If Brown continues performing this coming season like he has the last two then the Irish don't have to worry a lot on offense.

With the departure of Kohler, junior quarterback Luke D'Anna finally gets his chance of playing varsity football as a starter, and he will be looking to impress the coaches heading into the season.

With only 4 defensive stars and 3 offensive stars returning to the team, the Irish will need all the player's to step up and show their worth on the football field.

As Fighting Irish head coach Monte Kohler is headed into his 38th season as coach, he will look to add another Metro championship to his resume. He is also the longest served coach in the Metro League.

Some key games that the Irish will have this season are the Rainier Beach Vikings in week 3, rivals Seattle Prep Panthers in week 4, and the Crusaders in week 5.

With the season coming up can the Irish reclaim their Metro League title and also the state championship which they haven't won since 2017.