TAHOLAH — Experience could equate into a deeper playoff run for Taholah in football this season.

The predominantly underclass Chitwhins overcame a 1-4 start to finish 4-5 and qualify for the state 1B playoffs last year.

“We got where we wanted to last year,” said Taholah coach Billy James. “We surprised a lot of teams.”

The element of surprise will be gone this year, as the Chitwhins graduated only two seniors. Nevertheless, James is understandably upbeat about his team’s prospects.

“We’re a senior-laden team and we’re going to get after it,” said James, entering his third season as head coach.

Taholah opens its season at Evergreen Lutheran next week.

James is even undaunted by Taholah’s season-ending 56-8 state playoff loss to Quilcene, a game in which the Chitwhins were guilty of a staggering 10 turnovers.

“That was just inexperience at quarterback and not being able to deal with adversity,” the Taholah coach said. “That was a big lesson to be learned.”

Operating primarily from a spread, the Chitwhins will likely pass on at least 70 percent of its offensive plays. Senior Dylan James and junior Zach Cain will alternate snaps at quarterback.

“Zach is more of a big arm and Dylan runs my offense real well,” Coach James explained.

They’ll be throwing to a receiver corps lead by seniors Tom Anderson and Dawson Bastian.

Senior running back Terrance Jones will get the bulk of the carries. He’ll be spelled occasionally by senior Levi Jackson, a fine all-around athlete whose primary offensive position is center. Mike Underwood, another senior, is the likely starter at the other running back slot.

Jackson and Tynell Bryan, a 300-pound senior, will be the chief operatives up front.

Bastian, a transfer from North Beach, provides a big boost to Taholah’s defense. He’ll operate at linebacker, where he will team with Underwood and junior Jesse Purdy.

Jackson, Bryan and Jones are the probable starters in the defensive line. Anderson, James and Cain will form the secondary.

After several years as an independent, Taholah will return to the Coastal 1B League this season. Coach James tabbed Naselle as the team to beat in that circuit.

The Chitwhins will also be road warriors of sorts. They are scheduled for only two games, with all three of their non-leaguers — including one against former Class 2B stalwart Tacoma Baptist — away from home.

Former Chitwhin standout Keanu Curleybear joins the Taholah coaching staff this season. Rob Swenson will be the other Taholah assistant.