Junior receiver and free safety Ben Wiepert is among a handful of key returning players for Wilsonville. (Photo by JR Olson)

Before Wilsonville can even think about becoming the state's first 11-man football team to win three consecutive state titles since Scappoose did it from 2000 to 2002, the Wildcats have much to sort out.

Wilsonville, which won back-to-back 5A championships on the back of elite quarterback play from Kallen Gutridge in 2023 and Mark Wiepert in 2024, is still working on its winning formula for 2025.

“The biggest thing for this group is they've got to start clicking,” coach Adam Guenther said. “I don't think we're clicking yet. Our leaders need to step up and show them how to play.

“To be successful and make another push in the playoffs, they need to mature really quick. Our football IQ with some of our returners is really, really good, and others, you've got to go back to 101.”

Wiepert was the state's Gatorade Player of the Year last season, throwing for 3,811 yards and 51 touchdowns and running for 704 yards and 12 scores before signing with Oregon. His top target was Nick Crowley, who caught 80 passes for 1,513 yards and 26 touchdowns.

With Wiepert and Crowley graduated, Wilsonville is counting on a handful of returning players to step into the spotlight.

“We've got a unique mix this year,” Guenther said. “We've got a few leaders coming back from last year, a few playmakers. But we're young. We're very inexperienced. I think we've got some talent, we just don't have any varsity time.”

The biggest question is at quarterback. Junior Trevor Glos, the frosh/soph starter last year, gets his chance to follow in the footsteps of Gutridge and Wiepert.

“He sees the field really well, and he's got a good arm,” Guenther said. “He can spread the ball around. He needs to stay healthy. He's had a rough two years.”

Senior running back Roman Kealoha, who rushed for 661 yards in nine games last season, also is likely to see time behind center.

“He gives us more of a Mark Wiepert type, a running type quarterback, where Trevor is more of a pocket passer,” Guenther said.

Senior Keona Tam (nine touchdown catches in 2024) leads a strong receiving corps that also features senior Luke Carli and junior Ben Wiepert. The offensive line brings back two starters in seniors Chandler Brock and Jared Elias.

“We're not going to be big, but we're pretty strong and we're quick,” Guenther said. “We lack experience.”

Senior Riddick Molatore, who led the team in tackles (119) and sacks (eight) last season, moves from weakside linebacker to strong safety. Wiepert (free safety), Carli (cornerback) and Tam (outside linebacker) provide experience, but the Wildcats need to develop up front after getting hit hard by graduation at defensive line and linebacker.

The team is counting on players such as Riddick, Kealoha, Tam, Carli and Wiepert to lead the way with their championship experience.

“Those five guys, they're play-makers,” Guenther said. “They really know what it takes. They've all been a part of the last two rides.”

Last year, Wilsonville was runner-up in Special District 2 to Silverton, but got payback by defeating the Foxes 32-29 in the state semifinals. But 5A leagues underwent a shakeup this season, landing Silverton in SD3 and remaking SD2.

The Wildcats will be a heavy favorite in a district with Canby, McKay, Aloha, Forest Grove, McNary and Hillsboro. Their biggest tests in the regular season are likely to be nonleague games -- at home against 5A power Summit on Sept. 12 and on the road against 6A North Medford on Oct. 3.

Guenther knows his team will be ranked high. He will be on high alert for complacency.

“Our team has done nothing to earn that. That's an entitlement thing,” he said. “If you want something, you've got to go get it. … The past is the past. The only thing the preseason polls are going to do is just put a bigger target on our back.”