Week 1 football preview: La Center vs. Hockinson

When, where: 7 p.m. Friday at Nautilus Field, Hockinson HS

Last meeting: La Center won 45-6 at home in Week 1 of 2010.

Hockinson: The Hawks have 79 players out this year — the most in program history. That gives Hockinson depth and the ability to allow players to focus on offense or defense. … QB Jess Krahn, who was thrown into the fire as a starter as a freshman, returns with experience to lead the offense. … The Hawks had a lot of growing pains last season in a 2-8 campaign.

La Center: The Wildcats are senior-led with several returners back from team that went 6-4 last season and lost to Hoquiam 26-20 in the 1A district playoffs … However, La Center will turn to new starters in the offensive backfield in QB Jake Johnson, RB Gunnar Lowery and RB Patrick Mayolo. … The Wildcats did get a boost with the addition of Mike Polyakov, who played the past three seasons for Vancouver Christian but joins the La Center program this year when VC discontinued its football program.

Columbian’s pick: Hockinson.

Fans’ pick: Hockinson.

To vote on winners of each week’s games, go to The Columbian prep sports Facebook page at www.facebook.com/360preps.