For decades, Kennewick football has built its reputation on grit and defense, often winning games in the trenches while limiting opponents to minimal yards. That identity won’t change in 2024, even with a roster full of new faces. Entering his seventh season at the helm of the Kennewick Lions, head coach Randy Affholter knows that the key to success isn’t just X’s and O’s—it’s the ability to develop each new group of players into a tough, disciplined unit.
“This first week is all about figuring out if we’ve got the right pieces in the right spots,” Affholter said. “We’re moving guys around, getting a look at who can help us where.”
Earlier this spring, Randy Affholter was recognized for a lifetime of success on the sidelines, earning induction into the Washington State Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. With 223 career wins spanning stints at Toppenish, Ellensburg, and Kennewick, Affholter has been a “winner everywhere he’s gone.” Since taking over the Lions in 2019, he’s led the program to a 61-16 record and multiple deep postseason runs. But for Affholter, the most meaningful part of his career has been helping players advance to the next level, often using his network to connect prospects with college programs. In his thirty-two years of coaching football, Affholter has helped about 40 student athletes have the opportunity to play at the next level.
Kennewick (2024 Record: 9-3 overall; 6-2 MCC)
TEAM STATS
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Total Offense: 3,028 yds (5th) – 336.4/g
• Passing: 1,195 yds – 132.8/g
• Rushing: 1,833 yds – 203.7/g -
Scoring: 311 pts (3rd) – 34.6/g
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Defense: 1,466 yds allowed/g (1st) – 162.9/g
BIGGEST LOSSES
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Jose Cadenas (OL)
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Tanner Larson (DL/TE) – 28 tackles, 4 sacks
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Collin Willborn (DL) – 7 TFL
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Robbie McMillen (OL)
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Alexander Roberts (RB) – 709 rush yds, 7 TD
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Canaan Hays (RB) – 770 rush yds, 13 TD
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Dane Chavez (WR/DB) – 18 rec, 299 yds, 4 TD
TOP RETURNERS
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Cooper Neer (LB, Jr) – 48.5 tackles
Kennewick was well represented on last year’s All-MCC team—but nearly all of those standouts were seniors. While that could spell trouble for some programs, Affholter sees it as a mark of health.
“If your program is right, you should graduate a lot of seniors every year,” he said. “That’s the cycle. We had a big group in 2023, and now it’s the juniors’ turn. They were our backups last year, now they’ve got to be the ones to step up.”
Affholter’s philosophy has long been centered on player maturity. “The more mature you are, the better chance you have,” he added. “If you’ve got a bunch of sophomores starting, expect growing pains. But if those younger kids can develop as rotational guys instead of being thrown into the fire, it helps everyone.”
The headline name returning is linebacker/running back/tight end/ punter Cooper Neer, a first-team All-MCC selection last year who recently committed to the University of Montana.
“He’s going to be on the field almost all the time,” Affholter said. “We’ll use him at running back, maybe slot, maybe tight end—just
trying to move him around. And defensively, at linebacker. That’s why Montana wants him, so we’ve got to be smart with his reps, but he’s the guy who can handle it.”
Neer notched nearly 50 tackles last season from his linebacker spot while showcasing offensive versatility. In 2024, expect him to be Kennewick’s heartbeat on both sides of the ball.
At quarterback, Dom Driver is back under center, providing a steady presence for the Lions’ offense. Protecting him will be a rebuilt but experienced line:
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Ben Edwards shifts from right tackle to left tackle.
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Mayes Mayovsky returns at left guard.
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Parker Stemp anchors the line at center.
Out wide, Brady Mattson and Alex Pursley will take over as the primary receivers, with Jake Ball and Gavin Kelly in the rotation. Another intriguing piece is Cooper Larson, the younger brother of former Lion standout Tanner Larson. At 6’9” and 225 pounds, he has the physical tools to become a difference-maker at tight end alongside Rick Burrow.
If Kennewick is to stay in the MCC title hunt, they’ll need production from a new wave of defensive linemen. Peter Smith returns, but others such as Hunter Brower, Brad Burrow, and Luai Mageo will be called upon to grow into major roles.
The secondary is also a concern after the graduation of a few seniors. The linebacking corps, however, should be a strength, with several players gaining meaningful snaps a year ago.
Kennewick has long been known for its stingy, hard-nosed defense. Affholter points to defensive coordinator Steve Reeves, who brings a SWAT team background to the football field, as the architect of that identity.
“He’s very detailed, very organized, and not afraid to be hard on kids,” Affholter explained. “Our guys love it. They respond to it. We always talk about defending every blade of grass, even if it’s on the one-inch line. That’s our mentality.”
The bond between Affholter and his coordinator—dating back nearly three decades to their days together in Ellensburg—only strengthens that consistency.
What are the goals for the 2024 Lions? Like every program, they want to contend for the MCC title and chase a deep playoff run. But for Affholter, the most important measure of success comes in the daily grind.
“The best part of coaching is that every year you get a new group of kids,” he said. “The question is, can you mold them to play the way you want and can you get them better every week? If we’re better in Week 9 than we are in Week 1, then we’ve done our job. The rest will take care of itself.”
Kennewick enters 2024 with question marks, yes—but also with the same steady culture that has made the Lions a perennial contender. With a two-way star in Cooper Neer, a veteran coaching staff, and a program built on toughness, expect Kennewick to once again be in the mix in the MCC.