Richland Football Aims Higher in Year Two Under Jelinek

The Bomber football program is a name synonymous with tradition and expectations, and second-year head coach Josh Jelinek embraces both. After guiding Richland to the state playoffs in his first season at the helm, Jelinek now enters year two with more confidence.

“Last year, I was floating on cloud nine,” Jelinek admitted. “It was go with the flow and do your best. Now there are no excuses. We’ve been through it, we’ve done it, and talking about anything less than a couple rounds deep isn’t appropriate for us.”

Richland (2024 Record: 7-4 overall; 7-2 MCC)

Team Stats

• Total Offense: 3,295 yds (2nd MCC) – 366.1/g
  • Passing: 2,378 yds (1st) – 264.2/g
  • Rushing: 917 yds – 101.9/g

• Scoring: 319 pts (2nd) – 35.4/g

• Defense Allowed: 2,028 yds (3rd) – 225.3/g

Biggest Losses:

• Jaxon Jones (OL)

• Colson Mackey (WR) – 52 rec, 675 yds, 10 TD

• Preston Bryant (WR) – 37 rec, 543 yds, 7 TD

• Zachary Rose (DB) – 26 rec, 355 yds, 6 TD; 27.5 tackles

• Koen Hanson (DL) – 46.5 tackles, 2 sacks

• Cannon Weikum (LB) – 44 tackles, 2 INT

• Donovan Gallegos (DB)

• Dylan Dunnum (P/K) – 32/41 XP, 0/2 FG

Top Returners:

• Jackson Woodard (QB, So) – 2,338 pass yds, 32 TD, 6 INT (66.9%)

• Brody Bosick (WR, Jr) – 21 rec, 319 yds, 6 TD; 5 KR for 250 yds, 2 TD

• Sylen Kiesel-Kauhane (LB, Jr) – 46.5 tackles

Richland’s offensive identity was crystal clear in 2024: the Bombers were the MCC’s most prolific passing team, throwing for 2,378 yards and 32 touchdowns behind sophomore quarterback Jackson Woodard. Completing nearly 67 percent of his throws, Woodard showed poise well beyond his years, ranking first in the league in passing yards while guiding an offense that averaged 35.4 points per game.

“The most exciting part to me is his cerebral game,” Jelinek said. “He’s really understanding what defenses are trying to do when they disguise coverages or bring pressure. That growth is coming along faster than I imagined.”

Woodard’s numbers were bolstered by playmakers, and while All-MCC standouts Colson Mackey (675 yards, 10 TD) and Preston Bryant (543 yards, 7 TD) have graduated, the return of Brody Bosick is a major boost. Bosick caught six touchdowns and added two more on kick returns last year before injuries limited his availability. Now healthy, he gives Woodard a trusted target.

Younger options like Pearson Bryant and Kiyen Williams are set to expand the arsenal, while the offensive line remains anchored by 6’6”, 300-pound junior Javon Golden. Tight end Jack Kirkham provides balance as both a blocker and receiver, while the backfield—led by Micah Mayer and Tucker Watkins—rotates fresh legs behind a passing game that defenses must respect.

“We want to play eight receivers and four running backs every night,” Jelinek emphasized. “If we don’t, we’re not doing our job.”

Richland’s defense was no slouch either, allowing just 225.3 yards per game, good for third in the MCC. At the center of it all is junior linebacker Sylen Kiesel-Kauhane, who recorded 46.5 tackles in 2024 while also leading in the classroom with a 4.0 GPA.

“He rules our school, not because he’s a middle linebacker, but because he’s one of the nicest kids you’ll meet,” Jelinek said. “With his dad calling the defense, the Kiesel-Kauhane combination is magic.”

Kiesel-Kauhane headlines a unit that also includes safeties Aidan Galloway and Bosick, along with the massive Lopez brothers in the trenches. Kirkham and Matthew Stanfield add athleticism off the edge, giving Richland a balanced front.

Among the returners, Jelinek pointed to Hayden Galloway as a player ready for a bigger role. A multi-sport standout, Galloway was overshadowed last year but has the skill to become a two-way impact player.

“He probably didn’t get talked about enough last year,” Jelinek said. “But people are going to notice him this year for sure.”

While players develop, Jelinek himself is still growing into his role. The departure of longtime assistant DJ Search to Pasco, along with coaches Kent Neihold and Joe Cox, was a shake-up. But Jelinek says it’s all part of the challenge.

“It hurts losing those guys, but it’s also about growth—for them and for us. I don’t have all the answers yet, but I’m learning.”

This Friday, September 5, 2025 — Richland travels to Hermiston to take on the Bulldogs at Kennison Field, with kickoff set for 7:00 PM.