It’s an interesting outlook to how the Mid-Columbia Conference football teams will do battle this season.

For the first time in years, MCC teams won’t play everyone in the conference. Athletic directors and coaches voted to allow each team two non-league contests.

That means that each MCC team will not play two conference games.

But what matters most is what each team does against its own classification opponents.

The MCC’s 10 teams are split down the middle — the five Class 4A teams of Chiawana, Hanford, Kamiakin, Pasco and Richland; and the five Class 3A teams of Hermiston, Kennewick, Sageview, Southridge and Walla Walla.

There is no overwhelming favorite this season — although almost everyone talks about the Big 4: Chiawana, Kamiakin, Kennewick and Richland.

Still, as Hanford head coach Joe Powers says, “Naturally, it has to be Chiawana until somebody knocks them off. It’s gotta be Chiawana until somebody proves them wrong.”

Chiawana coach Scott Bond agrees with that sentiment.

“They say Chiawana is the team to beat, and I feel that way,” said Bond. “I think we’re being looked past. At least I feel that way.”

Perhaps it’s because there is no clear-cut, overwhelming favorite.

Kamiakin has two standout receivers, perhaps even a third. Jackson Woodard looks to lead Richland deep into the state playoffs as a third-year starting quarterback. Randy Affholter is looking to Carter Bendewald, Peter Smith and Mayes Mayovsky to help Kennewick back to a deep state run.

Then there is Matt Johnson’s Southridge squad that has a large number of returning starters, and Justin James likes his skill-position players and linemen at Walla Walla.

Pasco also has a lot of starters back, while Hanford has a new offensive coordinator who is likely going to put in some energy into the system.

Hermiston looks for Brayden Medelez to use his arm and legs to move the football, and Sageview has everyone — everyone — back.

Here’s a quick look at every team in the MCC, in predicted order of finish:

CHIAWANA

The Riverhawks graduated a lot of standouts after the 2025 season.

But the cupboard is hardly bare.

Start with Cooper Cissne, a junior standout on defense, special teams, and he should expect to see more touches on offense.

Junior Emmett Osterdock has a strong arm at quarterback; senior Sawyer Sommerville is another tough defensive back and can run the ball; and senior Cole Hultgrenn will return to anchor the offensive line, as well as move from defensive tackle to middle linebacker.

“We’re pretty skilled, and those linemen are good,” said Bond. “I don’t see much drop-off from last year. But we gotta develop some of those kids.”

Fun fact: Bond says he has 25 players on his roster who can power clean a minimum of 225 pounds in the weight room. The entire receiving corps is amongst that group.

KENNEWICK

Affholter calls Bendewald, Mayovsky and Smith his “big three cats.”

Bendewald will play at running back, receiver and at quarterback this season as Kennewick looks to get him as many touches as possible.

Mayes Mayovsky is an outstanding lineman for the Lions, and Smith is what Affholter calls a switchblade. While he’s been an outstanding lineman on both sides of the ball, “he can play some tight end and wideout for us. He’s got really soft hands.”

Both Bendewald (javelin) and Smith (discus) are some of the best track and field athletes in the state.

When Bendewald isn’t at quarterback, it’ll be Bradley Parker.

Two others — RB-SS Jax Wright and OLB Luai Mageo — will provide depth, especially on defense.

“Our strength will be up front, on OL and DL,” said Affholter. “Physicality. Physicality. Physicality. But we need to develop some strong inside linebackers.

RICHLAND

A massive 152 kids turned out for Josh Jelenik.

But the most important is Woodard, the top quarterback in the league.

“He means senior leadership, play making ability, and improvisation, all the things we can’t coach,” said Jelenik. “Hes a smart kid, with a 3.9 GPA. He’s got athleticism, with skills he has to play point guard on a state championship basketball team. He brings a lot.”

Richland lost a lot of talent in the wide receiver room thanks to graduation.

But Finn Bunnage moves from running back to receiver.

“He led the charge the last 10-11 months in the weight room,” said Jelenik.

Junior Justin Volmer is Richland’s version of Taysom Hill — someone who can play multiple offensive positions. He’ll also start at linebacker on defense.

Tyrie Lopez is the linemen leader.

“Offensively, we are adjusting to what we have. But I think our front is gonna be good,” said Jelenik.

KAMIAKIN

Michael Kori and Mason Severson, both receivers and defensive backs, are the two big names on this team.

But Scott Biglin said there are more.

Sophomore Noah Starr will do some damage too.

“Noah Starr is our third receiver as well,” said Biglin. “You wanna double Mason and Mike? He's gonna be our next big guy. He’s gonna turn some heads this year.”

Linemen Alex Arrazola and Colston Smith and receiver-DB Damien Zoladz have been instrumental in leading the team in the weight room.

The battle for quarterback is between senior Gavin Conrath and sophomore Hunter Liebert, now that last year’s starter, Jagger McEwen, has transferred to Chiawana but won’t play for the Riverhawks.

“We’ll have a running back by committee,” added Biglin.

The receiving corps is the team’s strength, and the offensive line returns three starters.

SOUTHRIDGE

Matt Johnson has some star power at Southridge.

Start with two-way lineman Paz Barraza. Add sophomore Toa Haertling, who plays linebacker and running back, and is a special teams standout.

Throw in Tayton Jackman at running back, safety and kick returner.

Jacob Korotkov returns at linebacker and running back, and Chase Ferguson will see action at safety, wide receiver and as a punt returner.

“The great thing now is the kids know what they’re doing with the Wing-T offense,” said Johnson.

The key now, he said, is to develop the interior offensive line.

“What’ll make me happy is to get better. That cliché thing,” he said. “We’ve made the state playoffs two of the last four years. Now we’d like to host a state playoff game.”

SAGEVIEW

The Lobos enter the season as a full four-year school.

Last season, with no seniors, Sageview took plenty of lumps while going 0-9.

Head coach Don Hogue says the kids are looking to take receipts.

“Everybody is back,” he said.

That includes quarterback Alex Flores, receiver Jaysen Beasley, and running back Eli Henderson.

Two-way lineman Davian Valverde has been one of the team’s biggest leaders.

Hogue also convinced former Moses Lake head coach Brett Jay to come in as his offensive coordinator.

“We basically got his stuff offensively,” said Hogue. “Numbers-wise our strength and depth is with receivers.”

Defensively, expect the Lobos to swarm with blitzes here and there. In other words, a typical Don Hogue defense.

Defensive lineman Andrew Olsen had 9 tackles for loss last season, including 5 quarterback sacks.

Hogue believes his team is ready once these guys get some game experience under their belts.

“I think they are hungry. I think they do feel disrespected,” he said.

WALLA WALLA

Justin James says he’s got an incredibly young and experienced set of skill set players.

That includes junior quarterback Lincoln Heinrich, who will have plenty of talent to pass to.

That includes the McCauley brothers, Trey and Braeden. Derrick Bingham and Micah Eggart will also catch passes.

Then there is Kalama Roberson, who will run the football.

“We had five guys with at least 20 grabs. We return four of those guys,” said James. “Our skills team and experience is a big plus.”

Center Dunnigan Dye leads an all-junior starting offensive line.

HANFORD

Powers has added a new offensive coordinator in Brandon Tate, who once owned the Tri-City Rush indoor football team.

“There is going to be a lot of misdirection, and we’re gonna throw a lot,” said Powers.

The battle at quarterback is between Owen Beaver and Auksel Paulsen. Paulsen is the more polished thrower, while Beaver is an all-around athlete.

Powers looks for seniors MLB-TE Ryan Brown, CB-RB Mason Wainwright and TE-MLB Cade Reed to be the leaders.

“We’re gonna have some receivers that will surprise some people,” said Powers. “But we’ll only go as far as our offensive line will take us.”

Fun fact: Hanford will host at least two home games on campus. For sure Orting and Hermiston will play there. Sageview is the only game that’s in doubt whether it will be at Hanford or at Fran Rish Stadium.

PASCO

Second-year head coach D.J. Search lost some talented seniors to graduation.

“But we’re still bringing back quite a few returners,” Search said.

Defensively, that includes linebacker Jose Valadez (53 tackles last season) and Jo Jo Cole, another linebacker who had 50 tackles in 2025.

Search expects Cole, OL-DL Zlatan Moreno, OL-DL Rocky Sanchez and RB-DE Damon Bradfield to be the leaders of this team.

The quarterback position is a battle between senior Keane Stueckle, sophomore Zevin Stanley, and even Cole at times.

HERMISTON

David Faaeteete has a large contingent of 118 kids out this season — way up from last season.

“That includes 26 seniors out,” said Faaeteete. “A lot of our players reached out and recruited their friends.”

Of those 118 players, expect junior quarterback Brayden Medelez to be one of the leaders.

Last season, Medelez moved the ball with both his arm and legs. He passed for 1,193 yards and 6 TD passes. But he also rushed for 287 yards, and his total offense of 1,480 yards was ranked No. 4 in the MCC.

Receiver Nathaniel Hernandez added 38 catches for 436 yards.

“But our best leader by example is (defensive end) Cash Edwards,” said Faaeteete. “He’s a jack of all trades, and he’s been the voice in the locker room.”

Faaeteete says that everything starts with the offensive line.

“They’re all brand new and unproven. How they react to speed and adjust in the game will be key,” he said.