Coupeville football coach Ron Bagby believes extra time spent in the weight room over the summer could benefit the Wolves in a big way.

After an injury-ridden 2004 season that saw Coupeville go 1-6 in the Northwest A/B and 2-8 overall, Bagby hopes stronger players will help avoid the injury bug in 2005.

“If we stay healthy I think we’re going to be a pretty darn good football team,” he said.

The coach has good reason to the think so as Coupeville returns several players to skill positions.

Senior Mike Bagby will start for the third straight season as quarterback. He will also likely see time on defense again this year after being named first-team all-league defensive back last season. Coach Bagby, however, would like Mike to be able to focus more on quarterback.

“We might not play him as much on defense this year,” he said. “On the other hand it’s hard to take an all-league first teamer off the field.”

The Wolves also bring back a veteran core to the running back spots, led by senior J.J. Marti who fell victim to injury for most of last season, but still rushed for 625 yards.

Bagby expects big things for the 5-foot-10, 185 back again this year.

“J.J.’s bigger and stronger than last year,” he said. “There’s no secret we’re going to put the ball in his hands.”

Junior Casey Larson will also bring depth to the backfield. In the Wolves’ first game against Blaine he broke several big runs including a 60-yard touchdown off a screen pass.

Junior Trevor Tucker also spent time as a running back last season and will do so again this year.

The wide receiver core isn’t deep, but Coupeville does bring back its leader in yardage from last year, senior Bryan Sherman.

Junior Tony Prosser, who saw a lot of time at fullback in 2004, has moved to tight end this season. He is also key on defense at middle linebacker.

Coupeville’s offensive and defensive lines return three seniors, including Ryan Hickman (226 lbs.), Robert Martin (217 lbs.) and Jake D’Allessandro (247 lbs.).

The Wolves will also have to rely on several new varsity starters, including sophomores Kyle Wilcox, Clay Hughes and Alex Evans.

Oak Harbor junior transfer Jor