The Mount Si football program got a head start on what is expected to be a very tough 2010 season last week at annual spring practices and scrimmages.

Two scrimmages, one last Tuesday, June 8, against Ballard, and another last Saturday, June 12, against Redmond, allowed coaches and players to run plays in game condition that will likely be staples come fall, when the Wildcats play in a revamped Kingco 3A conference.

In the scrimmage last Tuesday, which ended early due to lightning over the school, Mount Si got touchdowns from Zach Storm and Aladdin Schirmer while the Wildcat defense held the Beavers scoreless.

“Defenses are ahead of offenses right now,” said Mount Si coach Charlie Kinnune, who saw a lot of potential during the games. “Especially early in the scrimmage, both defenses dominated the offense. We’ve had basically four practices, so I expect that.”

Taylor Mitchell, who will be among a number of seniors this fall, said teammates gave their best effort.

“Everyone’s working hard out here, making plays all over the football field,” Mitchell said.

Still, Kinnune said the Wildcats will have a lot to do this summer in order to get ready for this fall.

“We need to get in better shape, no doubt about it. We’re not even close to being in playing shape,” the longtime coach said. “We’re going to use this summer to condition hard and get ready to go.”

Kinnune says fans should look for a lot from this team.

“Let’s have a great summer, and you’re going to see a great season of football next year. Every team in our league is going to be better, including us,” the coach said. “We expect a dogfight every Friday night. That’s what makes us tough in the playoffs.”

And the coach may be right, as Kingco is expected to be loaded at the top. In addition to usual suspects Bellevue and Liberty, Kinnune expects both Juanita and Mercer Island to be much improved as well, so there will not be any easy games for the Wildcats this fall.

It all begins Sept. 3 with a tough road contest at Kingco 4A Woodinville, then the home opener is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 10 against a great Bothell Cougars team, also from Kingco 4A, which has been a state 4A power the last few years. That game will mark a homecoming for Bothell coach Tom Bainter, who was an assistant under Kinnune at Mount Si in the 1990s.