SNOQUALMIE – The paint is fresh, the lights positioned and the smell of fresh turf permeates the air – but on the field it’s all business. Spectators will get an opportunity to see a great football game in the best high-school football stadium in the state but the players have one focus, to win games.

Charlie Kinnune, head coach for Mount Si football, is in his 14th season but he strolls the field like a kid in a candy store, grinning from ear to ear.

“Everything surrounding this team is exciting,” said Kinnune. “These facilities are amazing. Not only is it the nicest facility in our league but now we have to broaden it to the West Coast or even the country. It is phenomenal what the people of this community have stepped up and done. It gives us a real sense of pride.”

Mount Si will enter its new facility ranked No. 4 by Kingco 3A football coaches. That doesn’t quite sit well with some of the players who have expectations of knocking off a few of the historically top KingCo teams.

“We want to play more than 10 games this season” said Kyle Meuli, second-team Kingco selection from last year who will play a key role in this season’s team at both the wide receiver spot on offense and corner on defense. Second team won’t do for Meuli this year who has a goal to be first team this season.

Kinnune knows exactly what he has in Meuli as a player.

“Kyle Meuli is a big play player and known throughout the league. He is also one of our captains this season,” said Kinnune.

Mount Si returns 11 starters to the field this season. In addition to Meuli, Eric Forslin returns at inside linebacker and fullback, also a team captain; Rollin Smith returns at quarterback, also a team captain; Tyler Littlejohn at tight end and linebacker, also a team captain; Erik Alexander at safety, James McKiernan at center, Daniel Johnson at defensive end and also a team captain; Kirk Stranjord at offensive line, Kyle Meyers at defensive line, Brandon Yakaboski at running back and Sean Bothell at corner.

In addition to the returning starters, several other key players return to the team. Daniel Lee at offensive line, Cory Lindberg at wide receiver and corner, Levi Nelson at defensive back, Ian Atkinson at quarterback and corner, Carey Purchase at offensive and defensive line positions, Brian Olson at linebacker and fullback, Keith Keller at tight end and linebacker and Nick Johnston at offensive and defensive line.

Leading the offense on the field again this year is Smith, returning at quarterback. The senior has clear expectations for himself.

“I want to do my job and get the ball from the center and out to the guys that can make the plays,” said Smith. “I don’t have expectations for numbers, it’s about the team.”

In addition to Smith, Atkinson is expected to get quite a bit of varsity time. “I call them a 1A and 1B,” said Kinnune. “They are real close in skills. I’m not opposed to using both of them.”

Forslin, another captain, also touts the team but a shot at first-team linebacker is also on his mind. “If we play smart ball, we could be up at the top of our league. We have two spots this year and one of those would be good,” said Forslin.

So with the new stadium and high expectations comes a realization that the bar is now set and other teams will be looking to Mount Si in the same vein as other great teams in the area. “One of the things that we have used as motivation in the past is that we didn’t need to have the big fancy stadiums or anything like that,” said Kinnune. “Well now we have them, but deep down inside I think generations of the past thought, ‘Well, why not us? Why don’t we have the same type of facilities.’

“The timing is just right. With this facility comes a very close knit team. We had a three day camp up at Camp Casey that was phenomenal. We have back to back senior and junior class that is close socially and athletically.”

Noticeably different this season is the coaching style of Kinnune. The change is a result of the influence of Bruce Brown, a noted athletic coach and speaker on the characteristics of an athlete.

“Bruce Brown has taught me to define success in other ways than winning or losing,” said Kinnune. “You can live with yourself if the focus is effort. We all need to focus on effort more and if you look at this team then they are already successful. They have worked extremely hard during the off season and in practices. Don’t get me wrong, I still like to win but this group understands effort, discipline and team unity. Winning is a byproduct of that.”

Another reason Kinnune may be giddy this year while strolling the sidelines is his running game. “When you can run the football with consistency you have more options to do different things,” said Kinnune. “You can be more unpredictable. We are looking for the chance to jam it down peoples throats.”

Leading the ground game is Yakaboski at tailback. Yakaboski began to come into his own last season and with a few more inches of height and quicker feet he will be a force to reckon with this season.

“We have a good quick offensive line and that is comforting,” said Kinnune.

Mount Si has typically had a strong defense but has possibly been worn out by game end, spending more time on the field than the offense. This season looks promising, as well.

“The whole defense makes me feel good,” said Kinnune. “Our linebackers, defensive front, all are good, and if we can play good solid defense week in and week out then we can be very competitive.”

So what gets a coach, in his 14th season, excited every fall? “It’s always a new and different parent group and that can make or break what surrounds a football team,” said Kinnune. “To me it’s not just 14 years but to me its 14 one-year experiences.”

Standing along the sidelines this season in addition to Kinnune’s family will be an exchange student, Luca Laesser.

“He saw football on TV and wanted to try American football so the exchange program gave me a call to see if there was anyone in my organization that would be interested in hosting and my wife and I said we would,” touted Kinnune. “I’ve had great experiences with Europeans in my U.S. History class so I thought it would be fun.”

Kinnune’s stroll on the sidelines may be a bit wobbly as the season opens, though. “I didn’t sleep a wink last night I am so excited.”

* Mount Si plays Cedarcrest for the Valley Cup this Friday, Sept. 9 at Cedarcrest Middle School. The Wildcats kick off their regular season hosting Sammamish on Friday, Sept. 23. That game will also be the grand opening of the new stadium.