WISHKAH — Thanks to a recent spike in turnout numbers, Wishkah will field a football team this year.

Although their original season opener at Rainier Christian was canceled, the Loggers are scheduled to open their campaign next Saturday at home against Tacoma Baptist. The kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Addison Field.

Wishkah failed to offer a varsity football program last year after the Twin Valley combine arrangement with Lake Quinault was abandoned. Only four players went through initial turnouts in August, sparking premature reports that the Loggers had scrapped their season.

But with the roster having increased to between 13 and 15 players, Wishkah will compete in the 1B Coastal League, according to superintendent-athletic director Dennis Johnson.

The youth of the team, Johnson said, has increased optimism that the Loggers will be able to continue with a football program.

“It’s going to be a young team,” Johnson said. “Most of the students are eighth and ninth graders, with a few upperclassmen. We view this as a rebuilding year.”