The Issaquah Eagles may have finished the 2014 season with a disappointing overall record of 5-5 but that doesn’t tell the whole story.

The Eagles, who won their final four games last year, return a bevy of returners at a wide array of different positions. Issaquah head coach Buddy Bland believes the momentum from last season’s final four contests will continue into the 2015 season.

“I expect a huge carryover from last year to this year. We finished pretty strong and things just came together,” Bland said during a spring football practice session on June 16 in Issaquah. “A lot of our main players are seniors this year. They are really good leaders, and we’re seeing it right now. They have a vision of leading this team where they want it to go.”

Bland, who coached the Eagles football program from 1999 through 2005, is back in his second season on the sidelines after a nine-year hiatus.

The difference between where his squad was in June 2014 and now couldn’t be more understated, Bland said.

“We’re seeing a completely different team right now,” he said. “Our goal is to pick up where we left off at the end of last year and we see that happening. We’re pretty happy about our progress right now. In a nutshell it’s been a good camp.”

Eagles’ senior quarterback Cameron Humphrey displayed his accuracy throughout spring drills, perfecting his accuracy on post patterns and post corner routes under the bright heat of the June sun.

“Cameron is one of the best quarterbacks in the area,” Bland said.

Humphrey started all 10 games as a junior and is poised to lead his team with his play on the field and his personality in the locker room.

“Toward the end of the year last season I felt like I developed a lot of confidence as a starter,” Humphrey said. “Going into this year I feel really confident with our team and especially my offensive line. I feel like we have a shot this year to do special things.”

The Eagles will make the short trip to Sammamish for its season opener against Skyline in early September. The Eagles haven’t forgotten the embarrassing 48-21 home loss in first game of the 2014 season last September.

“It was a bummer to lose to them last year but I feel like we will match up a lot better against them this year and just have a better shot overall,” Humphrey said. “We’re looking forward to playing them in that first game.”

Issaquah wide receiver Tyrus Tuiasosopo, who is one of Humphrey’s favorite targets in the passing game, believes in his signal caller wholeheartedly.

“He is a great leader and spends time with everyone on the team. He is just an all-around great guy,” Tuiasosopo said. “He can get the ball to us (receivers) wherever and whenever we need it.”

Bryce Hughes, who emerged as a threat in the backfield during the second half of the 2014 season, will start at running back this fall after splitting time with Issaquah 2015 grad Mikey Giannopulos last year.

“Bryce is a pretty special kid and he is only going to get better. He is picking that torch up from Mikey,” Bland said. “We will have a pretty balanced attack offensively. We have a nice quarterback, nice wide receivers and expect to have a very good running game.”

Humphrey said the Eagles have the utmost respect for their head coach.

“I love the way he coaches and the way he runs practice. He is great coach and has a great record,” Humphrey said. “We love playing for him.”

Bland said there is much more to coaching high school football than wins, losses, state titles and league championships.

“Football is an extension of the classroom. The impact that we as football coaches have on the lives of kids is so important and we’re aware of that,” he said.