The Interlake Saints football team is still hoping to get more players on the field, but head coach Shawn Hartline is excited about the players he does have.

“We’re still trying to get more new players out,” Hartline said. “When school starts, we’ll be in full recruitment to get more players out here.”

Despite being short-handed, Hartline is optimistic about the returning players on his team.

“We’ve got a big senior class that came back committed and ready to go,” Hartline said.

In his second year as the head coach of the Saints, Hartline and his assistant coaches have made changes on offense and defense to better suit their players.

“We really did a good job accessing our players this year and implementing a game plan,” Hartline said.

The Saints finished last season with a 0-5 league record, and 2-7 overall. Hartline said they adjusted their schedule this year so the team doesn’t play against any 4A schools. He said the Interlake program doesn’t have the numbers to play against schools like North Creek and Newport.

This year, Interlake will be returning key players, including senior Charlie Galanti, a 5-11, 155-pound quarterback. Hartline said Galanti will be the starter at the quarterback position for the Saints.

“This is his year,” Hartline said. “He has showed up in great shape and he’s worked on all of his fundamentals this offseason. He’s been a true leader this year.”

Other key senior for the saints will include Jan Bajzik, a 6-foot, 160-pound running back and strong safety, and Jack Hirsch, a 6-2, 185-pound defensive end and tackle.

“All our seniors are just really talented kids,” Hartline said. “They’re all going to contribute in some aspect on the field this year.”

Hartline said he’s very happy with the progress the team is making compared to where it was last season.

“We’re growing this program in the right direction,” Hartline said. “I’m really proud of the seniors and juniors that stepped up and helped us get more players out here, they really want this program to be successful. ”

INTERLAKE Schedule

Sept. 6 home vs. Garfield, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13 at Sammamish, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20 at Bainbridge, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27 at Liberty, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4 home vs. Mercer Island, 7 p.m.

Oct. 11 home vs. Bellevue, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18 home vs. Juanita, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25 at Lake Washington, 7 p.m.

Nov. 1 home vs. Coupeville, 7 p.m.

Interlake players raise their helmets at the end of practice. Benjamin Olson/ staff photo