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| Friday, September 3, 2021 |
Prospect, Butte Falls co-op to save season Neither school has played since 2019 and will get first taste of six-man game opener at Powers. In that brief time, they’ve had to get to know each other as players PROSPECT — Scott Thomp- and coaches — Thompson, as son saw the writing on the wall well as defensive coordinator when he interviewed Shawn Myers — all for the Prospect Charwhile learning a new ter head football coach game. job earlier this year. When both teams Both Prospect last took the field and Butte Falls, two in 2019, they were rural Jackson County playing eight-man schools, were unable instead of six-man Moore to field teams to football, which the compete in the 1A clasOSAA first introsification during the duced ahead of the spring season. With 2018 season as a dwindling numbers pilot program for the once again proving to smallest schools in be an issue, Thompson the state. feared both schools In the six-man would suffer a similar game, every offenPerkins fate going into the fall. sive player, including Thompson, who was the quarterback, is later hired as the Couan eligible receiver, gars’ head coach in late though the quarterJuly, suggested the two back can’t advance schools form a co-op. the ball past the line “I told them I’d of scrimmage, where really like to see them at least three players co-op. I figured that must be lined up prior James if they didn’t co-op, to the snap. neither school would Additionally, 15 have a team,” said Thompson, yards are required for a first a lifelong Butte Falls resident. down instead of 10, and after “Prospect has actually put out a touchdown, point-after enough kids, but Butte Falls, conversion runs or passes are they don’t have enough kids worth one point and converover there that play right now sion kicks are worth two. Field to have a team, even have a goals are worth four points. six-man team. Last spring, Those are the basic rules, I think they had two or three though Thompson and Myers (players) show up.” have tried to glean additional By the week of Aug. 23, the details by watching game film, two schools had officially and even planned to attend a joined forces with less than jamboree in Gilchrist Aug. 28 two weeks until their season to scout the format in person. By Will Denner Mail Tribune
“We’re on a learning curve spread-formation packages. and just trying to figure things Other notable players on out,” Thompson said. the team are junior Kaydence “I’ve never even seen a six- Moore (6-2, 175), who Thompman game live,” he added. son said can play just about “It’s a whole lot different than anywhere on defense from watching it on film.” end to linebacker to corner, Last season, a total of 15 and junior Boden Perkins (5-8, teams competed in the six- 145), a defensive end and safeman ranks, split into ty.A total of 14 players two special districts will be on the team, with no postseason. and all of them playProspect and Butte ing for the first time Falls were not among since 2019. Thompson them. So every part of previously served as the new co-op, playan assistant at Butte ers and coaches alike, Falls from 2003-11, Larson have had to adjust on and again in 2013. the fly. During that time, he “The one thing I do saw several Loggers know about this sixteams excel, including man deal is if you’ve a three-year playoff got speed, you’ve got run from 2007-09 a lot going for you,” and a 21-game league Thompson said. “And winning streak. we got a lot of speed.” Participation Ju. Jackson The team has two numbers have long starters returning been an issue across from the 2019 Prossmall-school football pect team, junior programs, but for the running back and players forming this linebacker Jonathan latest version of the Larson (5-8, 170) and Prospect/Butte Falls senior defensive end team, Thompson said and cornerback Theo they’re glad to be back Ja. Jackson James (6-6, 170). on the gridiron. Additionally, Justin “They’re just happy to be Jackson (5-8, 145), a senior playing, and it’s showing,” starter from Butte Falls, will Thompson said. “I think play defensive end and run- they’re really wanting to get ning back. out there and go for it.” Thompson said he expects the team to run a lot Reach reporter Will Denner at because of their speed, but 541-776-4479 or wdenner@ will likely also install some rosebudmedia.com
“The one thing I do know about this six-man deal is if you’ve got speed, you’ve got a lot going for you. And we got a lot of speed.” Prospect/Butte Falls head coach Scott Thompson
PROSPECT/BUTTE FALLS HEAD COACH Scott Thompson (first year) GENERAL INFORMATION ASSISTANTS: Shawn Myers (defensive coordinator). PROSPECT 2019 LEAGUE RECORD: 0-5 (1A DisThompson trict 2 East). 2019 OVERALL RECORD: 0-7. 2019 RESULTS PROSPECT OPPONENTS 0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Days Creek 52 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Myrtle Point 50 forfeit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bonanza 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Triad 51 forfeit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hosanna Christian forfeit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Lake forfeit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chiloquin BUTTE FALLS 2019 LEAGUE RECORD: 3-2 (1A District 2 West). 2019 OVERALL RECORD: 5-4. 2019 RESULTS BUTTE FALLS OPPONENTS 68. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .North Lake 0 48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oakridge 30 70. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Myrtle Point 0 0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Camas Valley 50 58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glendale 12 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Riddle 6 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Days Creek 46 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Triad 44 0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adrian/Jordan Valley 70 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (2): Running back Jonathan Larson (5-8, 170, jr.), running back Justin Jackson (5-8, 145, sr.). DEFENSE (3): Cornerback/defensive end Theo James (6-6, 170, sr.), linebacker Jonathan Larson, defensive end Justin Jackson. OTHER NOTABLES Defensive end/linebacker/cornerback Kaydence Moore (6-2, 175, jr.), defensive end/safety Boden Perkins (5-8, 145, jr.), quarterback/running back Jacob Jackson (58, 145, sr.). 2021 SCHEDULE Sept. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Powers, 4 p.m. Sept. 11 . . . . . . . . . NORTH DOUGLAS, 4 p.m. Sept. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GILCHRIST, 7 p.m. Sept. 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . .at North Lake, 3 p.m. Oct. 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Riddle, 7 p.m. Oct. 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ELKTON, 7 p.m. Oct. 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Yoncalla, 7 p.m.
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