Prep Football 2021

Thinking

BIG

New North coach Nathan Chin has set the bar high right out of the gate. Page 2

Friday, September 3, 2021

PREP FOOTBALL 2021

South Medford hoping new-look squad can get up to speed in a hurry.

PAGE 3

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| Friday, September 3, 2021

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BLACK TORNADO

ANDY ATKINSON / MAIL TRIBUNE

North Medford senior Bryce Dyer, right, returns as a two-way starter and top playmaker.

North sets sights on SWC title With key playmakers and veteran linemen, Black Tornado has tools to shine under Chin

By Kris Henry Mail Tribune

North Medford will take on a different look this season under first-year head coach Nathan Chin but, in many ways, the song remains the same for the Black Tornado.

A preseason favorite to be Southern Oregon’s top Class 6A team this past spring, North Medford will carry a similar role entering the 2021 fall campaign after being picked in a preseason coaches poll to claim the Southwest Conference title when all is said and done.

It’s a position that Chin and company don’t shy away from, with the coach stating that his team “without a doubt” plans on challenging for the

title this fall.

And for good reason.

North Medford returns a pair of college-level playmakers in senior receiver Bryce Dyer and sophomore tight end AJ Pugliano, who already holds an offer from Oregon, and a bevy of road graders in the trenches that would make any opposing coach envious.

“I’m super excited,” Chin said of taking over the North program after Steve Turner retired in May following three seasons at the helm. “I think the challenge is awesome and I think the potential here is endless. I just can’t wait to get these kids through training camp and really progress and get better these next few weeks.”

While Dyer and Pugliano expect to be the marquee players this season for

North, it all starts with an offensive line that returns three starters and a fourth who saw considerable time in the spring.

Seniors Jacob Johnson (5-10, 220) and Erick Santacruz (6-2, 250), junior David Fuiava (6-2, 300) and sophomore Terrell Kim (6-3, 320) anchor the front line and complement each other extremely well.

“Those kids are all big, strong kids,” said Chin. “We’re going to look a little different offensively but they’ve done a great job of grasping onto everything.

They’re all one year older and they’ve got one more year of experience and it’s definitely a good group for us to rely upon.”

SEE NORTH, 7

HEAD COACH Nathan Chin (first year) GENERAL INFORMATION ASSISTANTS: Josh Dykes (offensive coordinator), Jim Bosworth (co-defensive coordinator with Nate), Doug Elam (quarterbacks), Johnny Vaigafa (offensive line), Jered Gail (tight ends), Masi Tunoa (defensive line), Curtis Stout (secondary), Mike OlChin son (receivers), Dan Hamlin (JV head coach/offensive coordinator), Will Salade (JV defensive coordinator), Michael Rucker (JV/freshman line), Dan Smalley (freshman head coach), Dave Pettersen (freshman defensive coordinator).

2020-21 OVERALL RECORD: 4-2.

PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: First.

2019 RESULTS NORTH MEDFORD OPPONENTS 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . McNary 6 62. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jefferson 30 47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bend 19 38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mountain View 7 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sheldon 28 34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grants Pass 27 54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roseburg 7 33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aloha 35 52. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . South Medford 21 State Playoffs 55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reynolds 49 (OT) 35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tualatin 50 2020-21 RESULTS NORTH MEDFORD OPPONENTS 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grants Pass 20 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tualatin 41 25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Crater 18 35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roseburg 0 34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . South Medford 35 48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sheldon 16 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (5): Receiver Bryce Dyer (6-5, 200, sr.), lineman Jacob Johnson (5-10, 220, sr.), lineman David Fuiava (6-2, 300, jr.), lineman Terrell Kim (6-3, 320, so.), tight end AJ Pugliano (6-4, 220, so.).

DEFENSE (2): Lineman Brandon Dominquez (6-2, 250, sr.), safety Bryce Dyer.

OTHER NOTABLES Lineman Erick Santacruz (6-2, 250, sr.), quarterback Mason Warren (5-11, 210, sr.), quarterback Ty Carpenter (6-0, 155, jr.), running back/defensive back Ty Pugliano (5-10, 185, jr.), running back/linebacker Kilohana Wailehua (5-11, 180, jr.), running back/ linebacker Hudson Greisen (6-1, 185, jr.), receiver/ defensive back Alex Angulo (5-6, 170, jr.), receiver/ defensive back Koda Passey (6-0, 190, sr.), receiver/ defensive back Aidan Becksted (6-0, 180, jr.), tight end/defensive lineman Kellen Thomey (6-1, 205, jr.), receiver/defensive back Caleb Yonker (6-0, 165, sr.), tight end/linebacker Stephen Seus (6-1, 185, sr.), lineman Connor Trinca (6-0, 240, so.), lineman Kyler Steel (5-11, 270, sr.), lineman Conner McDougall (5-9, 220, sr.), lineman O’Shea Miller (6-5, 255, sr.), lineman Adam Burkett (6-2, 220, sr.), lineman Easton Abbott (6-3, 200, jr.), running back/linebacker Atreaue Roe (5-11, 170, sr.), receiver/defensive back Isaac Chavez (6-0, 155, jr.), receiver/defensive back Isaiah Chavez (6-0, 155, jr.).

2021 SCHEDULE Sept. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DEL NORTE, 7 p.m.

Sept. 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at West Linn, 7 p.m.

Sept. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SHERWOOD, 7 p.m.

Sept. 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Liberty, 7 p.m.

Oct. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BEND, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Roseburg, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Sheldon, 7 p.m.

Oct. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GRANTS PASS, 7 p.m.

Oct. 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SOUTH MEDFORD, 7 p.m.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Southwest Conference North Medford South Medford Grants Pass Conference Roundup

2 3 4 5

Midwestern League Ashland Crater League Roundup Eagle Point

8 9 10 11

Skyline Conference Phoenix Conference Roundup Far West League Cascade Christian St. Mary’s League Roundup

16 17

20 21 22

2A District 4 Rogue River

23

1A District 3 Prospect / Butte Falls

24

Miscellaneous Coaches Polls Broadcast Info Past Champions Season Schedule

14 19 26 27

Cover Photo Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune

Design By Danny Penza Sports Contacts Sports: 541-776-4480 Kris Henry: 541-776-4488 Danny Penza: 541-776-4469 Will Denner: 541-776-4479 Warren Blenkush: 541-776-4492 Email: sports@rosebudmedia.com Web: mailtribune.com/sports

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Friday, September 3, 2021 |

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South aiming to grow up quickly this fall With no returning starters on the line and only 4 overall, Panthers will be work in progress

By Kris Henry Mail Tribune

As Bill Singler puts it, there are some years when you have experienced players and can let them go, and there are others when you have to coach them up a little bit.

In five short months, his South Medford team has gone from the former to the latter after graduating 23 seniors, but that doesn’t mean expectations have changed for the Panthers.

After going 4-1 through the spring campaign, the Panthers return enough headline players, as well as young talent and faith in Singler, to earn them the No. 2 spot in the preseason Southwest Conference coaches poll.

“We’re just taking it one day at a time right now,” said Singler, entering his 24th season at

“We’ve never backed down from scheduling in our program at any time,” said Singler.

“If these kids need to grow up, they’re going to get their nose wet awfully early and they better see what it’s like.”

One player thrust into the fire in the spring was quarterback Deacon Edgar, who responded to the challenge as a sophomore and wound up completing 54 of 100 passes for 658 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

Edgar also ran for three TDs, including two in the final two minutes against North Medford to steal a 35-34 victory in the Panthers’ spring finale.

“There’s no question he was a heckuva lot better quarterLARRY STAUTH JR. /FOR THE MAIL TRIBUNE back from Game 1 to Game 5,” said Singler of the 5-foot-11, South Medford QB Deacon Edgar was the Panthers’ starter under center as a sophomore this past spring.

175-pounder.

South. “Our team has changed the ball, so there will be a true McNary and also has backWith that added experience a little bit as far as experience transition being made this fall to-back games against Lake under his belt, Edgar enters his so we’ve got some work to do.” for most of the cast, either up Oswego and Lakeridge before junior year in a much different The Panthers return only from the JV or freshman levels. opening SWC play at Sheldon mode.

With a limited break-in — the onus will be on the Panfour offensive starters, and SEE SOUTH, 6 none on the defensive side of period — South opens at thers to mature in short order.

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| Friday, September 3, 2021

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CAVEMEN

ERIC TAYLOR / FOR THE MAIL TRIBUNE

Junior Jace Blanchard will continue the long family legacy at the quarterback position for Grants Pass this season.

Another Blanchard takes over at GP Junior quarterback Jace Blanchard set to guide Cavemen back to playoffs

By Kris Henry Mail Tribune

GRANTS PASS — Great things have happened at Grants Pass High with a Blanchard at quarterback, and that’s precisely what Cavemen head coach John Mussser hopes will continue to be in store.

From the heralded run of Tom Blanchard, who went on to play QB at the University of Oregon and had an 11-year NFL career as a punter, to his sons Tommy and Jimmy, each decorated college QBs in their own right, Grants Pass has enjoyed some of its best seasons with a Blanchard behind center.

The next generation is set to make its mark as junior Jace Blanchard, son of Tommy, takes the reins this year after a promising JV campaign in the spring.

“That’s always fun when you have another member of a long lineage at quarterback,” said Musser. “The Blanchards are kind of Grants Pass’ version of the Mannings, so here comes Jace and he gets his turn to do something that his dad and his grandpa and his uncle did.

That’s going to be pretty cool to see how he takes command of the offense. He’s done a great job all through the summer

and doubles so we’re really excited.”

Tommy Blanchard still ranks fifth on the all-time passing leaders list (5,182 yards, 39 TDs) at Lewis & Clark College, where he was a three-year starter, while Jimmy Blanchard is in the Portland State Hall of Fame after finishing his Vikings career ranked second only to Neil Lomax in career passing yards (8,455), passing touchdowns (63) and pass completions (618).

Those may seem like big shoes to fill, but Musser said the latest Blanchard has what it takes to get the job done, even at 5-foot-11, 157 pounds.

“He’s a fierce competitor and he’ll get after you,” said Musser. “Anything we do, he competes. He’s a little undersized — skinny for sure — but he’s got tremendous arm strength. You look at him and think, gosh, this kid couldn’t throw the ball 20 yards but he can grip and rip the football with the best of them. He’s got a real whip on the ball.”

Blanchard will have an athletic offensive line to work behind, led by senior tackle Kain Robinson (6-2 238), and a nice security blanket in converted receiver Asher Yriarte (5-10, 173) next to him in the backfield at tailback.

Yriarte, son of former SOU standout Jenner Yriarte, has been one of GP’s top defensive backs and his all-around athleticism has led to a natural conversion to running back.

“He really gives us a nice dimension that we haven’t had in our backfield probably since Jaren Emptage a handful of years ago with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield but also be able to block and run both the inside game and outside game,” said Musser.

Trevor Reeves (5-11, 167) and Gage Blay (5-10, 167) also expect to get carries for an offense that expects to be extremely versatile this season.

“Our whole offense is going to be predicated on guys at the most maybe getting 10 touches,” said Musser. “We’re going to spread the ball around and on any given Friday night I could see 10 or maybe 12 kids touching the football.”

The tight end group, led by senior Josh Hart (6-5, 180), is one of the most complete Musser has had and could lead to GP putting three tight ends on the field at one time to take advantage of that depth.

SEE GRANTS PASS, 7

HEAD COACH John Musser (14th year, 72-60) GENERAL INFORMATION ASSISTANTS: Matt Kennedy (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), John Tunick (special teams/defensive backs), Bub MarMusser val (offensive line), Jameson Davis (defensive line), Kyle Swanson (running backs), John Valadez (wide receivers), Robbie Zaina (JV head coach/defensive coordinator/linebackers), Jonah Musser (JV offensive coordinator/receivers), Nate Scott (JV), Jeret Musser (JV), Brian Richard (freshman head coach), Gannon Schroder (freshmen), Tyler Amaral (freshmen), David Zauher (freshmen), Tom McGowan (freshmen).

2020-21 OVERALL RECORD: 4-2.

PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: Fourth.

2019 RESULTS GRANTS PASS OPPONENTS 39. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oregon City 41 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summit 7 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mountain View 43 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Southridge 56 42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roseburg 21 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Medford 34 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Westview 15 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . South Medford 19 32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sheldon 42 State Playoffs 33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lake Oswego 55 2020-21 RESULTS GRANTS PASS OPPONENTS 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Medford 27 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crater 13 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roseburg 6 55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . South Medford 56 (30T) 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eagle Point 24 42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Bend 13 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (2): Tackle Kain Robinson (6-2, 238, sr.), running back Asher Yriarte (5-10, 173, sr.).

DEFENSE (4): Linebacker Braeden Lesina (6-0, 203, sr.), end Taholo Vainuku-Johnson (6-0, 233, sr.), tackle Parker Jarvis (6-3, 300, jr.), defensive back Asher Yriarte.

OTHER NOTABLES Quarterback Jace Blanchard (5-11, 157, jr.), placekicker Miles Anderson (6-0, 176, sr.), receiver/cornerback Jackson Tunick (60, 165, jr.), receiver/linebacker Troy Osborne (6-3, 182, so.), tight end/defensive line Josh Hart (6-5, 180, sr.), tight end/defensive line JT Davis (6-2, 180, jr.), tight end/linebacker Gabe Calabro (6-1, 184, sr.), receiver/free safety Jayce Jordan (6-2, 170, sr.), receiver/ cornerback Malachi Kinyon (5-8, 151, jr.), running back/linebacker Chase Comyford (6-1, 185, sr.), running back/defensive back Trevor Reeves (5-11, 176, jr.), receiver/linebacker Niko Madamba (5-7, 165, jr.), running back/linebacker Gage Blay (5-10, 167, so.), receiver/linebacker Bug Galli (6-0, 201, sr.), lineman Jacob Dorner (6-2, 222, sr.), lineman Ari Huber-Kantola (5-11, 255, jr.), lineman Kaleb Davis (5-10, 261, sr.).

2021 SCHEDULE Sept. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Bend, 7 p.m.

Sept. 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . .WEST SALEM, 7 p.m.

Sept. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at McNary, 7 p.m.

Sept. 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . SHASTA (CA.), 7 p.m.

Oct. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ROSEBURG, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . at South Medford, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Beaverton, 7 p.m.

Oct. 22 . . . . . . . . . . at North Medford, 7 p.m.

Oct. 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SHELDON, 7 p.m.

“We’re going to spread the ball around and on any given Friday night I could see 10 or maybe 12 kids touching the football.”

Grant Pass head coach John Musser

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Friday, September 3, 2021 |

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Sheldon eager to restore position in SWC

By Kris Henry Mail Tribune

Being on the wrong side of a Southwest Conference drubbing was an unfamiliar position for Sheldon this past spring, and one the Irish don’t plan on repeating anytime soon.

When North Medford came to Eugene in Week 6 and walked away with a physically imposing 48-16 victory to wrap up the 2020-21 season, it definitely got Sheldon’s attention.

Finishing a close third behind the favored Black Tornado and runner-up South Medford in this year’s preseason SWC coaches poll only stokes the fire for a Sheldon program that has placed first in nine of the 14 contested conference campaigns.

“We’re kind of on the outside looking in right now and we’ve got to get a chip on our shoulder and reassert our position in the league,” said fifth-year Irish coach Josh Line. “We’ve been one of the top teams in the league but we’ve got a tough

for a breakout campaign.

Leading that charge is junior quarterback Brock Thomas, a 6-foot, 175-pounder with vast potential, according to Line. Thomas passed for nearly 800 yards and ran for another 300 in spearheading Sheldon’s attack in the spring, thrust into the fire with an inexperienced crew around him.

The son of former Oregon player Aaron Thomas, the dual-threat QB boasts good speed and a strong arm, which fit perfectly into Sheldon’s offensive scheme. Line said Thomas also has the intangibles you want in any player.

“Brock is a special talent and he just gets better and better every day,” said the coach. “He has a great attitude and a great work ethic. He really wants to be the best quarterback that he can be and he invests the time.

CHRIS PIETSCH / THE EUGENE REGISTER-GUARD He’s a lot better than he was Sheldon’s Brock Thomas, left, works out under the watchful eye of coach Josh Line as practice begins last month. last year, and I thought he was road ahead of us to get back to be easy because the league has company, Sheldon has some pretty good last year.” that spot. Certainly that’s what got great coaches.” pretty special players who, after SEE SWC, 12 our goal is, but it’s not going to Fortunately for Line and a spring seasoning, are primed

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| Friday, September 3, 2021

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PANTHERS

LARRY STAUTH JR. / FOR THE MAIL TRIBUNE

South Medford running back Carson Joe, left, rushed for 378 yards and six touchdowns during his junior season in the spring.

SOUTH From Page 3

“He just looks more confident and seems more confident and understands the offense better,” said Singler. “I think his frame of mind about himself is more positive and I think he believes in himself more now than he did last year at this time, obviously. And I think the kids certainly respect him in how the season played out and how he played. He definitely has the team’s respect.”

As such, Edgar expects to shoulder a little more responsibility this time around.

“I think the more you get to know a kid as a coach, especially at the quarterback position, the more rope you’re willing to give him,” said Singler. “I think you’ll see him getting a little bit more rope than he had last year.”

“We’ve got to utilize his ability as a runner a little bit more than we did last year,” added the coach, “because he definitely can run the ball a little bit. He has a knack for getting some yards with his legs.”

The biggest challenge for the Panthers will be that they graduated nine senior linemen and will be relatively young up front this season, with senior Jackson Robertson (6-3, 200) expected to anchor the group on both sides of the ball.

“With our inexperience up front,” said Singler, “we’re probably going to have to lean on the pass a little more this year than obviously we did last year when we had a big line and could push some people backwards. Right now we’re not strong enough yet up front, because most of the

kids are sophomores and they made a big impact in wins over haven’t been in the weight room Grants Pass and North Medford. long enough.”

Walker, whose 11.08 seconds in Hopefully making things easier the 100 meters made him one of will be the return of versatile the state track leaders as a sophsenior running backs Carson omore, finished as the Panthers’ Joe, a first-team all-SOC pick in second-leading receiver with the spring, and Brycen Guches, a 121 yards and two TDs on six Samis second-teamer. catches.

At 5-10, 200 pounds, Joe has Johnson, Phillips and Henry the power to run through the were leading receivers on the JV tackles (57 carries, 378 yards, team who offer big targets for six TDs in the spring) and is also Edgar. Phillips, especially, has the adept at blocking and catching potential for a breakout year and the ball out of the backfield. showed his athleticism in shifting The shifty Guches (5-7, 175) from receiver to quarterback due Robertson provides a breakaway threat to an injury that sidelined Henry after averaging 6 yards per carry Williams for most of the spring. in the spring and gives South another set Johnson (6-3, 185) is a hurdler in track of trusty hands in four-receiver schemes with good speed and athleticism that (10 catches, 55 yards). allowed him to make an impact when he The area Singler finds the most poten- saw varsity time at safety last year. He, tial for breakout performance is in the Samis and Guches expect to anchor the receiver position, where senior Colton secondary for South.

Samis (5-11, 165) returns as a starter Joe headlines an athletic linebacker and is complemented by a host of play- corps that expects to include juniors makers whose average height is 6-2 in Dylan Espinosa (6-1, 205), Isaack Valdez senior Asher Johnson and juniors Andrew (6-0, 160) and Diego Rios (5-9, 175) and Walker, Josh Phillips and Ty Henry. seniors Khedive Robinson (5-11, 175) and “I’m excited for our receiver corps,” Tabor Wheeler (5-9, 170). said Singler. “I think our skill positions at With lower program numbers, South is the varsity level, we’re somewhat expe- in the low 50s, Singler said he expects to rienced but we do have some talent and have more players going both ways this size and speed, which is nice.” year but the continued development of Samis expects to be more involved in a younger players could help offset that variety of ways this fall as South’s Swiss wear and tear throughout the season.

Army knife, so to speak, as a capable Have a story idea? Reach sports editor receiver and runner.

Walker bumped up to the varsity Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, khenry@ level as a mainstay midway through the rosebudmedia.com or www.twitter.com/ spring and the speedy 6-1, 175-pounder Kris_Henry

HEAD COACH Bill Singler (24th year, 142-93) GENERAL INFORMATION ASSISTANTS: Jason Bauer (assistant head coach/running backs/defensive line), Chris Parnell (defensive coordinaSingler tor/secondary), Damian Jackson (offensive line), Tony Akpan (defensive linemen), Jack Singler (JV head coach/quarterbacks), Matt Boudreaux (receivers), Mike Tejada (linebackers), Sean Johnston (freshman head coach), Dave Alonzo (freshman), Mike Johnston (freshman), Logan Emonds (freshman).

2020-21 OVERALL RECORD: 4-1.

PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: Second.

2019 RESULTS SOUTH MEDFORD OPPONENTS 40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Centennial 13 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Canby 13 41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liberty 53 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . McMinnville 7 31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . McNary 9 34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roseburg 6 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sheldon 34 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grants Pass 14 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Medford 52 State Playoffs 0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Newberg 28 2020-21 RESULTS SOUTH MEDFORD OPPONENTS 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crater 9 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roseburg 14 34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eagle Point 7 56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grants Pass 55 (3OT) 35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Medford 34 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (4): Running back Carson Joe (5-10, 200, sr.), running back Brycen Guches (5-7, 175, sr.), receiver/punter Colton Samis (5-11, 165, sr.), quarterback Deacon Edgar (5-11, 175, jr.).

DEFENSE (0): No returning starters.

OTHER NOTABLES Tight end/safety Asher Johnson (6-3, 185, sr.), lineman Jackson Robertson (6-3, 200, sr.), receiver/defensive back Andrew Walker (6-1, 175, jr.), receiver/defensive back Josh Phillips (6-1, 165, jr.), running back/ linebacker Dylan Espinosa (6-1, 205, jr.), receiver/defensive back Ty Henry (6-2, 145, jr.), quarterback/defensive back Henry Williams (6-1, 185, jr.), running back/linebacker Tabor Wheeler (5-9, 170, sr.), receiver/linebacker Isaack Valdez (6-0, 160, jr.), receiver/defensive back Hayden Powell (5-8, 135, sr.), lineman Hunter Hernandez-Cline (5-11, 200, jr.), lineman Elijah Qualls (5-11, 215, jr.), lineman Anthony DelPizzo (5-10, 245, so.), lineman Diego Luna (5-10, 230, so.), lineman Bowen Johnson (6-1, 265, so.), lineman Spencer King (6-3, 200, jr.), lineman/linebacker Khedive Robinson (5-11, 175, sr.), lineman/linebacker Diego Rios (5-9, 175, jr.), lineman Li Moala (5-9, 210, so.), lineman Makani Manuwai (511, 230, so.).

2021 SCHEDULE Sept. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at McNary, 7 p.m.

Sept. 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BEND, 7 p.m.

Sept. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . at Lake Oswego, 7 p.m.

Sept. 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LAKERIDGE, 7 p.m.

Oct. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Sheldon, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GRANTS PASS, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ROSEBURG, 7 p.m.

Oct. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Westview, 7 p.m.

Oct. 29 . . . . . . . . . . at North Medford, 7 p.m.

“I’m excited for our receiver corps. I think our skill positions at the varsity level, we’re somewhat experienced but we do have some talent and size and speed, which is nice.”

South Medford coach Bill Singler

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Friday, September 3, 2021 |

7

NORTH

GRANTS PASS From Page 4

“We’re not going to be in a lot of traditional tight end sets where the tight end will be connected to the line of scrimmage and have a hand in the dirt,” said Musser. “They’ll be more flexed out or playing as wings, but they’re long, athletic kids and that’s exciting to me.”

Junior receiver Jackson Tunick (6-0, 165) may well be the most dynamic player for the Cavemen and leads a core group of outside targets for Blanchard that includes converted QB Troy Osborne (6-3, 182) and Jayce Jordan (6-2, 170).

Defensively, the Cavemen plan to move from their traditional 4-2 alignment to a 4-3 look that, although schematically similar, will add another linebacker and give GP more size to help stop running attacks.

Senior Braeden Lesina (6-0, 203) started every game in the spring and

returns as the team’s second-leading tackler at middle linebacker. Musser calls Lesina an “old-school Mike linebacker who can fit tackle to tackle in the box” and is “tougher than nails.”

“He kind of sets the tone defensively with his toughness and his intelligence,” said Musser.

Osborne and senior Bug Galli (6-0, 201) complement at linebacker, along with North Valley senior transfer Chase Comyford (6-1, 185).

Up front, GP has considerable size on the line in junior Parker Jarvis (6-3, 300) and senior Tholo Vainuku-Johnson (6-0, 233).

The Cavemen haven’t missed the playoffs since 2009 and suffered only two losses in the spring, both in heartbreak fashion to North Medford (27-20) and South Medford (56-55 3OT).

Have a story idea? Reach sports editor Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, khenry@ rosebudmedia.com or www.twitter. com/Kris_Henry

ANDY ATKINSON / MAIL TRIBUNE

North Medford running back Ty Pugliano carries the ball during a practice last month.

“Bryce and AJ, those guys are going to get heavy targets,” said Chin. “They’re going to definitely be heavy load-carriers for us. We’re going to try to get them the ball in space and let them do stuff with the ball.”

Defensively, senior Brandon Dominguez (6-2, 250) returns to lead an odd-front set that will take advantage of North’s depth at the line of scrimmage. The linebacker corps is equally

deep, with Wailehua joined by AJ Pugliano and junior Hudson Greisen (6-1, 185) in leading the charge.

Dyer, a safety, will get new help in the secondary but Chin is excited by a host of options at his disposal.

Have a story idea? Reach sports editor Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, khenry@ rosebudmedia.com or www.twitter. com/Kris_Henry

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with a hard-charging approach to each carry, while fellow junior Kilohana From Page 2 Wailehua (5-11, 180) is equally adept at helping North move the chains. Ty Kim has been especially impressive Pugliano ran four times for 56 yards in a with his ability to move well for his season-ending rout of Sheldon, 48-16. size, leading Chin to consider “They’re good, physical moving him in from tackle to runners,” said Chin. “They’re center due to his athleticism. athletic and they run well.

If that weren’t enough, the They’re not the same back line of candidates to fill in obviously as Devin, they don’t includes sophomore Connor have that downhill, but both of Trinca (6-0, 240) and seniors them are strong runners.”

Adam Burkett (6-2, 220), Each expects to get a good Johnson Kyler Steel (5-11, 270), Conner amount of carries, with junior McDougall (5-9, 220) and Alex Angulo (5-6, 170) compleO’Shea Miller (6-5, 255). menting as a change-of-pace “We almost have two full slot receiver who can move into groups to go after things with the backfield, but it may not be our linemen,” said Chin. in the same vein that Turner’s That group will be tasked troops carried the ball in recent with giving time for senior years. quarterback Mason Warren to “We’re going to be more of Santacruz find the likes of Dyer and Puga spread offense,” said Chin. liano on the perimeter. Warren “Obviously that’s kind of my served mostly in the Black Tortake on football so we’ll be a nado secondary this past spring little bit more in that fashion. but was also the backup QB so I’m not saying that we’re going there’s plenty of familiarity to throw the ball 50 times per with the position. game, we’re just going to line “He carries himself well back up in that kind of look. They’ve there and he does a pretty good always had a sprinkle of it in the Fuiava job,” said Chin. “He poses a past here so it won’t be commultiple-option game because pletely new.” he’s not just a thrower. He’s a What also won’t be new is fairly athletic kid that moves the focus of the aerial attack: well and he likes the physical Dyer (6-5, 200) and AJ Pugside of football, for sure.” liano (6-4, 220), who offer After graduating one of the matchup nightmares due to state’s leading rushers in Devin their size and agility.

Bradd, who averaged 27 carries Dyer had 16 catches for 264 Kim and 173 yards per game in the yards and three TDs to be spring, the Black Tornado will feature North’s leading receiver in the spring, more of a committee approach this fall. while AJ Pugliano burst on the scene Ty Pugliano (5-10, 185) was the JV’s with 14 catches for 215 yards and one leading rusher and boasts quick feet TD to rank a close third.

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| Friday, September 3, 2021

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Ready or not, here comes Ashland Rebuilding Grizzlies set for a return to varsity play in 2021

By Danny Penza Mail Tribune

ASHLAND — When Beau Lehnerz first took over the football program at Ashland High School in 2017, it was about building up a very young team at the varsity level.

As Lehnerz enters his fifth year at the helm, that same theme is very much the case in 2021.

Without playing a varsity schedule in the spring due to a handful of concerns that included player safety, Lehnerz always knew that the Grizzlies were going to be young when the regularly scheduled fall season arrived. And with only six seniors on the roster, that is still very much the case.

But knowing that he and the Grizzlies have been in this situation before, he has a clear example of something to point

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for immediate results will be a thing that Lehnerz and his coaching staff expect to battle this season. Lehnerz fully admits that his team will take some lumps as the vast majority of his roster gets their first taste of varsity football.

But what Lehnerz knows is that his team will be gaining valuable experience, a lot like the young Grizzlies in 2017 and 2018, that could very well pay off a year or two down the road.

“Similar to the team that we had in 2019, a lot of those seniors, when they were sophomores, a lot of them were playing,” Lehnerz said. “That was my first Ashland High quarterback year as head coach, and they took Ronin Kimbrough is one their lumps. But they got better of the few seniors on the and better and better, and by the Grizzlies’ roster this fall. time they were seniors they had DENISE BARATTA / an amazing year. There’s a lot of FOR THE MAIL TRIBUNE similarities there that these kids are going to have to be thrown to as the end product for this ended up in the quarterfinals of about patience, and that’s really into the fire and compete and group of youngsters. the state playoffs in their senior been what we’ve been stressing take their lumps, but hopefully “We’ve had a young team year,” Lehnerz said, referenc- as much as we can just because grow from it.” before and we were 2-7, but ing the last time the Grizzlies we’re so young.”

SEE ASHLAND, 13 those kids kept fighting and they played a varsity schedule. “It’s Impatience amid the desire

|

COMETS HEAD COACH Berk Brown (second year, 4-2).

GENERAL INFORMATION ASSISTANTS: Vinny Gay (assistant head coach/special teams/linebackers), Trent Thompson (offensive coordinator/ Brown quarterbacks), Brad Eaton (offensive line), David Douglas (cornerbacks), Beau Canfield (defensive line), JR Godley (running backs), David deVilleneuve (JV co-head coach/outside linebackers), Tyler Baird (JV co-head coach/wide receivers), Tyler Dean (JV defensive coordinator/safeties), Josh Middleton (offensive line), Josh Daulton (tight ends).

2020-21 OVERALL RECORD: 4-2.

PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: Second.

2019 RESULTS CRATER OPPONENTS 40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wilsonville 0 56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Willamette 7 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thurston 20 66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Bend 28 61. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Eugene 0 57. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . South Eugene 26 48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ashland 13 56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eagle Point 0 48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Churchill 0 State Playoffs 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hillsboro 0 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parkrose 0 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . West Albany 24 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thurston 14 2020-21 RESULTS CRATER OPPONENTS 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . South Medford 6 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grants Pass 13 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liberty 38 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Medford 25 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eagle Point 7 42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roseburg 7 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Canby 14 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (4): Tackle Sage Wilson (6-3, 230, jr.), center Justin Brehm (6-1, 280, so.), tackle Jimmy Jordahl (6-3, 230, sr.), running back Caden Lasater (5-10, 190, sr.).

DEFENSE (4): Nose tackle Justin Brehm (6-1, 280, so.), cornerback Miles Jennings (5-9, 170, sr.), end Jimmy Jordahl, linebacker Caden Lasater.

OTHER NOTABLES Quarterback Shane Wood (6-1, 210, so.), linebacker Ryken deVilleneuve (5-9, 205, sr.), receiver Javon Smith (5-11, 170, sr.), tight end/linebacker Kayden Gardner (6-0, 220, so.), safety Aidan Chenoweth (5-10, 175, jr.), receiver/defensive back Andrew Schatz (5-11, 180, jr.).

2021 SCHEDULE Sept. 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . at North Bend, 2 p.m.

Sept. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHURCHILL, 7 p.m.

Sept. 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Springfield, 7 p.m.

Oct. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WILLAMETTE, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Eagle Point, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Thurston, 7 p.m, Oct. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUMMIT, 7 p.m.

Oct. 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ASHLAND, 7 p.m.

“We’re having to replace 15 seniors, 13 of which were every-down players for us and five of those are playing college football now. That’s our biggest challenge that we have to overcome — finding kids who played in the lower levels who can step up into a varsity role and be difference-makers for us.”

Crater head coach Berk Brown

Friday, September 3, 2021 |

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Crater eyes quick transition period All-star seniors Jordahl, Lasater pace largely new cast of Comets in 2021

By Danny Penza Mail Tribune

CENTRAL POINT — Berk Brown could look all over the field and see senior after senior leading his team out onto the field during Crater’s spring 2021 season.

Just a few months later, things are a little different.

In their first fall season since a historic run to the Class 5A state title game two years ago, the Comets will be a young and hungry bunch rather than the seniorheavy group that had college talent all over the field just a few months back.

Despite that swing in his team’s experience level, Brown knows he has a talented group on Lasater his hands. It’s just about getting them up to speed that comes with so many players stepping into new roles.

“We’re having to replace 15 seniors, 13 of which were every-down players for us and five of Chenoweth those are playing college football now,” Brown said. “That’s our biggest challenge that we have to overcome — finding kids who played in the lower levels who can step up into a varsity role and be difference-makers Wood for us. We’ve spent all summer and our kids have worked extremely hard. We’re starting to develop those roles for those guys.”

The Comets went 4-2 in Brown’s first season at the helm this past deVilleneuve spring playing a schedule that featured four games against 6A opposition in the temporary revival of the Southern Oregon Conference, recording a 9-6 win over South Medford and close losses against Grants Pass (21-13) and North Medford (25-18).

A return to a regular Midwestern League schedule is certainly a welcome sight.

“I think the sense of normalcy for our kids provides a ton of emotional and social well-being, social health,” Brown said.

“They get to be around their friends all of the time, they get to be around their teammates all the time. As hard as fall

ANDY ATKINSON / MAIL TRIBUNE

Crater senior lineman Jimmy Jordahl will be one of the Comets’ most important players on both sides of the ball as head coach Berk Brown begins his second season at the helm.

camp can be, I think they’re enjoying it because it feels like football again. It’s not something that was rushed and last minute and dumped into a six-week (schedule).

“Not that we didn’t appreciate it, but just the sense of normalcy, it helps the kids in between the ears more than anything.”

While the Comets’ senior class is small — all of six players — Brown said that each of them will be looked to for big contributions this season. Of those six seniors, it’s easy to identify Crater’s foundation: lineman Jimmy Jordahl and running back/ linebacker Caden Lasater, with Brown describing them as “two of the top players not only in our region but in the state.”

“Those two kids have just been unbelievable leaders and they’re just hard workers,” Brown said. “They’re the hardest working kids we have on the team right now and I’m really excited to watch them progress as they enter their final season at the high school level.”

Jordahl is the Comets’ lone senior on the offensive line, which also features returning starters Sage Wilson and Justin Brehm, who started at center as a freshman in the spring.

Rather than a senior stepping in for a senior like in the spring at quarterback, it will be sophomore Shane Wood moving up from the JV level to take over under center for the graduated Blake Eaton.

“Protection is everything for a young quarterback,” Brown said. “He has to feel as though he is safe when he takes that snap, and if he doesn’t feel safe that’s when a young quarterback can get jittery, get out of rhythm, forget his reads and responsibilities. Shane’s a good quarterback, but he’s a sophomore, so he’s going to have a learning curve.

“Shane’s potential is through the roof, but what he’s gotta do is let things slow down for him. Things are just moving a little fast for him right now.”

Jordahl and Lasater will also be key for the Comets’ defense, one that also lost over half of its starters from last season’s team.

Jordahl, an all-state pick at defensive end and one of the few underclassmen who participated in the Les Schwab Bowl this summer, and Lasater have been two of Crater’s top tacklers the last two seasons.

SEE CRATER, 14

10

| Friday, September 3, 2021 |

Thurston in familiar role as MWL favorite Thurston senior Jacob Newell, center, will be a major factor at both tight end and defensive end for the Colts this season.

By Danny Penza Mail Tribune

It doesn’t take long to identify who the rest of the pack in the Midwestern League will be chasing entering the 2021 season.

That’s just what happens when you’re Thurston and you’re the team that has won the last two state titles at the Class 5A level.

The senior-dominated and high-powered Colts, who won state titles in 2018 and 2019, were a unanimous pick to finish atop the Midwestern League this season in a vote by the league’s coaches.

“We replaced quite a few really good seniors, but we have another very large senior class this year, so I’m very excited about this year’s senior class,” Thurston head coach Justin Starck said.

“We’re just really happy to get back out on the field. We have a lot of optimism and excitement for the season.”

Thurston went 5-1 during the sixweek spring season, outscoring their opponents 233-72.

And while the Colts lost 17 seniors from that team, Starck knows he’s still got plenty of talent on this season’s roster, one that has 26 seniors.

“They’re a tight-knit group and have been together for a long time,” Starck said. “They’ve played together in a lot of Pop Warner games through the years.”

Senior tight end Jacob Newell and senior running back Gavin Knights are the centerpieces of an offense that averaged nearly 39 points per game in the spring.

Starck joked that he’s lost track of how many offers from Division I schools Newell has received. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder — who will also feature at defensive end for the Colts — had 19 receptions for 249 yards and six touchdowns in the spring.

Knights had a monster junior season despite its shortened nature. A

CHRIS PIETSCH / THE EUGENE REGISTER-GUARD

losing just 11 seniors from that squad.

“I think our team is a year older, a year more experienced and they worked really hard in the offseason, so we’re hopeful they can translate that into success,” Robinson said.

SEE MWL, 15

5-foot-8, 160-pound senior, Knights rushed for 956 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 11.8 yards per carry.

“Jake’s such a matchup problem with his height,” Starck said. “He just does a really good job going up and getting the ball. Gavin is an exceptional, exceptional high school running back and I believe he can play at the next level. ...

The Division II, Division III, NAIAs are just drooling over him because he’s a game-changing kind of kid.”

Knights will team in the backfield with senior Bryce Indell, a transfer from Willamette who was the Wolverines’ leading rusher as well as tackler in the spring. The 6-foot, 210-pound Indell will be one half of an inside linebacker tandem with junior Vaun Halstead that Starck described as “as good as you will find anywhere.”

At quarterback, Starck said it’s been a battle between sophomore Darien Witham — who started two games last season — and senior Alex Boring, who is working his way back from ACL surgery last summer.

“We feel really good about our depth at that position,” Starck said.

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Churchill With a bevy of returners up front, Churchill head coach AJ Robinson is hoping another year wiser proves to be the foundation for his team’s success in 2021.

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Friday, September 3, 2021 |

11

EAGLES HEAD COACH Erik Johnson (third year, 3-12) GENERAL INFORMATION

ASSISTANTS: Trampis Waite (offensive coordinator), Tyson Wolfe (defensive coordinator), Josh Graves (assistant head Johnson coach), Nate Helwig (JV head coach), Rick O’Callahan (JV offensive coordinator), Jory Foulon (JV assistant head coach), Rob Cowden (receivers), Joe Meerten (defensive line).

2020-21 OVERALL RECORD: 1-5.

PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: Sixth.

2019 RESULTS EAGLE POINT OPPONENTS 34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Klamath Union 8 29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Redmond 27 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Springfield 27 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thurston 50 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . South Eugene 56 0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ashland 48 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Churchill 44 0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crater 56 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Eugene 42 2020-21 RESULTS EAGLE POINT OPPONENTS 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Springfield 7 0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mazama 63 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . South Medford 34 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crater 24 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grants Pass 49 26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Willamette 34 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (9): Lineman David Johnson (6-3, 260, sr.), lineman Ethan Bodenbender (6-0, 230, sr.), lineman Kevin Turcios (5-10, 230, sr.), lineman Luis Uribe (6-0, 220, sr.), running back David Brown (6-0, 160, jr.), running back/receiver Isaiah Hill (5-9, 155, jr.), receiver Jimmie Copeland (6-1, 180, sr.), receiver Wyatt Graves (6-3, 175, jr.), receiver Josh Jackson (6-2, 175, jr.).

DEFENSE (9): Defensive back Alex Smith (5-10, 165, sr.), defensive back Anthony Milian (5-11, 165, sr.), linebacker Ethan Moody (6-0, 170, sr.), safety Triston McGuire (5-10, 165, sr.), lineman Nathan Cordova (6-2, 280 jr.), linebacker Isaiah Hill, defensive back Josh Jackson, linebacker Wyatt Graves.

OTHER NOTABLES Quarterback/defensive line Caiden Lacey (6-3, 210, jr.), quarterback Bryton Livingston (5-11, 160, so.), quarterback Dawson Foulon (6-2, 175, jr.), receiver/safety Logan Cardwell (6-0, 155, sr.), placekicker Jeremiah Cordle (5-10, 150, so.).

2021 SCHEDULE Sept. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Churchill, 7 p.m.

Sept. 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . SPRINGFIELD, 7 p.m.

Sept. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Willamette, 7 p.m.

Sept. 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Mazama, 7 p.m.

Oct. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .THURSTON, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CRATER, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Ashland, 7 p.m.

Oct. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NORTH BEND, 7 p.m.

“Every year is a new year no matter what and it has its own personality, but it does feel better in the first year that I’ve been here having experience and upperclassmen.

That experience is big.

Having both of those, finally, we’ll feel a little more comfortable.”

Eagle Point head coach Erik Johnson

DENISE BARATTA PHOTOS / FOR THE MAIL TRIBUNE

Eagle Point senior linebacker Isaiah Hill has emerged as one of the Eagles’ top leaders entering the 2021 season.

Seasoned Eagles will look to soar Eagle Point returns nine starters on each side of the ball to raise hopes

By Danny Penza Mail Tribune

EAGLE POINT — The football seasons may be just a few months apart, but Eagle Point head coach Erik Johnson can already tell just how much more confident his team is feeling this fall over the spring.

“There’s a lot more chatter out there,” Johnson said, “and that just feeds off the confidence. We’re looking more confident, we’re looking more comfortable out there with things.”

In the last few months, the Eagles have gone from a young and inexperienced group to one that feels more prepared for a varsity campaign.

The goal is to turn the experience they got in the spring into more success this fall, something that seems more realistic with added maturity and confidence in what needs to be done.

“Every year is a new year no matter what and it has its

Eagle Point junior David Brown will be a key contributor for the Eagles at running back and linebacker this season.

own personality, but it does feel better in the first year that I’ve been here having experience and upperclassmen,” said Johnson, in his third season at Eagle Point. “That experience is big. Having both of those, finally, we’ll feel a little more comfortable.”

The Eagles went 1-5 during the spring season, losing five

straight after winning their opener against Springfield.

Two of those losses came to teams Eagle Point will face this season in a return to Midwestern League play, Crater and Willamette, while two others were to 6A schools in South Medford and Grants Pass.

While his team took their lumps in the spring, Johnson

said the hope is that it set a foundation for what they will try to accomplish this fall.

“The year under their belts and getting a few months in between for their maturity was big,” said the coach, “but their commitment has changed more than anything.

We had summer training and they were there all the time.”

Johnson said he was able to learn plenty about his young football team throughout the spring.

“Each week we competed more and more,” he said. “The experience we gained as individuals and as a team was big.”

As other teams around the MWL replace most of their key players from the spring season, Johnson needs almost all of his fingers and toes to count how many starters he has back on both sides of the ball. Eagle Point returns nine starters on both offense and defense.

SEE EAGLE POINT, 15

12

| Friday, September 3, 2021 |

SWC

From Page 5

Sheldon returns four playmaking receivers at Thomas’ disposal in senior Keegan Line (5-11, 160) and juniors Zach McEwen (5-10, 155), Luke Leighton (6-5, 190) and Isaac Peters (6-0, 160). Leighton’s combination of height and speed make him a matchup problem, while Zach McEwen is Sheldon’s top playmaker when things break down.

“He’s an outstanding weapon,” Line said of Zach McEwen, who joins sophomore Seth McEwen as sons of John McEwen and nephew to former Oregon star Seth McEwen. The elder McEwens were North Medford stars in the 1990s. “I wouldn’t say that Zach is anything other than just a great football player. He really understands the game really well and has a natural feel for the game of football. We’re going to rely on him a bunch.”

Grafton Robinson, a 5-9, 170-pound junior, and senior Karson Mazziotti (5-11, 170) are explosive running backs

who will share duties in the backfield to complement their defensive duties.

An offensive line that battled to find the right rhythm a year ago appears to be in step already entering the fall, with seniors Tilman Ritchie-Tuisue (6-2, 285) and John Gelsomino (6-2, 200) joined by juniors Josh Merriman (6-2, 240), Ryan Yakovich (6-4, 280) and Carl Harward (5-10, 215).

That group will turn around and anchor a defensive line built to free up linebackers like Leighton, junior Joey Rubino (6-2, 170) and sophomore Will Haverland (6-4, 190) to wreak CHRIS PIETSCH / THE EUGENE REGISTER-GUARD havoc.

Sheldon football coach Josh Line, left, enters his fifth season at the helm of

Roseburg With only two seniors on the roster, and one that regularly played, Roseburg may have been the youngest team in the state in the spring — and took some lumps because of it.

The Indians never complained, never gave up, and those two factors are as important heading into this fall as any for sixth-year head coach Dave Heuberger.

“At times we’re outmanned

the Irish this fall.

and undersized but I think our kids play hard and play the game the right way,” said Heuberger. “We were excited to see that last spring that at the end of the game you knew our kids put it all out on the line, so we’re excited to build off of that now. They proved to us they know how to play the game, now we’ve just got to do a better job of coaching and teaching them the game.”

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offense develops.

Injuries and other issues made the quarterback position a bit of a carousel last spring for the Indians, and the absence of returning senior Dominic Tatone (5-8, 170) from summer workouts due to his role on the Dr. Stewart’s baseball team opened the door for senior Colton Marsters (6-0, 158) to get a look at the position.

Marsters impressed early with his athleticism and ability to throw a nice ball, said Heuberger, and his move from receiver could allow Roseburg to use Tatone in a variety of ways. Given the grueling nature of a football season, though, Heuberger said it’s likely both will see time at QB. Senior Landyn Dupper (6-0, No one had more of an 170) has big-play ability with impact than junior defensive his track speed (10.85 seconds tackle Tiger Black (6-4, 250), in 100 meters), while senior who was a first-team all-SOC Haydon Snyder (6-1, 245) selection for his consistently returns from a knee injury to disruptive efforts. add stability to the Indians’ Senior linebackers Dawson host of junior linemen.

Gillespie (6-1, 170), Logan Klopfenstein (6-0, 180) and Have a story idea? Reach Braden Steinacher (5-10, 200) sports editor Kris Henry at also return to anchor a defense 541-776-4488, khenry@ that will be leaned upon to keep rosebudmedia.com or www.

Roseburg in games while the twitter.com/Kris_Henry

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Friday, September 3, 2021 |

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GRIZZLIES HEAD COACH Beau Lehnerz (fifth year, 15-14) GENERAL INFORMATION ASSISTANTS: Scott Chadick (offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks), Eric Sullivan (special teams/ linebackers/ running backs), BubLehnerz ba Rylance (offensive line/outside linebackers), Austin Brower (offensive line/defensive line).

2020-21 OVERALL RECORD: 3-1 JV. PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: Seventh.

2019 RESULTS ASHLAND OPPONENTS 56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Willamette 27 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Springfield 0 60. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ridgeview 6 33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Redmond 7 66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Churchill 27 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crater 48 35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Eugene 7 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . South Eugene 35 State Playoffs 50. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dallas 27 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . West Albany 41 2020-21 JV RESULTS ASHLAND OPPONENTS 32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eagle Point 29 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Woodburn 0 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Valley (VAR) 13 0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mazama 40 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (11): Quarterback Ronin Kimbrough (6-0, 150, sr.), quarterback/receiver Jackson Kemper (5-10, 170, sr.), running back Gavin White (5-9, 165, so.), receiver Caden Negra (6-3, 170, so.), receiver Crosby Lehnerz (6-3, 150, so.), receiver Elijah Broseamie (5-6, 155, jr.), receiver Noah Shrader (5-8, 165, so.), receiver Tripp Repp (5-9, 170, sr.), lineman Nathan Shrader (5-9, 170, so.), lineman Colson Abel (6-3, 225, sr.), lineman Jack Bauer (6-0, 215, jr.).

DEFENSE (10): Lineman Colson Abel, lineman Nathan Shrader, lineman Jack Bauer, linebacker Patrick Latham, linebacker Elijah Broseamie, defensive back Ronin Kimbrough, defensive back Jackson Kemper, defensive back Gavin White, defensive back Caden Negra.

OTHER NOTABLES Quarterback Jack Maucort (6-2, 140, so.), tight end/linebacker Marcelo Saturen (6-2, 185, so.).

2021 SCHEDULE Sept. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HENLEY, 7 p.m.

Sept. 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . NORTH BEND, 7 p.m.

Sept. 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHURCHILL, 7 p.m.

Oct. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SPRINGFIELD, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Willamette, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EAGLE POINT, 7 p.m, Oct. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Thurston, 7 p.m.

Oct. 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Crater, 7 p.m.

“We’ve got some really good skill players that are young, so the future is bright. It’s very similar to the group in 2019 in that we’ve got big, tall wideouts on the outside and we’ve got some really shifty, athletic kids who can play slot. Skill-wise, they know they’re young, but we’ve got athletes at those positions so we don’t have any holes.

We’ve got weapons.”

Ashland head coach Beau Lehnerz

DENISE BARATTA / FOR THE MAIL TRIBUNE

Ashland’s Jackson Kemper saw action at quarterback, receiver and defensive back this past spring for the Grizzlies.

ASHLAND From Page 8

The Grizzlies went 3-1 during their junior varsity schedule this past spring, including a win over North Valley’s varsity team.

Lehnerz said that was the perfect amount of games to find out what he had in his current crop of players but also to leave them wanting more in preparing for the fall.

“With the (spring) season, we wanted to give them something,” Lehnerz said. “And it ended up being the perfect amount of a carrot dangling in front of them, so after the season they were all hungry to get in the weight room, to learn.”

With such a small senior class, Ashland’s large junior class will also be looked upon to provide leadership on and off the field.

Lehnerz said this group is extremely tight-knit, pointing to the Grizzlies’ winter workouts that were forced to be out in the snow at Walter A. Phillips Field after COVID-19

restrictions prevented them from being in the weight room.

Now it’s just about getting the experience as varsity players that they currently lack.

“We’ve got a solid but small group of upperclassmen that has seen a lot of weird stuff, all of the craziness, and they’re doing a great job of bringing those kids along and not playing the upperclassmen card,” Lehnerz said. “They see they need these kids to have the best senior year they can have.”

Where the Grizzlies won’t be young is at the quarterback position.

Two of Ashland’s seniors, Ronin Kimbrough and Jackson Kemper, have been competing for snaps throughout preseason camp. Kemper, who’s also the starting catcher on the Grizzlies’ baseball team, played under center for the Grizzlies last season after Kimbrough broke his arm and was forced to play receiver. “(Kimbrough’s injury) ended up being a pleasant surprise for us,” Lehnerz said. “Jackson’s a really good athlete and he was

kind of thrown into it but he picked it up. We’re having a nice competition with Jackson and Ronin at quarterback.”

Lehnerz described the Grizzlies’ experience level on both the offensive and defensive line as “we have some veterans, but we’ve also got some really young pups.”

Where the Grizzlies will certainly be young is on the outside, with size and speed looking to overcome the lack of experience.

Ashland has height in targets like 6-foot-3 sophomores Caden Negra and Crosby Lehnerz — which reminds the Grizzlies’ head coach a lot of how his 2019 team was constructed.

Then there’s the speed in receiver/defensive back Elijah Broseamie, who Lehnerz said was one of the Grizzlies’ breakout performers in the spring.

Sophomore running back Gavin White will be the primary ball carrier for Ashland, as well as be part of the Grizzlies’ young defensive backfield.

“We’ve got some really good skill players that are young, so the future is bright,” Lehnerz said. “It’s very similar to the group in 2019 in that we’ve got big, tall wideouts on the outside and we’ve got some really shifty, athletic kids who can play slot. Skill-wise, they know they’re young, but we’ve got athletes at those positions so we don’t have any holes.

We’ve got weapons.”

Now it’s just about getting all of those weapons — and just about everybody else on the Ashland roster — up to speed.

And with how competitive the Midwestern League can be, that much-needed experience will arrive in a hurry one way or another.

“We’re excited to see what everything looks like at full speed in a real game, especially when there’s some adversity,” Lehnerz said. “They’re all hungry, they all want to play, they all want to be good, so that’s exciting.”

Reach Danny Penza at 541776-4469 or dpenza@ rosebudmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @penzatopaper.

14

| Friday, September 3, 2021 |

COACHES POLLS SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE Team Pts 1. North Medford 16 2. South Medford 12 3. Sheldon 11 4. Grants Pass 7 5. Roseburg 4 First-place votes: North Medford 4, South Medford 1.

MIDWESTERN LEAGUE Team Pts 1. Thurston 42 2. Crater 38 3. Churchill 37 4. North Bend 29 5. Willamette 25 6. Eagle Point 20 T7. Ashland 13 T7. Springfield 13 First-place votes: Thurston 6, Crater 1.

ANDY ATKINSON / MAIL TRIBUNE

Crater senior receiver Javon Smith will look to be one of the Comets’ playmakers this fall.

CRATER From Page 9

“Jimmy, at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, he’s just a force,” said Brown. “He’s a guy that teams will have to look to double-team. And if you don’t double-team him, you’ll have to run away from him.

When the ball is snapped, Caden just finds a way to be around the ball — whether he’s gotta go through you, around you or somewhere in between, he’s going to be making plays.”

Also back defensively for the Comets is senior cornerback Miles Jennings, who Brown said “has made huge strides, understands the defense, loves defensive football.”

Brown expects junior Aidan Chenoweth to have a big impact at safety,

one of the many juniors on the Comets’ roster who will be likely stepping into bigger roles compared to where they were in the depth chart in the spring.

Chenoweth will likely pair with junior Andrew Schatz, a transfer from Hug High School in Reno, Nevada.

“Aidan understands the defense and understands what we ask of the safeties — they have to be great communicators and get our defense checked into the right coverages,” Brown said. “He’s really picking that up, and I’m excited to see him develop into a guy who can make an impact on the defensive side of the ball.”

With so many starters to replace on both sides of the ball and a young quarterback getting his feet wet at the varsity level for the first time, Brown said the Comets’ coaching staff — one

that also has had some holes to fill during the summer — will be tasked with making sure players continue to develop with each step of the 2021 campaign.

Brown said the cupboard isn’t bare, it’s just a matter of getting the youngsters up to speed more than anything else.

“We’re adapting our offense, and obviously with a new offensive coordinator (Trent Thompson) comes new schemes,” Brown said, “but beyond that we’re developing an offense that best fits the kids in our program. Our offense is making a shift in multiple ways.”

Reach Danny Penza at 541-776-4469 or dpenza@rosebudmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @penzatopaper.

SKYLINE CONFERENCE Team 1. Mazama 2. Henley 3. Hidden Valley T4. North Valley T4. Klamath Union 6. Phoenix First-place votes: Mazama 5, Hidden Valley 1.

Pts 25 20 16 12 12 5

FAR WEST LEAGUE Team Pts 1. Cascade Christian 16 2. South Umpqua 13 3. Sutherlin 10 4. St. Mary’s 6 5. Douglas 5 First-place votes: Cascade Christian 4, South Umpqua 1.

2A DISTRICT 4 Team Pts 1. Coquille 36 2. Bandon 31 3. Lakeview 24 4. Glide 23 T5. Rogue River 13 T5. Illinois Valley 13 7. Reedsport 7 First-place votes: Coquille 6, Bandon 1.

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EAGLE POINT From Page 11

Senior Isaiah Hill and junior David Brown will provide a 1-2 punch at running back for the Eagles again this fall and will benefit from running behind an offensive line that returns four starters from the spring.

“I’m really excited about our offensive line,” Johnson said. “(Brown and Hill) feel more comfortable, they feel more confident, so going into practice and still teaching and still coaching like you do, but it’s just different. You’re not having to go over the same things with them. It’s just different for them. It just clicks, and then they start teaching others.”

Brown was a second-team all-SOC selection last year after rushing for nearly 500 yards and eight touchdowns, freeing up Hill to concentrate on linebacker duties to also earn second-team honors there. Hill was the team’s leading rusher in 2019.

Johnson also has plenty of playmakers at the wide receiver position back this fall, led by senior Jimmie Copeland and juniors Wyatt Graves and Josh Jackson.

Who will be throwing them the ball is a three-man race that Johnson described as “neck and neck” entering the final days of preseason camp.

The Eagles have returners who both saw action last season in sophomore Bryton Livingston and junior Dawson Foulon, and added to the mix is 6-foot3, 210-pound junior Caiden Lacey, a transfer from North Medford who grew up in Eagle Point and played youth football with much of the Eagles’ roster.

“We feel comfortable with all three of them, without

question,” Johnson said.

“Caiden is the bigger quarterback and he’s got a great arm and does a great job with progressions. Dawson’s accountable and a game manager, and I definitely feel comfortable with him. Bryton I haven’t been able to see (due to injury), but he had that experience from his freshman year on varsity, so we really want to see him and hopefully we get him back.”

Hill returns as the Eagles’ undisputed leader and emotional spark plug on defense at middle linebacker. A three-year starter on defense for the Eagles, Hill has “kind of been doing it on his own and is taking the reins” when it comes to getting the defense prepared before each play, according to Johnson.

Just like on offense, Hill will have plenty of familiar faces around him, with Eagle Point graduating just two seniors from last season’s defensive unit.

The hope is that that much retention on both sides of the ball will help the Eagles pick up a few more wins than they did a few months ago.

They know one thing’s for sure: This Eagle Point football team is more experienced than the last one, and it’s not just because they’re all a few months older and now a grade higher up in high school.

“It’s hard to say where they are with experience until they get out there in Week 1,” Johnson said. “That’s where it’s truly going to show their confidence level and how they compete, but we’re excited for them. We’re really excited just as a whole program.”

Reach Danny Penza at 541776-4469 or dpenza@ rosebudmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @penzatopaper.

MWL

From Page 10

The Lancers have size and experience in the trenches, led by 6-foot-1, 280-pound Brycen Thomas, a three-year starter and team leader.

Joining Thomas up front will be the Bloom boys, Adam and Elliot, who both started as sophomores in the spring.

Jaeden Frye, who at 6-foot-4 and 340 pounds is one of the more imposing players in the league, is another one of the Lancers’ most experienced linemen and is getting looks from several of Oregon’s smaller schools, according to Robinson.

At the skill positions, Danny Womack “will be counted on on both sides of the ball” as a receiver and defensive back, Robinson said. At 6-4, senior Riley Van Camp gives the Lancers a big target at wide receiver.

North Bend Head coach Gary Prince will be working with one of the youngest squads in the Midwestern League as North Bend looks to replace 15 seniors with a roster littered with sophomores and juniors vying for playing time this fall.

“We’re going to look pretty young,” said Prince, who led the Bulldogs to a 3-3 record this past spring.

Prince will lean on a pair of three-year starters, running back/linebacker Sidon Green and lineman Trevor Henderson, to provide some much-needed leadership. Green rushed for more than 300 yards in the spring, while Henderson is North Bend’s lone starter back on the offensive line.

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and fellow inside linebacker Kavan Robinson will also be a contributor at running back, while Prince said sophomore receiver Sam Mickelson is coming off a strong freshman campaign in the spring.

At quarterback, the Bulldogs have a two-horse race between senior Craig Edera and sophomore Cole Hanson.

“We’re still waiting to see who will separate themselves from that (quarterback) spot,” Prince said.

Springfield For the first time since taking over Springfield right before the start of the 2019 season, head coach Miles Haley has been able to prepare his team in as normal of an offseason as 2021 can provide.

“This, for me, has been the first offseason I’ve had here,” Haley said. “Just with everything that goes into it, we’re just five steps ahead of where we were in the spring.”

Haley is counting on a pair of three-year starters in seniors Chase Sattler and Ali Gutierrez to be the leaders on a team that went 0-6 in the spring.

Sattler anchors the trenches at center and defensive tackle, while Gutierrez will be featured at fullback and middle linebacker.

Dwayne Fotta, a 5-foot-11 junior receiver, is a player that Haley describes as “a smooth operator and one of the most explosive guys in the league.”

Fellow junior Julian Gomez is set to get the bulk of the carries at running back and is a ball-hawk at safety, according to Haley.

“We have a crop of sophomores and juniors who are pushing the seniors for playing time and starting spots,” Haley said. “The seniors we

Friday, September 3, 2021 |

15

have are all great kids and are all going to help us to where we want to go, but it’s definitely a nice mix of young and old right now.”

Willamette Coming off a 4-2 record in the spring, Willamette has a new head coach in Kevin Leonard, who previously served as head coach at South Eugene.

Leonard is only a few weeks on the job after being hired late in the summer and said: “Our coaching staff gets the situation we’re in and we’re going to do the best we can to make sure our kids are ready to go.”

Willamette has experience at quarterback with junior Ryan Prescott, along with returning starters at running back in senior Braden Derrickson and senior Griffen Bushnell.

Leonard said he is expecting big things from senior lineman Matt McGrath, while fellow seniors Alex Willoughby and Ryan Dring will give Willamette one of the more experienced defensive fronts in the league.

“I have to earn these kids’ trust,” Leonard said. “These kids need to buy in. They’re not going to buy in with somebody who’s coming in and hollering at them and telling them to do this, telling them to do that.”

South Eugene South Eugene didn’t field a varsity team in the spring and was forced to cancel its season in mid-August due to low roster numbers. The Axe, who play at the 5A level only in football, said they had only 18 players registered at the time of their Aug. 13 announcement.

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| Friday, September 3, 2021

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Phoenix focuses on building new culture First-year coach Robinson excited about Pirates’ potential

By Will Denner Mail Tribune

PHOENIX — In the face of tragedy, Phoenix High football coaches are hoping to instill a familial culture for a program and group of players trying to find their footing.

On Sept. 8, 2020, while the Pirates sat at home along with the rest of the state waiting for their football season — delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic — to start, the Almeda fire swept through parts of Ashland, Talent and Ramirez Phoenix, destroying thousands of homes and killing three people.

Though firefighters saved all schools in the Phoenix-Talent School District, an estimated 50% of families in the district lost their Greenwood homes, as well as 25 staff members.

Not only had the Pirates struggled in previous seasons, posting an 0-8 record in 2018 and 2-6 in 2019, they also faced the aftermath of the fire heading into Sharrar the spring 2021 season, which they ultimately finished 0-6.

During the same season, another coach was pondering the idea of a return to Phoenix. Mike Robinson, who played fullback at Southern Oregon University under head coach Jeff Olson in the early 2000s, came back to the Rogue Valley following a brief professional career in the Arena Football League cut short by a knee injury.

His early coaching career included a three-year run as an assistant at Phoenix (2004-07). Later, after stints with various semi pro teams in the region, he also coached at St. Mary’s in 2019 as well as this past spring.

It was during the most recent season that Robinson and fellow assistant Patrick Shed were on the Phoenix campus for a game between the Crusaders and Brookings-Harbor. The two agreed that if and when a position came available, Robinson would apply.

“Just being at the school again and the environment coaching there again, it just kind of brought back old memories,” Robinson recalled. “Looking at the school and the beautiful facilities they had, and understanding that the kids there went

ANDY ATKINSON / MAIL TRIBUNE

New Phoenix head coach Mike Robinson, a former fullback at Southern Oregon University, talks with players during a preseason practice last month.

through a lot — just the tragedy of the community and the rebuild.”

Less than two months later when the head coaching job opened, Robinson followed through and got the job.

He and his staff, which includes Shed, Tim Seeley, Brent Bowker, David Patstone and JJ Latu, are in the midst of a rebuild with their players, one that goes well beyond their performance on the field. Robinson believes a culture built on family and love will best serve the young men they’re leading.

“The main role right now is an extension of family,” Robinson said of himself and his staff. “(We’re) not afraid to tell these kids that we appreciate them being there, and that we love them as students and as young men. It’s part of our mantra

that we tell our kids to go home and tell people in their homes that they love them and they appreciate them. We’re trying to get back to that family mentality that sometimes when people go through tragedies we can kind of silo, you know, ‘this is our problem, we don’t talk about what happens here.’ And that’s not usually how things get ameliorated, get solved.

It’s having a bigger base and a bigger village.”

Robinson is uniquely positioned in the community through his prior coaching experience, as well as his job as a medical social worker with AccentCare Asante Home Health, where he works with people in Jackson and Josephine counties.

SEE PHOENIX, 18

PIRATES HEAD COACH Mike Robinson (first year) GENERAL INFORMATION ASSISTANTS: Brent Bowker (linebackers/running backs), David Patstone (linemen), Patrick Shed (co-deRobinson fensive coordinator/ defensive backs/ receivers), Tim Seeley (co-defensive coordinator/defensive line/tight ends), JJ Latu (JV assistant/defensive backs/receivers).

2020-21 OVERALL RECORD: 0-6.

PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: Sixth 2019 RESULTS PHOENIX OPPONENTS 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cascade Christian 52 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Newport 0 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sweet Home 22 0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mazama 45 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Klamath Union 40 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Henley 42 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . McLoughlin/Griswold 20 42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Valley 43 2020-21 RESULTS PHOENIX OPPONENTS 0. . . . . . . . . . Hidden Valley/Illinois Valley 47 0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Henley 68 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Klamath Union 20 0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Eugene 40 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Valley 21 0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Douglas 40 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (6): Receiver/quarterback Ryan Watts (5-9, 150, so.), tight end Trevor Sharrar (6-1, 215, jr.), guard Andrew Hawkins (5-9, 210, sr.), center Garrett Walker (6-2, 250, so.), running back Jair Ramirez (5-10, 165, jr.), running back Will Greenwood (5-8, 160, jr.).

DEFENSE (4): Lineman Charles Butcher (6-2, 240, so.), linebacker Jair Ramirez, defensive back Will Greenwood, safety Ryan Watts.

OTHER NOTABLES Lineman Romi Pulido (6-3, 270, sr.), quarterback Hunter Everhart (6-0, 165, jr.), defensive back Jackson Seldon (5-10, 170, jr.), receiver JJ Jimenez (5-7, 160, jr.).

2021 SCHEDULE Sept. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Sutherlin, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . STAYTON, 4 p.m.

Sept. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Elmira, 7 p.m.

Sept. 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TBD Oct. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . at Hidden Valley, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Henley, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 . . . . . . . . . . KLAMATH UNION, 7 p.m.

Oct. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Mazama, 7 p.m.

Oct. 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . NORTH VALLEY, 7 p.m.

“The main role right now is an extension of family. (We’re) not afraid to tell these kids that we appreciate them being there, and that we love them as students and as young men. It’s part of our mantra that we tell our kids to go home and tell people in their homes that they love them and they appreciate them.”

Phoenix head coach Mike Robinson

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Friday, September 3, 2021 |

17

Mazama earns nod as Skyline favorite

By Will Denner Mail Tribune

As head coach Vic Lease puts it, the Mazama High football team runs like a well-oiled machine. Even after graduating an important group of seniors from an undefeated spring season, the Vikings believe the system they have in place will allow them to retool and continue their reign in the Skyline Conference this fall.

Mazama went 6-0 during the spring 2021 campaign en route to winning the 4A Football Elite 8 Showcase over Marist Catholic in April. Though the championship was technically unofficial, the Vikings did hold the distinction as the only 4A team to go undefeated in a span that included wins over some of the state’s top programs in Thurston (5A) and Banks (4A).

Mazama benefits from returning its entire backfield from last season to its potent “flex bone” triple option attack, wherein the offense

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starts out in the Wish Bone and breaks out into the flex.

While the Vikings had the luxury of several downfield threats in their passing game last season, their offense will be established, first and foremost, on the ground.

“That’s what we’ve always done,” said Lease, whose team has earned consecutive Skyline titles dating back to 2014.

The veteran backfield is headlined by Zeke Heaton, an all-state fullback who scored the game-winning, 57-yard touchdown to defeat Marist 27-21. Aidan Kindt, who Lease described as “one of the fastest kids in the state at any level” will return at one halfback, and Brandon Gailey is slotted as the two back after splitting time at the position last season.

Newcomers include sophomore quarterback Tyson Van Gastel, who at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds “looks the part” as the Vikings’ signal-caller, Lease said.

“He’s got a good head on

his shoulders, he’s athletic, he’s tough — the type of kid I like at quarterback,” the head coach said.

The team’s offensive and defensive lines are going through somewhat of an overhaul. Three starters graduated on the offensive side, while center Nathan Tramp (6-0, 230) is back as the anchor of the line and right guard Isaac Pena (5-11, 300) also returns as a starter.

“We’re probably going to average about 6-1, 250 across the front and with those three backs and that quarterback reading the veer, we’re going to run the rock,” Lease said.

“We’re not hiding it.”

Henley Twenty-five seniors graduated from the Henley football program last season, leading some to opine that the team might be going through somewhat of a rebuild.

The Hornets haven’t paid much attention to the outside noise, according to head coach

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Alex Stork, and have to prove only to themselves that they’ll be ready for Week 1 at Ashland.

Senior inside linebacker and tailback Tulson Higgins (5-10, 180) will once again be penciled in as a two-way starter and his coach said he’s in for a big final high school season. “(He) plays hard, plays fast — a smart player. We’re counting on him to be a playmaker for us and the leader of our defense,” Stork said.

Rotating with Higgins in the Hornets’ single-back formation is senior Garrett Northcutt (5-9, 160), who also earned all-league honors at defensive back. Due to nagging injuries, Northcutt was limited in the backfield during the spring.

Senior Braden Roach (6-2, 240) is expected to be the leader of the offensive and defensive lines. His presence will be particularly important on the offensive side, where Henley graduated five seniors from last season.

“Our line is probably the

biggest question mark going into the season,” Stork said.

Hidden Valley After dropping to the 3A classification for two seasons, which included a run to the state championship game in 2019, the Mustangs were reinstated in 4A and won all four of their games in the spring.

Now, Hidden Valley has a new coach, Mike Fanger, and some familiar faces to build around for a full fall slate.

Fanger, who replaced James Powers, coached in the Portland metro area for more than two decades, starting at the college level at Lewis & Clark (1994-2003), including five years as head coach, and Portland State (2004-05). Then, Fanger took the head job at La Salle Prep, where he coached from 2006-09, followed by stints at Lincoln (2010-11), West Linn (2012-13) and Glencoe (2014-17).

SEE SKYLINE, 18

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| Friday, September 3, 2021

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PHOENIX From Page 16

“I’m visiting people in both counties, helping build people back up,” he said. “So this comes to me kind of easy, I feel like it’s a gift, but with these kids, it’s an extra push to just have them feel that they are cared about, a safe place to go and we want them to have the best experience as a Phoenix Pirate during this tenure.”

At full strength, Robinson estimates the Pirates have approximately 40 players in the program, a mix of returning starters, others who saw playing time on JV and varsity, and even some who are returning to the Pirates after a year away from the team.

Phoenix turned to a number of freshmen and sophomores to play roles last season, and they’re returning with more experience. Sophomore Ryan Watts (5-9, 150) played quarterback and safety for the Pirates, but is now expected to move over to receiver as junior Hunter Everhart (6-0, 165) takes the reins at quarterback.

Other sophomores include fullback and defensive lineman Charles Butcher (6-2, 240), running back and defensive back Will Greenwood (5-8, 160) and center Garrett Walker (6-2, 250). Jair Ramirez (5-10,

SKYLINE

ANDY ATKINSON / MAIL TRIBUNE

Phoenix junior Hunter Everhart, left, takes over quarterback duties for the Pirates this fall and has a bounty of young weapons at his disposal.

165), a junior running back and outside linebacker, is also returning to the fold.

The Pirates will also return senior offensive lineman Trevor Sharrar (6-1, 215) and Andrew Hawkins (5-9, 210).

Sharrar also saw time at tight end last season.

Robinson is also expecting a nice return for senior lineman

Romi Pulido (6-3, 270), who didn’t play as a junior and is expected to anchor both sides of the line.

“He’s going to be a major asset to our team,” Robinson said.

The Pirates’ coaching staff is also a mix of newcomers and returners. Bowker (linebackers/running backs) and

“most impressive high school kid I’ve coached as far as effort ... He’s outstanding every play.”

Junior running back and defensive back Daniel Iwamizu (5-11, 195) will also be a key factor.

The Mustangs also return all-league center Ayden Kanott (6-0, 250), senior offensive and defensive tackle Aidan Moon-Reed (6-5, 220) and all-league nose guard Chris Woods, who as a heavyweight wrestler finished runner-up at the 2020 4A state championships.

positively to the new-look coaching staff.

“The kids have been really bought in; I cannot be happier,” he said. “They’ve jelled with one another, they take everything that we’re saying to heart, everything that we’re teaching them on offense and defense. It’s more of a prostyle offense and pro-style defense, and they’re gravitating and working hard. In that regard, I’m happy that they’re learning, I’m happy that they come with the attitude to work, and they believe in themselves.

That is something you can’t teach when it’s learned by kids believing in you as a coach and your staff.”

Ahead of the season, the Pirates don’t have a particular win-loss goal in mind. Between COVID-19, wildfires and the resulting poor air quality, if Phoenix can get a full, 10-game season completed with its players healthy, mentally and physically, the head coach would consider it a success.

“If we could play all 10 games and be successful with having all 40 of our guys healthy and make it through, (if) we could have all of our athletes be eligible, I would be very happy,” Robinson said.

Patstone (offensive line/ defensive line) are both returning assistants. Latu, who will coach defensive backs and receivers, joined Phoenix after coaching at North Medford last season. Seeley will split defensive coordinator duties with Shed.

Reach reporter Will Denner at So far, Robinson said the 541-776-4479 or wdenner@ p l a y e r s h a v e r e s p o n d e d rosebudmedia.com

the spring.

On defense, senior linebacker Sam From Page 17 Campos will be called on to lead the Knights, who will also have senior Matt Fanger and his wife, Joelle, a 1987 Scharpen at the position. The secondary Hidden Valley graduate, recently includes Dumas, Currier, senior Jaylin became “empty-nesters,” he said. So Jenkins, a two-way starter at receiver and cornerback, and Twedell at free when a physical education position and safety. the head football coach job came open at North Valley also returns four of five the school, Fanger jumped at the opporstarting offensive linemen, including tunity to move south. seniors Joey Comyford (6-2, 210) and Quarterback Nate Vidlak (6-1, 200) is Owen Farmer (6-0, 215) at the guard back for his senior season after getting spots.

North Valley a taste of the starting role in the spring DeForrest is also curious to see as a junior, which came to fruition after North Valley’s Wing-T offense will how Gabe Champion, a transfer from Klamath Union his older brother, Sam Vidlak, enrolled be orchestrated by dual-threat senior Nebraska, will fit into the team at early at Oregon State.

Klamath Union is minus a few quarterback Jaydon Twedell (6-3, 185), receiver and defensive back.

The younger Vidlak, who Fanger said less veteran players returning than who will once again be relied on in the There was no dissension among Skyhas great arm talent and is a true stu- expected but it has opened the door for a running game, in addition to his arm. line Conference coaches about Mazama dent of the game, has already landed a number of underclassmen to seize their Senior running back Nate Love (5-8, being the preseason favorite. Beyond Division I offer from Idaho State. Vidlak opportunity. Head coach Tom Smith 150), who suffered an injury midway that, however, DeForrest believes the is also drawing interest from several estimates between five and 10 sopho- through the spring season, returns as conference is up for grabs, with North collegiate baseball programs, includ- mores, all combined, will be starting on the Knights’ most explosive player.

Valley right in the mix. ing Oregon. both sides of the ball.

The backfield also includes junior “There’s a lot of parity in the league One of his top targets will be Noah “We’ve been talking a lot about Chris Currier, senior fullback Hank right now,” he said.

Stone (5-10, 190), a two-way starter at every week you have to get better,” Dumas and sophomore Leo Freedreceiver and defensive back. His work Smith said. “The win-loss column man, who eighth-year head coach Reach reporter Will Denner at 541ethic and hard route-running ability will take care of itself, but we want to Neil DeForrest said as a freshman was 776-4479 or wdenner@rosebudmedia. led Fanger to remark that Stone is the focus on, did you get better this week arguably the Knights’ best runner in com than last week?”

The Pelicans offense is still in good hands with the quarterback-center tandem of Silas Dutra (5-11, 180) and Hayden Smith (6-2, 300). They also have two-way senior starters returning in cornerback and receiver Pablo Macias (5-9, 170) as well as Jamus Dutra (5-11, 180), a receiver and defensive back.

Smith said another player to keep an eye on is Lincon Peterson (5-10,175), a senior running back and linebacker.

|

Friday, September 3, 2021 |

Options abound to follow your teams By print, TV, radio, online, gridiron coverage is expansive Staff reports

Once again, local high school football fans need only have an internet connection or access to a radio to keep track of their favorite teams.

Besides the Mail Tribune’s in-depth coverage of the local prep football scene through articles, statistics, photo galleries and video — it’s all accessible at mailtribune.com – local radio stations will broadcast games every weekend, Table Rock Sports will offer live video feeds and ABC’s local affiliate, KDRV, will broadcast one game a week on TV. The radio offerings are abundant.

North Medford football games will be broadcast on The Game, which airs on 96.1-FM and 580-AM as well as TheGame541.com.

South Medford football games will air on News Media KCMX, which airs on 99.5-FM and 880-AM as well as kcmxam.com.

Matt Bagley will be on the call for North Medford games for a fifth straight year, and Kyle Clements will be in the booth for South Medford games for a fourth year.

The networks plan to broadcast

all North and South football games, including road games and the state playoffs.

The Game will also air Oregon State football games, Seattle Seahawks games, three NFL prime-time games — Monday, Thursday and Sunday nights — every week, NFL playoff games and the Super Bowl.

San Francisco 49ers games will air on KBOY 95.7-FM, while Oregon Ducks football games can be found on News Media KCMX. Table Rock Sports, which can be found at tablerocksports.net, airs free live video streams featuring South Medford, North Medford, Grants Pass, Crater, St. Mary’s, Phoenix and select Skyline Conference games from Klamath Falls. All video streams start 15 minutes prior to kickoff. Fall coverage runs Tuesday through Saturday and includes football, boys and girls soccer and volleyball action.

For a second year, Mail Tribune sports editor Kris Henry will partner with Carmine Gemei and Tyler Myerly of KTVL News 10 this fall for Friday Night Football.

The postgame analysis and highlight show begins at 11:15 on Friday nights as the Mail Tribune joins forces with Channel 10.

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| Friday, September 3, 2021

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CHALLENGERS

HEAD COACH

Jon Gettman (12th year, 105-24) GENERAL INFORMATION ASSISTANTS: Mike Schaan (defensive coordinator/offensive line/ defensive line), Jeff Olson (linebackers), Sam Carpenter (deGettman fensive backs), Joe Hagler (running backs), Matt Hagert (receivers), Andy Scaglione (head JV/defensive backs/receivers), Steve Furst (quarterbacks), Ryan Sample (JV assistant/receivers), Darren Turituri (offensive line/defensive line/JV defense), Marty Maurer (tight ends), Jim Lockwood (running backs/linebackers).

2020-21 OVERALL RECORD: 5-0.

PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: First.

2019 RESULTS CASCADE CHRISTIAN OPPONENTS 52. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phoenix 13 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Klamath Union 27 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg 0 42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pleasant Hill 0 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hidden Valley 42 60. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . South Umpqua 0 50. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Douglas 2 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brookings-Harbor 0 61. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Mary’s 7 State Playoffs 54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sutherlin 28 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hidden Valley 51 2020-21 RESULTS CASCADE CHRISTIAN OPPONENTS 40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brookings-Harbor 8 55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Mary’s 6 54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Douglas 8 37. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . South Umpqua 0 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Santiam Christian 10 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (4): Center Daniel Nering (6-2, 230, jr.), tackle Bryson Cannon (6-4, 200, sr.), guard Liam Benade (6-2, 265, jr.), tight end Austin Waits (6-2, 240, sr.).

DEFENSE (3): End Liam Benade, linebacker/end Bryson Cannon, linebacker Austin Waits.

OTHER NOTABLES Receiver/defensive back Tyler Almasy (58, 145, jr.), receiver/defensive back Reese Barney (6-2, 175, sr.), linebacker/offensive lineman Zachary McKenzie-Cook (5-10, 180, sr.), defensive back/receiver Bryson Jackson (5-10, 160, jr.), kicker/receiver/defensive back J.T. Knobloch (5-9, 160, jr.), defensive tackle/ offensive guard Matthew Moses (6-0, 300, jr.), quarterback/linebacker Keith Reed (62, 175, jr.), running back/receiver/defensive back Brody Sample (5-8, 155, jr.), linebacker/ running back/receiver Cole Shields (5-10, 210, jr.), defensive lineman/linebacker/offensive lineman Jaxson Turituri (6-1, 213, jr.), running back/linebacker/safety Tristan Wallace (511, 200, jr.), defensive back/receiver Peyton Maurer (6-1, 165, so.), defensive back/running back Kameron Rague (5-10, 170, fr.).

2021 SCHEDULE Sept. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at La Pine, 7 p.m.

Sept. 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAZAMA, 7 p.m.

Sept. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Yreka (CA), 7 p.m.

Sept. 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MARIST, 7 p.m.

Oct. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Siuslaw, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ST. MARY’S, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TBD Oct. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . SOUTH UMPQUA, 7 p.m.

Oct. 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUTHERLIN, 7 p.m.

“We’re a little backwards than what we’ve been in the past. Before, we’ve been strong with our wide receivers and we kind of worked outside in. This year, we’re strong with our linemen.”

Cascade Christian head coach Jon Gettman

New approach beckons for Challengers Revamped roster, skilled trench players provide a different look for Cascade

By Tim Trower for the Mail Tribune

What a difference a few months make.

In April, Cascade Christian sent an undefeated, veteran football team into the five-game season finale and defeated fellow Class 3A powerhouse Santiam Christian, 13-10.

The Challengers used their senior savvy and trademark perimeter game to cap a campaign as memorable for its uniqueness — a spring season half as long as is normal in the fall — as for its success.

Four months later and owing to the tumulNering tuous scheduling of the COVID-19 era, a vastly different Cascade Christian was back on the practice field in mid-August. It began preparations to keep a championship legacy Benade alive, albeit with a starkly different approach.

“Our team’s going to be quite a bit different than last year,” said 12th-year head coach Jon Gettman. “We graduated 12 seniors; all of them were starting and many of them both ways. There Cannon are a lot of spots where we’re going to have new faces this year.”

Four starters return on offense, and three of those players are the lone returning defensive starters.

The spring season provided a bit of a springboard into this fall, regardless of the experience level.

“A lot of kids weren’t necessarily starting,” said Gettman, “but they got a lot of work. When we came back together, this group of guys was really starting over with what we were doing. It wasn’t like there was a ton of carryover.”

The makeover for 2021 doesn’t stop there. Cascade Christian has long counted on speedy, shifty skill players to make its offense go and to create havoc in the defensive secondary.

This version, with its returning starters all manning offensive line positions, could well morph into a power team.

“We’re a little backwards than what we’ve been in the past,” said Gettman, who has a career record of 105-24.

“Before, we’ve been strong with our wide receivers and we kind of worked outside

ANDY ATKINSON / MAIL TRIBUNE

Cascade Christian quarterback Keith Reed will take over as the Challengers’ starter under center after backing up all-league selection Sam Martin in the spring.

in. This year, we’re strong with our linemen. We have a group of kids that we feel really strong about up front.”

That group will be integral as the Challengers try to maintain their dominance in the Far West League and continue to be a force on the state landscape.

Cascade Christian has gone 38-1 in league and 22-8 in the playoffs under Gettman. Included was a 30-game league winning streak snapped by Hidden Valley in 2019 — the last time a full season was contested.

Hidden Valley, which has returned to the 4A ranks this year, also bumped the Challengers from the playoffs in the quarterfinals two years ago.

Cascade Christian has claimed two state championships under Gettman, most recently in 2017. It’s twice been

runner-up and two other times made the semifinals.

Another deep run might require seasoning on the fly.

If there was one benefit to last school year’s quirky setup, it was that younger players, particularly freshmen, had more time to mature physically and to interact with coaches before taking the field in the spring.

That could buoy those evolving into starting roles and others providing depth as backups.

The Challengers’ strength begins with the returners up front, including spring all-league selections in seniors Bryson Cannon (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) and tight end Austin Waits (6-2, 240).

SEE CASCADE, 22

|

Friday, September 3, 2021 |

21

St. Mary’s eager to turn fortunes around

A high percentage of returning starters bodes well for the Crusaders this fall

By Tim Trower for the Mail Tribune

St. Mary’s took its lumps in the abbreviated 2020-21 spring football season, but that did little to temper the Crusaders’ enthusiasm going forward.

Growing pains are part of the process.

St. Mary’s won only one of its four games and allowed 52.3 points per game in its three setbacks.

However, starters return to 16 of the 22 offensive and defensive positions, and although the Crusaders will still be on the young side — quarterback Eli Haynes and running back/linebacker Beau Aldrich are the lone seniors — they’ve gained valuable exposure to varsity play.

“We’re a young team this year, really,” said head coach Jamie Young, entering his 12th season, “and we’re a team that will have some younger guys get some experience. I think that’s really going to put us in a great spot down the road. It’s a good group of kids, and we’re excited to get back on a normal football-type schedule.”

a concern, but the offseason workout turnout proved encouraging.

“We got everything that we wanted to installed, in terms of our offensive and defensive schemes,” said Young.

“We had a great turnout of kids. We have some low numbers, but we got them all there this summer, got them in the weight room and did our work on the field.”

Now it’s a matter of bringing the pieces together on Friday nights.

The offense could be characterized as a thunder-and-lightning show.

Bruising running back Aldrich is sure to impart a few headaches to opposing defenders, and when gains need to be made through the air, Haynes showed last season he can strike quickly.

Aldrich is 6-foot-1, 245 pounds, ANDY ATKINSON / MAIL TRIBUNE considerably bigger than most of the St. Mary’s quarterback Eli Haynes is one of the Crusaders’ most experienced players and only defensive players he’ll encounter. one of two seniors on this season’s roster.

“We have the ability to do some As with most teams, St. Mary’s camp, in Astoria, with the time it can things with Beau at running back that schedule was interrupted by a reshaped spend in pads and gets a good dress are exciting and very unique to what OSAA calendar that had high school rehearsal in July. we’ve had in previous years,” said winter sports stretching into early “In that sense, (summer preparation) Young, recalling the likes of recent, summer. That prevented the Crusad- was significantly different,” said Young. smaller ball carriers Gavin Rajagopal, ers from participating in a team camp That and lower than usual player Brady Eiler and Will Heycke. they’d attended for a decade. numbers — a byproduct of a school year SEE ST. MARY’S, 25 St. Mary’s typically coordinates the dealing with COVID-19 — were initially

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| Friday, September 3, 2021

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South Umpqua hopes to vie for FWL crown

By Tim Trower for the Mail Tribune

gets pressured, he can scramble and keep plays alive. When there’s nothing there, he can create things at times, too.

He does some great stuff.”

Johnson’s cousin, senior Kade Johnson, was the leading receiver last season, and he’s joined outside by senior Andrew Christensen.

Senior running back Caj Simmons is also back. At 5-foot-5, 205 pounds, he’s the most physical player in the program, said Stebbins, adding, “you don’t see him, then he comes and explodes and runs over you. He squats like 400 pounds, so he’s strong.”

Brayden Reedy, a 6-3, 210-pound senior, is the top returning lineman, albeit 30 pounds lighter than last season. A wrestler, he lost weight for that season, which ran through most of June, and he hasn’t put the pounds back.

“And I think he kind of likes being a skinny guy,” said Stebbins.

Of the line, Stebbins said, “We need to find some replacements, and the scary thing is we do not have a single junior lineman in the entire program.”

He’s not opposed to shuffling players to find the right combination.

Simmons and the two Johnsons return to anchor the defense as linebackers, and Reedy is at an end spot.

Junior cornerback Isaac Real and free safety Christensen man the secondary, as will senior Brendan Gosselin, who had five interceptions as a sophomore before opting out of last season because of COVID-19.

The transfers, junior defensive end Tanner Dobeck and senior running back/outside linebacker Justin Jenks, are both from Riddle. Dobeck is a solid 230 pounds and can run, said Stebbins.

If any school is going to unseat Cascade Christian as the top dog in the Far West League, it will be South Umpqua, according to the league’s coaches in a preseason poll.

There’s plenty of reason to like the Lancers: They return eight players on offense, including all of their skill players, and the defense is similarly stocked, including with a couple transfers who figure to contribute.

The big question for South Umpqua coach Steve Stebbins, whose team last season went 4-2 overall and 3-1 in league — the lone loss coming to Cascade Christian, 37-0 — is who will replace the three offensive line starters who graduated.

“We’re all looking to challenge Cascade, aren’t we,” said Stebbins. “We’ve got to figure some things out up front, and if we can and we can run the football a little bit, we’re going to go for it.

I don’t know if we will or not, but we’re going to give it a shot.”

He thought the Lancers had a chance to down the Challengers in the spring, but South Umpqua failed to put points on the scoreboard despite multiple trips to the red zone.

“They have a great tradition, they’re super talented and they seem to continually reload,” Stebbins said of Cascade Christian.

He, too, has done a bit of reloading.

The Lancers’ triggerman is junior quarterback Jace Johnson, a standout three-sport athlete who has a full grasp of the spread, zone-read offense.

“Jace is uber talented,” said Stebbins.

“He can throw it and run it, so he’s a Sutherlin dual-threat guy. He reads a lot of stuff where he can keep it and throw it, that A strong group of returning players kind of stuff. The thing about Jace is, will help Sutherlin get back on track he’ll drop back to pass, and when he after a fitful spring in which it lost

CASCADE From Page 20

Cannon is a tackle on offense, and he and Waits will be joined by returning starters Daniel Nering, a 6-2, 230-pound junior center, and junior guard Liam Benade (6-2, 265). Two other juniors, guard Matthew Moses (6-0, 300) and tackle Jaxson Turituri (6-1, 213), have seen varsity action and round out the line starters.

They’ll be called on to clear paths for running backs Tristan Wallace and Brody Sample, who got in good work last season before breaking a

collarbone, said Gettman.

“They bring us a great one-two combination,” said Gettman.

“Hopefully, we’re able to run the ball really well this year. That would be the goal, to be strong in our run game. It’s different from what we’ve emphasized in the past, but we’re excited about the kids we have.”

Waits, who like Cannon has been in the program four years, has “great hands for a tight end and he’s a big, strong kid as well as a really smart football player,” said Gettman. “We’re certainly going to lean on him this year.”

Junior Keith Reed steps in as the starting quarterback after backing up all-leaguer

players to COVID-19 quarantining for various periods and was forced to cancel one of its games, ending the season with a 2-2 record.

Three linemen and the Nos. 2 and 3 running backs are back, and there are capable options for a game-management quarterback, said head coach Josh Gary, entering his 14th year.

“I think if we can stay healthy and COVID-ish free, we can compete,” said Gary. “I’m not sure we’re good enough to beat the Cascade Christians of the world, but I think we can give them a ballgame.”

The line returnees are senior Trent Olsen (6-3, 225) and juniors Maddox Griggs (6-0, 250) and Preston Hash (6-0, 180).

They’ll block for senior running backs Thomas Mentes, the H-back who will rely on speed and quickness, and tailback Adan Diaz. Each only played two games last season because of virus protocols.

Juniors Ely Palm and Waylon McKnight are in the mix at quarterback.

Palm is the better passer of the two, and McKnight is a good athlete who can help at receiver and elsewhere if he’s not the signal-caller.

Senior tight end Paul Cervantes is the primary target.

Returners Mentes and Diaz lead the defense from their linebacker posts, and they’ll be joined by junior linebacker Riley Harris and senior guard/ linebacker Austin Rigsby.

Olson, Griggs and Hash return to the line, and free safety Cervantes and cornerback McKnight are also back.

eligibility issues.

Seventeen players were available for the start of practices, and 13 of them were juniors or younger.

“We’re very, very young,” said Knebel, labeling it a rebuilding year.

There is hope for the future, he added, as the two middle school grades have 40 players between them.

Returning starters Sage Baker, a linebacker who will see time at receiver and running back this year, and linebacker/ running back Branson Willis lead the way for the Trojans, who went 3-2 in the spring, winning their final three games.

The most experienced offensive linemen are three sophomores who possess decent size in Eli Knight (6-2, 250), Kylar Middleton (6-2, 230) and Luke Linville (5-9, 225).

Quarterback Blayke Kelly transferred from Central in Monmouth and is a senior. At 6-0, 175, he’s athletic and has a good arm, said Knebel. He’s also picked up the system quickly.

Kody Wierichs is among the fastest kids Knebel has seen in his four years at the school. Wierichs is also tough and has strong ball skills, said the coach.

Wierichs will also be a top cornerback, joining senior free safety Joel Griffin, linebackers Baker and Willis and freshman linebacker Kash Richardson, a Tillamook transfer with a good understanding of the game, on the stop unit.

Brookings-Harbor

Brookings-Harbor learned Aug. 26 that it would have to cancel the season because of a shortage of players.

Douglas The school district made the decision, Douglas second-year head coach said coach Shaun Bavaro.

Robin Knebel was dealing with a numbers game as preseason practices wore Tim Trower is a freelance writer. on: low to begin with and in danger To comment on this article, write to of dropping further depending on sports@rosebudmedia.com.

Sam Martin. Reed is rangy at 6-2, 175 pounds, and — as evidenced by his role as a reserve linebacker on defense — isn’t afraid to mix it up.

Reed’s assets are a strong arm and “a great understanding of what we’re trying to do,” said Gettman. “He’s a talented kid.”

When he has to run, Reed likely won’t be timid.

“He’s not going to juke you or anything,” said Gettman.

“He’s got decent speed, but he’s going to get the yards that are there and deliver a blow at times.”

Junior Tyler Almasy, who started against Santiam Christian and had six catches for 28

yards, is among the top outside receiver options.

Defensively, many of the aforementioned players will contribute to a strong front seven.

Linebacker Waits and linebacker/end Cannon are the linchpins, said Gettman.

Cannon provides versatility, either as a pass rusher or handling outside responsibilities.

“It starts with those two kids,” said Gettman.

Moses, who squats and deadlifts more than 500 pounds, anchors the line at nose tackle.

Returning starter Benade and Nering will be the ends. Wallace, Turituri and Cole Shields

provide stability at linebacker in the 3-4 alignment.

The secondary is the primary question mark, said Gettman, “with a lot of parts in there.”

J.T. Knobloch will handle the kicking and punting chores.

Cascade Christian will get a measure of itself in the early going, with difficult nonleague matchups against 4A schools Mazama and Marist among its first four games.

It opens against La Pine, which went 4-2 in the spring.

Tim Trower is a freelance writer. To comment on this article, write to sports@rosebudmedia.com.

|

Friday, September 3, 2021 |

23

Rogue River charts new course with Sturdevant Coquille expects to be the heavy favorite to win Class 2A District 4 title

for the spread offense that he’s installed.

Other Chieftains to watch include Devish, a quick, versatile lineman who’s capable of playing center and guard, and fellow linemen Perrin Nelson, Josiah Dearinger, Joshua Watson, Theo Long and Christian Moody. Nelson is also penciled in for duty at fullback and will flank Smith at linebacker.

Junior Demetrius McWillie could blossom into Rogue River’s top running back, while senior Alleric Cosgrove could emerge as one of the top receivers in District 4. Sophomore receiver Ousten Ellis and junior tight end/fullback Sam Haag have also shown good potential as pass catchers.

By Don Hunt for the Mail Tribune

ROGUE RIVER — As a high school football standout at Ashland High in the late 1980s, Aaron Sturdevant saw firsthand what it took to build a champion.

Playing for legendary coach Jim Nagel, who led the Grizzlies to 16 state playoff appearances, three state titles and five state-title appearances between 1985 and 2000, Sturdevant, an all-state guard and linebacker, observed the blueprint: old-fashioned hard work, discipline, highly-organized practices, goal-setting for every player, a commitment to the weight room and building a family-like atmosphere among the players and coaches.

“I was fortunate to be a part of a highly successful, well-run program,” said Sturdevant, who took over as head coach at Rogue River High this year.

“My plan is to come in and establish those same routines and protocols.”

There are similarities between the Ashland teams of yore and the current Chieftains. The Grizzlies lacked a winning tradition prior to Nagel’s arrival in 1983 and the school was among the smallest in the state compared to other schools in its classification. Ditto for Rogue River, which has secured only three state playoff berths in school history and none since 2002. The Grizzlies became the Little Engine that could. Can the Chieftains?

Less than a week into fall practices, Sturdevant’s influence was already apparent.

“I’ve learned more in four days than I

CHIEFTAINS HEAD COACH Aaron Sturdevant (first year) GENERAL INFORMATION ASSISTANTS: Shawn Smith (running backs/defensive backs), Jack Cosgrove (receivers/ defensive coordinator), Wayne Nelson (defensive backs), Derek Nelson (quarterbacks/ linebackers), Andrew Gifford (defensive line).

2020-21 OVERALL RECORD: Sturdevant 0-2.

PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: Tied for fifth.

2019 RESULTS ROGUE RIVER OPPONENTS 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lakeview 8 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Culver 19 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brookings-Harbor 42 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . La Pine 34 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lakeview 21 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Glide 13 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Illinois Valley 26 0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lost River 24 26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reedsport 20 2020-21 RESULTS ROGUE RIVER OPPONENTS 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bandon 68 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Glide 47

Coquille Coquille is a heavy favorite to win not only the District 4 title but also make a ANDY ATKINSON / MAIL TRIBUNE run at a state title.

Running back/linebacker Gunner New Rogue River head coach Aaron Sturdevant talks to his team during a recent practice.

Yates headlines a veteran squad that did all of last year,” said Ethan Devish, Charlie Smith, a 5-9, 175-pound senior went 4-1 in the spring, losing only to 4A a 5-foot-8, 200-pound senior lineman. who’s been a part-time starter the past Douglas. Yates, the son of former Reds “The practices are way more organized. two seasons. Smith also figures to be Devils and Southern Oregon University We’re hopping from station to station. one of the Chieftains’ top defenders at standout Griff Yates, rumbled for more The coaches are going into a lot of depth outside linebacker. than 1,000 yards in the abbreviated in terms of fundamentals. There’s no “He’s an incredibly athletic kid with a spring season. standing around.” strong arm,” said Sturdevant of Smith, SEE DISTRICT 4, 25 Devish said he also noticed a positive who the coach thinks will be a perfect fit connection with the coaches.

“They’re trying to build our confidence and they’re stressing the importance of bonding as a team,” he said. “It’s a fun atmosphere.”

Sturdevant, a gregarious man who serves as the school’s athletic director, knows that revitalizing a football program is a step-by-step process. He has only 24 players in uniform, although 10 juniors and 10 seniors lend maturity and physical strength to the squad.

Leading the way is quarterback RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (7): Quarterback Charlie Smith (5-9, 175, sr.), lineman Josia Dearinger (5-10, 200, jr.), lineman/ fullback Perrin Nelson (5-10, 190, jr.), lineman Theo Long (6-1, 190, sr.), lineman Joshua Watson (6-1, 230, sr.), lineman Ethan Devish (5-8, 200, jr.),receiver Alleric Cosgrove (6-1, 175, sr.).

DEFENSE (7): Linebacker Smith, linebacker Nelson, lineman Dearinger, lineman Long, lineman Watson, lineman Devish, defensive back Cosgrove.

OTHER NOTABLES Lineman Christian Moody (5-11, 230, jr.), quarterback Gavin Dabrowski (5-11, 145, so.), receiver Ousten Ellis (6-0, 180, so.), running back/defensive back Alex Aguilera (sr.), lineman Logan Basharel (jr.), receiver/defensive back Josh Brown (sr.), tight end/linebacker Dylan Ferry (sr.), receiver/defensive back Weston Foor (jr.), running back/linebacker Nolan Giovannetti (so.), receiver/defensive back James Jones (sr.), running back/defensive back Said McWillie (jr.), receiver/defensive back Levi Rolfe (so.).

2021 SCHEDULE Sept. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BONANZA, 7 p.m.

Sept. 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OAKRIDGE, 7 p.m.

Sept. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BANDON, 7 p.m.

Sept. 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Reedsport, 7 p.m.

Oct. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ILLINOIS VALLEY, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LAKEVIEW, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Coquille, 7 p.m.

Oct. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HARRISBURG, 7 p.m.

Oct. 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Glide, 7 p.m.

Once a Grizz always a Gavin White RB Class of 2024 Greg White QB Class of 1986

Danial White QB Class of 2014

Good luck this season!!

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24

| 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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CRUSADERS HEAD COACH Jamie Young (12th year, 50-47) GENERAL INFORMATION ASSISTANTS: Josh Aldrich (offensive coordinator), Joe Kronenberger (offensive line/defensive line), Kevin Bendaw (defensive back), Stephen Thomas (offensive line/defensive line), Tanny Flowers (special teams/running backs).

2020-21 OVERALL RECORD: 1-3.

PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: Young Fourth.

2019 RESULTS ST. MARY’S OPPONENTS 32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Amity 34 55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lost River 0 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Regis 20 56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gold Beach 6 60. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Douglas 20 26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hidden Valley 49 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brookings-Harbor 3 58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . South Umpqua 20 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cascade Christian 61 State Playoffs 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clatskanie 56 2020-21 RESULTS

From Page 21

Aldrich’s style is far different.

“He’s a much more physical runner,” said Young. “He’d rather go over you than around you, but he’s pretty agile for a big guy. And he understands the game. I mean, he’s a coach’s son, and we’re expecting big things out of him.”

Aldrich’s father, Josh, is the team’s offensive coordinator.

One reason for excitement over the running game is an offensive line that figures to be a strength of the Crusaders, said Young.

Returning starters are center Kyan Hidde (6-1, 220), guards AJ Borovansky (5-10, 245) and Ethan Cano (5-10, 180) and tackle Ty Kronenberger (5-11, 250).

“They do have some talented kids around them who can do exciting things with the football,” said Young, “but — and I think this is true just about everywhere — your offensive line is the heart and soul of your team.”

Haynes figures to benefit as well.

In three games last spring, he completed 28 of 55 passes for 378 yards and six touchdowns, with four interceptions.

Haynes first showed his mettle as a sophomore at the team summer camp when he filled in “remarkably well,” said Young, for an injured Aliiloa Kaeo-Wailehua. He’s matured even more the past few months.

“He’s making great decisions, he’s physically matured,” said Young.

“He’s developed a confidence, a trust in his receivers. He’s a great team guy,

OPPONENTS

DISTRICT 4

years before yielding to Wyatt Dyer in the spring. He, too, has graduated.

Running back/linebacker Copper Lang (6-3, 180), receiver/defensive back Denver Blackwell (5-9, 160) and two-way lineman Johnny Helms (6-0, 215) are among the best players at their positions in District 4.

From Page 23

The 6-0, 200-pound Yates figures to pile up huge rushing numbers this fall in Coquille’s Wing-T attack as the Red Devils return four of five starters along the offensive line, led by 200pound guard Patrick Adams and 220-pound tackle Tom Riley.

Bone-rattling linebacker Hayden GeDeros headlines the defense.

Coquille’s only question mark is at quarterback, where three candidates were vying for the starting spot as fall practice began.

25

ST. MARY’S

ST. MARY’S

0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . South Umpqua 48 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cascade Christian 55 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brookings-Harbor 6 42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Douglas 54 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (7): Quarterback Eli Haynes (6-2, 185, sr.), tackle Ty Kronenberger (5-11, 250, jr.), guard AJ Borovansky (510, 245, jr.), center Kyan Hidde (6-1, 220, jr.), guard Ethan Cano (5-10, 180, jr.), running back Beau Aldrich (6-1, 245, sr.), receiver Jaden Foster (6-2, 185, jr.).

DEFENSE (9): Safety Jaden Foster, cornerback Tyson Delplanche (5-10, 160, jr.), linebacker sophomore Indiana Olson (6-0, 175, so.), linebacker Beau Aldrich, safety Ethan Cano, linebacker Kyan Hidde, tackle AJ Borovansky, nose guard Ty Kronenberger, end Heemir Patel (6-1, 195, jr.).

OTHER NOTABLES Safety/receiver/quarterback TJ Flowers (5-11, 170, so.), receiver/safety Spencer Patten (5-11, 170, jr.), offensive tackle/defensive tackle Rex Smith (6-3, 220, so.).

2021 SCHEDULE Sept. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NORTH VALLEY, 7 p.m.

Sept. 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Illinois Valley, 7 p.m.

Sept. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PLEASANT HILL, 7 p.m.

Sept. 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Harrisburg, 7 p.m.

Oct. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SOUTH UMPQUA, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Cascade Christian, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TBD Oct. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Sutherlin, 7 p.m.

Oct. 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Douglas, 7 p.m.

Friday, September 3, 2021 |

Lakeview

Burns native Ryan Moss takes over the Lakeview helm after spending seven years as an assistant at Alaska power Kenai Central High.

The Honkers’ strength could be up front, where 220-pound tackle Julian Cimity, 235Bandon pound guard Shane Vance Bandon has made the state and 182-pound guard Morgan playoffs the past three sea- Ludwig, a state placer in sons and could pose a threat wrestling last year, form a forto Coquille if they can gener- midable threesome. ate steady play at quarterback.

Gavin Patterson, a 5-11, 215Braydon Freitag excelled at pound senior who has also spent the position for four straight time in the trenches, will move

ANDY ATKINSON / MAIL TRIBUNE

Senior running back/linebacker Beau Aldrich will be instrumental to the Crusaders’ success on both sides of the ball this season.

and I think the other players have a lot of faith in him as well.”

Tyson Delplanche will provide a change of pace in the backfield and can also be split wide. Heemir Patel, a starter at defensive end, takes over the No. 1 tight end duties, and Jaden Foster, who suffered a broken collarbone and missed the spring season, will be relied on as a playmaker at receiver.

Defensively, many of the same cast will be employed, led by linebackers Aldrich, Hidde and sophomore Indiana Olson.

Tackle Borovansky committed himself in the offseason to getting stronger, to the point, said Young, that he won weightlifting competitions. He’ll form a solid front with nose guard Kronenberger and Patel.

to running back in the Honkers’ ground-and-pound approach.

Moss hopes that sophomore Benny Alves will emerge at quarterback to keep opposing defenses honest.

Glide

The secondary is in good hands with strong safety Cano, a hard-nosed, physical player to spearhead a group that includes Delplanche, Foster and TJ Flowers.

As pleased as Young is with his personnel, the team’s success hinges largely on the starters staying healthy and the reserves developing at an accelerated pace.

“Our issue, and this is on both sides of the ball, is more a matter of depth,” said Young. “We’re going to be filling in with a lot of younger kids, and that’s the part that can be challenging over the course of a full season.”

If the Crusaders meet that challenge, contention for the state playoffs is realistic.

“We want to be in the conversation,” said Young.

Illinois Valley Coach Aaron Skinner says his Illinois Valley squad is “starting from scratch” after not fielding enough players to participate in the spring.

In order to make the best of a small roster — the Cougars had only 18 players in uniform on the first day of practice, with nearly half of them freshmen — Skinner will implement a ground-oriented, double-wing offense in hopes of controlling the ball and the clock.

IV has ample size up front to keep the chains moving with junior Riley Denlinger (6-3, 320), senior Austin Parker (5-9, 250) and senior Aaron Miller (6-0, 240) leading the charge.

Senior quarterback Sam Hess (6-1, 175) will orchestrate the offense while Miller will anchor the defense at linebacker.

Glide appears to have the premier receiver/cornerback combination in District 4 in seniors Colby Busich (6-4, 170) and Dylan Ackerman (5-11, 155). Both are three-year starters and three-sport athletes.

The Wildcats boast another three-year starter in senior Braxton Dill (5-11, 165), who will take over at quarterback and patrol the defensive backfield from his strong safety position. Dill is also ticketed for duty at outside linebacker.

Senior Jaden Rondeau (6-1, 230) will anchor the offensive and defensive lines.

Reedsport Daryl Watson has been promoted from assistant to head Reedsport is in a rebuilding coach. mode under first-year head

coach Bill Shaw, who guided Elkton to four state-playoff berths in eight seasons before becoming an assistant at Reedsport in the fall of 2019.

Reedsport went 0-6 last spring, but everyone returns. Senior tight end/middle linebacker/punter/ kicker Derek Johnson, a 6-3, 190-pound, four-year varsity performer, might be the team’s most valuable player.

Athletic, cerebral junior Gabe Foster returns at quarterback and could blossom. Other Braves to watch include senior running back Keannen Knogle, senior offensive guard Michael Joy and senior offensive tackle Avery Brandon.

If nothing else, the Braves will be feisty on defense. Identical twins Aaron and Adam Solomon and hard-nosed Jose Martinez (5-7, 140) all finished as state placers — Aaron Solomon won the 106-pound title — for Reedsport’s state champion wrestling team last year.

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PAST CHAMPIONS 6A SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE 2020 — COVID-19 limited spring season 2019 — Sheldon (4-0) 2018 — Sheldon (4-0) 2017 — South Medford (6-0) 2016 — South Medford (6-0) 2015 — Sheldon (6-0) 2014 — Grants Pass (7-0) 2013 — North Medford (7-0) 2012 — Sheldon (7-0) 2011 — Sheldon (7-0) 2010 — Sheldon (7-0) 2009 — Sheldon (5-0) 2008 — South Medford (5-0) 2007 — Sheldon (5-0) 2006 — Sheldon (5-0) 5A MIDWESTERN LEAGUE 2020 — COVID-19 limited spring season 2019 — Crater (5-0 South), Thurston (5-0 North) 2018 — Churchill (5-0) 2017 — Churchill (7-0) 2016 — Ashland (6-1) 2015 — Crater (5-0) 2014 — Springfield (5-0) 2013 — Ashland (6-0) 2012 — Marist (7-0) 2011 — Marist (7-0) 5A SOUTHERN OREGON HYBRID 2010 — Ashland (1-0) 5A SOUTHERN SKY CONFERENCE 2009 — Crater (4-0) 2008 — Crater (3-1), Klamath Union (3-1), Ashland (3-1) 2007 — Ashland (4-0) 2006 — Crater (4-0) SOUTHERN OREGON CONFERENCE 2005 — North Medford (5-1), Roseburg (5-1) 2004 — South Medford (6-0) 2003 — North Medford (6-0) 2002 — South Medford (7-0) 2001 — Roseburg (7-0) 2000 — North Medford (7-0) 1999 — Roseburg (7-0) 1998 — Ashland (7-0) 1997 — Ashland (8-0) 1996 — Roseburg (8-0) 1995 — Roseburg (8-0) 1994 — Grants Pass (8-0) 1993 — Ashland (8-0) 1992 — Ashland (8-0)

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1991 — South Medford (7-1), Ashland (7-1) 1990 — Roseburg (8-0) 1989 — Ashland (8-0) 1988 — South Medford (9-0) 1987 — Ashland (9-0) 1986 — South Medford (8-1) 1985 — Medford (7-1), Crater (7-1), Roseburg (7-1) 1984 — Medford (7-1) 1983 — Medford (8-0) 1982 — Medford (8-0) 1981 — Roseburg (8-0) 1980 — Medford (8-0) 1979 — Medford (8-0) 1978 — Medford (5-0) 1977 — Medford (5-0) 1976 — Klamath Union (4-1), Grants Pass (4-1) 1975 — Klamath Union (4-1), Grants Pass (4-1) 1974 — Medford (5-0) 1973 — Medford (5-0) 1972 — Grants Pass (5-0) 1971 — Grants Pass (4-0-1), Medford (4-0-1) 1970 — Medford (4-0-1) SKYLINE CONFERENCE 2020 — COVID-19 limited spring season 2019 — Mazama (4-0) 2018 — Mazama (4-0) 2017 — Mazama (4-1), Phoenix (4-1), Henley (41) 2016 — Mazama (5-0) 2015 — Mazama (5-0) 2014 — Mazama (5-0) 2013 — Klamath Union (4-1), Henley (4-1) 2012 — North Valley (5-0) 2011 — Klamath Union (5-0) 2010 — Mazama (5-0) 2009 — Phoenix (4-0) 2008 — North Valley (4-0) 2007 — Illinois Valley (5-0) 2006 — Hidden Valley (4-1), Henley (4-1) 2005 — Phoenix (6-0) 2004 — North Valley (5-1) 2003 — Mazama (5-1) 2002 — Mazama (6-0) 2001 — North Valley (6-0) 2000 — Henley (7-0) 1999 — Henley (7-0) 1998 — Hidden Valley (7-0) 1997 — Hidden Valley (7-0) 1996 — South Umpqua (7-0)

1995 — Henley (7-0) 1994 — Henley (7-0) 1993 — Phoenix (5-0) 1992 — North Valley (7-1) 1991 — Henley (8-0) 1990 — Henley (7-0) 1989 — South Umpqua (6-1), Phoenix (6-1) 1988 — Henley (6-0) 1987 — North Valley (6-0) 1986 — Henley (6-0) 1985 — Phoenix (6-1), North Valley (6-1) 1984 — North Valley (7-0) 1983 — Henley (7-0) 1982 — Henley (7-0) 1981 — Henley (5-0) 1980 — Phoenix (5-0) 1979 — Phoenix (4-0) 1978 — Phoenix (6-0) 1977 — Lakeview (7-0) 1976 — South Umpqua (9-0) 1975 — South Umpqua (9-0) 1974 — Phoenix (9-0) 1973 — Phoenix (9-0) 1972 — South Umpqua (6-1) 1971 — Phoenix (7-0) 1970 — Lakeview (7-0) CLASS 3A DISTRICT 2 2020 — COVID-19 limited spring season 2019 — Hidden Valley (5-0) 2018 — Cascade Christian (5-0) 3A SOUTHERN CASCADE LEAGUE 2017 — Cascade Christian (3-0) 2016 — Cascade Christian (3-0) 2015 — Cascade Christian (3-0) 2014 — Cascade Christian (3-0) 3A SOUTHERN CASCADE HYBRID 2013 — Cascade Christian (3-0) 2012 — Cascade Christian (3-0) 2011 — Cascade Christian (3-0) 2010 — Cascade Christian (4-0) 3A SUNSET LEAGUE 2009 — Cascade Christian (7-0) 2008 — Gold Beach (7-0) 2007 — Gold Beach (6-0) 2A SOUTHERN CASCADE LEAGUE 2009 — Lost River (4-0) 2008 — Lakeview (4-0) 2007 — Lakeview (4-0) 2006 — Bonanza (5-0) 2005 — Cascade Christian (7-0)

2004 — Lost River (7-0) 2003 — Bonanza (6-0) 2002 — Lost River (5-0) 2001 — Lost River 2000 — Lost River (5-0) 1999 — Lost River (5-0) 1998 — Lost River (5-0) 1997 — Lost River (3-0) BIG FIR LEAGUE 1997 — Glendale (5-1) 1996 — Glendale (6-0) 1995 — Yoncalla (6-0) 1994 — Yoncalla (6-0) 1993 — Yoncalla (5-0) 1992 — Glendale (5-0) 1991 — Glendale (5-0) 1990 — Yoncalla (5-0) 1989 — Riddle (4-0) 1988 — Riddle (3-1), Yoncalla (3-1) 1987 — Glendale (4-1), Yoncalla (4-1) 1986 — Glendale (4-1), St. Mary’s (4-1) 1985 — Yoncalla (4-1), Riddle (4-1), Oakland (4-1) 1984 — Yoncalla (5-0) 1983 — Yoncalla (5-0) 1982 — St. Mary’s (5-0) 1981 — St. Mary’s (5-0) 1980 — St. Mary’s (6-0) 1979 — St. Mary’s (6-0) 1978 — St. Mary’s (6-0) 1977 — St. Mary’s (6-0) 1976 — St. Mary’s (6-0) 1975 — St. Mary’s (5-0) 1974 — Elkton (7-0) 1973 — St. Mary’s (6-1) TRI VALLEY LEAGUE 1972 — St. Mary’s (5-0) 1971 — Elkton (7-0) 1970 — St. Mary’s (5-0) CLASS 2A DISTRICT 5 2020 — COVID-19 limited spring season 2019 — Glide (3-1), Lost River (3-1) 2018 — Lakeview (4-0) CLASS 1A DISTRICT 2 2020 — COVID-19 limited spring season 2019 — Hosanna Christian (5-0 East), Camas Valley (5-0 West) 2018 — Hosanna Christian (5-0 East), Camas Valley (5-0 West)

MOUNTAIN VALLEY LEAGUE 2017 — Camas Valley (5-0) 2016 — Hosanna Christian (4-0) 2015 — Hosanna Christian (5-0) 2014 — Camas Valley (5-0) 2013 — Camas Valley (8-0) 2012 — Camas Valley (8-0) 2011 — Camas Valley (7-0) 2010 — Triad (8-0) 2009 — Triad (8-0) 2008 — Butte Falls (8-0) 2007 — Butte Falls (8-0) 2006 — Days Creek (8-0) SKYLINE A LEAGUE 2005 — Days Creek (8-0) 2004 — Gilchrist (6-1), Powers (6-1) 2003 — Powers (6-0) 2002 — Mapleton (9-0) 2001 — Powers 2000 — Powers (6-0) 1999 — Days Creek (7-0) 1998 — Powers (7-0) 1997 — Powers (7-0) 1996 — Powers (7-0) 1995 — Powers (6-1), Days Creek (6-1) 1994 — Powers (7-0) 1993 — Butte Falls (7-1), Elkton (7-1) 1992 — Camas Valley (8-0) 1991 — Camas Valley (7-0) 1990 — Butte Falls (6-0) 1989 — Camas Valley (6-0) 1988 — Paisley (6-0) 1987 — Butte Falls (6-0) 1986 — Butte Falls (6-0) 1985 — Prospect (5-0) 1984 — Prospect (5-0) 1983 — Prospect (4-1) 1982 — Prospect (6-0) 1981 — Prospect (6-0) 1980 — Camas Valley (6-0) 1979 — Prospect (6-0) 1978 — Elkton (6-0) 1977 — Prospect (5-1) 1976 — Prospect (5-0) 1975 — Prospect (5-0) 1974 — Prospect (4-1) 1973 — Butte Falls (4-0) 1972 — Prospect (4-0) 1971 — Butte Falls (7-0-1) 1970 — Butte Falls (8-0)

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Friday, September 3, 2021 |

SEASON SCHEDULE Sept. 3

Sept. 17

Sept. 25

SKYLINE

SOUTHWEST Del Norte (Calif.) at North Medford South Medford at McNary Grants Pass at Bend Summit at Roseburg Sheldon at Glencoe MIDWESTERN Eagle Point at Churchill Henley at Ashland SKYLINE Phoenix at Sutherlin North Valley at St. Mary’s Mazama at Marshfield Klamath Union at Woodburn Henley at Ashland FAR WEST LEAGUE Cascade Christian at La Pine North Valley at St. Mary’s Sutherlin at Phoenix 2A DISTRICT 4 Bonanza at Rogue River Bandon at Sheridan Reedsport at Monroe 1A DISTRICT 3 Prospect/Butte Falls at Powers

SOUTHWEST Sherwood at North Medford South Medford at Lake Oswego Grants Pass at McNary Sheldon at Newberg Roseburg at Southridge MIDWESTERN Churchill at Crater Eagle Point at Willamette Thurston at Springfield North Bend at Marshfield SKYLINE Phoenix at Elmira Crook County at Henley Banks at Hidden Valley Klamath Union at North Eugene Cascade at Mazama North Valley at Cottage Grove FAR WEST LEAGUE Cascade Christian at Yreka (Calif.)

Pleasant Hill at St. Mary’s Douglas at Reedsport South Umpqua at Corbett Valley Christian at Sutherlin 2A DISTRICT 4 Bandon at Rogue River Glide at Illinois Valley Douglas at Reedsport 1A DISTRICT 3 Gilchrist at Prospect/Butte Falls

1A DISTRICT 3 Prospect/Butte Falls at North Lake

Mazama at Hidden Valley

Sept. 4 MIDWESTERN Crater vs. North Bend, at Marshfield

Sept. 10 SOUTHWEST North Medford at West Linn Bend at South Medford West Salem at Grants Pass Roseburg at Mountain View Grant at Sheldon MIDWESTERN Springfield at Eagle Point North Bend at Ashland North Eugene at Willamette SKYLINE Yreka (Calif.) at Henley Molalla at Hidden Valley Klamath Union at Burns Mazama at Cascade Christian Marshfield at North Valley FAR WEST LEAGUE Mazama at Cascade Christian St. Mary’s at Illinois Valley Junction City at Douglas Pleasant Hill at South Umpqua Oakland at Sutherlin 2A DISTRICT 4 Oakridge at Rogue River Central Linn at Bandon Creswell at Coquille Glide at Lowell St. Mary’s at Illinois Valley Lakeview at Modoc (Calif.)

Reedsport at Amity

Sept. 11 SKYLINE Stayton at Phoenix 1A DISTRICT 3 North Douglas at Prospect/Butte Falls

Sept. 18 2A DISTRICT 4 Coquille at Lakeview

Sept. 24 SOUTHWEST North Medford at Liberty Lakeridge at South Medford Shasta (Calif.) at Grants Pass McMinnville at Roseburg Lake Oswego at Sheldon MIDWESTERN Churchill at Ashland Crater at Springfield Eagle Point at Mazama Willamette at Thurston SKYLINE Phoenix vs. TBD Henley at Milwaukie Hidden Valley at Sweet Home Madras at Klamath Union Eagle Point at Mazama Elmira at North Valley FAR WEST LEAGUE Marist at Cascade Christian St. Mary’s at Harrisburg Douglas at Scio Sutherlin at Warrenton 2A DISTRICT 4 Rogue River at Reedsport Lakeview at Bandon Illinois Valley at Coquille

Oct. 1 SOUTHWEST South Medford at Sheldon Bend at North Medford Roseburg at Grants Pass MIDWESTERN Willamette at Crater Springfield at Ashland Thurston at Eagle Point North Bend at Churchill SKYLINE Phoenix at Hidden Valley Mazama at Henley Klamath Union at North Valley FAR WEST LEAGUE Cascade Christian at Siuslaw South Umpqua at St. Mary’s Douglas at Sutherlin 2A DISTRICT 4 Illinois Valley at Rogue River Bandon at Reedsport Coquille at Glide 1A DISTRICT 3 Prospect/Butte Falls at Riddle

Oct. 8

Klamath Union at Phoenix Henley at North Valley FAR WEST LEAGUE Cascade Christian vs. TBD St. Mary’s vs. TBD South Umpqua at Sutherlin 2A DISTRICT 4 Rogue River at Coquille Glide at Reedsport Illinois Valley at Lakeview

Oct. 16 1A DISTRICT 3 Prospect/Butte Falls at Yoncalla

Oct. 22 SOUTHWEST Grants Pass at North Medford South Medford at Westview Sheldon at Roseburg MIDWESTERN Summit at Crater Ashland at Thurston North Bend at Eagle Point Springfield at Churchill SKYLINE Phoenix at Mazama

SOUTHWEST North Medford at Roseburg Grants Pass at South Medford David Douglas at Sheldon MIDWESTERN Crater at Eagle Point Ashland at Willamette Thurston at Churchill North Bend at Springfield SKYLINE Phoenix at Henley North Valley at Mazama Hidden Valley at Klamath Union FAR WEST LEAGUE St. Mary’s at Cascade Christian Douglas at South Umpqua 2A DISTRICT 4 Coquille at Harrisburg Lakeview at Rogue River Glide at Bandon Reedsport at Illinois Valley 1A DISTRICT 3 Elkton at Prospect/Butte Falls

Klamath Union at Henley

Oct. 15

North Valley at Phoenix

SOUTHWEST North Medford at Sheldon Roseburg at South Medford Grants Pass at Beaverton MIDWESTERN Crater at Thurston Eagle Point at Ashland Willamette at North Bend Churchill at Sprague

Hidden Valley at North Valley FAR WEST LEAGUE St. Mary’s at Sutherlin South Umpqua at Cascade Christian 2A DISTRICT 4 Harrisburg at Rogue River Bandon at Illinois Valley Reedsport at Coquille Lakeview at Glide

Oct. 29 SOUTHWEST South Medford at North Medford Sheldon at Grants Pass Springfield at Roseburg MIDWESTERN Ashland at Crater Thurston at North Bend Churchill at Willamette Springfield at Roseburg SKYLINE Henley at Hidden Valley Mazama at Klamath Union FAR WEST LEAGUE Sutherlin at Cascade Christian St. Mary’s at Douglas 2A DISTRICT 4 Rogue River at Glide Coquille at Bandon Illinois Valley at Harrisburg

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