Prospect / Butte Falls

Prospect, Butte Falls co-op to save season

Neither school has played since 2019 and will get fi rst taste of six-man game

By Will Denner

Mail Tribune

PROSPECT — Scott Thompson saw the writing on the wall when he interviewed for the Prospect Charter head football coach job earlier this year.

Both Prospect and Butte Falls, two rural Jackson County schools, were unable to field teams to compete in the 1A classification during the spring season. With dwindling numbers once again proving to be an issue, Thompson feared both schools would suffer a similar fate going into the fall.

Thompson, who was later hired as the Cougars’ head coach in late July, suggested the two schools form a co-op.

“I told them I’d really like to see them co-op. I figured that if they didn’t co-op, neither school would have a team,” said Thompson, a lifelong Butte Falls resident. “Prospect has actually put out enough kids, but Butte Falls, they don’t have enough kids over there that play right now to have a team, even have a six-man team. Last spring, I think they had two or three (players) show up.”

By the week of Aug. 23, the two schools had officially joined forces with less than two weeks until their season

opener at Powers. In that brief time, they’ve had to get to know each other as players and coaches — Thompson, as well as defensive coordinator Shawn Myers — all while learning a new game. When both teams last took the field in 2019, they were playing eight-man instead of six-man Moore football, which the OSAA first introduced ahead of the 2018 season as a pilot program for the smallest schools in the state. In the six-man game, every offen-Perkins sive player, including the quarterback, is an eligible receiver, though the quarterback can’t advance the ball past the line of scrimmage, where at least three players James must be lined up prior to the snap. Additionally, 15 yards are required for a first down instead of 10, and after a touchdown, point-after conversion runs or passes are worth one point and conversion kicks are worth two. Field goals are worth four points.

Those are the basic rules, though Thompson and Myers have tried to glean additional details by watching game film, and even planned to attend a jamboree in Gilchrist Aug. 28 to scout the format in person.

“We’re on a learning curve and just trying to figure things out,” Thompson said.

“I’ve never even seen a sixman game live,” he added. “It’s a whole lot different than watching it on film.”

Last season, a total of 15 teams competed in the sixman ranks, split into two special districts with no postseason. Prospect and Butte Falls were not among them. So every part of the new co-op, players and coaches alike, have had to adjust on the fly.

“The one thing I do know about this sixman deal is if you’ve got speed, you’ve got a lot going for you,” Thompson said. “And we got a lot of speed.”

The team has two starters returning from the 2019 Prospect team, junior running back and linebacker Jonathan Larson (5-8, 170) and senior defensive end and cornerback Theo James (6-6, 170). Additionally, Justin Jackson (5-8, 145), a senior starter from Butte Falls, will play defensive end and running back.

Thompson said he expects the team to run a lot because of their speed, but will likely also install some spread-formation packages. Other notable players on the team are junior Kaydence Moore (6-2, 175), who Thompson said can play just about anywhere on defense from end to linebacker to corner, and junior Boden Perkins (5-8, 145), a defensive end and safety.A total of 14 players will be on the team, and all of them playing for the first time since 2019. Thompson previously served as an assistant at Butte Falls from 2003-11,

Larson and again in 2013. During that time, he saw several Loggers teams excel, including a three-year playoff run from 2007-09 and a 21-game league winning streak. Ju. Jackson Participation numbers have long been an issue across small-school football programs, but for the players forming this latest version of the Prospect/Butte Falls team, Thompson said Ja. Jackson they’re glad to be back on the gridiron. “They’re just happy to be playing, and it’s showing,” Thompson said. “I think they’re really wanting to get out there and go for it.” Reach reporter Will Denner at 541-776-4479 or wdenner@ 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

HEAD COACH

Scott Thompson (fi rst year)

GENERAL

INFORMATION

ASSISTANTS: Shawn Myers (defensive coordinator).

PROSPECT 2019 LEAGUE RE-

CORD: 0-5 (1A District 2 East).

2019 OVERALL

RECORD: 0-7.

Thompson

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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Young

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:

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

ST. MARY’S

OPPONENTS

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.

ST. MARY’S

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,

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. 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.

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.

Bandon

Bandon has made the state playoffs the past three seasons and could pose a threat to Coquille if they can generate steady play at quarterback. Braydon Freitag excelled at the position for four straight 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.

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, 235pound guard Shane Vance and 182-pound guard Morgan Ludwig, a state placer in wrestling last year, form a formidable threesome.

Gavin Patterson, a 5-11, 215pound senior who has also spent time in the trenches, will move 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

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.

Daryl Watson has been promoted from assistant to head coach.

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.

Reedsport

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.