Conference Roundup

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 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 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

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,

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 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.

So far, Robinson said the players have responded 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.

Reach reporter Will Denner at 541-776-4479 or wdenner@ rosebudmedia.com

SKYLINE

From Page 17

Fanger and his wife, Joelle, a 1987 Hidden Valley graduate, recently became “empty-nesters,” he said. So when a physical education position and the head football coach job came open at the school, Fanger jumped at the opportunity to move south.

Quarterback Nate Vidlak (6-1, 200) is back for his senior season after getting a taste of the starting role in the spring as a junior, which came to fruition after his older brother, Sam Vidlak, enrolled early at Oregon State.

The younger Vidlak, who Fanger said has great arm talent and is a true student of the game, has already landed a Division I offer from Idaho State. Vidlak is also drawing interest from several collegiate baseball programs, including Oregon.

One of his top targets will be Noah Stone (5-10, 190), a two-way starter at receiver and defensive back. His work ethic and hard route-running ability led Fanger to remark that Stone is the “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.

Klamath Union

Klamath Union is minus a few less veteran players returning than expected but it has opened the door for a number of underclassmen to seize their opportunity. Head coach Tom Smith estimates between five and 10 sophomores, all combined, will be starting on both sides of the ball.

“We’ve been talking a lot about every week you have to get better,” Smith said. “The win-loss column will take care of itself, but we want to focus on, did you get better this week 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.

North Valley

North Valley’s Wing-T offense will be orchestrated by dual-threat senior quarterback Jaydon Twedell (6-3, 185), who will once again be relied on in the running game, in addition to his arm.

Senior running back Nate Love (5-8, 150), who suffered an injury midway through the spring season, returns as the Knights’ most explosive player.

The backfield also includes junior Chris Currier, senior fullback Hank Dumas and sophomore Leo Freedman, who eighth-year head coach Neil DeForrest said as a freshman was arguably the Knights’ best runner in the spring.

On defense, senior linebacker Sam Campos will be called on to lead the Knights, who will also have senior Matt Scharpen at the position. The secondary includes Dumas, Currier, senior Jaylin Jenkins, a two-way starter at receiver and cornerback, and Twedell at free safety.

North Valley also returns four of five starting offensive linemen, including seniors Joey Comyford (6-2, 210) and Owen Farmer (6-0, 215) at the guard spots.

DeForrest is also curious to see how Gabe Champion, a transfer from Nebraska, will fit into the team at receiver and defensive back.

There was no dissension among Skyline Conference coaches about Mazama being the preseason favorite. Beyond that, however, DeForrest believes the conference is up for grabs, with North Valley right in the mix.

“There’s a lot of parity in the league right now,” he said.