St. Mary’s

St. Mary’s calls on a new signal-caller

Crusaders have high hopes as Delplanche shifts from running back to quarterback

By Tim Trower

for the Mail Tribune

A funny thing happened to St. Mary’s on the way to the 2022 football season.

The Crusaders found themselves without someone to man the rather crucial position of quarterback.

“It’s a little bit of unknown territory,” said coach Jamie Young, who is entering his 13th season. “We had a situation where we found we didn’t have anybody coming back with experience.”

Senior Tyson Delplanche, a running back and first-team all-league cornerback, came to the rescue.

“We approached him,” said Young, “and he’s a kid who is a relentless competitor and has embraced it from Day 1 and has really worked hard. He had a chance to do some 7-on-7 and a little scrimmage work in our camp this summer, and he did some really good things.”

Delplanche has plenty of help as he grows into the role.

St. Mary’s features eight returning

ANDY ATKINSON / MAIL TRIBUNE

St. Mary’s senior Tyson Delplanche has made the move from running back to quarterback this season. Delplanche was a first-team all-Far West League selection at cornerback last season.

starters on offense, including a host of physical linemen, and is preparing for a run at the Class 3A state playoffs after narrowly missing out last season.

Three of the expanded Far West League’s 10 teams qualify for the 16-team playoff bracket.

The Crusaders went 5-4 overall in 2021 but 0-3 in the FWL. Two of the league setbacks were to powerhouses Cascade Christian and South Umpqua. The third was a forfeit to Siuslaw because of St. Mary’s injury depleted roster. “That was a game I felt would have been a good, competitive game,” said Young. “We win that and we’re in the

“He’s a kid who is a relentless competitor and has embraced it from Day 1 and has really worked hard. He had a chance to do some 7-on-7 and a little scrimmage work in our camp this summer, and he did some really good things.”

St. Mary’s head coach Jamie Young on new quarterback Tyson Delplanche

playoffs.

“I see us being in a similar situation. I think we have the ability to be competitive, but we’re going to have to stay healthy. That’s really the biggest thing. With the number of kids we have who have played as much football as they have, we have a very decent amount of experience. Can we do this for nine weeks, and hopefully longer, staying healthy and ready to go?”

Nearly every position is manned by a two-way starter, meaning depth will again be an Achilles’ heel as the Crusaders take on the robust FWL schedule. Every game will be in league.

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