Phoenix

PHOTOS BY DENISE BARATTA

Phoenix receiver Jackson Selden, right, and the Pirates hope a move down to Class 3A will result in better results.

Phoenix strives to be competitive at new level

Pirates join Class 3A Far West League on heels of recent challenges

By Tim Trower

for the Mail Tribune

PHOENIX — The 2021 football season had barely finished when Phoenix coach Mike Robinson knew what he wanted to do with it: Put it behind him as quickly as possible.

The Pirates, facing ongoing challenges from the Almeda Fire that devastated the town in September 2020, found themselves woefully outmatched at nearly every turn, and the win-loss record reflected it.

Phoenix went 0-8 overall and 0-5 in the Skyline Conference. It was shut out twice, scored only one touchdown in each of three other games and was outscored by an average of 48-10.

“For the most part,” said Robinson, in his second year, “we tried hard to be competitive, but we were just outmanned and outbodied and outgunned at many positions last year. The majority of our team had a lot of freshmen playing, and sophomores.”

Among the ramifications of the past couple years has been a move to a lower classification for football.

The Pirates will play in the Far West League this year, a 10-team loop of Class 3A teams that includes state playoff favorites Cascade Christian and South Umpqua as well as former Skyline mate North Valley, which moved to 3A for all sports.

“We just want to be competitive,” said Robinson, a former Southern Oregon University fullback who dabbled in the Arena Football League before a knee injury ended his playing career.

“We’ve had a lot of setbacks with natural disasters that have kind of decimated the population,” he said. “We had to drop down to another level so we could be more competitive. Throughout the summer, our kids have been coming steady, and we’ve had scrimmages against some of these other schools. They (Pirate players) have shown to have grit and to fight pretty hard.”

“Our goal,” he added, “is to be .500 this year, if not better, in conference play.”

As for the lasting impact of the fire on the community, particularly the student population, it’s been “huge, huge,” he said.

“It’s just housing, and affordable housing, and people being able to move back into the area,” said Robinson, who works as a medical social worker in Jackson and Josephine counties with AccentCare Asante Home Health.

The district is still using the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to help bus in kids who have been displaced, he said.

HEAD COACH

Mike Robinson (second year, 0-8)

GENERAL INFORMATION

ASSISTANTS: Tim Seeley (assistant head coach/defensive coordinator), Ernest Johnston (quarterbacks/ linebackers), Mark Garcia (linemen), Jack Cosgrove (JV head coach/receivers/defensive backs).

2021 LEAGUE RECORD:

0-5 (sixth, Skyline). 2021 OVERALL RECORD: 0-8.

PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: Tenth.

2021 RESULTS Robinson

PHOENIX OPPONENTS 6 ..................................Sutherlin 46 0 ................................... Stayton 49 30 ................................... Elmira 36 0 .............................. Hidden Valley 45 6 ....................................Henley 49 20 ............................ Klamath Union 56 6 .................................. Mazama 68 12 .............................. North Valley 35 RETURNING STARTERS

OFFENSE (9): Quarterback Hunter Everhart (6-2, 180, sr.), fullback Charles Butcher (6-0, 255, sr.), running back Jair Ramirez (5-10, 220, sr.), receiver Jackson Selden (5-11, 185, sr.), receiver J.J. Jimenez (510, 185, jr.), tackle Aaron Clark (6-1, 240, sr.), guard Omar Mendoza-Cortez (5-11, 250, sr.), center Cory Cunningham (6-0, 300, sr.), guard Eric Rangel (5-11, 230, sr.).

DEFENSE (10): End Jair Ramirez, tackle Eric Rangel, nose tackle Omar Mendoza-Cortez, end Charles Butcher, cornerback J.J. Jimenez, free safety Jackson Selden, linebacker Hayden Hicks (5-10, 220, jr.), linebacker Derek Corder (5-10, 210, so.), cornerback Julian Montez (6-2, 185, so.), strong safety Jackson Shilts (5-10, 160, jr.).

OTHER NOTABLES

Offensive tackle Diego Vaca (6-0, 250, so.), linebacker Shane Gordon (6-1, 170, so.), tight end Sidney McQueen (6-3, 215, so.), running back/strong safety Luke Jennings (5-10, 205, fr.), running back/defensive back Cody Martin (6-0, 185, fr.).

2022 SCHEDULE

Sept. 2 .................. SOUTH UMPQUA, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 ........................at Coquille, 7 p.m. Sept. 16 ..................... at St. Mary’s, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 ....................... DOUGLAS, 7 p.m. Sept. 30 ............. BROOKINGS-HARBOR, 7 p.m. Oct. 7 ................ at Cascade Christian, 7 p.m. Oct. 14 ....................... SUTHERLIN, 7 p.m. Oct. 21 ........................LAKEVIEW, 7 p.m. Oct. 28 .................... at North Valley, 7 p.m.

“The biggest thing we need from our quarterback is ball control and being a leader at that position. His strength is his arm. He’s got a really good, strong arm. He’s been able to read and become more decisive in that position.”

CRATER

From Page 9

Now a junior, Wood has been pushed by sophomore Ben Higginson — who could be a Wildcat option in certain situations — and shown to be much more of a natural leader.

“Shane has just gained a ton of experience,” said Brown, “and I’ve spent a lot of time with him now calling the offense and he’s got a better understanding of defenses because I’ve got a defensive background and I can tell him what defenses are trying to accomplish based on what defenses they are running.”

Taking over as the Comets’ starting running back will be senior Andrew Kelly, who has been a jack-of-all-trades for Crater during his first three years in the program.

Kelly is part of a skill position group that Brown hopes is able to open the Comets’ offense up much more than what things were like in 2021.

Wood’s top two targets are a pair of senior receivers, Scott Price and Andrew Schatz, and junior tight end Kayden Gardner.

Price, who finished second in

ANDY ATKINSON / MAIL TRIBUNE

Crater’s Luke Higginson (14) will be one of the many targets Comets quarterback Shane Wood will be throwing to this season.

the triple jump at the 5A track and field state championships in May, is the speedster of the bunch, running a 5.6 40-yard dash, according to Brown. Schatz, coming off his first

Kelly Gardner

year in the program, is one of five returning starters on offense for the Comets.

“I think those guys can stretch the field,” said Brown, “and it’s going to be about our ability to protect Shane and get those guys the ball that will allow us to open up the offense a little bit more than we were able to last year.”

Gardner was a second-team all-MWL selection last season and is described by Brown as “probably our best offensive weapon.” He will also be a much bigger target than he was a year ago, growing 2 inches to 6-foot-2 and adding 25 pounds to reach 240.

“He’s a big tight end who’s got the softest hands on the team,” said Brown. “He’s also a physical blocker, so we’re looking to build some things around him and move him around a little bit so people have to guess where he’s going to line up.”

It’s the amount of options Brown has at his disposal on offense that has him so optimistic about what the Comets can develop into.

“Trying to develop an offense where we can utilize all six of those skill players is a unique challenge,” said Brown. “It’s an exciting challenge honestly. We’re not going to just line up and try to beat you up like we did last year. We’re going to use all 53 and 100 yards and stress defenses out with motions, shifts and try to keep people on their heels as much as we can.”

Defensively, the Comets return seven starters, including safeties Aidan Chenoweth and Price. Linebacker Tony Dowens, a senior, was a second-team allMWL pick last season and will anchor a front seven that has all but two starters — Lasater and Jordahl — back.

“Defensively, we bring a lot of guys back,” said Brown. “I’m excited about our defense.”

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

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EAGLE POINT

From Page 10

Livingston was in line for playing time at quarterback last season, only to see an elbow injury over the summer cost him much of his sophomore campaign. Healthy again, Livingston — who also saw playing time at QB as a freshman during the spring 2021 season — is the guy in the spotlight again for the Eagles.

“He’s a good one and we have all the confidence in him,” said Johnson of the 5-foot-11, 160-pound Livingston. “His arm strength has grown and matured and he’s a very, very smart quarterback. His biggest strength is probably his anticipation and just knowing the game of football. He’s probably one of the smartest quarterbacks I’ve coached.”

Senior Wyatt Graves, who caught 20 passes last season, is set to be Livingston’s top target, while Johnson is also high on 6-2 junior Alex Meadows.

Running backs Hugo Perezchica and Kaden Huff will also get carries this season.

“Multiple guys can do different things,” said Johnson. “Somebody like Wyatt Graves is going to touch the ball in a lot of ways. Same with Kaden, Hugo, other guys. We’re going to be able to get those guys (the ball). That’s what’s exciting about the offensive side.”

While Johnson admits that there’s “a couple of spots that are still up in the air” on the offensive line, he is confident with the options he does have who will be stepping into bigger roles.

Junior tackle Garrett Matthews, who stands 6-5 and 300 pounds, is

PHOTO BY DENISE BARATTA

Eagle Point offensive lineman Garrett Matthews will help power the Eagles in the trenches again this season.

the Eagles’ lone returner up front on offense.

“They have some experience, and it’s some experience with some athletes,” said Johnson of the offensive line. “They can move really well and have good size. They’re very coachable, so it’s very exciting with that group. If you have that, you can do a lot of different things behind it. We’re coming together quite well.”

Eagle Point’s defense limited opponents to 214.6 yards and 17.5 points per game last season.

Three of the six returning starters on defense are along the defensive line, with Johnson knowing full well that his team will try and set the tone in the trenches. “I think we’re going to have a pretty solid defensive line and we’re going to lean on those guys,” said Johnson. The graduation of Hill — who was also a first-team all-MWL pick at linebacker — means the Eagles will try to take another step forward without their biggest leader on both sides of the ball last season. “Someone’s gotta step up and that’s just kinda how things work,” said Johnson of filling the leadership void. ”You can’t just point a finger and say, “Hey, you’re a leader.’ Someone’s gotta step up and take that role. I think there’s a few guys this summer who have — I think Wyatt Graves has, David himself has, Dawson Foulon has shown some leadership. They’re going to lead their own way. Isaiah was real verbal, but some guys aren’t — and that’s fine.”

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

ASHLAND

From Page 12

“He is super athletic and he has relied on his athleticism for a lot of stuff,” said Lehnerz. “He’s not only fast but also super tough, so he’s not afraid to go across the middle and mix it up. We just have to find different ways to get him the ball.”

Fellow junior Crosby Lehnerz (6-4, 160) offers the Grizzlies another big target with good hands on the other side of their up-tempo offense, while junior tight end Marcelo Saturen (6-2, 195) is somebody who has had a great summer and will be a threat over the middle, according to Lehnerz.

Junior Gavin White and sophomore Jacob Ortega will handle most of the load at running back for the Grizzlies.

Kekoa Kaho’okaulana, a 6-2, 230-pound sophomore, was an all-MWL honorable mention

PHOTO BY DENISE BARATTA

Ashland offensive lineman Kekoa Kaho’okaulana, left, was an all-Midwestern League honorable mention selection last season.

pick at guard as a freshman. He will lead an offensive line that has four returning starters, with the other three — tackle Ray Hart, center Alan Helsel and guard Jack Bauer — being seniors. The Grizzlies’ other projected starter on the offensive line, junior tackle Talon Hernandez, returns after suffering a season-ending injury in Week 1 last year.

“We need to find our rhythm and really find our identity,” said Lehnerz. “We have a lot of guys we want to get the ball to and unfortunately there’s only one ball, but I think it’s on us to be creative with a little bit of smoke and mirrors. We want to make sure we’re not one-dimensional — we have a passing threat and that’s great, but we have a great O-line, we have a couple of good running backs and those things can work off each other.”

The Grizzlies return five starters on defense as Lehnerz looks to a group of players who will see bigger roles this season compared to 2021.

It isn’t about a lack of athleticism, Lehnerz said, but more to do with players continuing to pick up the scheme and then executing it.

With the desire to make a good first impression in their new league, there’s also a matter of the Grizzlies simply trying not to get too far ahead of themselves.

“There’s part of me thinking this could be a big year,” said Lehnerz, “but then there’s also part of me that says we’ve been in this situation a little bit and I don’t want to put too much on the kids, I don’t want them to put too much on themselves. We’re in a process and these sophomore guys who are now juniors are thinking big-time, but it’s a big step going from where we were last year to this year.

“We’re in a new league, so we want to be competitive, we want to execute in all three phases and we just need to understand there will be ups and downs and how we deal with it is probably going to be the biggest determinant on our season.”

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

CASCADE

From Page 14

Center Daniel Nering (6-3, 250) and tackle Jaxon Turituri fortify the offensive front.

“They’re really strong,” said Gettman. “Again, that’s going to be the foundation of what we do, using their physicality and experience. Those four have been starting since their sophomore years. It’s fun to see the change and difference in confidence they have entering

Wallace their senior year.” Most of the skill players they paved the way for last season will again benefit from their work. Senior quarterback Keith Reed made his debut as a starter in

Sample 2021, throwing for 1,585 yards and 15 touchdowns with five interceptions. He also contributed with his legs, sharing the team lead with 10 rushing scores.

One of Reed’s best performances came in the first meeting against eventual champion Siuslaw, when he

ANDY ATKINSON / MAIL TRIBUNE

Cascade Christian’s Kameron Rague is one of the many playmakers the Challengers have back as they look to win the Far West League title this season.

completed 20 of 29 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. He also ran for a team-high 58 yards.

“Keith is great,” said Gettman. “He desires to understand the game. He’s always asking questions, and he meets with me on Thursday mornings. He started it: ‘Hey, coach, can I meet with you?’ So he has that experience and that desire to grow and get better.”

Reed has the arm to get the ball downfield, and there awaiting his launches will be returning receivers Tyler Almasy and Peyton Maurer. Almasy led Cascade Christian last season with 538 receiving yards on 34 catches, including four touchdowns.

Leading rusher Triston Wallace returns. He ran for 661 yards, including 16 times for 114 yards and a score in the season-ending loss to Siuslaw. Brody Sample was a dual threat carrying and catching the ball and returns in that role, while Cole Shields and Kameron Rague, returning starters on defense, will regularly factor into the ground attack.

The rotation will keep the players fresher on both sides of the ball.

“That’s what we were able to do toward the end of last year,” said Gettman, “and it really helped them perform better.”

Linemen Benade, Moses and Turituri, along with linebackers Wallace, Shields and Brendon Vanwart, will form a stiff front wall for opponents. Almasy and Rague will key the secondary.

“If you can win at the line of scrimmage,” said Gettman, “that makes a world of difference. Defensively, it could be a very strong group up front that we’re looking to build from.”

The Challengers begin the season with two home games. They don’t meet defending league champion South Umpqua until the regular season finale.

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

BIG SKY

From Page 13

Prince is also excited about an athletic receiver corps that is led by juniors Sam Mickelson (6-3, 210) and Jason Padgett (6-4, 190) and senior David Roberts (6-1, 170).

An inability to finish off drives and turnover issues have been preseason focuses for the Bulldogs to shore up and allow for more competitive showings in 2022.

Hidden Valley

Graduation hit Mike Fanger’s program hard but all that has done is create opportunities for others to step up and lead the charge in his second year.

“We’re fairly inexperienced,” said Fanger. “I think where we start out hopefully won’t be where we finish as far as improvement. We’re joking with the kids that whatever grade you’re in, you need to grow up about halfway through the season and go to the next grade because we’ve got a lot of young kids playing. It’s good and it’s exciting but we also know there’s going to be some growing pains.”

Senior center Ayden Kanott (6-1, 230), a second-team all-Skyline pick, is the lone returner on the offensive line and will look to pave the way for returning first-team all-league senior running back Daniel Iwamizu (5-10, 185), who will be the driving force for the Mustangs.

“He’s definitely going to be our workhorse,” said Fanger. “We’ve got to figure out different ways to get the ball in his hands; he’s an explosive athlete.”

Sophomore Austyn Klinger (5-9, 150) shifts from receiver to QB to take advantage of his athleticism and fill a void.

Klamath Union

Overall depth is a concern but Klamath Union features some solid first-line athletes, led by returning senior linemen Hayden Smith (6-3, 295) and Indrani Espinoza (6-0, 210) and senior receiver Tony Ortiz (6-2, 185).

Jett Johnson (5-10, 175) and Liam Garrett (5-9, 165) give the Pelicans some pop in the backfield, while Ortiz is flanked on the perimeter by Javan Zumwalt, who missed last season but returns to provide another athletic option.

Lamar Cuellar (5-10, 185) and Wayce Saluskin (5-11, 190) have been in a battle at quarterback, something that 13th-year head coach Tom Smith hasn’t experienced within the program in about a decade. Both expect to play in the season opener.

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HEAD COACH

Jamie Young (13th year, 55-51)

GENERAL

INFORMATION

ASSISTANTS:

Josh Aldrich (offensive coordinator), Joe Kronenberger (linemen), Stephen Thomas (linemen), Tanny Flowers (special teams/running backs), Cole Eldred (receivers/defensive backs), Ben Young (running backs/defensive backs). 2021 LEAGUE RECORD: 0-3 (fourth, FWL). 2021 OVERALL RECORD: 5-4.

PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: Seventh.

2021 RESULTS Young

ST. MARY’S OPPONENTS 20 ...................... North Valley 21 21 .......................Illinois Valley 6 20 ...................... Pleasant Hill 14 43 ........................Harrisburg 14 6 ..................... South Umpqua 55 7 ...................Cascade Christian 35 35 ........................... Elmira 32 0 .................... Sutherlin (forfeit) 2 41 ........................... Douglas 0 RETURNING STARTERS

OFFENSE (9): Receiver TJ Flowers (6-1, 170, jr.), receiver Jaden Foster (6-2, 175, sr.), quarterback Tyson Delplanche (5-10, 165, sr.), running back Indiana Olson (6-0, 170, jr.), center Ethan Cano (5-10, 180, sr.), guard Kyan Hidde (6-2, 245, sr.), guard AJ Borovansky (5-11, 235, sr.), tackle Ty Kronenberger (6-0, 255, sr.), tight end Heemir Patel (6-2, 210, sr.).

DEFENSE (11): Cornerback TJ Flowers, cornerback Tyson Delplanche, linebacker Indiana Olson, strong safety Ethan Cano, linebacker Kyan Hidde, tackle AJ Borovansky, nose guard Ty Kronenberger, end Heemir Patel, end Rex Smith (6-3, 220, jr.), safety Bradley Patten (6-0, 170, so.), safety Spencer Patten (5-10, 170, sr.).

OTHER NOTABLES

Safety Jaden Foster, kicker Noah Friesen (6-0, 165, sr.), offensive guard/linebacker Mason Jun (6-0, 185, jr.).

2022 SCHEDULE

Sept. 2 ............... at Sutherlin, 7 p.m. Sept. 9 .............at North Valley, 7 p.m. Sept. 16 ................ PHOENIX, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 .............. at Lakeview, 7 p.m. Sept. 30 ..........SOUTH UMPQUA, 7 p.m. Oct. 7 ................. at Douglas, 7 p.m. Oct. 14 .......BROOKINGS-HARBOR, 7 p.m. Oct. 21 ....... CASCADE CHRISTIAN, 7 p.m. Oct. 28 ................ at Coquille, 7 p.m.

ST. MARY’S

From Page 15

“I’m excited about the league,” said Young. “It certainly puts the emphasis on league play. There’s not a lot of room for error there, but we’re all dealing with the same thing. You can’t play your way into league, we just get started.”

They’ll do so with Delplanche at the helm. Last season, he led the Crusaders in passes defended, including two interceptions. Now he’s on the other end of the aerial game.

Young doesn’t plan significant changes to the offense, and he believes Delplanche’s experience at other positions will help him acclimate.

“He’s also spent some time at slot receiver,” said Young, “so he’s kind of done it all for us. We recognize we’re asking a lot of him, but he’s the type of kid that will jump in there.

“We’ve had some good quarterbacks, and even with those kids, we’ve tried to be pretty balanced. I wouldn’t say we’re not going to throw the ball at all. We have talented receivers, so I think we’ll try to stay as balanced as we can.”

Junior wide receiver TJ Flowers was the FWL firstteam kick returner last season and is dangerous with the ball. Senior receiver Jaden Foster returns after being sidelined most of last year with an

ANDY ATKINSON / MAIL TRIBUNE

St. Mary’s senior Heemir Patel returns at tight end this season for the Crusaders.

injury.

Senior tight end and wing Heemir Patel provides another outlet for Delplanche.

“He has had an outstanding offseason and just really worked hard,” said Young. “He runs good routes and has very good hands. He is going to be a very big part of our offense.”

Indiana Olson will handle the bulk of the rushing chores. A tough, durable runner, the junior prefers a north-south approach.

“He is very decisive,” said Young. “He’s a kid who doesn’t have a lot of carries for losses.” Up front, Kyan Hidde leads a unit that helped the Crusaders average 156 rushing yards and 24 points per game last year. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Hidde, a senior guard, was an FWL first-team choice. His returning line mates are center Ethan Cano, guard AJ Borovansky and tackle Ty Kronenberger, all seniors. The same players will be on a defense that includes returning end Rex Smith and safeties Spencer and Bradley Patten. “We really did do some good things last year,” said Young. “I thought we competed well with a group of kids that rarely left the field. We just really need to stay healthy. We have a good-sized senior group and a group with a lot of experience. We’re hoping that puts us in a position to compete for one of those playoff spots.”

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

PHOENIX

From Page 16

However, said Robinson, many families were forced to transfer to other new areas, and some students needed to work to help their families, impeding their availability for practice and games.

“We’re just hopeful that as housing has increased, we can get our student population back to where it needs to be,” he said.

A byproduct of playing a slew of youngsters last season is that Phoenix returns nearly all of its starters. There are nine back on offense, 10 on defense.

They engaged in scrimmages with St. Mary’s and North Valley this summer, allowing an opportunity to learn and jell in Robinson’s system following a couple years stunted by the fire and COVID-19.

The line will be a strength on offense, with four seniors leading the way in tackle Aaron Clark (6-foot1, 240 pounds), guards Omar Mendoza-Cortez (5-11, 250) and Eric Rangel (5-11, 230) and center Cory Cunningham (6-0, 300).

“They’re physical and they’ve been working together all summer,” said Robinson, who wants a balanced attack between rushing and passing.

Senior Jair Ramirez will be the featured running back, and senior Hunter Everhart is back at quarterback.

“The biggest thing we need from our quarterback is ball control and being a leader at that position,” said Robinson. “His strength is his arm. He’s got a really good, strong arm. He’s been able to read and become more decisive in that position.” Senior Charles Butcher, a 255-pound

Clark Everhart fullback, adds force to the backfield, while sophomore Derek Corder and junior Jackson Shilts are expected to get carries, along with freshmen Luke Jennings and Ramirez Vaca Cody Martin. The backfield depth will allow Robinson to “spread the ball around and try to keep kids healthy,” he said. Senior Jackson Selden and junior J.J. Jimenez return at wide receiver. Defensively, safeties Selden and Shilts are the lone returning Pirates who were on the all-league team last year, each earning honorable mention. Cornerbacks Jimenez and sophomore Julian Montez fill out the secondary.

Selden led the team in tackles from his free safety position a year ago.

“It’s just his motor,” Robinson said of the team captain. “The kid is all over the field. He is not afraid of contact.”

Corder and junior Hayden Hicks are returning linebackers, while defensive linemen back are ends Ramirez and Butcher, tackle Rangel and nose tackle Mendoza-Cortez.

Phoenix gets a major test in its first game, at home against South Umpqua. The Lancers were state runners-up last season.

“Like I said,” said Robinson, “we just want to be competitive and kind of get the spark back, not only for the kids at the school, but the community as well.”