Conference Roundup

ROGUE RIVER

From Page 22

If Rogue River is indeed a threat to make the playoffs, it will need to be much stronger across the board against the better teams. In their five losses last season, the Chieftains got pushed around, losing by an average score of 47-7.

“We think all that time we spent in the weight room will pay off,” said Sturdevant. “Our team strength is night and day above what it was last year.” Oakland

With five players returning who gained all-conference recognition last season, and a veteran coach with a winning resume, the Oakers might be the team to beat in District 3 — and the preseason coaches’ poll reflects that ideal.

Quarterback/defensive back Cole Collins, running back/defensive back Cade Olds, receiver/defensive back James Baimbridge, offensive guard/defensive end Tucker Cozart and running back Gabe Williamson all earned all-conference honors for the Oakers last season.

Olds, a 5-9, 190-pound senior who ran for 617 yards and five touchdowns last season, and Collins, a 5-7, 165pound senior who added 363 yards, appear primed for big seasons under 13th-year coach Ben Lane, who doesn’t hide the fact that Oakland prefers to pound the pigskin.

“We love power football,” nods Lane, who has guided Oakland to 11 state playoff appearances, including a state title run in 2012. “This year we may throw a little more because Cole (Collins) is a very gifted athlete, but we live and die by running the football.”

Senior lineman Will Parnell (6-3, 285) hasn’t played since middle school due to injuries but joins Parnell, Cozart (6-1, 215), Hunter Shamir (5-11, 260), Robert Davis (5-10, 175) and Dallas Fishbaugher (5-10, 165) to give the Oakers a nice blend of size and finesse along the offensive line.

Juniors Jacob Chenoweth and Brayden Webb and sophomore Silas Arscott lend depth to Oakland’s riches at running back.

With all but one starter intact from 2021 and loaded at the skill positions, Gold Beach has its sights set on the league title under third-year coach Chris Higgins.

The Panthers need to replace quarterback Trenton Storns, the one starter who graduated, but Landyn Miller is ready to step in. The 5-10, 180-pound senior, who has bench-pressed 300 pounds, ran for 800 yards and seven touchdowns last season while earning first-team all-league honors at halfback. He also threw for three scores.

Juniors Jake Westerman (5-10, 175) and Tanner Wright (5-10, 170) could form the best 1-2 receiver punch in District 3, and senior tight end Chase Sprinkle (5-11, 190) is no slouch.

Anchoring the defense will be junior Nelson Wilstead (6-1, 200), a first-team all-league linebacker last season. Higgins calls Wilstead “our fastest kid and probably our best all-around athlete.” He’ll also play running back on offense.

Junior Korben Storns (6-4, 270) headlines the offensive and defensive lines.

Bandon

Historically successful Bandon hired its fifth head coach in six seasons in June when Dustin Carmack took over the program.

Despite all the coaching changes, the Tigers never forgot how to win, advancing to the state playoffs in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021, and posting a 4-1 record during the shortened COVID-19 season in 2020.

Carmack is taking on his first head-coaching assignment after nine seasons as an assistant, but he’s a stickler for details and seems up for the task.

He inherits a Tiger group that graduated 13 seniors from 2021 but will have roughly 30 players in uniform. Speed monopolizes the lineup. “We’ve got a lot of kids in the 4.7 to 4.9 range,” said Carmack, referring to 40-yard dash times.

The swiftest Tiger is Connor Devine, a 5-9, 175-pound senior running back/ safety who started both ways a year ago.

Running the show at quarterback will be senior Will Panagakis (5-11, 175). He’ll switch to end on defense.

Bandon’s other top senior is Dylan Kamph (6-0, 205), who will line up at guard on offense and end on defense. “He’s a farm boy who bucks hay,” notes Carmack of Kamph. “We’ve got a lot of those.”

North Douglas-Yoncalla

Bitter rivals for decades, North Douglas and Yoncalla have joined forces this season to form one team. J.J. Mast of North Douglas and Matt Bragg of Yoncalla will serve as co-head coaches.

They have split up school colors on their new uniforms (using the cardinal of North Douglas and the gold of Yoncalla), they’ve combined the nicknames of North Douglas’ Warriors and Yoncalla’s Eagles to form the War Eagles and the school’s towns will host two games each.

“We’ve made this as neutral as we can,” said Mast.

How will they fare on the field? Perhaps quite nicely, as the War Eagles could be the biggest team in District 3. Tight end/ defensive end Ray Gerrard (6-4, 230, sr.), running back/linebacker Ashton Hardy (6-2, 220, sr.), receiver/safety Noah Leary (6-5, 215, sr.) and center Gino Martinez-Gray (6-0, 250, sr.) all tip the scales at well over 200 pounds.

Gerrard was the defensive player of the year last season in 1A District 3.

Caden Reigard (5-9, 150) will be the War Eagles’ starting quarterback. He held the position as a sophomore in 2021 for North Douglas.

Glide

Glide could be in a rebuilding season after graduating seven seniors from 2021, but the Wildcats possess three of the league’s best players in tight end/linebacker Coby Pope (6-3, 190, sr.), guard/defensive end Brock Barron-Perreira (6-4, 230, jr.), and senior quarterback/running back/receiver Dyland Damewood (6-1, 180, sr.), a three-year starter whose speed makes him a threat to score from anywhere on the field.

Pope, who coach Daryl Watkins calls “our coach on the field,” was first-team all-league and second-team all-state a year ago.

Illinois Valley

Ced Walker takes over the Illinois Valley head coaching reins and will attempt to resurrect a program that has fallen on hard times in recent years.

The Cougars, 1-7 a year ago, always seem to boast numerous outstanding athletes, and this season is no exception. Their top headliner is junior Daniel Polk, a speedy receiver and defensive back who’s known for making acrobatic catches.

“If the ball’s in the air and he’s close to it, it’s his,” said Walker, noting that the 6-0, 165-pound Polk “can jump straight up and dunk a basketball.”

If opponents double-team Polk, the Cougars won’t hesitate to target junior wideout Zach Dugas (5-10, 165) and sophomore tight end Kaiden Green (6-1, 220), who bring their own quality credentials to the gridiron.

Dugas’ main assets are his disciplined route-running and soft hands, said Walker, while Green “is an impact player by virtue of his athleticism and size.”

Leading the way up front will be senior road grader Riley Denlinger (6-3, 310).

Reedsport

Reedsport graduated seven seniors from last season’s squad that went 3-5, and returns only four starters. But one of them, quarterback Gabe Foster, should keep the Braves competitive. The 6-3, 190-pound senior has a good arm and isn’t afraid to tuck the ball and run. He rushed for nearly 300 yards in a 16-0 victory over Illinois Valley last season on a muddy field in Cave Junction.

Senior center/guard Micah Hill (6-3, 195), sophomore guard/tight end Jordan Thompson (5-10, 230), sophomore receiver/defensive end Miles Morgan (5-10, 150), junior receiver/tight end Grady Sevits and senior running back Tristin Corrie (5-10, 155) also return for the Braves.

PROSPECT

From Page 23

“I’m hoping to help put Prospect back on the map but it’s been quite a few years since we’ve gone to state,” he added. “Hopefully me and all these younger players can help bring that back into reach.”

One of the players that will try to help bring the Cougars back to a high level will be senior fullback and middle linebacker Kaydence Moore. The squad’s lone senior will provide the kind of size and physicality at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds that would give most teams an edge.

“He will be the most physical kid on the team,” said Thompson of Moore. “He plays downhill both ways. Whoever runs the ball inside against Kaydence is going to know who he is in a hurry.”

Opening running lanes for Christian and Moore will be junior center Chayce Kusel as well as sophomore guard Amos Jackson.

“Kusel up front, he’s huge and he blocks well for us,” said Thompson. “Amos (Jackson) also anchors the line and they both do really well.”

Also helping solidify the offensive line and protect freshman quarterback Justin Maletic will be freshman guards Coda Williams and Ethan Goettle. At 6-feet and 290 pounds, Goettle could come out of the gates and make an immediate impact.

“Once he realizes his strength, he’s gonna be an animal,” said Thompson of Goettle.

Prospect’s other offensive targets will include offensive ends Jake White (junior) and Aadon Asbill (sophomore).

Defensively, Moore, Christian, Kusel (linebacker) and White (defensive end) will lead the charge for the Cougars. Arriola, Maletic and Williams will also play linebacker and Jackson will play defensive end. With his yet-to-be tapped strength, Goettle could make an immediate impact playing nose tackle. Asbill will join Christian in the secondary at safety.

“I think we’ll improve on our wins,” said Thompson. “If we can get everybody going in the right direction, we’ll be all right.”

Reach reporter Warren Blenkush at 541-776-4492 or wblenkush@rosebudmedia. com