Today we'll look at the final two teams to be previewed: Marshfield and Marist. Chris Park wrote the Marshfield Pirate preview, while I have written about Marist.
MARSHFIELD:
The Pirates enter 2010 as the second season for Head Coach Justin Ainsworth after taking over following the retirement of long time, and legendary Coach Kent Wigle. The Pirates hope to continue their winning tradition of the 1990’s. In 2009, the Pirates went 6-5 overall and 3-2 in league before losing in the first round of the playoffs to Hermiston 35-56. 2010 could be a growth and rebuilding year for the Pirates, as they lose multi talented QB/DB Kyle Tedder, who is now at Southern Oregon University on a basketball scholarship. Tedder rushed for 1004 yards and passed for 1340 yards.
The offense returns three starters led by 2nd team All-League Senior RB Ryan Scoville who rushed for 360 yards on 43 carries. The speedy running back was also a sprinter during the spring track season. Also returning on offense are junior TE Dalton Milburn and senior tackle Johnny Castro. The running game will also depend on senior Jorgen Mulkey (230 yards on 66 carries. Senior Dallas Milburn will quarterback the Pirates. Scoville is also the leading receiver returning with 297 yards on 20 catches. The big question for the Pirates is, can the offensive line open some holes for a new QB and the running game? Honorable Mention All-League guard Kevin Kight returns to an otherwise young and inexperienced offensive line.
The defense returns six starters: Scoville at corner, junior Ty Cutting and Senior Mikki Post at strong safeties, senior Jacob Browning at tackle and senior linebackers Jorgen Mulkey and Tyler Davidson. Coach Ainsworth is excited about the depth at defensive line, stating “We have 5-6 kids who should get playing time on the D-Line. They are a physical group with above average quickness.”
Overall Marshfield looks to be solid on defense. If they can score some points, they could be in the race for the league title. According to Coach Ainsworth, “The Pirates are going to surprise some people. We have some talented kids who are hungry to take advantage of their opportunities.” KEY GAMES: @ Springfield on 09/17, @ Churchill on 10/15, home versus Marist on 10/22.
Players mentioned 2009 Height/Weight
RB/DB Ryan Scoville Sr 5- 8 160 2nd Team All League
TE Dalton Milburn Jr 6- 6 260
OT Johnny Castro Sr 5-10 265
OG Kevin Kight Sr 6-0 280 HM All League
RB/LB Jorgen Mulkey Sr 5- 9 195
QB Dallas Milburn Sr 6-1 175
DB Ty Cutting Jr 6- 0 175
DB Nick Post Sr 5-11 175
DL Jacob Browning Sr 5-10 225
LB Tyler Davidson Sr 5-11 205
MARIST:
Is it good or bad for the old MWL members that last year Marist beat Marshfield in Coos Bay, 45-18; and then hammered Springfield in Springfield 55-6? More impressively, the win at Marshfield occurred in a game where the Spartan QB got knocked out early. Most teams would have taken a while to get on track with a different QB. Not Marist, as returning RB Logan Silver stepped in at QB and directed the Spartans for the rest of the Marshfield game and the Miller game the next week.
It'll be up to opposing players to decide if they want to work hard enough to catch the Spartans. Here's what they'll have to catch up to.....
I like to start with the flashy players on O, but I'm afraid the Spartan D would clobber me on the sidelines this week. Five Sky Em all leaguers return on D for Marist. If you're a spectator, make sure you spend two or three plays in a row watching the D line, then the LB's and then the DB's. #75, Matt Devereux, is 6' 3", 275 pounds, and the returning 4A Defensive Player of the Year. Lurking nearby will be #64, Logan Mayes, who has already committed to Washington State. Mayes is 6-3, 215 and can switch between down positions and the LB spot. Will Swindling at 6' 0", 215 is a returning all league LB. Kevin Haskin is likely to be at LB and is 6' 0", 190. Those are some big high school LB's. Then moving to the secondary, Brady Chionbian and Matt Beattie were both second team DB's.
On offense, we might see a footrace this year between Marist junior receiver Taylor Walcot, a returning second team receiver; and Marshfield's DB Ryan Scoville. Scoville will have to dive and catch Walcot's heels. Walcot ran an 11.04 100 in the state finals compared to Scoville's 11.18. Josh Paiement was trying to lock up the starting Qb position when I interviewed coach Geske last week. Personally, I hope Paiement (6' 1", 175) does earn the spot over Logan Silver. That would mean that Paiment would have two guys to throw to who have an extra gear, Walcot at receiver and Silver at RB. By the way, after Silver shored up the Qb position for a few games last year, he returned to his running spot and was 1st team all state RB. Devereux is on the O line too, and while its too much fun watching him on D, I love seeing him pull out and lead backs. That's pretty intimidating. Whoever gets the call at Qb, they'll have Chris Bender (6' 0", 215), a 2nd team all leaguer, at center.
So what's the magic at Marist? It's the same magic that Thurston football has had the last few years. I've been around Marist baseball and football enough to know that Marist is about conditioning, repetition, attention to detail and high standards. When I talked to coach Geske, I asked him how he got his players to play so hard until the whistle. (Playing to the whistle is old school, but the teams that play to the whistle win.) Geske said, "We coach it constantly. Coaches pay attention to effort and detail. Every drill, every snap, every day." I watched quite of bit of practice and I believe it. The word 'constantly' keeps coming back to me, and apparently Geske's players, too.
(The heights and weights mentioned above for Marist are for this year)
That's it for all of the MWL teams. I put links to the Mail Tribune's previews of Ashland and Eagle Point at the end of their previews from last week.
Next blog: Opening Game Previews by Chris Park and wild guess league finish by Gary Haliski
Next week: Official League prediction by Gary.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
2010 Previews - Churchill, Springfield & Ashland
One week until KICKOFF!!!!
We previewed North Eugene, Eagle Point and Willamette Wednesday. Next Tuesday, we'll cover Marshfield and Marist and then we'll give our opening night previews on Thursday, September 2nd.
A note about the previews. The coaches sent in their team info prior to official practices. Sure enough, there were some changes due to kids not turning out. We've adjusted Eagle Point's and North Eugene's previews to reflect new information received since Wednesday. For Eagle Point, we have a new starting quarterback listed. And for North, the number of returning starters has been reduced by one on both sides of the ball. Still, it's nice to have 11 returning starters.
Again, thanks to Chris Park for the write ups. His efforts have freed me to get out and talk to coaches and take practice photos. I hope to get more photos next week. I'll be showing up at a Wolverine practice for sure, and hope to arrange a trip to Springfield and Churchill.
CHURCHILL:
Offense is the name of the game for the Lancers, as they return a majority of skill players from a 2009 squad that went 7-4 overall and 3-2 in league before losing in the first round of the playoffs to 5A State runner up Jefferson 56-27. The Lancers return eight starters on offense, including Honorable Mention All-League Senior QB Spencer Savelich who threw for 980 yards on 91 of 168 passing. Last years leading rushers Junior Aaron Ingram (721 yards on 115 carries) and Senior Nick Bell (270 yards on 64 carries) return to provide a solid running game. 2nd Team All-League receiver Senior Brandon Deterrman (42 catches for 491 yards) will likely be Savelich’s main target. Senior QB Derek Godfrey provides options at quarterback for Head Coach Darrell Mehl. Three starters return on the offensive line including 2nd Team All-League senior tackle Zach Swann, senior guard Mark Mmari and senior guard Brent Babcok.
The defense is a question mark for the Lancers with four starters returning. In 2009, the defense gave up 276 points and lost the top seven leading tacklers to graduation. Savelich is the top returning tackler (14 solo and 23 assisted) from his safety spot and Swann is at linebacker with senior defense lineman Dan Koffler and sophomore Andrew Bennion at cornerback. Coach Mehl will rely on senior slot Joey Moore and senior wide receiver Newt Fassel. Coach Mehl states, “We feel confident that we will be a competitive football team. Our key games start September 10th. One game at a time.” Churchill will need to score lots of points to be successful in 2010.
KEY GAMES: Home versus North Eugene on 09/24, @ Marist on 10/08, home versus Marshfield on 10/15.
Players mentioned 2009 Height/Weight
QB Spencer Savelich 6- 2 170
RB Aaron Ingram 5-10 175
RB Nick Bell 5-10 170
Rec Brandon Determan 5-11 160
QB Derek Godfrey 6- 0 160
OT Zach Swann 6- 0 200
OG Mark Mmari 6- 0 200
OG Brent Babcok 6- 5 295
DL Kan Koffler
CB Andrew Bennion
Rec Joey Moore
Rec Newt Fassel
SPRINGFIELD:
The Millers are working towards a return to the playoffs for the first time since 1996. Last year, they were out of the picture, finishing 2-8 overall and 1-4 in league. In 2008, the Millers lost out on the last playoff spot on a coin flip.
The 2010 Millers return Honorable Mention Senior QB Levi Green (1581 yards on 148 of 251 passing, 11 touchdowns, 10 interceptions). The big question is, who else can help Springfield offensively? 1st team All-League Senior RB Thomas Spikes returns (311 yards on 79 carries). Spikes is also the leading receiver returning with 10 catches for 46 yards. The Millers will be looking to under classmen and unproven upper classmen for help, including senior Kyle George and junior Alister Jorkan.
The defense will need to improve for the Millers to make the playoffs. Spikes is also the leading returning tackler on a defense that gave up 396 points in 2009. 2nd team All-League offensive lineman and LB Kameron Bates returns for his senior season and will look to 2nd team DB Kyle George for help. Springfield Coach Skip Raish feels Green is one of the best quarterbacks, if not the best, quarterback he has ever coached. “Levi is a very intelligent young man who can read the secondary. Not a lot of kids can do that. He’s a great leader who has total command of the offense and respect of his teammates”, said Raish.
KEY GAMES: Is this the year, the Millers break through and make the playoffs? The outcome of two early road games (at Marist on 09/17 and at Marshfield on 09/24) and a home game on 10/01 versus Churchill will be huge.
Players mentioned 2009 Height/Weight
QB Levi Green 6- 2 160
RB Thomas Spikes 5- 7 165
DB Kyle George 5-9 160
WR Alister Jorkan 5- 8 142
LB Kameron Bates 6- 1 210
ASHLAND:
Ashland is the other member of the two team Southern Oregon Conference. In 2009, Ashland finished 5-7 overall and 2-2 in the Southern Sky Conference (SSC). Head Coach Charlie Hall has had to deal with some unusual events during the summer each of the past two seasons. In 2009, the Grizzlies played an exhibition game in Japan on 07/26/09. During the 2010 summer, a fire damaged the home bleachers at Ashland High School’s football stadium. Hall is hoping to get the Grizzlies back to the winning days. Ashland last won a State Championship in 1998. In 2009, Ashland lost in the second round of the playoffs to West Albany, an eventual semifinallist.
The 2010 squad returns five offensive starters, including SR QB Jake Scarrminach (2nd Team SSC) and SR RB Jackson Volz. Coach Hall is excited about having a returning starter at QB, the first time since the 2004-2005 season. The offensive line returns three starters led by SR tackle Sam Cowan (1st Team SSC), SR guard Shea Henthorn and SR center Christian Ostmo. The Grizzlies are unproven in the receiving corps with the graduation of four senior receivers. Coach Hall will be looking to underclassmen WR Sam Gesslinger and TE Franklin Lime to step up as receivers.
Defense, and in particular the defensive line, looks to be a strength for Ashland with the return of six starters, including SR DT Kevin Schilling (Honorable Mention SSC), JR DE Alec Ralston and SR DT Christian Ostmo. SR OLB TJ Murphy (2nd Team SSC) leads the linebackers and SR FS Lee Dodds and SR CB Talon Heater return as starters in the secondary.
KEY GAME: Home versus Eagle Point on 10/22/10. Coach Hall says, “With our independent status, it all boils down to the Eagle Point game.”
Players mentioned 2009 Height/Weight
QB Jake Scarrminach 6-0 170
RB Jackson Volz
OT Sam Cowan 6-4 265
OG Shea Henthorn
C Christian Ostmo
WR Sam Gesslinger
TE Franklin Lime
DT Kevin Schilling 6-1 230
DE Alec Ralston
OLB TJ Murphy
FS Lee Dodds
CB Talon Hester
Mail Tribune Pre-Season article
Feel free to comment or make additions or corrections. Use the comment feature of the blog or email me at mwlnow@yahoo.com
We previewed North Eugene, Eagle Point and Willamette Wednesday. Next Tuesday, we'll cover Marshfield and Marist and then we'll give our opening night previews on Thursday, September 2nd.
A note about the previews. The coaches sent in their team info prior to official practices. Sure enough, there were some changes due to kids not turning out. We've adjusted Eagle Point's and North Eugene's previews to reflect new information received since Wednesday. For Eagle Point, we have a new starting quarterback listed. And for North, the number of returning starters has been reduced by one on both sides of the ball. Still, it's nice to have 11 returning starters.
Again, thanks to Chris Park for the write ups. His efforts have freed me to get out and talk to coaches and take practice photos. I hope to get more photos next week. I'll be showing up at a Wolverine practice for sure, and hope to arrange a trip to Springfield and Churchill.
CHURCHILL:
Offense is the name of the game for the Lancers, as they return a majority of skill players from a 2009 squad that went 7-4 overall and 3-2 in league before losing in the first round of the playoffs to 5A State runner up Jefferson 56-27. The Lancers return eight starters on offense, including Honorable Mention All-League Senior QB Spencer Savelich who threw for 980 yards on 91 of 168 passing. Last years leading rushers Junior Aaron Ingram (721 yards on 115 carries) and Senior Nick Bell (270 yards on 64 carries) return to provide a solid running game. 2nd Team All-League receiver Senior Brandon Deterrman (42 catches for 491 yards) will likely be Savelich’s main target. Senior QB Derek Godfrey provides options at quarterback for Head Coach Darrell Mehl. Three starters return on the offensive line including 2nd Team All-League senior tackle Zach Swann, senior guard Mark Mmari and senior guard Brent Babcok.
The defense is a question mark for the Lancers with four starters returning. In 2009, the defense gave up 276 points and lost the top seven leading tacklers to graduation. Savelich is the top returning tackler (14 solo and 23 assisted) from his safety spot and Swann is at linebacker with senior defense lineman Dan Koffler and sophomore Andrew Bennion at cornerback. Coach Mehl will rely on senior slot Joey Moore and senior wide receiver Newt Fassel. Coach Mehl states, “We feel confident that we will be a competitive football team. Our key games start September 10th. One game at a time.” Churchill will need to score lots of points to be successful in 2010.
KEY GAMES: Home versus North Eugene on 09/24, @ Marist on 10/08, home versus Marshfield on 10/15.
Players mentioned 2009 Height/Weight
QB Spencer Savelich 6- 2 170
RB Aaron Ingram 5-10 175
RB Nick Bell 5-10 170
Rec Brandon Determan 5-11 160
QB Derek Godfrey 6- 0 160
OT Zach Swann 6- 0 200
OG Mark Mmari 6- 0 200
OG Brent Babcok 6- 5 295
DL Kan Koffler
CB Andrew Bennion
Rec Joey Moore
Rec Newt Fassel
SPRINGFIELD:
The Millers are working towards a return to the playoffs for the first time since 1996. Last year, they were out of the picture, finishing 2-8 overall and 1-4 in league. In 2008, the Millers lost out on the last playoff spot on a coin flip.
The 2010 Millers return Honorable Mention Senior QB Levi Green (1581 yards on 148 of 251 passing, 11 touchdowns, 10 interceptions). The big question is, who else can help Springfield offensively? 1st team All-League Senior RB Thomas Spikes returns (311 yards on 79 carries). Spikes is also the leading receiver returning with 10 catches for 46 yards. The Millers will be looking to under classmen and unproven upper classmen for help, including senior Kyle George and junior Alister Jorkan.
The defense will need to improve for the Millers to make the playoffs. Spikes is also the leading returning tackler on a defense that gave up 396 points in 2009. 2nd team All-League offensive lineman and LB Kameron Bates returns for his senior season and will look to 2nd team DB Kyle George for help. Springfield Coach Skip Raish feels Green is one of the best quarterbacks, if not the best, quarterback he has ever coached. “Levi is a very intelligent young man who can read the secondary. Not a lot of kids can do that. He’s a great leader who has total command of the offense and respect of his teammates”, said Raish.
KEY GAMES: Is this the year, the Millers break through and make the playoffs? The outcome of two early road games (at Marist on 09/17 and at Marshfield on 09/24) and a home game on 10/01 versus Churchill will be huge.
Players mentioned 2009 Height/Weight
QB Levi Green 6- 2 160
RB Thomas Spikes 5- 7 165
DB Kyle George 5-9 160
WR Alister Jorkan 5- 8 142
LB Kameron Bates 6- 1 210
ASHLAND:
Ashland is the other member of the two team Southern Oregon Conference. In 2009, Ashland finished 5-7 overall and 2-2 in the Southern Sky Conference (SSC). Head Coach Charlie Hall has had to deal with some unusual events during the summer each of the past two seasons. In 2009, the Grizzlies played an exhibition game in Japan on 07/26/09. During the 2010 summer, a fire damaged the home bleachers at Ashland High School’s football stadium. Hall is hoping to get the Grizzlies back to the winning days. Ashland last won a State Championship in 1998. In 2009, Ashland lost in the second round of the playoffs to West Albany, an eventual semifinallist.
The 2010 squad returns five offensive starters, including SR QB Jake Scarrminach (2nd Team SSC) and SR RB Jackson Volz. Coach Hall is excited about having a returning starter at QB, the first time since the 2004-2005 season. The offensive line returns three starters led by SR tackle Sam Cowan (1st Team SSC), SR guard Shea Henthorn and SR center Christian Ostmo. The Grizzlies are unproven in the receiving corps with the graduation of four senior receivers. Coach Hall will be looking to underclassmen WR Sam Gesslinger and TE Franklin Lime to step up as receivers.
Defense, and in particular the defensive line, looks to be a strength for Ashland with the return of six starters, including SR DT Kevin Schilling (Honorable Mention SSC), JR DE Alec Ralston and SR DT Christian Ostmo. SR OLB TJ Murphy (2nd Team SSC) leads the linebackers and SR FS Lee Dodds and SR CB Talon Heater return as starters in the secondary.
KEY GAME: Home versus Eagle Point on 10/22/10. Coach Hall says, “With our independent status, it all boils down to the Eagle Point game.”
Players mentioned 2009 Height/Weight
QB Jake Scarrminach 6-0 170
RB Jackson Volz
OT Sam Cowan 6-4 265
OG Shea Henthorn
C Christian Ostmo
WR Sam Gesslinger
TE Franklin Lime
DT Kevin Schilling 6-1 230
DE Alec Ralston
OLB TJ Murphy
FS Lee Dodds
CB Talon Hester
Mail Tribune Pre-Season article
Feel free to comment or make additions or corrections. Use the comment feature of the blog or email me at mwlnow@yahoo.com
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
MWL Previews - North Eugene, Eagle Point and Willamette
With games ten days away, it's time to start looking at the teams. Here's the preview schedule:
Today (25th) = North Eugene, Ashland and Willamette
Friday (27th) = Springfield, Ashland and Churchill
Tuesday ( 31st) = Marshfield and Marist
Wednesday or Thursday (1st and 2nd) = League Prediction and Opening Game Previews
Most of the preview this year has been written by a parent volunteer, Chris Park. I'll take on the Marist preview, photography and maintaining the site. Before we start the preview..... I had a great talk with Marist coach Frank Geske today.
Most of you know my favorite sports are football and baseball, hence the football and baseball website. While I was talking to coach Geske, I realized that football coaches are smarter than baseball coaches. Coach Geske was talking about all of his defensive schemes and blocking schemes and offensive schemes. I was getting dizzy. My mind cleared and I tried to remember the last time a baseball coach changed his offensive approach for one game because the other team ran a different D...I couldn't think of a time when a number four hitter was moved to the bottom of the order because of a difficult D. Also, it dawned on me that baseball coaches never bring in their outfield to blitz, or drop their infielders back deep because they pretty much know the long ball is coming. I hope the baseball coaches aren't reading this.
Okay, you want to read Chris Park's team previews:
2010 MID WESTERN LEAGUE PREVIEW
The Midwestern League has a new look for 2010 following OSAA realignment. Thurston moves up to 6A, leaves the MWL and joins the Southwestern Conference, now renamed Special District One. Marist is granted a request to play up a classification, leaves the SkyEm League and 4A behind and joins the MWL. Springfield and Marshfield have each played Marist over the past two seasons, so familiarity with the Spartans is developing. Southern Oregon high schools Eagle Point and Ashland form a two team conference conveniently named Southern Oregon. However, many of the Midwestern League teams play both Ashland and Eagle Point for their non league games, so we included a team preview of those teams as well. It should be a competitive league with the top teams succeeding with quality QB play and high scoring offenses. Churchill and Springfield return experienced QB’s. Today starts a team by team look at the upcoming 2010 season, in no particular order, for the “New Look” Midwestern League.
NORTH EUGENE:
North Eugene last made the playoffs in 1993, the longest dry spell of any team in the Midwestern League. Despite an absence from the post season, Head Coach Eric Johannsen is excited for the 2010 season. He returns 20 seniors and leadership looks to be a strength of this team. The Highlanders return 6 starters on offense and 7 on defense from last year’s squad that went 4-5 overall and 1-4 in league.
North Eugene loses a big part of their offense and defense with the graduation of RB/LB Michael Bibbee who received a scholarship to play football at Oregon State. Two Senior quarterbacks return for the Highlanders, Dylan Lubonski (763 yards passing on 61 completions of 114 attempts and Jackson Landgreen (149 yards passing on 9 completions of 18 attempts). Honorable Mention All-League Senior receiver/RB Alex Wilson returns (227 yards on 31 carries). Seniors Michael Gregory and Alex Compton return to anchor the offensive line.
The defense has plenty of depth in the backfield with Jackson Landgreen (37 total tackles), DB Cody Ficek (21 total tackles) and DB Alex Wilson (20 total tackles). Up front the line will look to seniors Derek Duquette, Michael Gregory and Michael Gilder.
According to Coach Johannsen “with the departure of Michael Bibbee to OSU, finding a consistent running game and improving our team defense” will be priorities. KEY GAMES: The Highlanders do not have non-league opening games and thus no opportunity to work out the kinks. They hit the ground running with three big games. The opener is on the road at Marshfield on 09/10, followed by Marist at home on 09/17 and at Churchill on 09/24.
Players Mentioned 2009 Height/Weight
QB/DB Dylan Lubonski Sr 5' 11" 175
Rec Alex Wilson Sr 5' 6" 150 HM receiver
OL/DL Michael Gregory Sr 6' 2" 260
OL/DL Alex Compton Sr 6'3" 205
QB/DB Jackson Landgreen Sr 6' 0" 160 1st team all league DB
WR/DB Cody Ficek Sr 5' 6" 135
OL/DL Derek Duquette Sr 5' 9" 300
OL/DL Michael Gregory Sr 6' 2" 260
TE/DL Michael Gilder Sr 5' 8" 185
WILLAMETTE:
This is a proud program used to making the playoffs. 2007 was the last season Willamette made the playoffs. The Wolverines look to improve on their 2009 3-7 overall record and 2-3 league record. Head Coach Dan Fritz’s Willamette squad was competitive though, with two losses being 20-21 at South Albany and 27-28 at North Medford.
The big question for Willamette is, “who will lead the offense?” following the graduation of RB Rafael Hidalgo (walking at Portland State) and QB Dylan Geyer. Honorable mention all league RB Senior Skyler Mohr (283 yards on 44 carries) and Junior Jordan Visarraga (228 yards on 52 carries) return as likely candidates for the running game. 1st team Honorable Mention Senior Cameron Kohler (373 yards on 27 catches) and Senior Brandon Haines (206 yards on 18 catches) are the leading returning receivers. QB remains up for grabs. Who will be the QB? Whoever it is they likely will be throwing their first pass in a varsity game.
Willamette defenses are known as a solid hard hitting defense and will be led by D1 prospect and 1st team all league offensive lineman and linebacker Senior Danny Granillo and fellow Senior Jacob Aguilar. The keys for Willamette will be finding a capable quarterback and limiting turnovers (13 fumbles lost and 18 interceptions in 2009) and penalties. If they can do that and play solid Willamette defense, they can be competitive in the Midwestern League.
KEY GAMES: The Wolverines need to build on momentum and can start the league schedule strong with a home win versus Springfield on 09/10, and on the road on 10/01 versus North Eugene. After that it only gets tougher at Marshfield on 10/08, home versus Marist on 10/15 and at Churchill on 10/22.
Players 2009 Height/Weight
OT/LB Danny Grannillo Sr. 6' 1" 215 Two way 1st team all league
RB Skylar Mohr Sr 5' 10 180 HM all league
Rec Cameron Koehler Sr. 6' 1" 180 HM all league
Rec Brandon Haines Sr 6' 1" 155
RB Jordan Visarraga Jr. 5' 10" 174
K Jacob Aguilar Sr. 5' 10" 215
EAGLE POINT: The Eagles are a bit of mystery to long time members of the old MWL. In 2009, Eagle Point went 4-6 overall and 2-2 in 5A Southern Sky League and did not make the playoffs, despite a three way tie with Ashland and Klamath Union. Eagle Point beat Ashland 28-20 head to head, but a tie breaker system known as the Azzi System takes into consideration margin of victory in games between teams tied with each other and the Eagles eight point win was not enough.
Head Coach Jacob Schauffler will likely go with senior quarterback in Shane Bluhm. All league wide receiver Aaron Foster will be one of Bluhm's first options. Two more Eagle all leaguers return on offense. Second team guard, J.R. Rogers and Honorable Mention offensive tackle, junior Tyron Holmes, will anchor the O line. The defense gave up a whopping 318 points last year and will need to improve. Three all league defenders will try and change the trend. Holmes was 2nd team all league defensive lineman and Evan Hatfield earned honorable mention as a lineman on D. Tall leaguer Zach Reed (6' 7") returns in the secondary. Senior Daniel Morgan will handle strong safety duties and be on call as back-up QB.
KEY GAME: The difference between a #1 and #2 seed in the Southern Oregon Conference is big. It’s a one game season with Eagle Point at Ashland on 10/22 with the winner securing the #1 seed and getting a bye for the 1st round Play In game and then hosting for the 2nd round Play In game (playing the winner of the #5 Midwestern League versus #8 Mid Willamette Conference). The #2 Southern Oregon Conference seed plays on the road at the #7 seed from what looks to be a very competitive Mid Willamette Conference in the 1st round Play In game.
Players 2009 Height/Weight
QB Shaun Blumn Sr 6' 3" 200
OT/DL Tyron Holmes Jr 6' 4" 240 Two way all leaguer
OG J.T. Rogers Sr 6' 1" 190 2nd Team all league
WR Aaron Foster Sr 6' 0" 200 HM all league
DL Evan Hatfield Sr 6'2" 220 HM all league
DB Zach Reed Jr 6' 7" 200 HM all league
SS Daniel Morgan Sr 6' 1" 165
Mail Tribune Eagle Point Pre-Season article Aug 30
Friday's recaps: Ashland, Churchill and Springfield. If you missed the preseason OregonLive.com 5A poll, here it is 5A poll. Steve Mims of the Register-Guard and I are two of the voters. And don't forget to sign up for Twitter. If you set it up on your cell phone, you can get MWL scores during games. MWL twitter
Feel free to comment or make additions/corrections via this blog, or email me at mwlnow
Today (25th) = North Eugene, Ashland and Willamette
Friday (27th) = Springfield, Ashland and Churchill
Tuesday ( 31st) = Marshfield and Marist
Wednesday or Thursday (1st and 2nd) = League Prediction and Opening Game Previews
Most of the preview this year has been written by a parent volunteer, Chris Park. I'll take on the Marist preview, photography and maintaining the site. Before we start the preview..... I had a great talk with Marist coach Frank Geske today.
Most of you know my favorite sports are football and baseball, hence the football and baseball website. While I was talking to coach Geske, I realized that football coaches are smarter than baseball coaches. Coach Geske was talking about all of his defensive schemes and blocking schemes and offensive schemes. I was getting dizzy. My mind cleared and I tried to remember the last time a baseball coach changed his offensive approach for one game because the other team ran a different D...I couldn't think of a time when a number four hitter was moved to the bottom of the order because of a difficult D. Also, it dawned on me that baseball coaches never bring in their outfield to blitz, or drop their infielders back deep because they pretty much know the long ball is coming. I hope the baseball coaches aren't reading this.
Okay, you want to read Chris Park's team previews:
2010 MID WESTERN LEAGUE PREVIEW
The Midwestern League has a new look for 2010 following OSAA realignment. Thurston moves up to 6A, leaves the MWL and joins the Southwestern Conference, now renamed Special District One. Marist is granted a request to play up a classification, leaves the SkyEm League and 4A behind and joins the MWL. Springfield and Marshfield have each played Marist over the past two seasons, so familiarity with the Spartans is developing. Southern Oregon high schools Eagle Point and Ashland form a two team conference conveniently named Southern Oregon. However, many of the Midwestern League teams play both Ashland and Eagle Point for their non league games, so we included a team preview of those teams as well. It should be a competitive league with the top teams succeeding with quality QB play and high scoring offenses. Churchill and Springfield return experienced QB’s. Today starts a team by team look at the upcoming 2010 season, in no particular order, for the “New Look” Midwestern League.
NORTH EUGENE:
North Eugene last made the playoffs in 1993, the longest dry spell of any team in the Midwestern League. Despite an absence from the post season, Head Coach Eric Johannsen is excited for the 2010 season. He returns 20 seniors and leadership looks to be a strength of this team. The Highlanders return 6 starters on offense and 7 on defense from last year’s squad that went 4-5 overall and 1-4 in league.
North Eugene loses a big part of their offense and defense with the graduation of RB/LB Michael Bibbee who received a scholarship to play football at Oregon State. Two Senior quarterbacks return for the Highlanders, Dylan Lubonski (763 yards passing on 61 completions of 114 attempts and Jackson Landgreen (149 yards passing on 9 completions of 18 attempts). Honorable Mention All-League Senior receiver/RB Alex Wilson returns (227 yards on 31 carries). Seniors Michael Gregory and Alex Compton return to anchor the offensive line.
The defense has plenty of depth in the backfield with Jackson Landgreen (37 total tackles), DB Cody Ficek (21 total tackles) and DB Alex Wilson (20 total tackles). Up front the line will look to seniors Derek Duquette, Michael Gregory and Michael Gilder.
According to Coach Johannsen “with the departure of Michael Bibbee to OSU, finding a consistent running game and improving our team defense” will be priorities. KEY GAMES: The Highlanders do not have non-league opening games and thus no opportunity to work out the kinks. They hit the ground running with three big games. The opener is on the road at Marshfield on 09/10, followed by Marist at home on 09/17 and at Churchill on 09/24.
Players Mentioned 2009 Height/Weight
QB/DB Dylan Lubonski Sr 5' 11" 175
Rec Alex Wilson Sr 5' 6" 150 HM receiver
OL/DL Michael Gregory Sr 6' 2" 260
OL/DL Alex Compton Sr 6'3" 205
QB/DB Jackson Landgreen Sr 6' 0" 160 1st team all league DB
WR/DB Cody Ficek Sr 5' 6" 135
OL/DL Derek Duquette Sr 5' 9" 300
OL/DL Michael Gregory Sr 6' 2" 260
TE/DL Michael Gilder Sr 5' 8" 185
WILLAMETTE:
This is a proud program used to making the playoffs. 2007 was the last season Willamette made the playoffs. The Wolverines look to improve on their 2009 3-7 overall record and 2-3 league record. Head Coach Dan Fritz’s Willamette squad was competitive though, with two losses being 20-21 at South Albany and 27-28 at North Medford.
The big question for Willamette is, “who will lead the offense?” following the graduation of RB Rafael Hidalgo (walking at Portland State) and QB Dylan Geyer. Honorable mention all league RB Senior Skyler Mohr (283 yards on 44 carries) and Junior Jordan Visarraga (228 yards on 52 carries) return as likely candidates for the running game. 1st team Honorable Mention Senior Cameron Kohler (373 yards on 27 catches) and Senior Brandon Haines (206 yards on 18 catches) are the leading returning receivers. QB remains up for grabs. Who will be the QB? Whoever it is they likely will be throwing their first pass in a varsity game.
Willamette defenses are known as a solid hard hitting defense and will be led by D1 prospect and 1st team all league offensive lineman and linebacker Senior Danny Granillo and fellow Senior Jacob Aguilar. The keys for Willamette will be finding a capable quarterback and limiting turnovers (13 fumbles lost and 18 interceptions in 2009) and penalties. If they can do that and play solid Willamette defense, they can be competitive in the Midwestern League.
KEY GAMES: The Wolverines need to build on momentum and can start the league schedule strong with a home win versus Springfield on 09/10, and on the road on 10/01 versus North Eugene. After that it only gets tougher at Marshfield on 10/08, home versus Marist on 10/15 and at Churchill on 10/22.
Players 2009 Height/Weight
OT/LB Danny Grannillo Sr. 6' 1" 215 Two way 1st team all league
RB Skylar Mohr Sr 5' 10 180 HM all league
Rec Cameron Koehler Sr. 6' 1" 180 HM all league
Rec Brandon Haines Sr 6' 1" 155
RB Jordan Visarraga Jr. 5' 10" 174
K Jacob Aguilar Sr. 5' 10" 215
EAGLE POINT: The Eagles are a bit of mystery to long time members of the old MWL. In 2009, Eagle Point went 4-6 overall and 2-2 in 5A Southern Sky League and did not make the playoffs, despite a three way tie with Ashland and Klamath Union. Eagle Point beat Ashland 28-20 head to head, but a tie breaker system known as the Azzi System takes into consideration margin of victory in games between teams tied with each other and the Eagles eight point win was not enough.
Head Coach Jacob Schauffler will likely go with senior quarterback in Shane Bluhm. All league wide receiver Aaron Foster will be one of Bluhm's first options. Two more Eagle all leaguers return on offense. Second team guard, J.R. Rogers and Honorable Mention offensive tackle, junior Tyron Holmes, will anchor the O line. The defense gave up a whopping 318 points last year and will need to improve. Three all league defenders will try and change the trend. Holmes was 2nd team all league defensive lineman and Evan Hatfield earned honorable mention as a lineman on D. Tall leaguer Zach Reed (6' 7") returns in the secondary. Senior Daniel Morgan will handle strong safety duties and be on call as back-up QB.
KEY GAME: The difference between a #1 and #2 seed in the Southern Oregon Conference is big. It’s a one game season with Eagle Point at Ashland on 10/22 with the winner securing the #1 seed and getting a bye for the 1st round Play In game and then hosting for the 2nd round Play In game (playing the winner of the #5 Midwestern League versus #8 Mid Willamette Conference). The #2 Southern Oregon Conference seed plays on the road at the #7 seed from what looks to be a very competitive Mid Willamette Conference in the 1st round Play In game.
Players 2009 Height/Weight
QB Shaun Blumn Sr 6' 3" 200
OT/DL Tyron Holmes Jr 6' 4" 240 Two way all leaguer
OG J.T. Rogers Sr 6' 1" 190 2nd Team all league
WR Aaron Foster Sr 6' 0" 200 HM all league
DL Evan Hatfield Sr 6'2" 220 HM all league
DB Zach Reed Jr 6' 7" 200 HM all league
SS Daniel Morgan Sr 6' 1" 165
Mail Tribune Eagle Point Pre-Season article Aug 30
Friday's recaps: Ashland, Churchill and Springfield. If you missed the preseason OregonLive.com 5A poll, here it is 5A poll. Steve Mims of the Register-Guard and I are two of the voters. And don't forget to sign up for Twitter. If you set it up on your cell phone, you can get MWL scores during games. MWL twitter
Feel free to comment or make additions/corrections via this blog, or email me at mwlnow
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Playoff Seeds - Ashland and Eagle Point have one game season.
It will be interesting to open the newspapers in Coos Bay, Eugene, Medford and Ashland after the first 'league' games on September 10th and see what the standings look like. Will there be standings for the MWL 5A teams, separate standings for the Southern Oregon 5A teams, and a third standings for the MWL/SO hybrid 'league'?
Ashland could upset Marist on September 10th and be 0-0 in league. That's the Southern Oregon 5A league. Or maybe Ashland could say they are 1-0 in the Midwestern/Southern Oregon Hybrid league. Or, they just don't exist against their six scheduled opponents of the 'MWL only 5A league'.
Hmnnn.... or, let's say Eagle Point runs the table against the six MWL schools and Ashland tanks against the MWL schools. That would put Eagle Point at 6-0 and Ashland at 0-6. But then the entire Eagle Point team gets the flu for the Ashland-Eagle Point game and Ashland wins by forfeit. Ashland, 1-6 in league, would be the Southern Oregon number one seed. Eagle Point, 6-1 in league, would be Southern Oregon's number two seed. Weird? Now get this. If the Southern Oregon #2 seed wins the first play in game against Mid-Willamette #7, it will play, guess who.... the Midwestern League's number 1 team in the second round playin game. That's right, they'll immediately play a team in their own 'league'. It gets better. If the MWL #5 seed beats the Mid Willamette #8 seed in the first round playin game, the MWL #5 seed plays.... guess again - the Southern Oregon number one seed in the second round play in game.
Then the playoff fun begins. After the second round of play in games, there will be 16 teams left in the playoffs. Power rankings will apply. Coaches won't be able to scout their opponent prior to their Sweet Sixteen game because there is no bracket until after the round of 32 teams.
The bottom line is that you still have to win em all to be champs, and no matter who you face in the first or second round you eventually have to beat them all. I do feel sorry for Ashland and Eagle Point. A league should be bigger than two teams, and teams should have more than one counting game during the season.
Fortunately, things work differently for the other team sports. When basketball rolls around, the hybrid leagues are all in the same geographic area with a mixture of 5A and 6A teams (and sometimes 4A), with all hybrid league games counting towards playoff seeding.
Here are some links to interesting articles or information sites about the football hybrid situation:
5A playoff "bracket" OSAA info
The Medford Mail Tribune article about Power Ranking
The Medford Mail Tribune take on the Ashland-Eagle Point league
PS. Thanks to the person who commented that I goofed on the Miller QB name in last Thursday's blog. Springfield's QB is Levi Green. I gave Levi a new last name by using a receivers last name. I don't think you'll have a problem remembering Green's name once you see him play.
Ashland could upset Marist on September 10th and be 0-0 in league. That's the Southern Oregon 5A league. Or maybe Ashland could say they are 1-0 in the Midwestern/Southern Oregon Hybrid league. Or, they just don't exist against their six scheduled opponents of the 'MWL only 5A league'.
Hmnnn.... or, let's say Eagle Point runs the table against the six MWL schools and Ashland tanks against the MWL schools. That would put Eagle Point at 6-0 and Ashland at 0-6. But then the entire Eagle Point team gets the flu for the Ashland-Eagle Point game and Ashland wins by forfeit. Ashland, 1-6 in league, would be the Southern Oregon number one seed. Eagle Point, 6-1 in league, would be Southern Oregon's number two seed. Weird? Now get this. If the Southern Oregon #2 seed wins the first play in game against Mid-Willamette #7, it will play, guess who.... the Midwestern League's number 1 team in the second round playin game. That's right, they'll immediately play a team in their own 'league'. It gets better. If the MWL #5 seed beats the Mid Willamette #8 seed in the first round playin game, the MWL #5 seed plays.... guess again - the Southern Oregon number one seed in the second round play in game.
Then the playoff fun begins. After the second round of play in games, there will be 16 teams left in the playoffs. Power rankings will apply. Coaches won't be able to scout their opponent prior to their Sweet Sixteen game because there is no bracket until after the round of 32 teams.
The bottom line is that you still have to win em all to be champs, and no matter who you face in the first or second round you eventually have to beat them all. I do feel sorry for Ashland and Eagle Point. A league should be bigger than two teams, and teams should have more than one counting game during the season.
Fortunately, things work differently for the other team sports. When basketball rolls around, the hybrid leagues are all in the same geographic area with a mixture of 5A and 6A teams (and sometimes 4A), with all hybrid league games counting towards playoff seeding.
Here are some links to interesting articles or information sites about the football hybrid situation:
5A playoff "bracket" OSAA info
The Medford Mail Tribune article about Power Ranking
The Medford Mail Tribune take on the Ashland-Eagle Point league
PS. Thanks to the person who commented that I goofed on the Miller QB name in last Thursday's blog. Springfield's QB is Levi Green. I gave Levi a new last name by using a receivers last name. I don't think you'll have a problem remembering Green's name once you see him play.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
2010 Football Blog Warm Up - Will Marist Roll?
Two weeks until Opening Night, with four MWL teams teeing it up:
The feature game is Corvallis at Marist.
Silverton is at Springfield.
South Albany is at Willamette.
Marshfield travels all the way to North Bend
There's lots of talk on the OregonLive.com forum about Marist rolling through the MWL/SO league. I'm here to assure you that it won't be a cakewalk. If you're expecting seven games with scores 40-7 every time, think again. There's some exciting growth in the programs at Springfield and Coos Bay and I dare say, North Eugene. And I'm sure the aerial circus at Churchill will continue. I don't have a handle on Willamette, but unless the bottom has fallen out over the past year, they'll be very competitive. As far as Marist goes, Marist will take over for Thurston as the only team who has every player going all out every play until the whistle blows. I"m not going to go over my pre season rankings on this warm up blog, but I will say that as the only team going all out all the time, Marist will take the title, but there will be some tough games.
Watch these guys
There aren't a lot of MWL first team all leaguers returning this year, but there are some super studs among them. Of course, we lost Thurston's Kraig Akins to the 6A division.... I want to sneak over to the Sheldon-Thurston game just to watch Akins take on the Irish.
If the MWL coaches can find a year to make a lineman the league's MVP, this it the year. Marist's Matthew Devereux was first team O&D lineman last year as a 6' 3", 260 pound junior. Ouch! Willamette's Danny Granillo was a double duty first team MWL'er as a linebacker and OTackle. Granillo was 6'1", 210 as a junior.
North Eugene returns two first teamers. That hasn't happened in a long time. Demerick Taylor (Special Teams) and Jackson Landgren (DB). If the Highlanders hadn't featured Bibbee as the leagues Most Valuable Offensive player at running back, receiver Alex Wilson would have been a first team receiver, rather than honorable mention. If North pulls a quarterback out of their baseball cages, Wilson should shine.
Springfield's Thomas Spikes was first team Special Teams. The all league newspaper coverage never really explains what 'Special Teams' means. But I think it means 'Special Guy who did it all, but the coach had to spread him so thin he couldn't stand out at any one position." The Miller's Kameron Bates did double duty as a 2nd teamer - at linebacker and tackle. Being another baseballer who just happens to help out the football coaches, you should know Kameron led the Miller baseball team to its first state playoff game in ten years as the league MVP in baseball. The Millers also have honorable mention QB Levi Green and 2nd team DB Kyle George returning. I'm counting on these Millers and coach Skip Raish's notoriety at getting his players to fly to the ball on D to get the Millers in contention for a run well beyond the playin round. If the Millers ever get their D to the level Raish got the Wolverines to, the Millers will roll. When you think you're hearing thunder in the Eugene-Springfield area, it's really the echoes of the pads cracking at the 2000 to 2002 Willamette-Sheldon games. Will the Millers make it Springfield-Marist thunder this year?
Marshfield returns just two all leaguers. However, one of them is the most exciting player to watch in the league. 'More touches' is all I can say for Ryan Scoville. Scoville was 2nd team all league last year at running back. There has been concern about his size (5'8" last year) being too small to be a feature back. NFL HOFamer Emmit Smith was 5'9". Enough said about Scoville. Next, I won't tell you that it's possible that the second best quarterback in the league was sitting on the Marshfeild bench last year as a junior. The Pirate's starting QB and league MVP Kyle Tedder graduated, so bench guy moves up. I'm just saying if the Marshfield second year coach, Justin Ainsworth, has had any success getting the Pirates back in the weightroom, look out, cause if the guy on the bench last year has a little time....
Earlier I mentioned Willamette's Danny Granillo as one of the league's two super studs. Like the Pirates, the Wolverines have a secret weapon in Skyler Mohr, honorable mention at RB last year. I think Skyler is a 'more touches' guy, too. Not explosive and exciting like Scoville from Marshfield, but he'll get the job done.
Churchill again flies under the radar. My ancient but sculpted body is courtesy of the West 11th Courtsports, where I see a lot of guys wearing Churchill Football t's. I"m tempted to challenge them to a 225 pound BPress contest, but my shoulders would implode. How can these guys go to the playoffs four years in a row? Don't ask me. That's why I'm not the coach, and Darrel Mehl is. I only know that Churchill will once again be an aerial circus featuring 2nd team receiver Brandon Determan and HM QB Spencer Savelich. (Woody Allen sculpted my body.) My football fun index this year consists of two items. Explosive Ryan Scoville from Marshfield and as always, the Churchill Lancer offense.
There will be a lot more about Marist in later blogs. I'll just say this now.... Last year I drove to Coos Bay for the Marist game. The Marist QB was knocked out via a helmet to helmet hit in the first quarter. Marist won 45-18... in Coos Bay. Marist was playing 1950's football. Everyone goes until the whistle. Lineman lead the running backs around the end. Marist looked like...yikes....ancient Marshfield Pirates. Oh, did I say Marist coach Greske has two titles?
Other stuff.
OregonLive.com 5A Poll
I've submitted my first votes for the OregonLive.com 5A poll. I voted Marist number two in state. I voted for another MWL team in the top ten. I'll tell you which team in a later blog.
Photos
I started selling photos during baseball last year. I made about 20 bucks, half of which I give to the teams booster clubs. Please humor me and buy a photo once in a while. Buying photos helps pay for gas and game admissions. It'll take 237 years to pay for the $6,000 telephoto lens I need. You can also support the website by checking out the google ads. I made 96 dollars in the last year. Google sends a check when I hit a 100 dollars. Four more dollars and I'm rich. By the way, the Coos Bay photographer is absolutely lights out with his photography. If your team plays in Coos Bay, check out his website. This link should take you to his sports section. Bookmark it. Marshfield Sports Photographer
Twitter/Text
Twitter worked out great in baseball. If you subscribe to Twitter and are cell phone savvy, you can get scores from other MWL games while your in the stands. I'm a cell phone klutz. If I can figure out how to do it, so can you. If you don't want to set up the MWL Twitter Feed on your phone, you can still get Twitter updates on the main page of the MWL website. Here's the MWL Twitter link http://twitter.com/mwlnow .
Texting is fun too. Football is a little crazy, because I'm shooting photos, taking notes and trying to Tweet. At least baseball has long breaks between innings. But it's still worth a try. Text me at 541-337-1311 with the score of the game you are attending. I'll grab the score and Tweet it on Twitter.
Reporting
Finally, if you want to be a reporter, give it a try. The Register-Guard doesn't cover the games like they used to. They still do a good job, but not like the old days. If you want to recap a game, email me at mwlnow@yahoo.com . This can be especially important if you go to a game that isn't featured Saturday in the paper. Recaps on Saturday or Sunday are fine. The kids just want to see their names in print. I believe in "What gets recognized gets repeated." It's better that what gets recognized is participation in extracurricular school activities, rather than the other options on Friday and Saturday nights. Plus, as a reporter, you earn the privilege of pointing out the great play of your own kid:) I already have a volunteer from one team who is contacting the coaches for the MWL pre league write up. Look for his and our report in the next couple of weeks. This is the first year for a football parent to check in regularly. The baseball Hall of Fame parent recapsters are Tony Schaurmann of Thurston and Rich Lari of North Eugene. They have provided parents and players from other teams special treats in the form of old fashioned sports writing. You don't have to have the skills of Tony and Rich, just a simple recap will do.
By the way, I turn the big ?0 on opening night! I hope to be at the Corvallis-Marist game. Almost as good a birthday present as being in Yankee stadium - my other option.
The feature game is Corvallis at Marist.
Silverton is at Springfield.
South Albany is at Willamette.
Marshfield travels all the way to North Bend
There's lots of talk on the OregonLive.com forum about Marist rolling through the MWL/SO league. I'm here to assure you that it won't be a cakewalk. If you're expecting seven games with scores 40-7 every time, think again. There's some exciting growth in the programs at Springfield and Coos Bay and I dare say, North Eugene. And I'm sure the aerial circus at Churchill will continue. I don't have a handle on Willamette, but unless the bottom has fallen out over the past year, they'll be very competitive. As far as Marist goes, Marist will take over for Thurston as the only team who has every player going all out every play until the whistle blows. I"m not going to go over my pre season rankings on this warm up blog, but I will say that as the only team going all out all the time, Marist will take the title, but there will be some tough games.
Watch these guys
There aren't a lot of MWL first team all leaguers returning this year, but there are some super studs among them. Of course, we lost Thurston's Kraig Akins to the 6A division.... I want to sneak over to the Sheldon-Thurston game just to watch Akins take on the Irish.
If the MWL coaches can find a year to make a lineman the league's MVP, this it the year. Marist's Matthew Devereux was first team O&D lineman last year as a 6' 3", 260 pound junior. Ouch! Willamette's Danny Granillo was a double duty first team MWL'er as a linebacker and OTackle. Granillo was 6'1", 210 as a junior.
North Eugene returns two first teamers. That hasn't happened in a long time. Demerick Taylor (Special Teams) and Jackson Landgren (DB). If the Highlanders hadn't featured Bibbee as the leagues Most Valuable Offensive player at running back, receiver Alex Wilson would have been a first team receiver, rather than honorable mention. If North pulls a quarterback out of their baseball cages, Wilson should shine.
Springfield's Thomas Spikes was first team Special Teams. The all league newspaper coverage never really explains what 'Special Teams' means. But I think it means 'Special Guy who did it all, but the coach had to spread him so thin he couldn't stand out at any one position." The Miller's Kameron Bates did double duty as a 2nd teamer - at linebacker and tackle. Being another baseballer who just happens to help out the football coaches, you should know Kameron led the Miller baseball team to its first state playoff game in ten years as the league MVP in baseball. The Millers also have honorable mention QB Levi Green and 2nd team DB Kyle George returning. I'm counting on these Millers and coach Skip Raish's notoriety at getting his players to fly to the ball on D to get the Millers in contention for a run well beyond the playin round. If the Millers ever get their D to the level Raish got the Wolverines to, the Millers will roll. When you think you're hearing thunder in the Eugene-Springfield area, it's really the echoes of the pads cracking at the 2000 to 2002 Willamette-Sheldon games. Will the Millers make it Springfield-Marist thunder this year?
Marshfield returns just two all leaguers. However, one of them is the most exciting player to watch in the league. 'More touches' is all I can say for Ryan Scoville. Scoville was 2nd team all league last year at running back. There has been concern about his size (5'8" last year) being too small to be a feature back. NFL HOFamer Emmit Smith was 5'9". Enough said about Scoville. Next, I won't tell you that it's possible that the second best quarterback in the league was sitting on the Marshfeild bench last year as a junior. The Pirate's starting QB and league MVP Kyle Tedder graduated, so bench guy moves up. I'm just saying if the Marshfield second year coach, Justin Ainsworth, has had any success getting the Pirates back in the weightroom, look out, cause if the guy on the bench last year has a little time....
Earlier I mentioned Willamette's Danny Granillo as one of the league's two super studs. Like the Pirates, the Wolverines have a secret weapon in Skyler Mohr, honorable mention at RB last year. I think Skyler is a 'more touches' guy, too. Not explosive and exciting like Scoville from Marshfield, but he'll get the job done.
Churchill again flies under the radar. My ancient but sculpted body is courtesy of the West 11th Courtsports, where I see a lot of guys wearing Churchill Football t's. I"m tempted to challenge them to a 225 pound BPress contest, but my shoulders would implode. How can these guys go to the playoffs four years in a row? Don't ask me. That's why I'm not the coach, and Darrel Mehl is. I only know that Churchill will once again be an aerial circus featuring 2nd team receiver Brandon Determan and HM QB Spencer Savelich. (Woody Allen sculpted my body.) My football fun index this year consists of two items. Explosive Ryan Scoville from Marshfield and as always, the Churchill Lancer offense.
There will be a lot more about Marist in later blogs. I'll just say this now.... Last year I drove to Coos Bay for the Marist game. The Marist QB was knocked out via a helmet to helmet hit in the first quarter. Marist won 45-18... in Coos Bay. Marist was playing 1950's football. Everyone goes until the whistle. Lineman lead the running backs around the end. Marist looked like...yikes....ancient Marshfield Pirates. Oh, did I say Marist coach Greske has two titles?
Other stuff.
OregonLive.com 5A Poll
I've submitted my first votes for the OregonLive.com 5A poll. I voted Marist number two in state. I voted for another MWL team in the top ten. I'll tell you which team in a later blog.
Photos
I started selling photos during baseball last year. I made about 20 bucks, half of which I give to the teams booster clubs. Please humor me and buy a photo once in a while. Buying photos helps pay for gas and game admissions. It'll take 237 years to pay for the $6,000 telephoto lens I need. You can also support the website by checking out the google ads. I made 96 dollars in the last year. Google sends a check when I hit a 100 dollars. Four more dollars and I'm rich. By the way, the Coos Bay photographer is absolutely lights out with his photography. If your team plays in Coos Bay, check out his website. This link should take you to his sports section. Bookmark it. Marshfield Sports Photographer
Twitter/Text
Twitter worked out great in baseball. If you subscribe to Twitter and are cell phone savvy, you can get scores from other MWL games while your in the stands. I'm a cell phone klutz. If I can figure out how to do it, so can you. If you don't want to set up the MWL Twitter Feed on your phone, you can still get Twitter updates on the main page of the MWL website. Here's the MWL Twitter link http://twitter.com/mwlnow .
Texting is fun too. Football is a little crazy, because I'm shooting photos, taking notes and trying to Tweet. At least baseball has long breaks between innings. But it's still worth a try. Text me at 541-337-1311 with the score of the game you are attending. I'll grab the score and Tweet it on Twitter.
Reporting
Finally, if you want to be a reporter, give it a try. The Register-Guard doesn't cover the games like they used to. They still do a good job, but not like the old days. If you want to recap a game, email me at mwlnow@yahoo.com . This can be especially important if you go to a game that isn't featured Saturday in the paper. Recaps on Saturday or Sunday are fine. The kids just want to see their names in print. I believe in "What gets recognized gets repeated." It's better that what gets recognized is participation in extracurricular school activities, rather than the other options on Friday and Saturday nights. Plus, as a reporter, you earn the privilege of pointing out the great play of your own kid:) I already have a volunteer from one team who is contacting the coaches for the MWL pre league write up. Look for his and our report in the next couple of weeks. This is the first year for a football parent to check in regularly. The baseball Hall of Fame parent recapsters are Tony Schaurmann of Thurston and Rich Lari of North Eugene. They have provided parents and players from other teams special treats in the form of old fashioned sports writing. You don't have to have the skills of Tony and Rich, just a simple recap will do.
By the way, I turn the big ?0 on opening night! I hope to be at the Corvallis-Marist game. Almost as good a birthday present as being in Yankee stadium - my other option.
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