FALL PREVIEW-Knappa Football
LEAGUE: Northwest League (2A)
The Loggers, original members of the Northwest League, get to keep the heading and traditional matchups against Corbett and Portland Christian, but will lose the longtime league rivalry with Warrenton, which moves to the 3A Lewis & Clark League. Despite being among schools its own size, Knappa will find the going tough against talented teams like Portland Christian and Corbett and a Nestucca squad that should be much-improved.
HEAD COACH: Aaron Thornton (1st year)
ASST COACHES: Jeff Miller, Matt Robinson
Thornton, a graduate of Central Linn high school and Linfield University, takes on his first significant coaching position. Miller will handle more of the offensive play-calling while Thornton focuses on the defense. Robinson, a Nebraska native, will see if some of that Husker magic can rub off on the Loggers young linemen.
2005 RECORD: 5-5 (3-4 N.W. League 5th place)
LAST PLAYOFF: 2004-lost to Nyssa in state first round
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 1998
LAST PLAYOFF WIN: 1996-beat Amity 31-0, lost 21-14 to Scio in quarterfinals
The Loggers have lost four straight playoff games. Knappa nabbed a playoff berth with a second place finish in 2004, the first year that three 2A teams qualified from the N.W. League, but couldn't execute against a very athletic Nyssa team that repeatedly shot itself in the foot. Last year's team needed a couple more playmakers, slipping to .500 and missing the playoffs in a tough and deep league.
CURRENT COLLEGE/PRO ATHLETES: none
KEY GRAUDUATES/LOSSES: Sean Ferguson (QB/DB), Robert Rankin (OL/DL), Stephen Maki, Brian Montgomery
The Loggers have turned over a number of experienced players, including 4-year starters Ferguson and Rankin.
OFFENSE: multiple DEFENSE: 4-4
RETURNING ALL-STARS: no 1st-teamers
RETURNING STARTERS: 4 offense/defense
RETURNING LETTERMEN: ?
KEY RETURNEES: Steven Bokor (Sr., RB/CB), Mike Fulton (Sr., LB/FB), Gary Aho (Jr., QB/OLB/K), C.J. Thorne (So., T-part-time starter in '05)
KEY NEWCOMERS: Joe Strickland (Jr., RB/DB-didn't play in '05), Nate West (Jr., OL/DL-didn't play in '05), John Benthin (So., OL/DL)
Thornton was a late hire as Knappa struggles with the numbers game.
A number of young players will have to step up to keep the Loggers competitive in the newly aligned Northwest League this year. The Loggers line, a strength the last two years, must now rebuild with inexperienced players.
There is some talent at the skill positions. Junior Gary Aho is one of the Loggers' top all-around athletes and looks to impact in three sports this season. Steven Bokor will see more touches in the backfield as the Loggers add some double-wing packages to the mix. Mike Fulton gives them another proven ball carrier.
Newcomers Joe Strickland and Nate West should contribute immediately and both are still just juniors.
TEAM STRENGTH: hard workers, a little speed and a couple studs
WEAKNESS: young and inexperienced, especially in the trenches
TOP NWL CONTENDERS: Portland Christian, Corbett
PROJECTED FINISH: small league, but playoff berth will be tough
Portland Christian should be the favorite with a strong class of seniors returning, including league offensive MVP Charlie Antal. Corbett also was heavy with underclassmen in 2005 and Nestucca may not have won many games, but had a lot of good looking young athletes last year. Expect the Bobcats to compete for playoffs in their first year in the Northwest League. Knappa will need a number of young players to mature rapidly in order to compete in this league.
The Loggers, original members of the Northwest League, get to keep the heading and traditional matchups against Corbett and Portland Christian, but will lose the longtime league rivalry with Warrenton, which moves to the 3A Lewis & Clark League. Despite being among schools its own size, Knappa will find the going tough against talented teams like Portland Christian and Corbett and a Nestucca squad that should be much-improved.
HEAD COACH: Aaron Thornton (1st year)
ASST COACHES: Jeff Miller, Matt Robinson
Thornton, a graduate of Central Linn high school and Linfield University, takes on his first significant coaching position. Miller will handle more of the offensive play-calling while Thornton focuses on the defense. Robinson, a Nebraska native, will see if some of that Husker magic can rub off on the Loggers young linemen.
2005 RECORD: 5-5 (3-4 N.W. League 5th place)
LAST PLAYOFF: 2004-lost to Nyssa in state first round
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 1998
LAST PLAYOFF WIN: 1996-beat Amity 31-0, lost 21-14 to Scio in quarterfinals
The Loggers have lost four straight playoff games. Knappa nabbed a playoff berth with a second place finish in 2004, the first year that three 2A teams qualified from the N.W. League, but couldn't execute against a very athletic Nyssa team that repeatedly shot itself in the foot. Last year's team needed a couple more playmakers, slipping to .500 and missing the playoffs in a tough and deep league.
CURRENT COLLEGE/PRO ATHLETES: none
KEY GRAUDUATES/LOSSES: Sean Ferguson (QB/DB), Robert Rankin (OL/DL), Stephen Maki, Brian Montgomery
The Loggers have turned over a number of experienced players, including 4-year starters Ferguson and Rankin.
OFFENSE: multiple DEFENSE: 4-4
RETURNING ALL-STARS: no 1st-teamers
RETURNING STARTERS: 4 offense/defense
RETURNING LETTERMEN: ?
KEY RETURNEES: Steven Bokor (Sr., RB/CB), Mike Fulton (Sr., LB/FB), Gary Aho (Jr., QB/OLB/K), C.J. Thorne (So., T-part-time starter in '05)
KEY NEWCOMERS: Joe Strickland (Jr., RB/DB-didn't play in '05), Nate West (Jr., OL/DL-didn't play in '05), John Benthin (So., OL/DL)
Thornton was a late hire as Knappa struggles with the numbers game.
A number of young players will have to step up to keep the Loggers competitive in the newly aligned Northwest League this year. The Loggers line, a strength the last two years, must now rebuild with inexperienced players.
There is some talent at the skill positions. Junior Gary Aho is one of the Loggers' top all-around athletes and looks to impact in three sports this season. Steven Bokor will see more touches in the backfield as the Loggers add some double-wing packages to the mix. Mike Fulton gives them another proven ball carrier.
Newcomers Joe Strickland and Nate West should contribute immediately and both are still just juniors.
TEAM STRENGTH: hard workers, a little speed and a couple studs
WEAKNESS: young and inexperienced, especially in the trenches
TOP NWL CONTENDERS: Portland Christian, Corbett
PROJECTED FINISH: small league, but playoff berth will be tough
Portland Christian should be the favorite with a strong class of seniors returning, including league offensive MVP Charlie Antal. Corbett also was heavy with underclassmen in 2005 and Nestucca may not have won many games, but had a lot of good looking young athletes last year. Expect the Bobcats to compete for playoffs in their first year in the Northwest League. Knappa will need a number of young players to mature rapidly in order to compete in this league.
posted by Matt Richert at 10:59 AM
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