COWAPA FOOTBALL PREVIEW-Banks
HEAD COACH: Ben Buchanon (9th year)
After a couple of lean early years, Buchanon, with help from the Linehan family, helped build Banks into a football contender in the Cowapa League, including the Braves' first league championship in 2003.
2005 RECORD: 8-2 (3-2 Cowapa League 3rd place)
LAST PLAYOFFS: 2005-lost at Siuslaw 28-15 in first round
LAST LEAGUE TITLE:2003-lost to Estacada 28-7 in second round
LAST PLAYOFF WIN: 2001-beat Wilsonville 22-20, lost 27-14 at Sisters in 2nd round
A tiebreaker disappointment in 2004 prevented a run of five straight playoff appearances for the Braves. Banks finished 7-2 that year, but lost out to Astoria and Tillamook in a 3-way tie for second place.
CURRENT COLLEGE/PRO ATHLETES: Josh Linehan (OL, OSU), Cole Linehan (DL, Oregon)
KEY GRAUDUATES/LOSSES: Matt Miller (TB, 3-yr starter), Kyle Moll (FB), Bryce Bostwick (QB)
Not only did the Braves lose their entire starting backfield, they graduated all 11 defensive starters and all but one offensive lineman.
RETURNING ALL-STARS:none
RETURNING STARTERS: Mitchell Hidalgo-Nice (C/DE, 6-2, 210, Sr.)
RETURNING LETTERMEN: 8
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Dustin Nordholm (TB/CB, 5-11, 165, Sr.), Jared Herb (MLB, 5-10, 165, Sr.)
KEY NEWCOMERS: Gabe Linehan (QB/LB, 6-2, 180, So.), Thomas Moore (WR, 6-3, 165, So.)
The Braves do have a number of seniors in their starting lineup, but very little experience after losing so many graduates. Hidalgo-Nice is the only returning starter from last year's playoff team, so Banks is basically starting from scratch.
The Braves do have a talented young quarterback to build around. Gabe Linehan is the younger brother of Josh and Cole, both Pac-10 football linemen. Gabe is only 6-2, 180, but just wait for the growth spurt. Linehan has put up big numbers the last two weeks (42-60 for over 600 yards in losses to Rainier and Taft) after winning the starting quarterback job. Linehan's top target has been fellow soph Thomas Moore, who has 21 grabs for 236 yards. Junior Josh Marsh (6-2, 165) has also been coming into his own with 11 catches for 230 yards.
The bad news is, Linehan is also Banks' leading rusher (30-109) as the Braves have struggled mightily to move the football on the ground. A spread-shotgun approach early in the season has been scrapped as Linehan is taking more snaps under center. A broken forearm suffered by senior running back Dustin Nordholm may further limit the Braves' ground attack. David Fishback (5-9, 175, Sr.) ran well at Taft and should see more carries if Nordholm can't go.
On the other side of the ball, the Braves have had trouble stopping other teams from running. Key injuries are also starting to take their toll.
OUTLOOK: Braves fans will have to be patient this season. Buchanon's tenure started with a winless season before building Banks into a contender. The building process begins anew. Linehan will contribute to what should be a record-setting year for Cowapa quarterbacks.
COACH BUCHANON SAYS: "We're growing. We'll get better as the line gets more experience. We'll have to control the clock and put points on the board because we're having a hard time stopping anybody. We'll have to win shootouts unless these guys grow up and mature."
After a couple of lean early years, Buchanon, with help from the Linehan family, helped build Banks into a football contender in the Cowapa League, including the Braves' first league championship in 2003.
2005 RECORD: 8-2 (3-2 Cowapa League 3rd place)
LAST PLAYOFFS: 2005-lost at Siuslaw 28-15 in first round
LAST LEAGUE TITLE:2003-lost to Estacada 28-7 in second round
LAST PLAYOFF WIN: 2001-beat Wilsonville 22-20, lost 27-14 at Sisters in 2nd round
A tiebreaker disappointment in 2004 prevented a run of five straight playoff appearances for the Braves. Banks finished 7-2 that year, but lost out to Astoria and Tillamook in a 3-way tie for second place.
CURRENT COLLEGE/PRO ATHLETES: Josh Linehan (OL, OSU), Cole Linehan (DL, Oregon)
KEY GRAUDUATES/LOSSES: Matt Miller (TB, 3-yr starter), Kyle Moll (FB), Bryce Bostwick (QB)
Not only did the Braves lose their entire starting backfield, they graduated all 11 defensive starters and all but one offensive lineman.
RETURNING ALL-STARS:none
RETURNING STARTERS: Mitchell Hidalgo-Nice (C/DE, 6-2, 210, Sr.)
RETURNING LETTERMEN: 8
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Dustin Nordholm (TB/CB, 5-11, 165, Sr.), Jared Herb (MLB, 5-10, 165, Sr.)
KEY NEWCOMERS: Gabe Linehan (QB/LB, 6-2, 180, So.), Thomas Moore (WR, 6-3, 165, So.)
The Braves do have a number of seniors in their starting lineup, but very little experience after losing so many graduates. Hidalgo-Nice is the only returning starter from last year's playoff team, so Banks is basically starting from scratch.
The Braves do have a talented young quarterback to build around. Gabe Linehan is the younger brother of Josh and Cole, both Pac-10 football linemen. Gabe is only 6-2, 180, but just wait for the growth spurt. Linehan has put up big numbers the last two weeks (42-60 for over 600 yards in losses to Rainier and Taft) after winning the starting quarterback job. Linehan's top target has been fellow soph Thomas Moore, who has 21 grabs for 236 yards. Junior Josh Marsh (6-2, 165) has also been coming into his own with 11 catches for 230 yards.
The bad news is, Linehan is also Banks' leading rusher (30-109) as the Braves have struggled mightily to move the football on the ground. A spread-shotgun approach early in the season has been scrapped as Linehan is taking more snaps under center. A broken forearm suffered by senior running back Dustin Nordholm may further limit the Braves' ground attack. David Fishback (5-9, 175, Sr.) ran well at Taft and should see more carries if Nordholm can't go.
On the other side of the ball, the Braves have had trouble stopping other teams from running. Key injuries are also starting to take their toll.
OUTLOOK: Braves fans will have to be patient this season. Buchanon's tenure started with a winless season before building Banks into a contender. The building process begins anew. Linehan will contribute to what should be a record-setting year for Cowapa quarterbacks.
COACH BUCHANON SAYS: "We're growing. We'll get better as the line gets more experience. We'll have to control the clock and put points on the board because we're having a hard time stopping anybody. We'll have to win shootouts unless these guys grow up and mature."
posted by Matt Richert at 8:48 AM
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