Ken Roberts
For The New Era
Despite a narrow 21-18 loss at Sisters in its opener Friday, Sweet Home has high expectations for the 2008 season, based largely on the fact that it has a strong senior class returning.
“You are only as good as your seniors allow you to be,” said head coach Rob Younger, “and this is a great senior class. There aren’t just one or two that stand out; they lead by committee.”
Younger thinks this year’s team is deeper in quality and more experienced than the Huskies have been in some time.
“We could start a whole offensive unit of experienced seniors,” stated Younger. “It’s
been a long time since we’ve said that.”
With that depth, Younger hopes to put together a very competitive team, starting with an aggressive defense.
“Championship teams win with defense,” Younger emphasized. “Right behind it is special teams. We spend more time on it than most teams in the state.”
The coach is hoping to improve the team’s takeaway ratio. The Huskies did a good job last year of protecting the ball but need to be more opportunistic in creating turnovers.
With only five teams in the Valco Conference still, Sweet Home has a schedule with six non-league games, the first five and the final game of the year against Junction City.
“We want to play quality people that will make us better,” said Younger.
Five of the first seven games are on the road. While that may be difficult, Younger just views it as an opportunity to learn.
“We will have to learn how to travel and play in a hostile environment,” he said.
Sisters, Stayton, Estacada, and Junction City have been on the schedule quite frequently, but two relative uncommon opponents appear on this year’s schedule.
Seaside and Tillamook, both inexperienced this year, asked to be let out of their scheduled games with the Huskies. In their place, Yamhill-Carlton and North Bend have been added.
Central will be the primary target in the conference. The Panthers have practically their whole team returning after reaching the state semifinals last year. Newport and
Sweet Home are expected to battle it out for the two remaining playoff slots.
Husky Offense
Senior Amos Parmenter (5-10. 200), the Huskies’ leading rusher with over 1,100 yards in his first year as a running back and 5.1 yards per carry average, realizes he will only be as good as the offensive line will allow him to be.
The good-sized line has gone through some position shifts, but should provide a solid wall for both the running and passing games. The lone junior, Ethan Rowe (6-10, 215), moved from tackle to guard with the other guard slot filled by former tight end Marc Callagan (5-11, 225). Logan Clark (5-11, 240), a guard last year, takes over the duties at center. The starting tackles will be all-league lineman Zane Wise (6-2, 260) and Shelby Johnston (5-10, 250).
Younger is very excited by the strength at tight end. Josh Riggs (6-3, 240), a two-year all-league player, is both an excellent blocker and receiver, having led the Huskies with 22 receptions last year. Junior Levi Marchbanks (6-2, 185) will provide the Huskies opportunities to play out of two tight end sets on occasion.
Sweet Home is notably quicker at wide receiver. Sam Macklin (5-10, 160) and Kevin McGuyre (6-0, 165) provide second-year starting experience, but they are also joined by an improved Brock Cota (6-0. 180), speedy sophomore Tim McDowell (5-10, 150), and Sean Potter (6-1, 170).
Senior Ryan Graville, who completed over 50 percent of his passes last year, will handle the bulk of the quarterback duties. He provides the leadership and knowledge of the Husky offense. Sweet Home has the luxury of a very competent backup at the position in sophomore, Keenon Martin. Martin’s athleticism and strong arm has Younger predicting great things for him. He just needs more time to learn the nuances of the offense, and will see a share of the playing time.
“We’re not so dependent on playing just one quarterback,” said Younger. “That allows Graville to play on defense, which he wasn’t able to do last year.”
Besides Parmenter, the Huskies have Josh Ward (6-0, 190), who averaged 5.6 yards a carry in limited duty last year, at the tailback position. Trevur Byers (6-1, 215), injured much of last year, will start at fullback, backed up by Brent Moyer (5-9, 160). Byers is more of a bruising type of runner while Moyer provides more speed. Both averaged over five yards a carry last year.
Husky Defense
While the starters on offense will also see time on defense, Younger believes team depth will allow the Huskies to rest players on the defensive side of the ball.
On the front line of defense, four of the five starting offensive linemen, with Wise and Clark starting, will share time at the tackle slot. Josh Riggs and Caleb Keeney (6-0, 190) will open as defensive ends, supported by Christian Whitfield (6-0, 230) and Potter.
Younger is high on his linebacking crew, especially with the quality and depth of the inside backers. Parmenter and Marchbanks are slated to start, but Callagan and Byers will see plenty of action.
The Huskies are still searching for the speed to be able to effectively apply pressure. Expect that to come from starting outside linebackers Moyer and Ward.
Jake Riggs (6-1, 160) and Leif Erickson (5-7, 150) are capable backups.
Cota returns as the starting safety. Macklin, who has experience and speed, will be joined by Graville, who has great size for pass coverage, as starting cornerbacks. McGuyre , Taylor Tagle (5-8, 140), and Steven Bidwell (5-8, 135) will also see action at the corners while McDowell will be the primary substitute at safety.
Special Teams
Younger is very focused on special teams.
“Special teams play can be a major factor in three or four games a season,” stated Younger. “One punt or one kickoff could have a tremendous impact.”
The return game appears to be solid with Macklin and McDowell, both with tremendous speed, handling the kick receiving chores. Cota returns for a second year as the punt returner.
There are more questions in the kicking game, having lost their punters and kickers to graduation. Callagan, who has won the place kicking role, has experience kicking off but has not had to kick extra points.
Parmenter will be asked to increase his value to the team by handling punting chores as well. Moyer is the long snapper.