Yreka, Mt Shasta and Etna high schools met on the gridiron at Mt. Shasta High last Friday for a 3-way scrimmage. The teams alternated offense and defense with each team running or defending 10 plays before switching. Siskiyou Youth followed up after the scrimmage and asked each head coach for an assessment of his team heading into the season openers this Friday.

Yreka

Yreka Miner head coach Orlyn Culp liked what he saw during the scrimmage for the most part.

“Overall, I think it was a positive day for the Miners. We’re a young group, so we’re going to need some time to grow up and become more experienced.  It’s going to be imperative that our senior leaders from last year’s team continue to serve as positive role models of how we do what we do,” said Culp.

Culp liked the competitiveness that he saw from his squad and was pleased that his coaching staff was able to get each player quality reps, in order to evaluate them objectively.

He was especially happy with the work done by a pair of seniors.

“Joe Wilson and Cody Setzer had a very productive scrimmage. Their hard work in the off-season is paying off. Overall, I thought the defense as a whole played well,” said Culp.

Asked about a player that was a positive surprise so far this season, the coach pointed out Omar Reyes.

“He’s worked hard and it shows,” said Culp.

Culp also said that there were two areas where the Miners needed to improve.

“We need to continue to improve our blocking and tackling…really, those two things are what football comes down to.”

According to Culp, the Miners have good depth this season, which will reduce the number of players that will have to play both sides of the line.

There aren’t any changes planned in offensive philosophy.

“We are who we thought we were,” said Culp.

On the defensive side, the only planned change is to go from a 4-4 to a 4-3 concept.

Suggesting that the Northern Athletic League might just be extra competitive this year, Culp name all the other teams in the league as the one to beat.

Assisting Culp with the varsity Miners this season are Dean Turner, Jimmy Freeze, and Johnny Fernandes.

The junior varsity Miners are coached by Brian Wagy, Jason Fisher, and Viseth Lork. The frosh are guided by Garron Whitehouse, Chris Betts, and Adam Groppi.

The Miners finished last season 4-6 overall, and 1-4 in the NAL, missing the NSCIF D-II playoffs,

Yreka opens its season this Friday at home against the Trinity Wolves, who went 3-7 last year.

Mt. Shasta

Mt. Shasta head coach Mike Davis said that the scrimmage went “very well” for his Bears. In particular, Davis was impressed with his linemen and his passing game, and said that his wideouts, linebackers and noseguard “stepped up.” The running backs, however, still need some work, according to Davis.

Asked about players that really stood out, Davis spread the praise.

“I would say the whole team. They have been working hard for the past three weeks and no complaints,” said Davis.

Davis feels that the team’s biggest strength is the linemen.

“Our strength is our line. We’re deep there. We average around 230 with speed.”

While personnel have changed from last year, Davis says there won’t be any big philosophical changes in how they run their offense or defense.

Assistant coaches for the 2009 campaign are Mike Reed, Adam Oreck, Craig Hanna, Todd Mack, and Jim Cross, with trainers Daniel Sanchez and Chris Taylor.

Davis said that the Sacramento Valley League is “very strong” this season, and he isn’t sure who the favorite is, but he does have a preference.

“I hope the Bears,” said Davis.

Mt. Shasta finished 4-7 overall last season, and was tied for third in league with Live Oak and Trinity at 3-3. Mt. Shasta made it to the NSCIF D-III playoffs and exited in the first round.

The Bears host Modoc this Friday for the season opener. Modoc went 12-0 last year, winning the NSCIF D-IV championship.

Etna

Etna Lions head coach Ken Dysert was “pleased” with his team’s overall defensive effort at the scrimmage. Offensively, Dysert says that there is a need for improvement, and that the issues will be worked out in practice.

“On offense we were undisciplined and very unsure of ourselves and our athletic abilities. We had numerous fundamental mistakes from bad footwork to running poor routes, all things that are correctable,” said Dysert. “The offense has some talent but we made too many mistakes. So we will be working on discipline and snap count.”

Several Lions made a positive impression on the coach.

“Josh Jordan, Ryan Hicks, Tayler Wyatt, all had good days. Chris Spallino will be the real deal on o-line for us,” said Dysert.

Defense looks to be the Lions’ strong suite, and the team will be looking to be even more physical. Offensively the Lions will be looking to “spread the wealth,” according to Dysert.

Dysert says that defending league and NSCIF D-IV champion Modoc is the team to beat in the Shasta Cascade League.

Butch Bingham is the varsity Lions’ offensive coordinator. Andy Dean serves as the assistant defensive coordinator.

The junior varsity is coached by Greg Hanna, who is also the defensive coordinator. Nick Mendenhall is the JV offensive coordinator, with Terry Mendenhall coaching special teams and defensive positions.

Etna was 8-4 overall last season and finished third in the SCL at 3-2. They advanced to the section semi-finals in the playoffs. The Lions open their season on the road against Weed this Friday. Weed was 1-9 last season overall.

Note: Weed did not participate in the scrimmage and was previewed in an earlier article. See “Cougars go to Boot Camp” below.

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