The Yreka Miner varsity football team is looking to rebound from a less than stellar 2009 season (2-8), and appears poised to do so in 2010.

Yreka participated in a scrimmage with Mt. Shasta, Fall River, and Burney last Saturday in Mt. Shasta. Over the weekend, SiskiyouYouth.com did a short interview via email with Head Coach Orlyn Culp to get his take on the scrimmage and upcoming season. The questions and answers, as well as Yreka’s schedule and last year’s Northern Athletic League final standings are below.

Q: How do you feel the scrimmage went overall?

A: Overall, I felt like we saw what we needed. We had a lot of players fighting for the chance to “get on the grass” against Trinity (Yreka’s season opener), and we got to film them and see them in a competitive environment.

Q: What were you pleased with?

y-ad-1-click.jpgA: Defensively, I felt like we played well…we had a couple of breakdowns that can be easily fixed. Our players hustled to the ball and we played with contact all evening.

On offense, I thought we showed that when we played with discipline, we ran the ball effectively. And, I thought we showed improvement in the passing game.

Q: What needs more work?

A: Defensively, it will all come down to physical play and staying disciplined.

Offensively, we’re going to have to run the ball with power to be effective, and for our play action passing game to grow as we want it.

Q: Were there one or two players that surprised you in a positive way with their play?

A: Offensively, Sarome Eng caught the ball well and was more aggressive going up and getting it than he has ever been. If he works hard, he’s putting himself in position to have a great year. Travis Fonseca showed he’s matured and can be physical or make a great move to get extra yards.

Defensively, I thought the D-Linemen played well and will be a strength for us…unless they get satisfied and take plays off. Johnny Durney and Albert Sanders showed they’ll be fast and physical for us at LB and I’m excited for what each brings to this team. My defensive player of the scrimmage, however, had to be Omar Reyes…Wow, he played well. Great cover-guy…always in the right place, and the level of physicality he brought was contagious…he was fun to watch.

Q: How is the Northern Athletic League shaping up? Who’s the team to beat?

A: Once again the NAL will be one of the tougher leagues in the section. West Valley and Corning will be the early season favorites. We’ll have to continue to improve and stay healthy to compete with them in October.

Q: Is there a key game for the Miners this season–a win you have to have?

A: The most important game for the Miners this season will be the next one. Really, there is no one else but Trinity.

Schedule

8/27/10 Trinity

9/03/10 Mt. Shasta

9/10/10 @ Mazama

9/17/10 Henley

9/25/10 @ Cottage Grove (Autzen Stadium/University of Oregon)

10/08/10 Central Valley

10/15/10 @ West Valley

10/22/10 Corning

10/29/10 @ Orland

11/05/10 @ Anderson

Final 2009 NAL standings

1. Lassen 5-0, 9-3 (No longer in League. Moved to Eastern Athletic League)

2. Corning 4-1, 8-3

3. Central Valley 2-3, 8-4

4. Anderson 2-3, 5-7

5. West Valley 2-3, 4-6

6. Yreka 0-5, 2-8

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