COUGARS AIM FOR 9TH I-M-C TITLE IN 10 YEARS

The Mountain View Cougars, favored to win the 5A Championship this year, got back to work quickly to prepare for the 2014 high school football season, as Wednesday marked their third practice day and their second day of ‘doubles’ practice.

The Cougars practiced twice Wednesday; once in the morning at 9 AM and then in the afternoon at 3PM, shortly following a Tuesday night practice.

“The kids had one (practice) Tuesday night so it’s kind of a quick turnaround but I like the new schedule so far,” Head Football Coach Brian Crum said of the practice Wednesday.

“It gives the kids a little more rest, they don’t get beat up as bad, I know it’s good mentally for the coaches. The practice looked good this morning, the tempo’s been crisp.”

Mountain View finished 2013 on a high note, going 8-3 in 2013 under 2^nd year head coach Brian Crum, the second winning season in a row since Crum took over in 2012 from Steve Turner, who lead Mountain View to four I-M-C League championships, and one 5A State Title from 2006-2011.

 

The Cougars look to continue their success through experience, returning 15 different positions.

Fourteen of those players appeared in the last playoff game of 2013 for Mountain View, as they lost 35-0 to Silverton on Nov. 8.

Coach Crum highlighted that the defensive secondary, offensive line and linebackers would be the most experienced positions on his team. “Those are areas where you’ve really got to gel together and communicate,” said Crum.

Specifically on the offensive line, four of the five appearing on the line this year for the Cougars are returning starters, as Mountain View says goodbye to Austin Phillips, the stalwart lineman who now plays for the University of Idaho.

Ben Klein (Sr. 5-10/230) and Jake Edwards (Sr. 6-4/260) return at tackle, both of whom started every game and played every down in 2013. Jaime Martin (Sr. 5-8/175) and Joe Hagenbach (Sr. 5-11/180) both also return for the Cougars, Martin having started every game last year at left guard.

Depth can similarly be found at the quarterback position for the Cougars, where athletic left-hander Caleb Tatum (Sr. 6-4/185), former starting RB Cody Anthony (Sr. 6-2/220), former starting Junior Varsity QB Noah Spear (Jr. 6-3/170) and Michael Irwin (So. 6-1/190), who returns to Mountain View after playing for Crook County in his freshman year.

All four players are currently battling for the starting quarterback position.

“Right now, we’re splitting reps,” said Coach Crum on Wednesday, “And I’ve been extremely happy with how they’ve competed, how they’ve gotten along, their ability & their leadership. All four of those kids, I could throw out in a varsity game and be successful.”

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Other returning stars for the Cougars include all-IMC receiver Dantly Wilcox (Sr. 6-3/185), Austin Albin (Sr. 6-5/200) and slot receiver Chris Adamo (Sr. 5-11/185). “We’ve got to be able to get the ball in their hands as well, maybe spread teams out a little bit,” said Coach Crum.
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Although the Cougars are favored to become the 5A champions, Coach Crum did not dismiss the talent level of the new IMC where Mountain View will be joined by Ridgeview, Redmond, Bend, and Summit.

“It’s never easy; It’s a tough conference and everyone is going to be better than they were last year…they’re all hungry and I’m sure they’d all like to knock us off,” said Crum. “One of our jobs is, play through that preseason schedule which is tough as well, get to league play & take care of business.”

The Mountain View Cougars begin their campaign on September 5^th when they travel to Wilsonville High School to take on Adam Guenther and the Wildcats of the 5A Northwest Oregon Conference at 7pm.

League play starts October 3^rd, when Mountain View plays across town at Summit.

 

MOUNTAIN VIEW COUGARS 2014 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

9/5/2014 @ Wilsonville

9/12/2014 vs. Central

9/19/2014 @ Crater

9/26/2014 @ Springfield

10/3/2014 @ Summit *

10/10/2014 vs The Dalles

10/17/2014 vs Redmond *

10/24/2014 vs Ridgeview *

10/31/2014 @ Bend * (Civil War Game)

 

* = IMC LEAGUE GAME

ALL GAMES SCHEDULED FOR 7PM KICKOFF.

 

-William James