HH 2011 Mid Willamette Conference Football Preview

Last season I was a big MWC honk and that will not change this season -

Of course it is hard not to recognize that the boys in baby blue will be a force as they went 8-3, losing to Marist and West Albany before losing to a close one to Mt. View on the road 22-25 - they return almost everyone: Joey Spiegelberg returns at QB he is very mobile and a very good passer, Jago Cox at RB and Blair Cavanaugh at WR returning - OL/DL senior Isaac Seumalo is getting looks he will probably play D1 after this season. Here is the Spartans quarterfinal win over Bend

But don't annoint the Spartans just yet:

Crescent Valley made it to the semis they were the last MWC team standing they finished 9-3 with losses against Jefferson and Corvallis to open the season and to Marist to end it - I expect them to be improved - they loose some playas and next year's senior class is slim, but the juniors they have coming in plus sophomore Tanner Sanders and senior Chase Cochran will have them in the fight for the MWC crown and they should be among the best in the state - CV's JV was undefeated last year and the Frosh lost only one (to West Albany) - See the Raiders quarterfinal win over The Dalles-Wahtonka.

Lebanon is another team that did very well going 8-3 with losses to Corvallis and Crescent Valley before being dismantled by Marist in the playoffs - The big news at Lebanon is they will have a new coach, but he comes from within the system - They return Ben Duerr who is an electric option QB - Garrett Urrutia will lead the Defense last year he was third on the team with 60 tackles, he also had 8 catches for 235 yards and 3 TD's look for him to play a bigger role on the offense - Their JV only lost one game 12-14 to the CV JV. Lebanon's quarterfinal win over Rex Putnam

It may be a stretch to put West Albany back in a state title match - they lose a lot of talent, but don't put them out of the fight - They should be able to run the ball with Aaron Potter and Ryker Smith returning and there is yet another LaCoste who ~may~ be as good or better than Anthony (Really?!?) - I think they will move Branden Myers over to QB however he is also an impact player at WR - they may keep him there if they have someone else who can pass and hand off the ball - The D will be led by Jake Conser. See the Bulldogs late season win over rival Corvallis.

Unfortunately we haven't seen much from Dallas, Silverton, South Albany, or Woodburn in years - These schools have problems with numbers in their football programs - years of losing is very hard to over come - Avgi is gone from Woodburn - Last year I thought Silverton would be in the fight with some good talent at the skilled positions but they lost every close game they were in - Although Silverton came close last year not one of these teams was able to beat WA, CV, CHS or Lebanon and the same will hold true in 2011