Here is a preview of the Irrigon Knights for the 2011 Oregon high school football season:
Coach: Dave Baker (3rd year, 2-16).
Last league title: Never.
Last playoff berth: Never under new school; 1957 as the Comets.
Home field: Irrigon High School.
Projected starters
OFFENSE POS YR HT WT
Francisco Nunez QB Jr. 6-1 180
Andy Aguilera RB Jr. 5-8 155
Dustin Rule RB Jr. 5-6 150
Cole Snyder FB So. 5-7 170
Osvaldo Macias WR Jr. 6-2 180
Ramone Leon WR Sr. 5-7 160
Leon Luna C Jr. 5-10 180
Robin Wright G So. 6-2 215
Oscar Romero G Fr. 5-10 195
Brian Lee T Sr. 6-1 170
Junior Mendoza T Jr. 6-1 310
Osvaldo Macias K Jr. 6-2 180
DEFENSE POS YR HT WT
Leon Luna DE Jr. 5-10 180
Oscar Romero DT Fr. 5-10 195
Brian Lee DT Sr. 6-1 170
Tom Hendrickson DE Jr. 6-1 175
Robin Wright LB So. 6-2 215
Ryan Reynolds LB Fr. 5-9 155
Cole Snyder LB So. 5-7 170
Dustin Rule CB Jr. 5-6 150
Francisco Nunez CB Jr. 6-1 180
Osvaldo Macias S Jr. 6-2 180
Andy Aguilera S Jr. 5-8 155
Francisco Nunez P Jr. 6-1 180
Others to watch: WR/S Darren Atkinson, Fr. (5-3, 130); LB/RB Colby Baker, Fr. (5-8, 150); FB/LB Robert Evans, Fr. (5-10, 160).
Quick hits
* For his first two seasons, Baker had one assistant coach. Thankfully for the Knights, that's not the case this year. "We have about six coaches now," Baker said, "so we can do individual drills, and I think we'll have the best season we'll ever have."
* Irrigon is loaded with speed. Baker, who coaches the Knights' track team, says Macias is the fastest WR in the league, with Leon in the top two or three. "When he gets open, he's absolutely gone," Baker said of Leon.
* The Knights won't be hurting on special teams. Last year, Nunez's punts averaged 46 yards, with a half-dozen going 70 yards.
* Atkinson is the sparkplug of the freshman class. He might be on the smallish side, but "if that kid had the physicalness to match his attitude, he'd be an All-Pro," Baker said.
* Irrigon has a big hole to fill after the graduation of RB/LB Donaven Baker, last year's team MVP who will try to walk on at Montana. "We really haven't had anyone step up to take that leadership role," coach Baker said. "We'll see how it goes this year."
Outlook
Irrigon has the athletic tools to succeed this season, but staying healthy will be crucial for a squad with just 19 players. There certainly is a healthy motivation to improve: More victories would boost the players' confidence -- and possibly help the program grow.
