>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

IN TODD WE TRUST: Head coach Todd Shirley takes the snap during one of Cove’s recent practices. - The Observer/BARRETT HENDERSON

But, in the state championship game the Mohawk defense held Imbler to a season low 16 points, which was 28 points short of the second fewest points scored last season.

The Panthers scored 717 points last season, an average of 55 points a game. Imbler scored 62 or more points in five games last season. The Panthers defense surrendered an average of 15 points a game.

“We are doing some major rebuilding this season. We lost 10 seniors to graduation, which is a lot to lose at a school our size,” head coach Lee Lowe said. “We’ve had a lot of spots filled with inexperience. We have some progress to make before we are competitive.”

With such a young roster, Imbler counts on the little experience they have.

Junior Bryan Mills led the Panthers in rushing in the state championship game last year with 44 yards on 12 carries. Unfortunately for Mills and Imbler, he will not be available until halfway through the season.”

Bryan is nursing a sore knee and won’t see a lot of time in the first couple of games, but he will be a major contributor,” Lowe said.

Seniors Nick West and Bryson Ricker both bring experience on offense and defense.

West was the leading receiver for Imbler in the state championships with six catches for 59 yards.

There was not a huge turnout for the team this season. There are only 17 players listed on the current roster, which is the lowest number in the league. “We’ll have to rely on younger kids, It’ll be an interesting year,” Lowe said.

Four young players stand out among the newcomers for the Panthers this season.

Juniors Dalton McDaniel and Jace Eisiminger will both see a lot of action and have experience. McDaniel is the starting quarterback this season after being Nick Thompson’s back-up last season.

Sophomore Zack Phillips is another young standout for Imbler. Henry Kanoho and Jake McLean will anchor the offensive and defensive lines for the Panthers.

“We are just going to try to stay healthy with who we have and stay as close as we can with the competition. The league will be extremely tough. Many teams will be much better. We definitely lost more than anyone in the league,” Lowe said.

Imbler opens on Friday at Prairie City, a team the Panthers beat in last year’s season opener, 52-16. “Prairie City will contend for a spot in its league. Our other non-league opponents are Dufur who will probably win their league and Sherman County will fight hard in its league,” Lowe said.

The Panthers have an advantage on their schedule with the bye week in between non-league and league play.

“We may have inexperience and we may have bumps, but that’s just the life and times of a small school,” Lowe said.

Badgers ready to showcase speed

Football fans in North Powder have been waiting since Nov. 17 of last season for this week to come. On that day Mohawk ended the Badgers season with a 62-14 victory in North Powder.

Powder Valley now has a chance for redemption, a chance for another trip to the state 1A quarterfinals and possibly a little more.

“I think we can be competitive all year that’s for sure,” head coach Skye Flanagan said. “We got a group of young kids; there are nine to 10 sophomores that will all contribute. There is some senior leadership in front of them and hopefully it can all come together.”

That group of seniors is led by Joey Brown and Casey Wendt, who both have years of experience on the offensive line and had a combined 93 tackles last season that included eight sacks.

Another key player returning for the Badgers is sophomore Trenton Dixon. He led the team with 100 tackles and in receiving yards with 937, was second in sacks, had a kickoff return of 85 yards, averaged eight yards a carry, threw a touchdown pass and had three interceptions all in his freshman season.

“Trenton is just one of those special athletes. He has a lot to overcome being at the quarterback position,” Flanagan said of Dixon. “He has to be a leader, set an example and do what’s right for us to win. But, he’s definitely going to be a catalyst for us.

“We’re going to be pretty tough. We have some speed we didn’t have in the past and I hope we take advantage of that,” Flanagan said.

The Badgers scored 442 points last season, which was second in the Old Oregon League behind Imbler. Powder Valley will look to top that total this season behind some new talent.

“Tyrone Jackson is a name  you’ll hopefully be hearing. He’s going to be playing running back for us, he’s very fast,” Flanagan said. “He’s a sophomore who runs a legit 4.5 40-yard dash in the open field and it’s exciting to have that option.”

Senior Dustin Stephens returns this season after having 14 tackles, two for sacks, and an offensive touchdown his junior year.