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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 12, 2006 A Wonderful, Whacky Wideout Free spirit Tyler Davis keeps the Comets loose By DON HUNT Mail Tribune Tyler Davis is one of those football players that teammates will vividly remember years from now. They'll recall his abilities as a big-play receiver that have helped the Crater Comets get off to their best start in more than two decades. But more than that, they'll reminisce about his free-spirit personality and silly, hilarious antics. They'll remember him dancing crazily while the team claps rhythmically during calisthenics, leading the school fight song in front of the grandstands after games or grabbing a microphone in the weight room and making like the lead singer of a rock band. "He's the class clown of this team," says Comets linebacker Mark Muzzioli. "There are times when the rest of us are ready to die laughing, and you'd think we'd get yelled at, but the coaches are laughing, too." "Tyler is crazy. He should be committed." Advertisement Davis' lighthearted demeanor keeps the team and the coaches loose, which might be one of the reasons the Comets have posted a 4-1 record — their best start since 1985 — as they prepare to meet Hudson's Bay High out of Vancouver, Wash., on Friday. But that doesn't mean Davis takes practices or games lightly. In fact, he's one of the harder workers on the team. And Crater offensive coordinator David Douglas calls the 5-foot-11, 165-pound senior the best wide receiver he's coached. Davis ranks second among the state's Class 5A receivers with 485 yards on 20 catches, an average of 24.3 yards per reception. He also has six touchdowns. "He runs precise routes, has fantastic hands, blocks very well and he's just a lightning bolt out there," says Douglas, who compares Davis to former North Medford standouts Tyler Engle and Trent Driskell. "You put all that into a package and you've got a heck of a receiver." Davis broke into the starting lineup as a sophomore two years ago, the same year John Beck took over as head coach. The Comets won just one game. "It was a rude awakening," says Davis. "I remember going up to Gresham for our first road trip and starting for the first time. I was so nervous I couldn't think straight. "We took our lumps, but it was still fun and the team knew we'd get better." Davis caught just nine passes for 56 yards his sophomore campaign, then snagged 32 for 413 yards and two touchdowns last year — ranking fifth in the Southern Oregon Conference — as the Comets improved their record to 4-6. His development has ratcheted up several more notches this fall thanks to off-season workouts with fellow receivers and Douglas, a former standout pass-catcher at Barlow High and Southern Oregon University. Davis also plays baseball — he was a first-team all-conference center fielder at Crater last spring — and oftentimes spent entire summer days playing one sport or the other. "I would get up in the morning and play football for a couple hours, lift some weights and then get ready for a doubleheader in baseball," says Davis, who has run a 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds. "But it's no big deal. A lot of guys do the same thing. I'm just out there having fun." Davis' development has mirrored that of quarterback Cory Staniforth, who ranks second in Class 5A passing yards (867) and first in passer rating. "I've been friends with Cory since the second grade," says Davis. "We grew up playing Little League and flag football together." While Davis is bigger, faster, stronger and more refined as a receiver than he was a year ago, his greatest improvement might be in the mental department. "I'm such a competitor and a perfectionist that whenever I'd make a mental bust last year I'd freak out," says Davis. "I had to learn to calm down and just go on to the next play." These days, Davis limits "the Freak" to his dance routine. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com