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Yates sets sights on Northwest record Photo from Mail Tribune files Quarterback Dan Walters (5) has started for parts of two years. Southern Oregon to play an independent schedule By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN ASHLAND -- Two-time NAIA All-American tailback Griff Yates of Southern Oregon University has rushed for 3,307 yards on 468 carries during the last two seasons. The results: Back-to-back Columbia Football Association rushing titles and offensive player of the year awards. Those awards won't come Yates' way during his senior season. For the first time since 1953, SOU won't be in a conference. The Raiders will play as an independent at the NAIA level. That means Yates won't be tracking his third CFA rushing title, and his rushing statistics will be measured only on a national scope. From the team concept, it means the Raiders will play nine regular-season games with the hope of being invited to the NAIA national playoffs as a ranked independent. "I think going to independent status and staying at the NAIA level is in our best interests," says SOU coach Jeff Olson. "Our goal is to compete with the best teams in the nation." The Raiders certainly set up their schedule that way for 1999. They will travel to Azusa, Calif., to meet defending NAIA national champion Azusa Pacific on Oct. 30. In addition, SOU will meet former NAIA national powerhouse programs Linfield and Pacific Lutheran, which have both moved to the NCAA Division III level. Yates, who admits he considered not returning to the Raiders to play his senior season, changed his mind as he started thinking about his future. "I want to break the (Northwest) small college rushing record," says Yates, referring to the record of 4,141 yards by Dan Ruhl of Lewis & Clark College (1988-91). Yates enters 1999 in sixth place on the all-time Northwest small college career rushing list with 3,477 yards. "In addition to breaking that record, I decided I want to try to play at the next level (professional football)," says the 6-foot, 195-pound Yates, who has been tested by and has talked to NFL scouts. "The scouts say I have a chance to make it as a free agent or a draft pick. I felt I needed to play my senior year to have my best chance." Olson says he believes he has more talent with this team than any other he has coached in his fourth year at SOU. He takes a 13-15 record and one winning season out of the last three. "We were real close to three or four more wins," says Olson. "There are some intangibles involved in this program taking the next step, but we're close. Our off-season conditioning program was very good, and this is the first time we have an entire coaching staff back." Included in a talented group of new players, Olson has recruited are three former Ashland High quarterbacks. They are 1998 all-state quarterback Jimmy Werbin, a freshman, and former Grizz quarterbacks Devon Mahoney and Elijah Jordan. Olson says Mahoney (6-4, 215 pounds) may be moved to tight end, which he also played in high school, because of the glut of quarterbacks. Also battling for playing time at quarterback are Danny Osterkamp of Willamette High of Eugene and Brigham Baker of La Salle High, son of former SOU player and coach Ray Baker. But the man at the top of the Raiders' quarterback depth chart is junior Dan Walters, a junior from Caldwell, Idaho, who has started parts of two seasons. He passed for 1,385 yards in 1998 despite missing two games due to a shoulder injury. Walters says he's healthy and ready to be the Raiders' starting quarterback in the team's opener on Sept. 11 against Eastern Oregon State at Raider Stadium. "(The shoulder) is still sore, but I'm getting my confidence back throwing the ball," says Walters. "I'm not questioning my shoulder, but I need to feel confident throwing the ball and reacting to contact." With two years as a part-time starter behind him, Walters says he knows SOU's offense well and plans to take advantage of the threat Yates presents to a defense as a potential workhorse running back. "We will use a lot of play-action passes off fakes to Griff," says Walters. "He's proven what he can do, and defenses will have to respect him. We need to take advantage of that more this year." Southern Oregon lost wide receiver Mike Long to graduation, but junior Toby Taylor of Eagle Point, senior Dan Fredericksen, sophomore Dan Munoz and sophomore Leo Stoddard return as experienced part-time starters and letter winners from the 1998 team. Dan Negra, a redshirt freshman, and freshman Adam Fletcher, the Three Rivers League offensive player of the year in 1998 from Lakeridge High, are also expected to compete at receiver. SOU's defense will feature several former Southern Oregon prep stars. Linebacker R.J. Josephson (6-0, 220), a senior from Eagle Point High, will be one of seven returning starters. Other returners include senior cornerback J.J. Jedrykowski of Klamath Falls; linebacker Nels Hague (6-2, 230) of Gold Beach; senior linebacker J.D. Callicoatt (6-0, 230) of Grants Pass; sophomore defensive back Ryan Ringer of Gold Beach; junior defensive back Jenner Yriarte of Eugene; and junior defensive lineman Tony Adame (6-1, 230) of Wichita, Kan. Walters says he feels the Raiders will have an improved offensive line. Returning starters are senior Jake Gallop (6-4, 265) of Roseburg; senior Bart Hartsock (6-4, 215) of Springfield; senior Omar Placenia (6-4, 295) of Los Angeles; and senior Ben Shelton (6-1, 275) of Springfield. Raiders at a glance COACH : Jeff Olson (fourth year, 13-15). ASSISTANTS : Tom Powell (assistant head coach), Matt Sayre (offensive coordinator), Roger VanDeZande (defensive coordinator), Beau Canfield (defensive line), David Douglas (receivers), Doug Elam (running backs), James Gravelle (secondary), Chris Harris (linebackers), Brandon McLean (tight ends), Bob Metcalf (defensive line), Ben Murphy (linebackers), Casey Quinn (secondary), Ian Reid (offensive line). 1998 LEAGUE RECORD : 3-2 (fourth place, CFA). 1998 OVERALL RECORD : 4-6. 1998 REGULAR SEASON SCORES Southern Oregon Opponents 28 Eastern Oregon 31 58 PLU 21 42 Menlo 20 7 Linfield 10 56 Western Oregon 35 18 Willamette 21 37 (3 OT) Simon Fraser 43 0 Humboldt State 16 28 Western Washington 21 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (6) : Running back Griff Yates, (6-0, 195, sr.), lineman Jake Gallop (6-4, 265, sr.), lineman Bert Hartsock (6-0, 250, sr.), lineman Omar Placencia (6-4, 295, sr.), fullback Aaron Rudishauser (6-1, 230, sr.), lineman Ben Shelton (6-1, 275, sr.), lineman Michael Susee (6-2, 275, sr.), receiver Toby Taylor (5-10, 195, jr.), quarterback Dan Walters (5-10, 185, jr.). DEFENSE (7) : Lineman Tony Adame (6-1, 230, jr.), linebacker J.D. Callicoatt (6-1, 230, sr.), linebacker Nels Hage (6-2, 230, jr.), cornerback J.J. Jedrykowski (6-2, 220, sr.), lineman R.J. Josephson (6-0, 220, sr.), sophomore Ryan Ringer (5-7, 185, so.), safety Jenner Yriarte (5-10, 190, jr.). 1999 SCHEDULE Sept. 11 EASTERN OREGON, 1 p.m. Sept. 18 at Linfield, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at Pacific Lutheran, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 2 WILLAMETTE, 2:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at Menlo, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 16 SIMON FRASER, 1 p.m. Oct. 23 Bye Oct. 30 at Azusa Pacific, 6 p.m. Nov. 6 HUMBOLDT STATE, 1 p.m. Nov. 13 at Western Oregon, 3 p.m. FOOTBALL 99 Index Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.