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Eagles hope to reach new heights By Danny Penza Updated: Sep 02, 2022 12:06 PM A A 6 View all photos Eagle Point looks to build off promising near-playoff run in 2021 EAGLE POINT — Coming out of the 2021 season, Eagle Point head coach Erik Johnson was able to say without hesitation that his Eagles made a whole lot of progress. There was just one thing missing. “We were one spot out of the playoffs and I just wish we had that experience of going to the playoffs,” said Johnson. “It’s been a while for Eagle Point and having that under our belt, so that’s one thing that was a bummer.” Johnson enters his fourth season at the helm in Eagle Point with the task of replacing the team’s emotional leader from a year ago, but he very much knows the importance a year ago of the Eagles recording their first season with a record of .500 or better since 2018. The Eagles went 4-4 overall and 4-3 in the Midwestern League last year, with three of those losses coming by seven points or less. It’s those kinds of close calls that has Johnson thinking his program is on the right track after going through a fair amount of struggles during the abbreviated spring season 18 months ago. “We’re feeling really good,” said Johnson. “We’re lacking some returners, but you can hardly tell and we’re bringing up some solid guys that spent some solid time on JV last year and we’ve been excited about them the last couple of years now. We’re not real deep, but our first group is pretty solid.” One of the returners that the Eagles have back in the fold is senior running back David Brown, who had a breakout 2021 season as a junior. With 2021 leading rusher Isaiah Hill graduated, the 6-foot Brown will very much be the focal point for an Eagles offense that makes it no secret that they want to establish the run. Brown averaged close to 4.5 yards per carry last season, finishing with 272 yards and a pair of touchdowns. “We’re going to lean on him a lot,” said Johnson of Brown. “We like to run the ball and he’s got three years under his belt. He’s somebody that has shown confidence over the summer in our team camp. He’s really what a senior should feel like having all of that experience, so we’re excited for him and our offensive line is excited, too.” The quarterback handing the ball off to Brown and the rest of the Eagles’ group of backs will be different. With last season’s starter Caiden Lacey — a first-team all-Midwestern League selection — transferring back to North Medford for his senior season, junior Bryton Livingston takes over behind center. Livingston was in line for playing time at quarterback last season, only to see an elbow injury over the summer cost him much of his sophomore campaign. Healthy again, Livingston — who also saw playing time at QB as a freshman during the spring 2021 season — is the guy in the spotlight again for the Eagles. “He’s a good one and we have all the confidence in him,” said Johnson of the 5-foot-11, 160-pound Livingston. “His arm strength has grown and matured and he’s a very, very smart quarterback. His biggest strength is probably his anticipation and just knowing the game of football. He’s probably one of the smartest quarterbacks I’ve coached.” Senior Wyatt Graves, who caught 20 passes last season, is set to be Livingston’s top target, while Johnson is also high on 6-2 junior Alex Meadows. Running backs Hugo Perezchica and Kaden Huff will also get carries this season. “Multiple guys can do different things,” said Johnson. “Somebody like Wyatt Graves is going to touch the ball in a lot of ways. Same with Kaden, Hugo, other guys. We’re going to be able to get those guys (the ball). That’s what’s exciting about the offensive side.” While Johnson admits that there’s “a couple of spots that are still up in the air” on the offensive line, he is confident with the options he does have who will be stepping into bigger roles. Junior tackle Garrett Matthews, who stands 6-5 and 270 pounds, is the Eagles’ lone returner up front on offense. “They have some experience, and it’s some experience with some athletes,” said Johnson of the offensive line. “They can move really well and have good size. They’re very coachable, so it’s very exciting with that group. If you have that, you can do a lot of different things behind it. We’re coming together quite well.” Eagle Point’s defense limited opponents to 214.6 yards and 17.5 points per game last season. Three of the six returning starters on defense are along the defensive line, with Johnson knowing full well that his team will try and set the tone in the trenches. “I think we’re going to have a pretty solid defensive line and we’re going to lean on those guys,” said Johnson. The graduation of Hill — who was also a first-team all-MWL pick at linebacker — means the Eagles will try to take another step forward without their biggest leader on both sides of the ball last season. “Someone’s gotta step up and that’s just kinda how things work,” said Johnson of filling the leadership void. ”You can’t just point a finger and say, “Hey, you’re a leader.’ Someone’s gotta step up and take that role. I think there’s a few guys this summer who have — I think Wyatt Graves has, David himself has, Dawson Foulon has shown some leadership. They’re going to lead their own way. Isaiah was real verbal, but some guys aren’t — and that’s fine.” EAGLES HEAD COACH Erik Johnson (fourth year, 7-16) GENERAL INFORMATION ASSISTANTS: Tyson Wolfe (defensive coordinator), Joe Meerten (defensive line), Nate Helwig (linebackers), Rick O’Callahan (running backs), Rob Cowden (receivers), Josh Graves (offensive line), Robert Slayton (JV head coach/offensive coordinator), Chance Metcalf (JV defensive coordinator), Logan Cardwell (JV defensive backs/receivers). 2021 LEAGUE RECORD: 4-3 (fourth, MWL). 2021 OVERALL RECORD: 4-4. PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: Fourth. 2021 RESULTS Eagle PointOpponents 28Churchill 35 24Springfield 7 13Willamette 6 20Mazama 21 21Thurston 42 10 Crater 17 56Ashland 6 41North Bend 6 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (4): Running back David Brown (6-1, 170, sr.), running back/receiver Wyatt Graves (6-2, 180, sr.), running back Kaden Huff (5-10, 160, jr.), tackle Garrett Matthews (6-6, 300, jr.). DEFENSE (6): Tackle Nathan Cordova (6-2, 270, sr.), end Hayden Weaver (6-4, 215, jr.), end Emilio Ayala (6-3, 210, sr.), linebacker Wyatt Graves, defensive back Aden Quintero (5-8, 140, sr.), defensive back Dawson Foulon (6-4, 175, sr.). OTHER NOTABLES Quarterback Bryton Livingston (6-0, 175, jr.), running back Hugo Perezchica (5-11, 220, jr.), receiver Alex Meadows (6-2, 180, jr.), linebacker Josh Bayne (6-1, 165, sr.), kicker Jeremiah Cordle (6-0, 145, jr.). 2022 SCHEDULE Sept. 2vs. ASHLAND at La Pine, 7 p.m. Sept. 9at Mazama, 7 p.m. Sept. 16CHURCHILL, 7 p.m. Sept. 23at North Eugene, 7 p.m. Sept. 30WILLAMETTE, 7 p.m. Oct. 6THURSTON, 7 p.m. Oct. 14at Crater, 7 p.m. Oct. 21at South Eugene, 7 p.m. Oct. 28SPRINGFIELD, 7 p.m. Reach reporter Danny Penza at 541-776-4469 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @penztopaper. Photo by Denise Baratta. Eagle Point High School running back David Brown will be tasked with shouldering a heavier load this season. Photo by Denise Baratta. Eagle Point quarterback Bryton Livingston delivers a pass during a recent practice. Photo by Denise Baratta. Offensive lineman Garrett Matthews during preseason practice at Eagle Point High School. Photo by Denise Baratta. Eagle Point running back/receiver Wyatt Graves sprints through preseason drills. Photo by Denise Baratta. Head coach Erik Johnson works a practice with players on the Eagle Point football team. Photo by Denise Baratta. Adan Quintero, left, during preseason practice at Eagle Point High School.