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Grizz has questions about who QB will be Photo by Drew Fleming Kris Pavilionis is part of a potent backfield. By DON HUNT ASHLAND -- In his 16 seasons as Ashland High football coach, Jim Nagel has never had a sophomore start at quarterback. Nagel isn't philosophically opposed to it, but to operate his intricate offense one needs more than a strong arm. Most of the time, a senior who has mastered the X's and O's for a couple years has run the show. But this season, the Grizzlies have two super sophs -- Cameron Voget and Mike Allen -- and either could work his way into the starting lineup by the second or third game, if not before. Senior Zach Hassel, who became an instant hero in the state semifinals last season when he replaced an injured Jimmy Werbin and threw the winning touchdown pass against Jesuit, owns the position in the preseason. But Hassel, who is expected to be one of the Grizzlies' top defensive players at inside linebacker, wouldn't mind concentrating on defense and special teams and let someone else play QB, Nagel says. "Zach is the heir apparent at quarterback, and he'll be there if we want him to," Nagel says. "But we'd like to have a guy with a little more confidence playing that spot. Zach is a perfectionist, and in the past he's had a hard time shaking off an interception and that type of thing. "We'll just have to see how it goes." Voget and Allen, on the other hand, would savor lining up behind center. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Voget has participated in passing leagues all summer and likely has the early edge. But Allen, who stands 6-4 and weighs 175, might be the better athlete. He also stars in basketball and baseball. Both also play defense -- Allen at free safety and Voget at outside linebacker -- and will likely see time on that side of the ball as well. "Allen probably has a little better instincts, a little better sense of anticipation," Nagel says, "but Voget didn't miss a passing league night all summer and so he's a little ahead in that respect. "It's just going to depend on who looks the best once we put the pads on." Whoever calls the signals will be surrounded by talented teammates. Kris Pavilionis, who ran for 800 yards and 10 touchdowns and caught 36 passes for 375 yards and two TDs last season, returns at halfback. Mac Contreras saw limited time at fullback last season playing behind Joel Smith, but the 5-11, 195-pound junior could be among the best at the position in school history by the time he graduates, Nagel says. "As a pair, I think those two (Pavilionis and Contreras) are the best we've had in a while at running back," Nagel says. "They both can run with the ball and catch it, and they both have speed and quickness." Contreras played mostly defense last season and was slowed by a sprained knee that has since healed. Pavilionis showcased his athleticism at a football camp at Gold Beach over the summer. He won the best skilled athlete award, beating out players from Oregon and California in a series of agility tests. At wide receiver, the Grizzlies must replace Jay Kuester, the team's go-to guy who snagged one big pass after another last season, including game-winning touchdowns in the semifinal and state championship games. Jesse Jones, Ben Thurman and Ryan Goodman all return with experience, and Nagel thinks Jones could be the Grizzlies' next standout wideout. "Truth be told, he's got more talent than the other kid (Kuester)," Nagel says. "He's quicker, faster and he's got some shake-and-bake moves. "They're similar in the way they catch the ball in practice but what remains to be seen is how Jones performs in games. Kuester was always at his best during games, and the bigger the moment, the better he played." Nagel also is expecting a big year from tight end/place-kicker Ryan Schorovsky. Schorovsky earned second-team all-conference honors as a kicker last season while playing behind first-team all-conference tight end Austin Mason. "He's improved a great deal," Nagel says of Schorovsky. "He's one of the faster kids on the team and he's in great shape." Junior guard Ben Holtey, a second-team all-conference selection last year, anchors the Grizzlies' offensive line. Junior Kip Trickel will likely be the other guard, while the tackle positions will be manned by seniors Ryan Hansen and Tyson George, who spent most of their time on defense a year ago. At center, a spirited battle has developed between junior Rob Mayers and sophomore James McCormack. "I think McCormack topped our all-time record in summer workout hours," Nagel says. "I don't think he took a vacation." As good as the Grizzlies will be on offense, their defense should be even better. Hansen and George will be among the best defensive linemen in the state, Holtey and Hassel will be among the best inside linebackers in the SOC and the defensive backfield of free safety Contreras, strong safety Pavilionis and cornerbacks Jones and Thurman offers quickness, experience and tenacity. The Grizzlies have a brutal early schedule. After playing Japan on Sept. 3 in Ashland, they meet Roseburg, Marshfield and Grants Pass in successive weeks. Grizzlies at a glance COACH : Jim Nagel (17th year, 151-39). ASSISTANTS : Dave Kitchell (defensive coordinator), Stan Gida (offensive, defensive lines), Tim Brown (offensive, defensive lines), Charlie Hall (tight ends, outside linebackers), Tito Soriano (defensive backs, halfbacks), Todd Contreras (wide receivers, defensive backs). 1998 LEAGUE RECORD : 7-0 (first, SOC). 1998 OVERALL RECORD : 14-0. PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR : First. 1998 REGULAR SEASON SCORES Ashland Opponents 20 Hermiston 14 20 Grants Pass 6 14 Thurston 9 32 North Medford 16 35 Eagle Point 0 35 Roseburg 21 50 Klamath Union 21 33 South Medford 20 31 Crater 19 STATE PLAYOFFS 23 McKay 7 13 Churchill 6 24 Sunset 19 21 (OT) Jesuit 14 29 (OT) Roseburg 23 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (2) : Halfback Kris Pavilionis (5-10, 155, sr.), guard Ben Holtey (5-10, 215, jr.). DEFENSE (5) : Free safety Mac Contreras (5-11, 195, jr.), strong safety Kris Pavilionis, inside linebacker Zach Hassell (5-11, 200, sr.), tackle Ryan Hansen (6-3, 230, sr.), end Tyson George (6-0, 212, sr.). OTHER NOTABLES Wide receiver/cornerback Jesse Jones (5-11, 155, sr.), wide receiver/cornerback Ben Thurman (5-9, 165, sr.), tight end Sean Schorovsky (6-2, 195, sr.), center/defensive tackle James McCormack (6-1, 190, so.), quarterback/free safety Mike Allen (6-4, 175, so.), quarterback/outside linebacker Cameron Voget (6-2, 195, so.), wide receiver/defensive back Ryan Goodman (5-7, 145, jr.), center/defensive tackle Rob Mayers (6-2, 240, jr.), offensive guard/defensive tackle Kip Trickel (5-11, 230, jr.), fullback/defensive back Ben Bryan (6-0, 185, sr.), offensive/defensive tackle Bill Harmon (6-1, 250, jr.). 1999 Schedule Sept. 3 JAPANESE ALL-STARS, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at Roseburg, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Marshfield, 7 p.m. Sept. 24 GRANTS PASS, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Klamath Union, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8 SOUTH MEDFORD, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 REDMOND, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Crater, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Eagle Point, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 NORTH MEDFORD, 7:30 p.m. FOOTBALL 99 Index Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.