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Grants Pass aims to stay atop SWC Team size, athleticism give Cavemen hope for title repeat Comment By Kris Henry Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Kris Henry Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 3, 2015 at 3:43 PM Updated Sep 3, 2015 at 3:44 PM By Kris Henry Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 3, 2015 at 3:43 PM Updated Sep 3, 2015 at 3:44 PM --> CAVEMEN GLANCE HEAD COACH John Musser (Eighth year, 38-37) Grants Pass earned its first conference crown since 1994 last season and advanced to the state quarterfinals for t... » Read more X CAVEMEN GLANCE HEAD COACH John Musser (Eighth year, 38-37) Grants Pass earned its first conference crown since 1994 last season and advanced to the state quarterfinals for the first time since 1999. GENERAL INFORMATION ASSISTANTS: Matt Kennedy (defensive coordinator/defensive backs), Byron Robertson (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), John Tunick (special teams/receivers), Derek Cox (offensive line), Wes Cox (defensive line), Kyle Swanson (running backs), Scott Wakefield (JV head coach/offensive line), Brian Richard (JV), Tyler York (JV), Stacy Morgan (freshman head coach), Tanner Marval (freshman), Jake Leair (freshman), Zac Morgan (freshman). 2014 LEAGUE RECORD: 7-0 (first, SWC). 2014 OVERALL RECORD: 11-1. PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: Second. 2014 RESULTS Grants Pass;Opponents 38;Sherwood 36 56;Newberg 21 38;Sheldon 34 49;Thurston 10 52;South Medford 0 38;North Medford 21 47;Roseburg 15 70;South Eugene 14 76;Willamette 12 State Playoffs 77;Barlow 14 28;Lake Oswego 21 28;West Salem 42 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (5): Quarterback Easton Bents (6-3, 225, sr.), receiver Dylan Hanley (6-3, 217, sr.), lineman Anthony Del Toro (6-3, 270, sr.), lineman Steven Jenson (6-4, 307, sr.), lineman Aaron Little (6-0, 300, sr.). DEFENSE (7): Lineman Anthony Del Toro, defensive back Jeret Musser (5-11, 167, sr.), defensive back Jake Stoffel (6-0, 175, sr.), linebacker Dylan Hanley, lineman Brendan Sharp (6-0, 257, sr.), lineman Cody Henderson (6-4, 225, sr.), lineman Cody Ekwall (6-6, 261, sr.). OTHER NOTABLES Lineman Colin Bransfield (6-0, 251, sr.), linebacker/fullback Andrew Aguilar (6-2, 256, sr.), kicker Jaxon Clark (5-8, 150, sr.), defensive back/receiver Kadin Lopez (5-11, 170, sr.), receiver Brandon Hoy (6-2, 155, sr.), linebacker Alan Zeltvay (5-10, 173, sr.), lineman Wyatt McKenna (5-11, 246, jr.), lineman Jordan Riccatone (5-10, 273, jr.), defensive back/running back Jerin Appling (6-2, 189, jr.), linebacker/tight end Jake Kasiah (6-2, 211, jr.), defensive back/receiver Cameron Castle (5-8, 145, jr.), lineman Calvin Claassen (6-0, 215, jr.), lineman/running back Alex Jarvis (6-0, 190, jr.), defensive back/receiver Dru Valadez (6-3, 170, jr.), quarterback/linebacker Rich England (6-0, 212, so.). 2015 SCHEDULE Sept. 4;SHERWOOD, 7 p.m. Sept. 11;at Newberg, 7 p.m. Sept. 18;SHELDON, 7 p.m. Sept. 25;THURSTON, 7 p.m. Oct. 2;at South Medford, 7 p.m. Oct. 9;at North Medford, 7 p.m. Oct. 16;ROSEBURG, 7 p.m. Oct. 23;at South Eugene, 7 p.m. Oct. 30;at Willamette, 7 p.m. » Social News GRANTS PASS — It took 20 years to climb back to the top and the Grants Pass Cavemen have every intention to enjoy the view awhile longer. Last season, Grants Pass secured the program’s first conference title since 1994 with an undefeated run through the challenging Southwest Conference. With seven returning starters on defense and five on offense, including two 300-pound linemen and the reigning SWC defensive co-player of the year, the Cavemen could have what it takes to repeat. “We look at it as not just staying there,” said eighth-year GP head coach John Musser, “but making it a week deeper into the playoffs. That’s ultimately the goal, playing at least one week longer. A big reason why we were in the spot we were last year are the juniors who are now seniors. Obviously we had a tremendous senior class last year, but those juniors were a big part of that team.” Grants Pass led the SWC in total offense (514.3 yards per game) and total defense (265.9 yards per game) in 2014, outscoring teams by an average of 52-18. “To get over that hump last year and win those games (against past SWC champions Sheldon and North Medford),” added Musser, “it kind of put these kids in a different mindset. They look at it like we still obviously know every Friday night in this league is a barnburner and you need to show up with your ‘A’ game, but they also believe they can be a playoff team and then work from that.” The Cavemen set the tone for their games one year ago in the trenches and that’s again where the strength is. Senior offensive linemen Steven Jenson (6-4, 307) and Aaron Little (6-0, 300) join fellow returning starter Anthony Del Toro (6-3, 270) in giving Grants Pass the valuable push it needs to unleash a potent spread-option attack. Senior center Colin Bransfield (6-0, 251) and junior Wyatt McKenna (5-11, 246) expect to complement the veteran trio. Senior Easton Bents (6-3, 225) will finally get a chance to guide the Grants Pass offense after seemingly being in line for the quarterback position since his freshman campaign. A torn labrum during his sophomore season set Bents back, but last year he contributed as a playmaking receiver and runner. Fully healed, Bents offers a punishing running style to go with breakaway speed and a capacity to push the football down the field. “Easton has really progressed as a quarterback,” said Musser. “Obviously he’s one of the best athletes in the league, so putting the ball in his hands isn’t a bad thing. Easton is probably our best home run threat and can score from anywhere on the field.” The Cavemen will use a committee approach at running back, with senior Jake Stoffel, junior Jerin Appling and junior Alex Jarvis joined by power backs Andrew Aguilar (6-2, 256) and Brendan Sharp (6-0, 257) to bolster the option game. Receivers Kadin Lopez (14 catches for 216 yards and one touchdown), Jeret Musser (nine catches for 186 yards and three TDs) and Dylan Hanley (eight catches for 111 yards and two TDs) give Bents proven targets on the perimeter. Defensively, Del Toro was the SWC’s top defender one year ago and possesses tremendous strength and agility to anchor a sturdy line that will include Cody Ekwall (6-6, 261), Sharp and Cody Henderson (6-4, 225). Aguilar and Hanley provide a steady blend of speed and power at inside linebacker, while Stoffel and Musser at safety should help make up for unproven cornerbacks. The Cavemen got a boost in their special teams with the arrival of senior transfer Jaxon Clark, who grew up in Grants Pass but earned all-state acclaim in Virginia last fall as a placekicker who also handles punts. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, [email protected], www.facebook.com/krishenryMT or www.twitter.com/Kris_Henry By Kris Henry Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Kris Henry Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 3, 2015 at 3:43 PM Updated Sep 3, 2015 at 3:44 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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