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South Medford vies to take next step By Kris Henry Updated: Sep 02, 2022 01:06 PM A A 3 View all photos Panthers poised to turn promise into more victories in 2022 Playing one of the toughest schedules in Class 6A football with mostly underclassmen on the field likely kept South Medford from compiling many victories last fall. While the 2022 schedule isn’t much easier, the Panthers hope that being another year older and more experienced in the challenges they expect to face will translate into more wins for a team coming off a third-place finish in the Southwest Conference. “I thought what was encouraging for me is our kids kept fighting the whole year and didn't lose faith,” said South Medford head coach Bill Singler. “We actually played some of our best football at the end of year.” “I think with the seniors we have and the experience they have,” he added, “coupled with the sophomores who played a lot last year that are juniors this year and a year stronger in the weight room, I think we’ll be a lot more competitive and have a chance to win more games. But our schedule picking up the Salem teams is no slouch. It’s a very tough conference from top to bottom.” With five returning starters on offense — led by seniors Deacon Edgar and Andrew Walker — and six returning starters on a defense that saw several others who are back see significant time a year ago, the Panthers aren’t expected to see the top or the bottom of the newly formed South/Central Football Conference this fall. In a preseason coaches’ poll, South Medford finds itself fifth in the 10-team special district that includes the SWC and the Salem-area schools left to fend for themselves following the formation of a Bend-area 5A conference. Edgar enters his third season as South’s starting quarterback and will be tasked with turning athletic promise into on-field dominance and consistency. A dual-threat QB, Edgar passed for 1,517 yards and ran for nearly 400 more during his second season of 2021 last fall. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder passed for 11 touchdowns and ran for five, finishing with a 53% completion percentage with seven interceptions as an honorable mention all-SWC pick. “He’s been through the battles but he’s got to play a little bit more consistently every game,” noted Singler, who expects to turn the QB loose a little more this year. “Hopefully with the game experience he’s had the last two years he’ll feel a heckuva lot more comfortable doing it.” The good news for Edgar and company is that South returns a host of capable receivers, some up-and-coming running backs and a bevy of linemen who anticipate being able to hold firm even more this season. “We have some pieces surrounding (Edgar) with a good receiver corps top to bottom,” said Singler, “and our running backs don’t have a lot of experience but I think they've got some ability.” Walker headlines the bunch, with the state-champion sprinter coming off a junior campaign that saw him earn first-team all-SWC honors on both sides of the football. The 6-1, 175-pounder ran 10.61 seconds in winning the 6A title in the 100-meter dash and 21.33 to claim the 200 crown. Walker was South’s leading receiver a year ago with 26 catches for 630 yards and three TDs — ranking second in the SWC — and the Panthers expect to mix up their looks with him to combat steady attention by the defense. Helping keep teams honest will be fellow outside receiver Josh Phillips (6-2, 180) and tight end Ty Henry (6-4, 165), both seniors, as well as juniors Tanner Tuggle (6-2, 180) and Gannen Jones (5-11, 160). Henry collected 114 yards and two TDs on eight receptions in 2021, while Phillips (six catches, 91 yards, one TD) is primed for a big season after a reserve role last year due to defensive duties. Singler is also high on a host of running backs at his disposal in junior Ryder Scheid, sophomores J.T. Dalton and Jacob Dalton and seniors Dylan Espinosa and WIll Greenwood. The hope is the Panthers will be able to improve on their 4.2 yards per carry from a year ago and allow for more play-calling options to keep the defense off balance. All of it, however, will stem from a sturdy approach on the offensive line that will be spearheaded by all-conference guard Li Moala (5-10, 230) and center Anthony DelPizzo (5-11, 250). The return of junior Makani Manuwai (6-0, 250) after a one-year absence also gives South a boost, along with the playing time gained last year by seniors Spencer King (6-3, 200) and Diego Rios (5-11, 205) and juniors Diego Luna (5-11, 235) and Jayden Solis (5-11, 275). “We’ve got a ton of linemen, which for me is very pleasing,” said Singler. “You can’t play football without linemen, and our JV and our varsity line corps is very solid. We’ve got good numbers and hopefully can rotate guys in a little bit and keep guys fresh.” Defense has been a particular emphasis after South struggled in that area for most of last season, but linebackers Isaack Valdez, Espinosa and Gio Livingston all gained valuable experience last year while defensive tackles Logan Crocker (6-1, 260) and Moala and defensive end Gabe Staszak (6-6, 215) had highlight moments of their own. “We know that we have to improve on defense,” said Singler. “We can’t give up 35 points per game like we did last year. Offensively we can help them out by keeping the ball more for longer drives, or if they’re not longer drives, we’re scoring points. We have to improve on the 20 points per game that we averaged last year.” The additions of the Dalton twins, who pack a punch at around 6-0 and 200 pounds apiece, and Tuggle to the defensive lineup should allow South to carry promising physicality into each week and improve on the 415 yards allowed per game in 2021. PANTHERS HEAD COACH Bill Singler (25th year, 144-101) GENERAL INFORMATION ASSISTANTS: Jason Bauer (assistant head coach/running backs), Chris Parnell (defensive coordinator/defensive backs), Damian Jackson (offensive line), Mike Tejada (linebackers), Jack Singler (JV head coach/quarterbacks), Tony Akpan (defensive linemen), Matt Boudreaux (receivers/defensive backs), Freddie Taulani (linebackers), Sean Johnston (freshman head coach), Dave Alonzo (freshman), Mike Johnston (freshman), Logan Emonds (freshman), Joey Martinez (freshman), Skyler Gosson (freshman). 2021 LEAGUE RECORD: 2-2 (third, SWC). 2021 OVERALL RECORD: 2-8. PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: Fifth. 2021 RESULTS South MedfordOpponents 13McNary 35 27Bend 41 14Lake Oswego 41 7Lakeridge 30 37Sheldon 54 31Grants Pass 19 26Roseburg 35 7Westview 42 40North Medford 34 State Playoffs 0Summit 21 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (5): Quarterback Deacon Edgar (5-11, 180, sr.), receiver Andrew Walker (6-1, 175, sr.), tight end Ty Henry (6-4, 165, sr.), center Anthony DelPizzo (5-11, 250, jr.), lineman Li Moala (5-10, 230, jr.). DEFENSE (6): Cornerback Andrew Walker, cornerback Josh Phillips (6-2, 180, sr.), linebacker Isaack Valdez (6-0, 170, sr.), linebacker Dylan Espinosa (6-1, 205, sr.), lineman Gabe Staszak (6-6, 215, jr.), lineman Li Moala. OTHER NOTABLES Lineman Spencer King (6-3, 200, sr.), lineman/linebacker Diego Rios (5-11, 205, sr.), lineman Hunter Hernandez-Cline (5-11, 210, sr.), lineman Makani Manuwai (6-0, 250, jr.), lineman Logan Crocker (6-1, 260, jr.), lineman Diego Luna (5-11, 235, jr.), lineman Remy Rodriguez (5-10, 205, sr.), lineman Hayden Hull (5-10, 240, sr.), lineman Noah Humphrey (5-8, 190, sr.), linebacker Gio Livingston (6-1, 200, jr.), running back/safety Ryder Scheid (5-10, 175, jr.), running back/linebacker J.T. Dalton (6-0, 195, so.), running back/linebacker Jacob Dalton (6-1, 205, so.), running back/safety Will Greenwood (5-8, 165, sr.), cornerback/receiver Jacob Forrette (6-1, 175, sr.), tight end/linebacker Tanner Tuggle (6-2, 180, jr.), receiver/safety Gannen Jones (5-11, 160, jr.), safety/running back Austin Hofeling (5-10, 160, jr.), lineman Jayden Solis (5-11, 275, jr.), linebacker/tight end Alex Varner (6-1, 190, jr.), running back/defensive back Cooper Mitchell (6-0, 175, jr.), quarterback Colby Schwartz (6-1, 175, jr.), kicker Landon DuFour (5-7, 140, so.). 2022 SCHEDULE Sept. 2at Beaverton, 7 p.m. Sept. 9DEL NORTE, 7 p.m. Sept. 16MCNARY, 7 p.m. Sept. 23at South Salem, 7 p.m. Sept. 30SPRAGUE, 7 p.m. Oct. 7at Sheldon, 7 p.m. Oct. 14at Grants Pass, 7 p.m. Oct. 21ROSEBURG, 7 p.m. Oct. 28NORTH MEDFORD, 7 p.m. Reach sports editor Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, [email protected] or via Twitter @Kris_Henry Andy Atkinson/Mail Tribune. South Medford seniors Andrew Walker, left, and Deacon Edgar return to spark the Panthers. Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneSouth Medford senior linebacker Dylan Espinosa (42) and a host of players who saw action a year ago return to buoy the defense. Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneSouth Medford junior Gabe Staszak will be one to watch on the defensive line this season.