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There's no big favorite in Skyline By KRIS HENRY Hidden Valley's perch atop the Skyline Conference appears a little more tenuous this season. The Mustangs have won back-to-back league titles, but their 14-game league winning streak could be in jeopardy as Mazama, Henley and Illinois Valley each stand poised for a shot at the title. Hidden Valley advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state playoffs last season, while Mazama and Henley each went 1-1 in the playoffs. Illinois Valley finished tied with the Hornets at 4-3 in the league standings, only to miss the playoffs due to Henley's tiebreaker advantage. Besides on-field talent, coaching philosophies will be more of a mystery this season with three first-year coaches (Henley, Lakeview and Rogue River) and two former co-head coaches (North Valley and Phoenix) entering the fray. "I think anything can happen this season," says first-year Rogue River coach Floyd Graves. "There are about five teams in there where everybody is going to cut each other up. It's going to be interesting to see what happens and who ends up on top." Here's a look at the Skyline Conference teams outside Jackson and Josephine counties: HENLEY -- The preseason pick to unseat Hidden Valley last season, the Hornets hope to make good on that expectation this season under first-year coach Steve Rooklidge. An assistant coach the past four seasons, Rooklidge takes over for Dick Cloud, whose return to the sidelines after a 12-year absence proved short-lived. Cloud's return ended in a 6-3 overall and 4-3 league mark for the Hornets last season. Rooklidge, 27, says Henley is poised to make some major noise in the Skyline race this season. "There's a different attitude this year," he says. "We've got to change. We know that and I think the kids know that. We had a rough year (in 1998) that wasn't enjoyable for anyone. We're looking to turn that around." That turnaround will include a new offensive package designed to break away from the same power I-formation and double tight end attack used at Henley since the early 1980s. "It's not like we're going to be Ashland or BYU or something," Rooklidge says, "but we want to give a different look than we have the past 20 years." Tailback Greg Cunningham and fullback Greg Conover will lead the transition, with quarterback Nick Thede returning to form a senior-laden backfield. Cunningham wasn't used much in last year's attack, while Conover takes his first turn at fullback. Rooklidge says both runners might take the Skyline Conference by surprise this season. "We expect a lot out of them," says Rooklidge. The strength of the Hornets will rest with its defense as seven players return, including linemen Eric Wietlisbach and Mark Steinbock and the entire secondary. Henley will also add Skylar Brower to the mix. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound junior transfer from Colorado stands to be a force in the trenches for the Hornets. MAZAMA -- The Vikings weren't quite sure what to expect last season after dropping from the Class 4A level to 3A. A little more wise to the ways of the Skyline Conference, Mazama stands to be a serious challenger to Hidden Valley's two-year reign. "That was our goal last year and no question that's the goal this year," says Mazama coach John Mathis. "I think we have enough quality kids coming back from last year's team to make a run at it." The Vikings return seven starters on offense and defense from last season, and add three potential game-breakers in lineman Gunner Zahler (6-4, 240), running back Landyn Trammell (5-10, 175) and quarterback Brendon Quirke (6-1, 160). "I think the kids are real hungry to win a league championship because we came so close last year and we've never won a league championship," says Mathis. Mazama will feature a nice blend of speed and size this season, with track speedsters Robert Draper and Trammell handling the running duties with senior Tyler Millsap (6-2, 185). The offensive and defensive lines will be beefed up with the addition of Zahler to an already potent squad led by seniors Pablo Sanchez (6-3, 240), Aaron Means (6-4, 200) and Sean Jeynes (6-4, 250). Senior quarterback Tyler Starkey also returns, but is being pushed hard by Quirke. Depth will be Mazama's concern, as will an unforgiving schedule that pits the Vikings against Henley, Hidden Valley and North Valley away from home. LAKEVIEW -- The Honkers hope first-year coach Owen Sandine can help pull Lakeview out of its Skyline Conference doldrums. Lakeview won two conference games and three overall last season. The Honkers return a bevy of players from that squad, including running backs Chad Longacre and Ben Osborne. "Both of those guys are looking very explosive and have grasped the concept of our offense pretty fast," says Sandine, who will take his first turn as head coach. Helping ease Sandine's worries will be a senior-filled roster, including 10 returners on offense and defense. Not all of those seniors may start this season, however, as Sandine has opened up each position. The greatest battle for a starting spot has been at quarterback, where senior Mitchell Brown is being pushed by sophomore Carl Fairburn and junior Con Fitzgerald. Sandine says his wish is to have Fairburn guide the junior varsity squad, with Brown leading the varsity and Fitzgerald being his backup. On a team that is relatively undersized at most positions, the Honkers do boast a sun blocker in defensive lineman Brent Markee. A junior transfer from Medford, Markee stands 6-3 and tops off at around 400 pounds. "He's huge but he can move," says Sandine. "I'm expecting him to make some big plays for us this year." Other keys will be seniors James Furtado, Brent Nichols and Chris Samples at receiver and in the secondary. Leading the defense will be seniors Matt Havel, Sam Hadley, Ryan Bogardus, Steven Boles, Chad Fleeman and Osborne. Junior Jeremy Bybee is the lone underclassmen returning to the starting lineup. Hornets at a glance COACH : Steve Rooklidge (first year). ASSISTANTS : Joe Tacchini (defensive coordinator), Dave Myers (offensive line/secondary), Jess Schefstrom (receivers/defensive line), Jack Lee (freshmen), Brian Brown (freshmen). 1998 LEAGUE RECORD : 4-3 (tie, third place, Skyline). 1998 OVERALL RECORD : 6-3. PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR : Third. 1998 REGULAR SEASON SCORES Henley Opponents 55 South Umpqua 6 30 Douglas 7 20 Hidden Valley 27 31 North Valley 6 48 Rogue River 14 0 Mazama 19 28 Illinois Valley 7 30 Phoenix 7 8 Lakeview 25 STATE PLAYOFFS 35 Newport 13 0 Junction City 27 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (4) : Split end Jeremy Axel (5-10, 160, sr.), tailback Greg Cunningham (5-8, 170, sr.), quarterback Nick Thede (5-10, 165, sr.), lineman Eric Wietlisbach (6-0, 230, sr.). DEFENSE (7) : Cornerback Jeremy Axel, safety Greg Conover (5-10, 170, sr.), cornerback Greg Cunningham, lineman Eric Wietlisbach, safety Brian Stock (5-10, 165, jr.), defensive end Mark Steinbock (6-0, 185, sr.), cornerback Frank Gauntz (5-9, 160, so.). OTHER NOTABLES Fullback Greg Conover, offensive/defensive lineman Skylar Brower (6-2, 240, jr.), linebacker/offensive lineman Adam Johnson (6-0, 190, jr.), offensive/defensive lineman Joey Leroy (5-9, 200, jr.), linebacker/offensive lineman Nick Bair (6-2, 190, sr.), running back/linebacker John Townsend (5-8, 165, jr.). 1999 SCHEDULE Sept. 11 at Bandon, 3 p.m. Sept. 17 SOUTH UMPQUA, 7 p.m. Sept. 24 HIDDEN VALLEY, 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at North Valley, 7 p.m. Oct. 8 ROGUE RIVER, 7 p.m. Oct. 15 MAZAMA, 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Illinois Valley, 7 p.m. Oct. 29 PHOENIX, 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at Lakeview, 7 p.m. Vikings at a glance COACH : John Mathis (eighth year, 18-47). ASSISTANTS : Jim Kockenderfer (offensive line), Mitch Meunier (defensive coordinator), Ipo Ross (defensive line), Mike Millsap (defensive line), Dan Fast (freshmen), Stan Zysk (freshmen), Dan Solyst (secondary, junior varsity). 1998 LEAGUE RECORD : 6-1 (second place, Skyline). 1998 OVERALL RECORD : 7-4. PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR : Second. 1998 REGULAR SEASON SCORES Mazama Opponents 14 Klamath Union 26 0 Yreka 12 31 Phoenix 7 27 Rogue River 0 27 Illinois Valley 12 19 Henley 0 7 Hidden Valley 10 40 Lakeview 7 50 North Valley 16 STATE PLAYOFFS 26 Myrtle Point 19 14 Scappoose 20, 2OT RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (7) : Quarterback Tyler Starkey (5-10, 165, sr.), running back Tyler Millsap (6-2, 185, sr.), lineman Sean Jeynes (6-4, 250, sr.), running back Robert Draper (5-9, 160, jr.), lineman Pablo Sanchez (6-3, 240, sr.), center Aaron Means (6-4, 200, sr.), quarterback/ running back Lance Wagner (5-9, 150, jr.). DEFENSE (7) : End/linebacker Tyler Millsap, cornerback Tyler Starkey, lineman Sean Jeynes, safety Robert Draper, lineman Pablo Sanchez, lineman Aaron Means, cornerback Lance Wagner. OTHER NOTABLES Offensive lineman/defensive lineman Gunner Zahler (6-4, 240, sr.), running back/linebacker Landyn Trammell (5-10, 175, jr.), quarterback/safety Brendon Quirke (6-1, 160, jr.). 1999 SCHEDULE Sept. 10 KLAMATH UNION, 7 p.m. Sept. 17 YREKA, 7 p.m. Sept. 24 PHOENIX, 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at Rogue River, 7 p.m. Oct. 8 ILLINOIS VALLEY, 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at Henley, 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Hidden Valley, 7 p.m. Oct. 29 LAKEVIEW, 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at North Valley, 7 p.m. Honkers at a glance COACH : Owen Sandine (first year). ASSISTANTS : Tucker Fairburn (offensive, defensive lines), Dan Stecher (running backs, defensive backs), Rick Dolbear (offensive, defensive lines), Scott Reed (offensive coordinator, quarterbacks, defensive backs), Todd Limoge (receivers, defensive backs). 1998 LEAGUE RECORD : 2-5 (tie, fifth, Skyline). 1998 OVERALL RECORD : 3-6. PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR : Seventh. 1998 REGULAR SEASON SCORES Lakeview Opponents 24 Modoc 16 6 McLoughlin 28 0 North Valley 17 8 Hidden Valley 20 6 Phoenix 15 21 Illinois Valley 35 26 Rogue River 12 7 Mazama 40 25 Henley 8 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (11) : Running back Chad Longacre (5-9, 165, sr.), fullback Ben Osborne (6-0, 185, sr.), quarterback Mitchell Brown (5-10, 160, sr.), receiver James Furtado (5-10, 160, sr.), receiver Brent Nichols (5-7, 155, sr.), offensive lineman Matt Havel (5-10, 165, sr.), kicker Sam Hadley (6-0, 170, sr.), offensive lineman Steven Boles (5-9, 180, sr.), offensive lineman Chad Fleeman (5-11, 180, sr.), receiver Chris Samples (6-1, 165, sr.), offensive lineman Jeremy Bybee (5-11, 180, jr.). DEFENSE (11) : Linebacker Ben Osborne, defensive back Mitchell Brown, defensive back James Furtado, defensive back Brent Nichols, linebacker Matt Havel, linebacker Sam Hadley, defensive lineman Ryan Bogardus (5-10, 170, sr.), defensive lineman Steven Boles, defensive lineman Chad Fleeman, linebacker Chris Samples, defensive lineman Jeremy Bybee. OTHER NOTABLES Defensive lineman Brent Markee (6-3, 400, jr.), tight end/defensive end Nick Grant (5-11, 175, jr.), quarterback Carl Fairburn (6-0, 165, so.), quarterback/linebacker Con Fitzgerald (5-8, 155, jr.). 1999 SCHEDULE Sept. 10 MODOC, 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at Burns, 7 p.m. Sept. 24 NORTH VALLEY, 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at Hidden Valley, 7 p.m. Oct. 8 PHOENIX, 7 p.m. Oct. 15 ILLINOIS VALLEY, 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Rogue River, 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at Mazama, 7 p.m. Nov. 5 HENLEY, 7 p.m. FOOTBALL 99 Index Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.