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By Don Hunt for the Mail Tribune September 03. 2015 3:49PM Challengers geared for strong year Chase Wager, right, is a returning starter at strong safety and provides speed at wide receiver. PHOTO BY MAX BROWN With two state titles, a state runner-up and two semifinal appearances on its resume over the past nine seasons, Cascade Christian is one of the premier Class 3A high school football programs in Oregon. The Challengers aim high and frequently reach their journey’s end. “We don’t specifically address that goal (of winning a state championship) to our kids, but I think in the back of our minds it’s there,” said head coach Jon Gettman, who led the Challengers to a state title in 2013 and a second-place showing the previous season. “Our main goals each season are to win our league, get two home playoff games and make the final four. And we’ll gladly take anything beyond that.” At the age of 31, Gettman already has posted 53 victories in 65 games over five seasons. His winning percentage of .815 is among the best in the state. He has reason to boast, but doesn’t, instead deflecting the credit to a veteran, knowledgeable staff that includes former Southern Oregon University head coach Jeff Olson, former Phoenix High head coach Joe Hagler and long-time line coach gurus Mike Schaan and Jerry Birchfiel. “The wealth of experience these guys have really shows up on game day by the adjustments they make,” said Gettman. “I’ve learned so much from them. It’s been a blast.” Gettman also believes his team has benefitted from junking the double-wing offense he ran his first two seasons at Cascade — and for many seasons prior to that — in favor of a no-huddle, spread attack that takes better advantage of the Challengers’ skill position players. Gettman installed the spread after huddling with Southern Oregon University offensive coordinator Kevin Fasnacht at a Raiders team camp in the summer of 2012. “We have a good time with it and the kids love it,” said Gettman, who sends in plays from the sidelines with hand signals. With eight starters back on offense, the Challengers expect to average more than the 33.5 points per game they put on the board in 2014, especially now that quarterback Haiden Schaan has had time to absorb the spread concepts. Schaan, a son of Mike Schaan, was just a freshman last season when he took over for an injured Alec Furst. He helped Cascade to five victories in six games before a 35-21 loss in the state quarterfinals to eventual Class 3A champion Vale. “He improved a ton in the offseason,” said Gettman of the 5-foot-10, 170-pound Schaan. “He got in the weight room, improved his throwing mechanics and developed a little more speed, but his main asset is his leadership. He has the ability to fight through mistakes. He threw five picks against Santiam Christian (last season) but he shook them off and we almost won the game.” Senior Jake Booker headlines an experienced Challengers receiving corps. The former soccer player earned second-team all-state honors last season and saved his best games for the playoffs. “Last year was his first playing football but he really found his groove late in the season,” said Gettman of Booker. “His route running and playmaking abilities really came together. We’re expecting great things from him.” And not just on offense. “We see him as a shutdown corner (on defense),” said Gettman. Junior Carson Cochran and senior Chase Wager join Booker as experienced wide receivers, while Matt Miller returns at center, Nash O’Hara and Stephen Christensen are back at guard and Brandon Winter comes back as a starter at tackle. Winter earned honorable mention all-state accolades a year ago. Cascade lacks experience at running back, but Gettman thinks junior Zack Fralich can shoulder the load, even though he’s one of team’s smallest players at 5-7 and 150 pounds. Along with Booker, other returning starters on defense include Wager at strong safety, Miller at inside linebacker, Winter at end, O’Hara at tackle, Christensen at tackle and linebacker and Fralich at strong safety. “We don’t have a lot of experience at linebacker and that’s a concern,” said Gettman, noting the void caused by two-time state player-of-the-year Dante Olson, who took his talents to the University of Montana. “A kid like Matt Miller is going to have to step up and be solid.” “But more than anything, I want to see how much fight this team has as a group. How willing are we to fight when adversity strikes?” If history is a guide, the Challengers won’t back down from any football fray.   CHALLENGERS GLANCEHEAD COACHJon Gettman(Sixth year, 53-12)Cascade Christian has claimed five straight Southern Cascade League titles under Gettman, going 15-0 in conference play and 53-12 overall.ASSISTANTS: Jeff Olson (defensive coordinator), Sam Carpenter (defensive backs), Mike Schaan (linemen), Andy Scaglione (defensive backs/receivers), Mike Ragan (JV head coach/linemen), Jerry Birchfiel (linemen), Joe Hagler (running backs), Daniel Scottow (receivers), Steve Furst (quarterbacks).2014 LEAGUE RECORD: 3-0 (first, SCL).2014 OVERALL RECORD: 8-3.PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: First.2014 RESULTSCascade Christian;Opponents46;Henley 1828;Pleasant Hill 2019;Burns 4628;Harrisburg 720;Santiam Christian 2144;Rainier 2238;Illinois Valley 1354;Lakeview 1649;St. Mary’s 7State Playoffs21;Pleasant Hill 021;Vale 35RETURNING STARTERSOFFENSE (8): Quarterback Haiden Schaan (5-10, 170, so.), receiver Carson Cochran (6-2, 210, jr.), receiver Jake Booker (5-9, 170, sr.), receiver Chase Wager (5-9, 180, sr.), center Matt Miller (5-8, 190, jr.), guard Nash O’Hara (5-10, 180, jr.), tackle Brandon Winter (6-2, 200, sr.), guard Stephen Christensen (5-10, 190, sr.).DEFENSE (7): Cornerback Booker, strong safety Wager, inside linebacker Miller, end Winter, tackle O’Hara, linebacker/tackle Christensen, strong safety Zack Fralich (5-7, 150, jr.).OTHER NOTABLESReceiver/free safety Ben Dunn (6-1, 160, so.), offensive/defensive tackle Moses Jackson (6-2, 230), receiver/safety Kevin Wheeler (5-7, 160, sr.), offensive line/linebacker Cristian Flores (6-1, 230, so.), receiver/linebacker Cole Hadley (6-1, 190, sr.), offensive/defensive line Gabe Hadley (6-1, 260, jr.).2015 SCHEDULESept. 4;HENLEY, 7 p.m.Sept. 11;SCIO, 7 p.m.Sept. 18;at Pleasant Hill, 7 p.m.Sept. 25;at Harrisburg, 7 p.m.Oct. 2;SANTIAM CHRISTIAN, 7 p.m.Oct. 9;at Rainier, 7 p.m.Oct. 16;LAKEVIEW, 7 p.m.Oct. 24;at St. Mary’s, 7 p.m.Oct. 30;ILLINOIS VALLEY, 7 p.m.  http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20150903/sports/150909850 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. 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