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By Dan Jones Mail Tribune September 03. 2015 3:47PM Hopes high in Phoenix Phoenix High seniors Trace Vega (left) and Kyle Botermans help solidify th Pirates up front. PHOTO BY LARRY STAUTH JR. PHOENIX — The Phoenix football team had a smashing 2014 season. Head coach Toby Walker looks ahead to this season with plenty of optimism. “I just think the biggest thing is our numbers are bigger this year than they have been in years past,” said Walker. Gone are the days of seeing graduated seniors Triston Hay (quarterback), Ty Mahaffey (receiver) and Mao Masalosalo (lineman) leading the charge. Those are big subtractions, Walker said, particularly the loss of Hay, who was a signal caller who could pick up loads of rushing yards in a hurry. Hay was the co-Skyline Conference offensive player of the year last year, when the Pirates went 8-2 overall and 4-1 in league. The club’s only losses came against league champion Mazama, which lost in the Class 4A state semifinals. Walker and the staff are adjusting the offense slightly as senior Brazden Herrick and sophomore Dillon Knudson vie for a spot at quarterback. “Triston was very fast with a lot of speed and vision,” Walker said. “Brazden and Dillon can also run the ball well and effectively but we’ll also look to take advantage of our backfield and good offensive line.” That backfield is a formidable one, paced by returning second-team Skyline pick Justin Knight (a senior) and quick, slashing Zach Atteberry (senior). “(Knight) has worked really hard in the weight room,” Walker said. “His strength and speed have improved. One of his biggest things is his downhill running.” Fullbacks on the squad are Miguel Ceron, Cristian Tovar and Kyle Sell. Leading the line are senior Trace Vega, a returning first-team Skyline offensive lineman and second-team linebacker, and first-teamer Mase Masalosalo (6-0, 260, senior). A notable addition is senior Aldo Vela. There’s really almost no replacing Mao Masalosalo, though. He was an enormous presence at 6-3, 335 pounds. “He shut down the inside run game,” said Walker, who also serves as his team’s defensive coordinator. Other valuable players are senior center Kyle Botermans, senior lineman Max Potter, senior tight end Cole George (6-2, 205, sr.), senior receiver/defensive back Jessi Daniels and junior lineman Papu Masalosalo. A solid secondary includes returning first-teamer Frank Masalosalo (senior), Herrick at safety and junior Gerardo Sanchez, a returning second-team all-league selection. Walker calls his coaching staff — which includes former Eagle Point head coach Jacob Schauffler — “the best in the state.” Schauffler will serve as an offensive assistant, running backs and linebackers coach. Walker has a strong background himself. The former All-American defensive back at Southern Oregon University was the defensive coordinator at North Medford High before becoming the interim head coach at Phoenix High in 2009. He had also worked as an assistant at SOU, Phoenix and Ontario. Phoenix made the state playoffs for the first time in five years last season, falling to Mazama in the quarterfinals. The Pirates kick off the 2015 season by hosting South Umpqua. They’ll get another shot at Mazama in their regular-season finale on Oct. 23. Phoenix’s Skyline opener comes Sept. 25, when the squad travels to play Hidden Valley. Eight teams, including the No. 1 squad from the Skyline, along with the next highest ranked team between the No. 2s from the aforementioned leagues, will automatically qualify for the first round of the OSAA 16-team state playoff bracket. “It’s always a tough league,” Walker said. Reach reporter Dan Jones at 541-776-4499, or email [email protected]. Find him online at twitter.com/danjonesmt PIRATES GLANCEHEAD COACHToby Walker(Seventh year, 29-27)The former All-American defensive back at Southern Oregon University was the defensive coordinator at North Medford High before becoming interim head coach at Phoenix High in 2009. Walker had also worked as an assistant at SOU, Phoenix and Ontario.GENERAL INFORMATIONASSISTANTS: Tony McDougall (linebackers/running backs), Tim Seeley (linemen), Neil Carvalho (special teams/head JV coach), Dave Weber (offensive assistant/receivers/defensive backs), Aaron Hayman (offensive coordinator), Jacob Schauffler (offensive assistant/running backs/linebackers), Joe Reyes (JV), Austin Toney (JV), Matt Hagert (offensive assistant/quarterbacks/defensive backs), Bill Hutchinson (linemen/JV).2014 LEAGUE RECORD: 4-1 (second, Skyline).2014 OVERALL RECORD: 8-2.PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: Third.2014 RESULTSPhoenix;Opponents45;Brookings 630;Junction City 2355;North Eugene 2249;Hidden Valley 222;North Valley 034;Henley 2738;Klamath Union 210;Mazama 54State Playoffs38;Sweet Home 280;Mazama 48RETURNING STARTERSOFFENSE (7): Center Kyle Botermans (6-0, 200, sr.), lineman Trace Vega (5-11, 195, sr.), lineman Max Potter (6-2, 220, sr.), running back Justin Knight (5-10, 175, sr.), tight end Cole George (6-2, 205, sr.), receiver Frank Masalosalo (5-8, 145, sr.), receiver Jessi Daniels (5-9, 155, sr.).DEFENSE (8): Linebacker Trace Vega, lineman Mase Masalosalo (6-0, 260, sr.), linebacker Justin Knight, defensive back Frank Masalosalo, defensive back Brazden Herrick (5-10, 165, sr.), defensive back Jessi Daniels, defensive back Gerardo Sanchez (5-7, 155, jr.), lineman Papu Masalosalo (5-11, 210, jr.).OTHER NOTABLESRunning back/defensive back Zach Atteberry (5-6, 130, sr.), receiver/defensive back Colton Beer (6-0, 165, sr.), running back/linebacker Cristian Tovar (5-9, 190, sr.), fullback Miguel Ceron (5-6, 195, sr.), linebacker/running back Kyle Sell (6-0, 180, jr.), lineman Aldo Vela (5-10, 225, sr.), lineman David Spliethof (5-9, 215, sr.), tight end/linebacker Angel Sauceda (5-10, 185, sr.).2015 SCHEDULESept. 4;SOUTH UMPQUA, 7 p.m.Sept. 11;at Junction City, 7 p.m.Sept. 18;at North Eugene, 7 p.m.Sept. 25;at Hidden Valley, 7 p.m.Oct. 2;NORTH VALLEY, 7 p.m.Oct. 9;HENLEY, 7 p.m.Oct. 16;at Klamath Union, 7 p.m.Oct. 23;MAZAMA, 7 p.m.  http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20150903/SPORTS/150909852 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. 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