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IV's Sheehan faces another toilsome task By DAVE DAUGHERTY If Perry Sheehan were a college football coach, he would probably be settling into his dream job at an upper echelon program to start the 1999 season. After just three seasons, Sheehan has turned one-time Skyline Conference doormat Illinois Valley into a legitimate team. Losers of 20 straight games during the 1994 and '95 campaigns, the Cougars have clawed their way to a .500 record (9-18) since. "I hope we now have the other schools' attention," says Sheehan, who enters his fourth season in Cave Junction. "We're starting to get respect because we've shown we can win." Last season the Cougars posted a 6-3 record and came within one game of making the Class 3A state playoffs. "We're hoping we can ride the success we had last year," says Sheehan. "If we work hard and things go our way, we can beat people in our league." Riding the wave of '98 could be a tall task for the Cougars, though, as they return only one starter on offense and three on defense. "We're setting our goals the same as last year, but we realize we're really thin and really young," says Sheehan. "We're almost like a J.V. team because we have no experience." Junior tight end Brandon Henry (6-1, 215) is the lone returnee on offense, and he may be plugged into a running back position after the loss of Mike Melton. The quarterback duties in Sheehan's double-wing offense will fall into the capable hands of junior Jared Larsen, who is also a returning starter on defense. "We think not having a definite run guy will open things up for Jared," said Sheehan. "He moves and throws pretty well. He doesn't have a great arm, but he can get the job done." The Cougars' double-wing attack is largely based on running the football, but Sheehan hopes to open things and spread the field in '99. "I want to throw more, but the run has to be our strength," said the coach. "We've committed ourselves to this offense. If we don't establish the run, our chances of winning are slim and none." Defensively, Illinois Valley's strength will rest in the secondary with returners Larsen and junior Mike Peterson (6-0, 165), but in a league dominated with running teams, being proficient at stopping the pass could be a moot point. Sheehan and defensive coordinator Greg Nygren's main task on defense will be building a foundation around inside linebacker Henry. "Henry will be the building block of the defense," said Sheehan. "He will have to keep everyone riled up and going if things start to fall apart." Senior transfer Kevin Fox (6-2, 185) is one player Sheehan is pinning his hopes of rebuilding the defense on as well. Even with a youthful squad, the schedule could be the Cougars' best friend in the early going. Games with Class 2A schools Culver and Oakland open the year before the Skyline slate opens Sept. 24 against Rogue River. If things hold true to form, Illinois Valley could head into an Oct. 1 contest at Phoenix with a 3-0 mark. "This year it will be easy to get the kids motivated," said Sheehan. "We're not talking wins and losses. We just want to upset someone somewhere down the road and win the games we feel we're supposed to." If those things happen, Illinois Valley may once again head into its final regular season contest with its eyes on a playoff berth. Cougars at a glance COACH : Perry Sheehan (fourth year, 9-18). ASSISTANTS : Dan Dickerson (defensive ends/tight ends), Greg Nygren (defensive coordinator), Carl Larsen (offensive line/outside linebackers), Arnold Wardwell (defensive line/offensive line), Neil DeForrest (defensive backs/offensive backs). LEAGUE RECORD : 4-3 (third place, Skyline). 1998 OVERALL RECORD : 6-3 PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR : Sixth. 1998 REGULAR SEASON SCORES Illinois Valley Opponents 14 Culver 13 60 Oakland 20 34 Rogue River 14 28 Phoenix 20 12 Mazama 27 35 Lakeview 21 7 Henley 28 27 North Valley 14 9 Hidden Valley 47 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (1) : Tight end Brandon Henry (6-1, 210, jr.). DEFENSE (3) : Linebacker Brandon Henry, defensive back Jared Larsen (5-11, 160, jr.), defensive back Mike Peterson (6-0, 163, jr.). OTHER NOTABLES Kevin Fox (6-2, 185, sr.), defensive back/offensive back John Pope (5-11, 166, so.), lineman Jerrod Bruner (6-1, 255, jr.). 1999 SCHEDULE Sept. 10 CULVER, 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at Oakland, 7 p.m. Sept. 24 ROGUE RIVER, 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at Phoenix, 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at Mazama, 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at Lakeview, 7 p.m. Oct. 22 HENLEY, 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at North Valley, 7 p.m. Nov. 5 HIDDEN VALLEY, 7 p.m. FOOTBALL 99 Index Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.