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Eagle Point to rely on strong defense as offense evolves By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN Entering last year, Eagle Point High's football team had made the Class 4A state playoffs three consecutive seasons. That streak ended, however, with a 2-7 record, including 2-6 in the Southern Oregon Conference. The program that played for the 1995 state title and made the quarterfinals a year after that was beginning anew. "We had a lot kids growing up on the field last year," says Johnston. "The good thing is our defense got a lot of experience. "We had to play a lot of young kids, and they took their lumps. But I think a lot of them are ready to help us have a good defense." Johnston says he hopes that defense, led by junior guard Blake Cam, senior tackle Jake Kleker and linebacker Jamie Mannenbach, will be physically ready for the rigors of playing in the tough SOC. The Eagles have nine returning starters on defense. "It's a pretty good group of kids," says Johnston. "They have good size and strength. I don't think they will get pushed around this year." Offensively, youth and experience will be more of a problem, Johnston says. "We have a new group of offensive skill people that may need some time to come along, but our defense is capable of carrying us for a while until our offense comes together on the field," says Johnston. The Eagles are getting a boost with the return of senior Nick Rouhier, a big-play receiver for Eagle Point two years ago. He is expected to be a receiver and quarterback. Rouhier suffered a major knee injury in basketball nearly two years ago and missed the 1998 football season and half of the '99 basketball season in recuperation. He will be tried at quarterback along with junior Ben Scott. If Rouhier wins the job, Scott will be the backup and move to a starting safety position. If Scott wins the job, Rouhier will play wide receiver and occasionally defensive back. "Rouhier is totally recovered," says Johnston. "It depends on how it all comes together when we get out on the field. Both of them have things to offer, and the competition will give us good depth." Despite missing the 1998 season, Rouhier attended most of the team's practices, Johnston says. "We like to have even the injured kids stay with our program," says Johnston. "We had Nick come out and throw the ball to receivers during defensive drills. When he was doing that, we discovered he has a heck of an arm." The Eagles will line up with either Evan Pogue (5-foot-11, 180 pounds) or Scott Stockton (5-8, 155) at tailback, and Mannenbach (5-10, 180) and Andy Jacobs (6-0, 195) will alternate at fullback. Other wide receivers will be Kirk Roberts (5-11, 180), Charlie Jackson (5-9, 165) and Nick Newman (6-3, 190). The Eagles' offensive front will be bigger and better, Johnston says, with Cam, Jess Hawkins (6-0, 235), Joe Kyttle (6-0, 215), tight end Bryan Schauffler (5-11, 200) and Kleker (6-4, 250). Newcomers to the line are Justin Finley (6-0, 210) and Darek Smith (5-10, 170), who is a center. "Our line will be way bigger and better," says Kleker, a three-year starter in the Eagles' offensive line. "I have a feeling this will be a great year for us because both of our lines will be tough and we have some good skill people. "Rouhier can really throw the ball. And Scott is a good quarterback, too." The Eagles, he says, didn't like being down last year. "I see us being possibly in the top three in the league and being a playoff team," says Kleker. "We're going to surprise some people." Kyttle and Mannenbach are returning starters at linebacker and cornerbacks Lucas Schauffler and Kevin Johnston return, along with Pogue at free safety. Kevin Johnston, son of the Eagles' coach, is known as a fierce hitter despite his lack of size (5-8, 145). "Johnston will hit anybody and knock them into the next world," says Kleker. "He's the best hitter in the league. "I've gotten hit by him in practice and it hurts. He puts it in his mind that he doesn't care if he gets hurt, and he goes in and gets the job done." Schauffler and Pogue have more size in the secondary than Johnston, and they are also known for their physical style of tackling, says coach Johnston. Brian Sauni, a 5-1, 170-pound transfer from Samoa, will play backup running back and safety. "He has athletic ability, and he's a hitter," says Johnston. "I'm excited about how he might fit in with this defense." Rouhier will be the Eagles' place-kicker and Roberts will handle punting. Eagles at a glance COACH : Mike Johnston (eighth year, 33-39). ASSISTANTS : Jef McClellan (offensive coordinator), Tim Rouhier (special teams, wide receivers), Tony McDougall (running backs, linebackers), Joe Meerten (offensive line, defensive ends), Ken Donnelly (defensive line, offensive line). 1998 LEAGUE RECORD : 2-6 (sixth place, SOC). 1998 OVERALL RECORD : 2-7 PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR : Sixth. 1998 REGULAR SEASON SCORES Eagle Point Opponents 6 Bend 22 7 Roseburg 27 41 Klamath 34 0 Ashland 35 21 South Medford 16 13 Crater 35 0 Roseburg 42 7 North Bend 24 0 North Medford 42 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (4) : Guard Blake Cam (6-2, 250, jr.), wide receiver Kirk Roberts (5-11, 180, sr.), guard Jess Hawkins (6-0, 215, sr.), tight end Bryant Schauffler (5-11, 200, jr.) DEFENSE (9) : Tackle Jake Kleker (6-1, 250, sr.), end Kalen Larseon (6-1, 195, sr.), end David Scott (6-2, 235, sr.), end Bryant Schauffler (5-11, 200, jr.), linebacker Joe Kyttle (6-0, 210, sr.), linebacker Jamie Mannenbach (5-10, 180, jr.), linebacker Lucas Schauffler (5-9, 160, jr.), cornerback Kevin Johnston (5-9, 150, sr.), safety Evan Pogue (5-11, 180, jr.). Other notables Running back Scott Stockton (5-8, 155, sr.), quarterback Ben Scott (5-11, 165, jr.), quarterback Nick Rouhier (5-11, 170, sr.), defensive back Charlie Jackson (5-9, 160, sr.), center Darek Smith (5-10, 170, sr.), linebacker Andy Jacobs (6-0, 195, sr.). 1999 SCHEDULE Sept. 10 NORTH MEDFORD, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17SOUTH MEFORD, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at Mountain View, 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at Crater, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Grants Pass, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 ROSEBURG, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 CHURCHILL, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 ASHLAND, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Klamath Union, 7:30 p.m. FOOTBALL 99 Index Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.