» Tigers to reveal new offense

By Steve McCasland
Staff Writer
Thursday, August 28, 2008 | No comments posted. The Bandon Tigers will unveil new coach Motts Thomas’ no-huddle, multiple-option offense on the road against Valley Catholic at 3 p.m. Saturday.

“We’re doing things differently than Bandon ever has,” Thomas said on Monday. “We’re managing the clock, so we can speed up or slow down the game. It was a little shaky in the beginning, but in the end, the kids are starting to get it. That’s the most satisfying thing in the world.”

Valley Catholic fielded its first football team ever last season. Visiting Bandon on Cranberry Festival weekend, the Beaverton squad suffered a 31-8 defeat.

“The difference between that program and ours is that they can recruit and turn a program around in a heartbeat,” Thomas said.

Apparently, Bandon has no tape of last year’s Cranberry Bowl, so Thomas searched the Internet for information on Valley Catholic football. He located some play formations and other materials that have helped.

“They have a big tight end and a nice little running back,” Thomas said. “They improved as the season went on last year, and I expect them to come out ready to go on Saturday.” The Tigers, meanwhile, have been learning a different way to practice and play the game.

“They’ve been doing really, really well considering that everything’s new to them,” Thomas said. “We’re just trying to do the best we can do and not make errors while the clock is stopped. They’re picking up on that.

“I’ve been trying to temper their expectations somewhat, because they’re carrying the weight of a failed season and a lot of different tribulations. But I think they’re doing very well and will continue to do very well. We’re going to go play a helluva a football game on Saturday, I can tell you that.”

Bandon had 28 players on the practice field at the beginning of this week, a number that Thomas hopes increases once school starts. Despite the small roster, however, he feels this year’s team has great potential to improve over last year’s 2-win season.

“We have turned one of our weaknesses, our offensive line, into a strength,” Thomas said. “You have to be strong up the middle, and we have Paul Merriam, Jake Lamont and Carlos Villa anchoring the center of our offensive line. In the backfield, Connor Jackson will probably start at quarterback, with Cody Carney at fullback and Jimmy Mack at tailback. We also have returning receiver Buster Webb, along with Max DeVillers, an exceptionaly fine receiver who won’t be available this weekend due to a prior family commitment.

“Until we grow into the new offense and defense, we have to get the ball into the hands of the guys who we think can make something happen. This is a strong up-the-middle group that practices hard. As a team, we’re going to do as well as they do.” Carney also will play a key role on defense as middle linebacker. Andy Santos has been playing well at strong safety, and Mike Bennett “has done a surprising job for us at cornerback,” Thomas said. “He’ll likely start at cornerback and also be our backup quarterback.”

Thomas plans to call the plays from the sidelines using three display boards visible to the players on the field. The team won’t use a huddle, thus eliminating wasted time between plays.

“We want to get in as many plays as we can,” Thomas said.

He added that he is appreciative of the recent community support for the team’s fundraising efforts.

“I am just unbelievably pleased and happy with the community’s response, and I hope the community will continue to support those efforts so we can continue to bring the program up to what I believe is acceptable. We’re getting safer equipment, and trying to make an environment that the community and everyone in it can be proud of. We’ve been able to buy nine new helmets at $150 each. That’s a lot of money in a small-school program. The community’s strong support has meant a lot to the kids.”

Saturday’s game at Valley Catholic is an endowment game, according to James Freitag, Bandon High School athletic director. Admission to the game is $6 for adults and $4 for students. For directions to the stadium in Beaverton, go to http://www.bhs.bandon.k12.or.us and select the sports schedule link on the right side of the page.