A week away from opening the 2008 Season, the Southern Oregon University football team has ended preseason camp and now is in game-week mode.
According to Head Coach Steve Helminiak, the final scrimmage on Tuesday provided a chance to see how his guys would respond to some typical on-field situations.
“We stayed healthy, which was real important,” said the third-year head coach. “Everything was pretty basic and we got what we wanted done. Some guys stepped up, some didn’t.”
Led by a bulk of returners, including 12 members of the NAIA All-Independent Preseason team, early season practices have given Helminiak reason to think some of the new guys will prove productive, too.
“We’re a long way ahead of where we were at this point last year,” said Helminiak. “Our mind set is better, there’s much more offensive continuity and we’re just doing good things on both sides of the ball.”
On the offensive side of the ball, seniors
Darryl Price and
Danny Patenaude and junior
Brandon Stout have been standouts at wide receiver early on. Price, a first-team member of the All-Independent Preseason squad, was third on the team with 28 catches and 382 yards last year, while Patenaude notched two touchdowns on 13 catches. Stout will make his Raider debut after spending three years at Central Washington University.
Convincing practice performances from redshirt freshmen
Derek Short and
Zach Urrutia have caught the eye of Helminiak’s staff and consequently helped them solidify starting positions on the offensive line.
Fullback
Brent Koontz, a 6-1 redshirt freshman, has also made a strong impression thus far.
“He’s been a real pleasant surprise,” Helminiak said of Koontz. “We moved him from linebacker to fullback and he’s adapted very well, and he’s earned a job.”
On the defensive end, the Raiders expect to benefit from a wealth of experience and some fresh contributors.
Courtney Robinson, an All-Conference junior transfer from Ventura College, and redshirt freshman
Amos Mikaele have proven they will provide help at the defensive end and defensive tackle positions.
Freddy Romero, a defensive lineman and All-State selection from Cottage Grove, redshirted last season but will now make his mark on the defensive line.
“Our front four are solid and we knew that coming in,” said Helminiak. “But with these other three guys really stepping up we know we’ll have plenty of help.”
Transfers
Nate Pirak (Sr., LB),
Jason Young (Sr., SS) and
Kendrick Baker (So., LB) have also had strong preseason showings on defense and are expected to make an immediate impact.
Southern Oregon will travel to Butte, Mont. to take on Montana Tech Thursday, Aug. 28.