MaxPreps Oregon Team of the Week: Grants Pass football

The work ethic was always there. The resolve. The dedication.

But after back-to-back-to-back classes of talented kids, the Grants Pass Cavemen are at the top of the heap.

Grants Pass suffered through four straight losing seasons before going 7-4 last year. And now at 5-0 in 2014 — including two remarkably tough wins over established programs — the Cavemen are ranked No. 1 in Oregon according to the MaxPreps Computer Rankings.

For its work ethic, patience, vast improvement and 5-0 start, Grants Pass is the MaxPreps Oregon Team of the Week, presented by the Oregon National Guard.

"Even during those losing seasons, we played most teams tough," head coach John Musser said. "We lost a lot of close games. The kids worked hard during that stretch. We had a lot of great kids, just not as many good football players as last year and this year. We have a lot of depth. Basically we have had three classes back-to-back-to-back of good football players."

Among the best is quarterback Javan Appling, who completed 18 of 24 passes for 346 yards and five touchdowns in a 52-0 win over South Medford last week.

Grants Pass took a 31-0 halftime lead in that one and rushed for 244 yards as a team, led by Zachary Hannan with 10 carries for 94 yards. Appling also rushed for 60 yards.

Keegan Weiss and Jeret Musser each caught two first-half touchdown passes. Weiss connected on passes of 15 and 41 yards and Musser's scores went for 84 and 10 yards.

Coach Musser said Appling is both a physical jewel and student of the game.

"Javan is big, strong and athletic," Musser said. "But this takes a back seat to his mental attributes. He's smart beyond his years. We are a ‘concept' offense and he fully understands the purpose of every concept we run. He is another coach on the field. Equally important is his composure during clutch situations. He is always in control of his emotions and is at his best when the pressure is on."

The pressure was really on during a 38-36 win over Sherwood in Week 1, followed two weeks later with a 38-34 win at Sheldon.

"We beat two championship programs on the road in close games," Musser said. "This bodes well for confidence and composure. With our depth, we are fresh at the end of the game. We focus on execution in these situations. That is the basis for our practice week. We put the kids in all kinds of situations and our practices consist of short five-minute segments with high tempo. Just like a Friday night."

Musser said he's been most pleased with his team's togetherness through the ups and downs.

"Our kids have really struck with our process," he said. "As I said, the kids during the 2-7 season worked just as hard as these guys, they just weren't as good of players. On the flip side, these guys have the hunger and drive of an underdog trying to win its first game. They approach each week like the game of the century and take everything we say to heart." Do you know a team that deserves consideration for Oregon Team of the Week? Email us with your nominations at ORteamoftheweek@maxpreps.com.