With a few fakes and misdirection, Marist is just one win away from making it to the Oregon State 5A playoff finals. For their 9-3 season and vast improvement, the Spartans have been selected the MaxPreps Oregon Team of the Week, presented by the Oregon National Guard.
Photo by Paul Steele
Unfortunately for Frank Geske and his football squad at
Marist (Eugene), this isn't an odd year. Otherwise they could take a win in the Oregon 5A championship game as a foregone conclusion.
The Spartans have won five state titles, all in odd-numbered years, including consecutive oddities in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009. They also won in 1973.
The Spartans' bread-and-butter is power football.
Photo by Paul Steele
Odd, even, sideways, Geske is just happy to be close after going through an uncharacteristic 6-5 season in 2012. This after three seasons of going a combined 37-3.
But every year at the high school level, of course, is vastly different. And his 9-3 squad this season, after a 28-14 win over Corvallis last week, is one win from gaining a spot in the state championship.
For their fine season, the Spartans are the MaxPreps Oregon Team of the Week, presented by the Oregon National Guard.
Asked if his team has a legitimate shot to win the state crown despite the even year, Geske didn't hesitate.
"We definitely have the talent and we have been getting better every day," he said. "So the state title is just a one-week season away."
In the win over Corvallis, sophomore
Marcus Lydon was picked as Player of the Game by his team, after recording eight tackles.
Dustin Jones-Phillips was Offensive Player of the Game for his five acrobatic catches for 80 yards and a touchdown.
Trevor Konrady earned Defensive Player of the Game honors at cornerback for making eight solo tackles and adding an interception.
Geske said the team's improvement over last season is apparent all over the field.
"We have gotten better at everything we have done since last year, and more importantly over the course of this year," he said.
Quinn Cota, Marist
Photo by Paul Steele
Quarterback
Quinn Cota has been good all season and rushed for 74 yards and a score while passing for 162 yards and another touchdown against Corvallis. Coming into the game he had completed 82 of 134 passes for 1,622 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also rushed for 291 yards and three scores.
"He is a gifted athlete and an exceptional competitor," Geske said.
Trae Gould rushed for 66 yards (on just two carries) and another touchdown in the win last week. The team's leading rusher on the year is
Justin Enseki-Frank (208-945-8).
Jones-Phillips is the team's top receiver with 38 catches for 793 yards and six scores, but
Austin Tyner (30-567) and
Trevor Vill (29-557) each have nine touchdown catches.
Defensively,
Jake Schultz leads the team with 70 tackles, followed by four players in the 60s, led by
Jonny Shedrick (63).
Schultz has 9.5 sacks, but it's 16.5 tackles for loss by Shedrick that is eye-opening. Vill leads the team with six interceptions.
Asked what he's been most pleased with this season, Geske said: "The upgrade in intensity over the year has formulated our team personality."
As far as the team's semifinal showdown this week with
Hermiston, Geske said the team's mindset is the biggest key. Saturday's weather forecast calls for freezing rain.
"The mental aspect of dealing with the potential of cold and wind is key," he said.
Marist quarterback Quinn Mota has thrown for than 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Photo by Paul Steele
