We’ve got a two for one special for you today everyone! Here’s our mini highlight from Grant’s week 5 home game against Franklin.
Go Generals!
Uncategorized
Week 7 Preview: Grant (4-2) vs. Sprague (4-2)
When:
Friday, Oct. 17th, 3:30 PM
Where:
Grant Bowl, Grant High School
Game Coverage:
Grant Football Twitter
Oregonian Game of the Week Coverage
Homecoming. The word conjures up images of high school past. I still consider my senior homecoming game my favorite to ever play in. A defensive struggle that we won with a last second field goal. Usually the best game in terms of student support, Grant’s homecoming game just got even bigger. This week’s game is scheduled as The Oregonian’s Game of the Week.
Coming into the bowl this week is the Sprague Olympians, the fourth place team out of the Greater Valley Conference. Boasting an offense averaging over 40 points a contest, this Friday at the Bowl could turn into an offensive shoot out.
Coming off of last week’s 51-7 win over Cleveland, the Generals are getting their first look at a playoff caliber opponent since the second week of the season. While I predict both Lincoln and Wilson to be in the playoffs, Sprague has proven to be capable of competing with the state’s elite this year, and is simply on another level of talent compared to the competition the Generals have seen in league play this season.
Another interesting subject to consider this week is the influence a big win could have on Grant’s position in the power rankings come playoff time. While they will be guaranteed a home playoff game if they beat Roosevelt and clinch the PIL championship, improving their ranking might let the Generals host in the second round as well.
Big atmosphere, media coverage, a likely packed home stadium, this is what playing football is all about. This is the week where we will get a glimpse into what this Grant team will look like in November.
Being able to contend for a state title is all about how fast your team gets into playoff form. Diallo Lewis and the Generals will get their chance to prove they belong in the conversation to make a deep playoff run this week, and nobody’s more excited to see than the Grant High community.
Grant’s Keys to Victory:
Limit Big Plays:
This season has been a bit of a roller coaster for the Generals. When they are able to limit the opponent’s ability to move the ball via big chunk plays is when they’ve been at their best. Stopping Sprague’s high scoring offense will be vital to Grant’s success.
Defense Continues to Dominate:
While Grant’s offense had been getting a lot of praise for the numbers they’ve put up the last month, the defense had been equally impressive, if not more so. Just consider this stat: over the last month, Grant has given up just 7 total points in the first half of four games. If Grant can force quick three-and-outs to get their offense the ball in good field position, look for Mike Waters and company to strike quickly.
Win in the Trenches:
A large part of Grant’s four game winning streak has to be attributed to their line getting it done on both sides of the ball. Look for this game to be won in the box, as both teams like to run the ball with physicality.
Play in the Moment:
Homecoming in the Bowl is something special. Easily the biggest game of this season, this game has a lot riding on it for the Generals. Even with the big game atmosphere, Grant must try to play for each other and as a unit with passion and pride if they want to pull this win out. It will be quite interesting to see how this group reacts to the bright lights finally being on them.
Prediction:
Grant + 7:
This game intrigues me as it is a great match up to see what this Grant team is made of. The state’s elite programs all have the ability to run the ball, as does this Sprague team. Grant must show the will to be disciplined and have several role players step up if they hope to make a deep playoff run this year. The playoffs essentially start this week for Grant with how the power rankings system works, meaning each week the games get more and more meaningful. I believe in this team’s will to win at this point in the year, and a team that wants nothing more than to win no matter the cost is always dangerous to play.
Generals get in Gear, Throttle Cleveland 51-7
If you haven’t noticed over the last month, The Grant Generals are beginning to run like a well-oiled machine.
That hasn’t been more apparent than it was on Thursday night, as Grant was in control from the start and seemed to never let up as if to make a statement loud enough for more than just the rest of the PIL to hear.
Playing without starting quarterback Sam Davis, the offense didn’t miss a beat as they scored on their first six possessions. After a three-and-out on Cleveland’s first drive the Generals marched 75 yards in 15 plays, getting a touchdown from senior Mike Waters to go ahead 8-0 with 5:17 left in the first quarter.
After fumbling the kickoff, Cleveland seemed to watch the game slip out of their hands before the first quarter had ended. Junior Luke Davis showed he’s not the only Davis on the roster that can lead the offense, finding senior Chris Lewis for a 31-yard strike.
Cleveland’s offense fought back with an 8-yard touchdown from senior Scott Brant to Brandon Gastelum-Plata to cut the score to 15-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Davis again led the Generals down the field on the next drive, adding his second touchdown on a four yard pass to senior Eli Willman with just under ten minutes left in the half.
After the varsity debut and first touchdown by freshman quarterback Demarcus Singleton on the next drive, Grant was ahead 27-7 and showed no signs of slowing down.
Another Cleveland fumble resulted in Waters’ second touchdown on the night, making the score 34-7 with 4:35 left before intermission. The senior runningback added to his impressive campaign by finishing with two touchdowns on 23 carries, contributing 143 of the General’s 246 rushing yards.
Davis yet again led the Generals to pay dirt, needing just two plays and under a minute to go 76 yards and finishing with a 32-yard fade to Lewis for a 41-7 lead going into halftime.
A Joey Kenney field goal and a 52-yard touchdown from sophomore James Bullock accounted for the final score in the one-sided contest.
Having Luke Davis go 14-16 for 231 yards and 3 touchdowns forced Cleveland to commit to defending the pass, opening up the box for the offensive line and Waters to feast at times.
The Generals are firing on all cylinders going into the two most important weeks of the year. This week’s homecoming game against Sprague (4-2, 16th in OSAA power rankings) is Grant’s only remaining game that can boost their position in the rankings before the season ends.
Couple that with what could be a chance to clinch the league title against Roosevelt on October 24th, and the importance of the next ten days becomes abundantly clear.
If Grant can get through the next two weeks and get some of their injured contributors healthy, they could be a dark horse to make a playoff run come November, quite the turn around from last year’s 2-8 record.
Next week’s game against Sprague with kick-off at 3:30 PM from the Grant Bowl.
Week 5 Preview: Lincoln (2-2) at Grant (2-2)
When:
Friday, October 3rd, 4:00 PM
Where:
Grant Bowl, Grant High School
Game Coverage:
Grant Football Twitter
Live Game Updates
Throughout the last few years, there has been something missing in the PIL. For the past four years the majority of the league’s schools competed on the 5A level, meaning the annual game between Grant and Lincoln seemed to have less excitement surrounding it.
Boy has that changed. Everyone’s back in 6A, and most have had this game circled as the PIL game of the year since the schedule came out this summer. PIL title on the line, possibly home field advantage in the playoffs, and most importantly bragging rights over your cross-town rivals, how much more of a reason do you need to be excited?
The Generals come into this game seemingly getting closer to playoff form each day. After blasting Wilson last week, there is a buzz going around the school as this game grows closer.
Yet another point adding intrigue to this Friday’s game is the fact that Lincoln will be visiting the Grant Bowl for the first time ever. To say this is a huge chance for the Generals would be quite the understatement.
Lincoln comes into the game off of a 61-6 beatdown of Franklin and seems to have their offense firing on all cylinders. Senior running back John Duffy is the state’s leading rusher and has the ability to score anytime he touches the ball.
This is a game where the Generals have a chance to stamp their mark on the league with a signature win. Look for this team to come out of the gates ready to go.
Grant Keys to Victory:
Play Together:
There is a quote that I hold close to my heart as it is something I’ve found to be quite accurate. The quote says “it’s amazing how much can be accomplished when nobody cares who gets the credit.” Grant must play this way if they hope to win this week. The wing-t is a complicated offense to defend, and often not a glorious game to pad your stats as it is all about doing YOUR assignment every single play. If Grant can solely focus on winning the game as a team, their chances will be much better than if their concerns lay elsewhere.
Control the Line of Scrimmage:
We’ve said this the last two weeks, but it applies every week. Controlling the line of scrimmage will be key as this is where the game will be won. Grant’s ability to run the ball has been impressive, but has only been effective as a result of the improvement of the offensive line. If this group continues to improve then look for the Generals to be one of the more explosive offenses in the state.
Play with No Regrets:
As the old saying goes “you only get one chance at a first impression.” This is the first time Lincoln travels to the Bowl, and that should be something on this group of seniors’ minds. They have the opportunity to make a statement in heir final go-around in the Crosstown Clash.
Play Disciplined:
Last week’s 21 penalties were an absolute disaster. This group must get better at the fundamentals of the game and play within the rules if they expect to play late into the playoffs. This group is too smart and talented to be committing the amount of penalties they have this year.
Love to Hate:
We all have that little tick that can set us off, that little voice in our ear that can really knows how to push our buttons. For Grant, that voice is Lincoln, and the Generals need to learn to hate that voice with a passion. These games are rivalry games for a reason. Learning to let something you hate motivate you can be healthy at times, and this Friday at 4:00 PM we will see just how motivated and together this team has really become.
The Local Bite: Lincoln Week
Well it’s that time of year again Grant nation. It’s time to play the boys from Lincoln. While I am new to the Grant vs Lincoln rivalry, I have my own distain for the Cardinals, which has me a little more amped up than normal.
From what I have heard over the last couple of days, this is a rivalry with no love lost between the teams. It should make for an amazing game as the Cards visit the Grant Bowl for the first time ever.
Speaking of the Grant Bowl, what an amazing place to watch a football game. The neighborhood setting, the enclosed field, and the surrounding attractions make it a special place to watch a football game. If you can look beyond the early start times and see it for what it is; the kick-off for varsity high school football each weekend in Oregon, then seeing a game here can be truly special.
Being that this is an early evening start (4:00 PM), getting a meal before the game will be challenging, but the proximity of the stadium to the Hollywood District downtown means you can get delicious food and still be at the game in time to see all of the action.
This week we’re bringing you three of our favorite options that will leave you satisfied, but also wanting to plan a return trip before the next home game.
The Blind Onion Pizza & Pub:
Located less than a block from the Bowl, this small pizza shop makes fresh hand-crafted pizzas each day, and offers 3 different sizes depending on your group size. The fast service enables patrons to take their order to go, which is beneficial for those who are in a hurry to catch the game. For those who are more of the night owl type, this is still a viable option as it is open until 11:00 PM each Friday and Saturday and has a bar with a flatscreen tv where you can watch highlights from around the state each Friday night.
Menu:
Blind Onion Menu
Hours:
11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Location:
3345 NE Broadway Street
Atomic Pizza:
Another pizza joint, and further from the stadium, but some of the best pizza in town to go along with the option of getting a sandwich or dessert. The name isn’t a play on words, as the pizza can be on the spicy side, so be warned. A popular hang out for players after games, it’s best if you try to get your slice before or on the way to the game.
Hours:
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Location:
4144 NE Sandy Boulevard
Killer Burger:
Just as you might think when reading the name of the restaurant, these burgers are to die for. The atmosphere is great with excellent service to match. Make sure that you look thoroughly at the menu to avoid allergic reactions as there are some unique ingredients on each burger. Located within 10 minutes of the Grant Bowl, this is an excellent spot to get a great bite to eat before the game.
Hours:
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Location:
4644 NE Sandy Boulevard
That’s it for this week’s segment of “The Local Bite,” make sure to check back each week for great places to eat near the Generals next game. As always: GO GENERALS!
2014 PIL Predictions: Week 2
Well, last week was an alright one for me as I went 5-2 on predictions. Cleveland surprised a lot of people, and Westview avoided their usually predictable meltdown and stayed unbeaten.
This week there’s a great slate of games and we can’t wait to see how it all pans out!
PIL Games:
Benson (0-3) vs Jefferson (0-3):
After last week, this sets up more disappointment for the Techmen, especially with Jefferson losing unexpectedly to Cleveland. Look for Jefferson to be up big early as Benson is our early favorite to go 0-9. After how their head coaches chose to act last week in terms of clock management and the post game hand shake (both bush league) I feel no empathy for them.
I’ll take Jefferson: JHS 65 BHS 20
Lincoln (1-2) vs Cleveland (1-2):
Cleveland showed they might be a thorn in the sides of those who end up battling for the 3rd and 4th place positions in league this year with last week’s win. But this week, they will be facing John Duffy (700+ yards) in front of a raucous home crowd at Lincoln. The Cards will get to .500 this week without much of a challenge.
Cards win big:LHS 47 CHS 17
Franklin (0-3) vs Roosevelt (1-2):
After getting hammered at Wilson last week, Franklin faces an even tougher test with Roosevelt getting Kimane Domena back from an ankle injury. This kid has serious stuff and is a match-up nightmare which will give Franklin fits on defense all night.
I’ll pick Roosevelt: RHS 35 FHS 6
Madison (0-3) vs La Grande(1-2):
The Senators get to get right at home with 4A La Grande making the trip to Portland. After struggling out of the gates, look for Madison to pick up their first win on the year.
Senators Win: MHS 28 LGHS 20
Wilson (1-2) vs Grant (1-2):
See yesterday’s post. GO GENERALS!
Game of Interest:
Sherwood (1-2) vs Lakeridge (2-1):
This will be a great match up in the TRL. Eric Doungy is going to be a D1 quarterback this time next year, and his spread offense going against the wing-t offense of the Bowmen will be especially intriguing. Look for the defense of Lakeridge to have their eyes, discipline, and emotions tested this week.
I’ll take Lakeridge: LHS 40 SHS 27
Game of the Week:
Parkrose (3-0) vs Sandy (2-1):
I don’t know much about the 5A this year, but I know that Parkrose has been putting up points at will, and I don’t think it will stop this week.
Parkrose: PHS 42 SHS 28
Week 4 Preview: Grant (1-2) at Wilson (1-2)
When: Friday, September 26th, 7 PM
Where: Wilson High School
Game Coverage:
Live Updates
Grant Football Twitter Page
Week 4 of the schedule brings an intriguing match-up to us as the Generals travel to Wilson High School. The Trojans are coming off of a 54-6 beat down of Franklin, and it seems their new turf field has brought a new-found swagger and tons of support from the surrounding community. Grant is looking to get on a role in the PIL after dismantling Benson last week, which sets up for what could be an all out war on the west side.
Wilson features a stout running game behind an above-average offensive line that allows for running back Sam Ketter to use his agility to create in open field situations. If the Generals hope to have a shot, they must do better against the run than they have so far this season. Expect for head coach Diallo Lewis and defensive coordinator Randy Heath to have Grant well prepared and ready to go when the lights go on this Friday.
For the Generals, it comes down to the offensive and defensive lines. If a win is going to be the outcome, it will be earned in the trenches this week. DeAngelo Penn, Caleb Weekly, and the rest of the defensive line have a tall task in stopping the running game of the Trojans, but if they do it will allow them much more of a chance for the defense to get off the field.
Defensively, Wilson is an aggressive bunch, lining up in a 4-2-5 the majority of the time. Blitzing linebackers should be expected on most plays, which means the offensive line needs to be on top of their game to keep Sam Davis upright for the night. Expect to see the Generals take advantage of Wilson’s aggressiveness early on to take control of the game.
With this being a big game in terms of taking control of the PIL race, look for both teams to be ready to play from the opening kick.
Grant Keys to Victory:
Defense Plays Big:
As the old saying goes: “offense wins games, defense wins championships.” By this I mean yes, the Generals could outscore teams this year if their offense is running how it’s designed. However, every team that gets to play late into November has a strong defense. Grant’s defense is loaded with athletes, and this is the week we will find out how they respond to a challenge. The defensive line and linebackers must show the ability to stop the run, and when the Trojans do start throwing the ball, the defensive backfield has to make plays on the ball.
Embrace the Chaos:
As previously stated, the new turf fields in the PIL have brought about a better support system for each school, and this, combined with the great setting of Wilson’s stadium, makes for some electric Friday nights.
Control Field Position:
As with any game, field position is of vital importance. Special teams play has to be better for Grant this week. If the Trojans are starting near midfield all night, the Generals could be in for a world of hurt defensively. Look for kicker Joey Kenney to have a big night and the kickoff team to be locked in after having a so-so performance last week.
Play General Football:
You hear this with every program, but all Grant needs to do is focus on playing their game, and the rest will fall into place. You can only control what you do on any given play, and remembering this will be key to having a successful week.
Prediction:
Grant +10:
Playing in what is shaping up to be the Game of the Week should give us a preview of how this year’s team will handle the big stage. I believe that this team has shown enough growth in the first few weeks of the season to be mature enough to focus on the job they have to do if they want to contend for a PIL championship.
2014 PIL Predictions: Week 1
Each Wednesday during the Fall I find myself in limbo, I can feel game day approaching but it still feels so far away. So, since there’s still 5 days until I start classes again, and currently all Sportscenter wants to talk about is Adrian Peterson, why not over-analyze the upcoming week of games for the members of the PIL?
We will be doing this each Wednesday throughout the PIL season and through the playoffs as long as the PIL is involved. We will also make a pick on what we feel is an intriguing match-up in the area, as well as the state game of the week as decided by The Oregonian. Feel free to leave your comments, thoughts on picks, or your own picks for the week with your name and we’ll keep track throughout the year. Enough of the small talk, let’s make some picks!
PIL Games:
Wilson (0-2) over Franklin (0-2) (at Franklin):
Both teams limp into this game coming off of consecutive losses to 5A teams. As a result of that, both will be hungry to break through in the win column, which could make for a heated contest on the West side. Wilson’s offense is led by senior running back Sam Ketter, who is averaging 136 yards/game so far this year. Junior Jack Dixon is the Trojans signal caller and looks to lead the team in what should be a big-game atmosphere with the dedication of a new turf field and it being the first home game of the year.
For the Quakers, their offense starts and stops with their quarterback, junior Max Hawkins. In the Cleveland jamboree at the beginning of the year, Hawkins made defenders look like they were on skates multiple times and showed the ability to hit a wide open receiver. If Franklin wants to win this game, it’ll have to be in a shoot out as the defense has shown little ability to make a stop.
I’ll take Wilson: WHS 35 FHS 14
Jefferson (0-2) over Cleveland (0-2) (at Cleveland):
Jefferson is coming into this game with something to prove as they feel underrated in the new-look PIL. Senior QB Brandon Flake leads the Demos into league play hoping to earn an automatic berth into the state tournament by finishing in the top 4 in the standings.
Cleveland is lead by senior quarterback Scott Brant. The Warriors will be trying to start a resurgence among their community to gain support for their team. Cleveland has one of the better settings to watch a football game in the PIL so it should be a great opening week for both teams.
Give me Jeff: JHS 31 CHS 17
Roosevelt (0-2) over Madison (0-2) (at Madison):
Roosevelt looks to assert their dominance of the PIL at the 6A level after winning a league title last year in 5A. They are lead by quarterback Kimane Domena, a legit D1 prospect that is a threat with his arm and legs. Based on what this kid accomplished last season, it’s safe to say that Madison is in for a world of hurt this week.
I’ve got Roosevelt: RHS 45 MHS 14
West Salem (2-0) over Lincoln (1-1) (at West Salem): f
West Salem’s offense is just too powerful for Lincoln to keep up with. the Cards will have to get off to a fast start if they stand any chance against the Titans.
West Salem, BIG: WSHS 49 LHS 28
Grant (0-2) over Benson (0-2) (at Marshall):
Don’t need to go into too much detail as I gave my preview of this game yesterday. I picked Grant, I’ll pick Grant every week.
Grant: GHS 45 BHS 7
Interesting Game in Area:
Southridge (1-1) over Westview (2-0) (at Southridge):
While this use to be a marquee match-up in the metro league, Westview had fallen out of the top teams in the league, but they look to be back this year with two impressive victories already.
Southridge comes off of a strong offensive performance against Lincoln, and is looking to grab ahold of the top Metro spot this year in what seems to be a down year in the league. While Westview should be favored, I can tell you from personal experience that Southridge isn’t the easiest place to travel too. Strange auras seem to fill the air each fall in Beaverton and it leads to crazy Friday nights for those visiting the Skyhawks.
Give me Southridge: SRHS 31 WHS 21
Oregonian Game of the Week:
#2 Tigard (2-0) over Sherwood (1-1) (at Tigard):
After seeing both of these teams play against Grant the last two weeks, it’s easy to see why The Oregonian chose them as Game of the Week. Tigard comes into the game rolling on offense as they have scored at will the first two weeks of the season. If they continue to dominate on the offensive side of the ball, we could see them playing in December for the first time in over a decade.
Sherwood comes into the game after blasting Grant 61-21 last week and looking to make a statement in the TRL this year. Both offense and defense will have to play sharp as there is little room for error against the Tigers. If this were at Sherwood it would be a different story, but Tigard at home, with those fans? I have to pick them.
Tigard: THS 35 SHS 21
Game 3 Preview: Grant (0-2) @ Benson (0-2)
When: Friday, September 19th, 7 PM
Where: Marshall High School
Grant Game Coverage
It’s week 3 of the season for the Grant Generals, which means we all get the chance to see a new look PIL and the renewal of an old-time rivalry game featuring teams with contrasting styles between their programs. Grant is coming off of a disappointing non-league performance, but is focused on the second part of their season with the start of league play this week.
Coming into the 2014 PIL season, many questions about the Generals depth and size have been asked, but early season predictions still have them as a front runner to contend for a 25th PIL title. The Generals feature three or four kids with the potential to play football at the next level, and the sooner they start playing like the highly touted prospects they are, the faster this team will be firing on all cylinders.
Before we can seriously start talking about a league title however, the focus must be on this week’s opponent, Benson. Coach Anthony Stoudamire has faced an uphill battle since taking over the program in 2012, and it doesn’t seem like there’s any relief in sight for the coach who’s gone 3-26 in his time calling the shots for the Techmen. Benson is looking to rebound after being thumped twice in the preseason by Lincoln High of Washington and Scapoose. The Techman are hoping a little home field advantage will help them with a visit from the Generals looming.
On offense, the Techmen are a traditional pro-set team that likes to run the ball to control the clock. While they aren’t particularly strong up front, they do have a talented running back in Nathan Houston-Poe that will outrun a defense that isn’t disciplined in technique and assignment football. Also standouts for Benson are wide receivers Anthony Ross and Noah Terry that can make people miss in the open field and turn short pass plays into big chunks of yards.
On the other side of the ball, Benson likes to line up in a 3-4 and blitz A LOT. It seems that on every play a different 5 or 6 guys are trying to get after the quarterback. However this does mean that there will be a lot of one-on-one match ups to exploit for General’s senior quarterback Sam Davis. If last week’s strong second half against a stout defense like Sherwood is any indication, Davis should have a pretty easy time lighting up the scoreboard against the subpar Techman defense that has given up 52 points a game so far this year.
For Benson, beating Grant in what is technically a home game (being played at Marshall High School) would be the type of victory needed to turn around a struggling program, and if the Generals don’t dominate from the start, things could get interested as the night goes on. It will be a fun Friday night to kick off the rebirth of the PIL.
Grant Keys to Victory:
Show up ready to play:
The last two weeks have been similar story lines for Grant. They have come out and appeared unfocused and confused on their assignments at times, which has lead to early holes that they can’t climb out of. In order to avoid falling behind early and having to play catch up the rest of the game, the team has to dominate from the opening whistle.
Execute Your Assignment:
There is a saying painted on the locker room wall of my former college football team that reads: “No “S” on the chest.” This means that nobody on the team has to be Superman and make every play, as usually when this happens it results in blown assignments and explosive, game-changing plays for the opponent. If the Generals can focus solely on executing their assignment on every play, the rest will take care of itself.
Control the line of scrimmage:
The Generals could have a field day with the offensive line of Benson, which should make life pretty miserable for quarterback Robert Coleman and the rest of the Techmen backfield. On the offensive side, all Sam Davis needs is the O-line to give him time to find a one-on-one match up and the Generals will bleed it dry. This will be the most important key of the day as Grant has yet to control the line of scrimmage this season.
Live in the moment:
You’re only guaranteed so many opportunities to play high school football, and every time you step on the field it’s special. Many college and NFL players would tell you they would trade all the fame and money in the world to strap it up on Friday night one more time. So Grant must focus on the here and now, on playing each play as a unit.
Prediction:
Generals +28:
I’m expecting Grant to have some frustration to take out on Benson after being run off the field the last two weeks, and a feeling it won’t be pretty for the Techmen. The resurgence of the PIL has been long awaited, and Grant has a chance to make an emphatic statement by taking care of business on Friday.
What Has Happened to the PIL?
As we prepare to open the 2014 PIL season this week, the Portland-Metro community has several different topics on their minds. Will Roosevelt’s recent
success in 5A translate to wins at Oregon’s highest level of football? Will Benson be able to turn around their dismal 3-26 record over the last three years? Will Grant and Lincoln return to making deep playoff runs as we were accustomed to seeing over the majority of the last decade?
However, one question looms larger after the first two weeks of Oregon high school football; what is going on with the PIL lately?
Take a moment to reminisce on some of the talented high school football stars to come and go from the PIL over the last 15 years.
Names like Conner Kavanaugh, Kenneth Acker, Ndamukong Suh, and Alex Green come to mind. To the close observer, even names such as the Colasurdo brothers, John Sheffield, and Daniel Halverson bring back great memories.
We think of heroic single game performances like Michael Johnson having 17 tackles in Lincoln’s state championship loss to Jesuit, or of Paris Penn shredding defenses for the better part of three seasons.
Amazing battles between Grant and Lincoln with PIL championship implications on the line sear our brains with lasting images. Franticly played playoff games such as Wilson’s 2003 showdown with eventual state champions Tigard and, as previously mentioned, Lincoln’s epic battle with Jesuit for the 2005 state title in what many consider the best championship game in Oregon’s history. This is the PIL that was feared throughout the state at times.
Fast forward to present day and what are we left with? Over the last 5 years the league has shifted from having two teams playing in the quarterfinals in 2009, to only having two actual Portland-based teams in the league in 2011, to now; a league that went 1-17 in non-league play and is desperately trying to stay relevant in what is starting to turn into a high school football hot-bed in the state of Oregon.
Can this poor performance be chalked up to schools scheduling some of the tougher teams in the state? In the cases of Roosevelt and Grant, the answer is yes as both teams have played a top ten team in the first two weeks. If you glance at the rest of the league, the numbers start to look downright embarrassing.
Wilson has scored a combined 7 points against two 5A opponents. Cleveland has been blown out by Century and Aloha, not exactly who comes to mind when thinking of the Metro League elite. On average, PIL defenses have given up 42.3 points a game, while putting up a subpar 14.8 points a game on offense. If you exclude Lincoln, the only team in the league with a win this season, those numbers get even worse on both sides of the ball, at 44.8 and 12.3, respectively.
While it is inevitable that teams such as Lincoln, Grant, and Roosevelt will find their form (and by virtue of having to play other PIL teams, wins) it is self-destructive for these teams to ignore the fact that they are slipping towards the bottom of the state in terms of fielding competitive rosters. If there isn’t a resurgence of popularity in downtown Portland high school football, these numbers will continue to dwindle.
The PIL has some of the most unique and intriguing settings in the entire state to watch a football game, and some up and coming talent to try and change the ways of recent league memory. If these schools are able to combine their community and their teams to grow together, we could be looking at some serious growth in talent and competitiveness among the state’s elite.
Who says a PIL team can’t have sustained success like teams such as Lake Oswego, Sheldon, Jesuit, and Central Catholic? In many cases, it isn’t always the facilities or number of players on a team that results in on field success, but rather the attitude of the team and the community surrounding each school. A never back down, take on all comers approach has been what has hardened these powerhouses into what they are today.
Every school should be taking notes on the way these teams approach a game, how they seem solely focused on making themselves better no matter who their competition is during any given week. It is a fact ladies and gentlemen, that competition breeds excellence, and the sooner the PIL finds this out, the sooner they can return to the glory days of old.
Generals Football Blog 