Spartans had a different star every week in 8-1 year

By Steve Gress
Mid-Valley Sports

If you're looking for a star of the Corvallis High football team, leave room for a long list. Each week it seemed as if the Spartans had someone new step into the spotlight.

Guys like J.J. Manning, making a crucial interception, or the defensive line making stop after stop. There was the steady play of cornerbacks Kurtis Magee and Max Chaney, and linebacker play from Manning, Harrision Harter and others. Then there was line play from Nick Emmons, Mike Reeves, Aric Ross and Aaron McKimmy that surprised most offensive fronts throughout the Valley League.

Oh, and don't forget Valley League Defensive Player of the Year Jake Roy.

And that's just on defense.

While the offense wasn't overpowering, it did have its stars as well.

Quarterback Nick Hubel shook off a poor start to lead the Spartans on a touchdown drive late in the season-opener against West Salem. Nick Emmons, Magee, Manning, Roy and Jarren Simmons shared time running for 1,428 yards.

An offensive line that includes John Roy, Ross, Ben Elliott, Lance Reis and Jerre Cover opened the holes and Magee, Billy Clontz and Cory Dickson combined for 663 yards in the air.

"That's been huge because you never know who it's going to be," CHS coach Chris McGowan said. "Against McNary, it was Kurtis Magee with the big field goal (51 yards) and at other times guys that did some things you knew they could do, but didn't really have the opportunity.

"That's the way it's going to be as long as we continue to play this year because circumstances change so quickly."

Roy said the team has learned throughout the season the players must work together to be successful.

"I think we are starting to realize that if we're going to get things done as a team, that when someone sticks out you give them a pat on the butt and say, ‘good job' and let's go again.

"Then someone else comes out of the woodwork. We don't have that reliant star to lean on. We are leaning on each other which is awesome."

Corvallis 20, West Salem 12: The Spartans had just taken the lead and needed a defensive stand to escape with a season-opening victory. The Titans were driving when junior linebacker Manning stepped in front of a Taylor Bostwick pass and rambled 48 yards for the sealing touchdown.

"Sliding past all those guys," he said. "I didn't realize I was that slippery. Everyone thought I was out of bounds and I kept going. Even the cameras didn't get it. I never saw it again. I just had a wide-open space in front of me and a lot of blockers out there"

Manning also added a 38-yard touchdown run for the Spartans' first score of the season.

Corvallis 47, South Albany 7: Corvallis led 22-0 at the half when Ryan Doty thrilled the home crowd with a 94-yard return of the second-half kickoff. Doty nearly returned a second kick for a score, but came up eight yards short.

It wasn't just Doty's touchdown returns that helped the Spartans. He also set up them with good field position on several punt returns. He had returns of 28 and 24 yards in the first quarter as CHS built a 9-0 lead. In all, Doty had 260 return yards.

"I think mainly it came from focus in practice," Doty said. "I never expected any of that to happen because it was my first year playing varsity also. I was kind of excited and everything went well."

Corvallis 28, North Salem 14: The Spartans were down 14-0 early and 14-7 at the half before Emmons took over. The junior gained 58 yards and scored twice on eight carries in the second half. His first score came on the Spartans' first possession and he capped the scoring with a 15-yard run with 2:47 remaining to seal the win.

Emmons finished with 85 yards on 16 carries and the two scores as the Spartans improved to 3-0.

"The defense was just swarming all around," Emmons said. "There was not a play where we didn't have at least five guys on the ball carrier. The holes were wide open and it was pretty easy for me. I just ran straight ahead."

Sprague 14, Corvallis 12: In a battle of unbeatens, the Olympians came in as one of the most powerful offenses in the league, but ran into a defensive line that was up to the task. The Spartans limited Sprague to 122 yards rushing and 64 passing in their only loss of the season.

"They were a pretty good rushing team and we did a good job of shutting them down," Reeves said.

Added Ross: "It really was a solid game. I remember playing a lot. Their line got shifted around and they had so much depth. You never went against the same guy. It seemed like they were really fresh."

Corvallis 10, South Salem 3: Chaney recovered two fumbles and stepped into the quarterback position, scoring the lone touchdown on a 1-yard run in the third quarter as the Spartans improved to 4-1.

Chaney completed 4 of 14 passes for 64 yards in his first extended action of the season at quarterback. He started the last four games, completing 35 of 81 passes for 480 yards and four touchdowns.

"Max really proved vital to our team because he really showed that when it's your time, to take advantage of it," Ross said. "He came in there and really pushed our team. It was his night."

Corvallis 23, McKay 7: Reeves had one of his best games with three tackles, two quarterback sacks and four quarterback hurries as the defense dominated from the opening minutes to improve to 5-1 and move into a second-place

"What I remember the most is missing the sack right before half time," Reeves said. "(McKay quarterback Josh) Riddell dropped back and threw a long pass and I could have sacked him but I went right past him. It was the first big win against a team we needed to beat."

Corvallis 15, West Albany 7: The Spartans were struggling to stop the passing attack of the Bulldogs when an injury to starting quarterback Andrew Murphy changed the complexion of the game. So did Roy, as he intercepted a West Albany pass and rumbled 60 yards for a score that sparked a rally.

"It was huge for us because it opened our eyes because, hey, any team can do this. It was a most-needed game for us," Roy said.

Roy added another interception and had 81 yards on five carries as the Spartans held on to improve to 6-1 and set up a showdown with McNary for a playoff berth.

"I have two memories," Roy said, "One is the interception I had and the other is on one of the long runs I had I should've gone to the corner, instead I veered back to the middle. It's just biting me in the back."

Corvallis 20, McNary 0: Magee made his final Valley League home game memorable. The senior kicked two field goals, including a 51-yarder early in the fourth quarter, and scored from three yards out in the fourth. He led the Spartans with 60 yards on 14 carries, and caught three passes for 41 yards.

"It was a great snap and a great hold," Magee said. "Max and Billy, give them all the credit."

Magee was also part of a defense that shutout the Celtics as Corvallis improved to 7-1 and returned to the playoffs for the first time since 1992.

Corvallis 55, Crescent Valley 6: Simmons got his first start at running back and made the most of it as he scored two touchdowns and rushed for 109 yards as the Spartans cruised to a win over the cross-town rival Raiders to finish 8-1, the best record since 1986.

Simmons got the Spartans on the board with a 28-yard run in the first quarter, and he took the first play from scrimmage in the second half 54 yards for a score.

"Probably in terms of just performance," Simmons said. "I thought it was fun. Just started 22 different guys and had fun."