Outlaws veterans form core of football team

The Sisters High School football team will return a solid core of veteran players this season. The squad is shooting for a strong showing in the playoffs.

Cory McCaffrey, the only sophomore named to an all-state team last year in football, will return to the Outlaws squad as a junior. McCaffrey broke the school record last year in rushing as a sophomore with 2,180 yards rushing.

"Cory's an outstanding athlete and we're proud of what he's done in the off-season to get ready for this coming year. He's bigger, stronger and a little faster, believe it or not," said Coach Bob Macauley.

Jeff Sampson (captain) will play fullback and middle linebacker and was a player who caught the eye of the Idaho State staff. Sampson is also on the University of Oregon's recruiting list and has attended a couple of their camps by invitation.

"I think we've got a couple of great athletes in our offensive backfield that have played there already," said Macauley. "Jeff is checking in at 6-feet-1-inch and 223 pounds and is much faster this year. Participating in track and his training in the off-season has really helped."

Jarred Hasskamp will check in as the new Outlaws quarterback, replacing Andy Burke. Jarred is 5-feet-11-inches and about 160 pounds and according to Macauley a very, very intelligent player and an outstanding athlete who will run the entire offense from the line of scrimmage.

Returning at outside receiver is Nate Jackson at 6-feet-1-inch and 195 pounds.

"He's played fantastic and is a game breaker, and we're looking to him for big plays this year," said Macauley.

The Outlaws' other wide receiver will be a new addition, Carroll Gryger, a transfer running back from Valencia, California.

"We've got some good speed there and we feel good about our receiving core. Ashton Simms will figure in the mix in our three receiving pattern and will also be rotating in the plays."

Jake Kleint, tight end and captain, will take the field at 5-feet-11-inches and 175 pounds. Kleint isn't as big as guys who traditionally play at that position, but Coach Macauley said that Kleint is extremely disciplined and a very good athlete.

Three new starters will be added to the offensive line this year: Evan Eady, Tyson Edmunson and Spencer Freeland.

Eady is the biggest offensive linemen at 6-feet-2-inches and 245 pounds. Edmunson will check in at 6-feet-1-inch and 225 pounds and Freeland will start at center at 6-feet-4-inches and 210 pounds.

Macauley said, "Evan's our most improved player in camp and is really playing at a good level. Tyson's a smart guy and he and Evan work well as a team, and we've got another great athlete in Spencer."

Sisters will return two all-league starters to the offensive line. Nick Pepperling (captain) will return at left guard and Trevor Summers at 6-feet-3-inches and 210 pounds will play at tackle.

"Arne Pierce will also figure into the mix on offense, and there are five or six sophomores who were on the JV team on the line that have the opportunity to play varsity this year, but we're waiting to see how the season gets started."

On defense Carroll Gryger and Nate Jackson have been identified as the two best defensive backs, and Macauley said they are going to let the rest of the players separate themselves from the pack.

"We don't know yet who the other starters are, but Doug Emberton, Emery Meyer, Shawn Mauer, Levi Goins and Luke Thurman are battling for playing time," said Macauley.

The Outlaws have a trio of tremendous linebackers. Taylor Davenport, 5-feet-11-inches and 215 pounds, will fill one linebacker slot and Jeff Sampson, 6-feet-1-inch and 223 pounds, will start in the middle. Dominic Nieri, 5-feet-11-inches and 195 pounds, will play outside linebacker.

"Dominic is our most inspirational player and emotional leader on defense," said Macauley.

"Playing at the stud linebacker position is Mike Hernandez who really is not as big as traditional linebackers are, but he's very disciplined and an excellent athlete. The other outside linebacker is Marcus Gaboni at 6-feet-1-inch and 195 pounds, and he's just a tough guy."

The three starters on the defensive line will be Jake Kleint, Todd Bell and Trevor Summers. Also rotating in will be Arne Pierce and Sam Simone.

"We've got a lot of talented players. Nate Emberton is a backup linebacker and will be playing a lot. Josh Marr is also a backup linebacker and is going to be the Outlaw kicker this year. Macauley stated that Marr is an outstanding kicker and he's excited about what Marr will contribute in both positions.

Macauley told The Nugget that everybody has the Outlaws tagged with Marist as one of the two best teams in the state.

Macauley said, "I consider us in the hunt for going deep into the playoffs. I do think we're a top-four team in the state. So, I think now it's just putting it together, doing it and quit talking about it."