Oregon City won’t be a favorite to win the Three Rivers League this year. In fact, they won’t be favored to win many games. Coming off a (4-7) year, the Pioneers also are dealing with the loss of their head coach. But if you talk to the players on the team, you don’t get the sense that they are throwing in the towel on the season. In fact, there’s a new aura of confidence and excitement that hasn’t been felt around Oregon City since the golden years in the 90’s with teams led by Tyler Kemhus and Scott Ackerman. For any coach walking into a new situation, it would be ideal to have a returning, veteran QB. And the Pioneers have that in Landon Martinez. At (5’10”, 185lbs), Landon gives Oregon City a solid foundation to build around. He’s a good athlete with an above average arm. He put up respectable numbers as a junior, despite extremely difficult circumstances.
Don’t be surprised if Oregon City upsets some teams this year. If they do, a major reason for that will be the play of the senior signal caller. And the primary target for Martinez will be Trevor Dye. Dye has emerged out of the off season as one of the top WR’s in the state of Oregon. Jordan Johnson, head of scouting and lead analyst for NEI, has Dye ranked as the #18 WR in Oregon. An imposing figure for DB’s to face, Dye stands at (6’2” and 195lbs.) He presents mismatch problems for defenses as he’s not only big, but quick and fast as well(4.6 40 yard dash). At the recent Barton Premiere Marketing Event at University of Washington, Trevor went up against some of the best DB’s in the northwest. He stood out in routes and 1on1’s, and I had at least 5 college coaches come up and ask what his status in recruiting was. Trevor should have a monster year, and in the process spark interest from colleges all around the country. I don’t think D1AA would be a stretch or unrealistic. However, with Oregon City still in a rebuilding process, the team will have it’s share of struggles. That undoubtedly will affect Dye and as a result I see him being one of the jewels in the crown of a recruiting class for a D2, D3, or NAIA program.
