IWhen healthy the #3 ranked Mt View Cougars are a legitimate state title contender at the 5a level. They are (8-1) and have a senior group that is super legit. The kids from Central Oregon haven’t gotten the attention they probably deserve after a 41-18 loss to Sherwood earlier in the year. They were not fully healthy and the Bowmen provided a very hostile environment. Give credit where credit is due, but the Cougars are a different team now.
The perimeter on this group is as good as any team state wide. Jacob Hollister (6-3 195 Sr. QB/FS), Cody Hollister (6-3 195 Sr. WR/S), Joel Skotte (6-3 225 Sr RB/LB), John Carroll (6-4 190 Jr WR/DB), Nick Gentry (6-3 220 Sr TE/LB), and Dimitre Dillard (5-9 165 Sr. CB/RB) provide a solid nucleus of five seniors and a junior with speed and size. The questions come up front on the line and with strength of schedule. They have blasted almost every team they have played, but (N.Medford, The Dalles, Marshfield, Summit, and Redmond) have a combined record of 8-37. That said this group is very talented
Quarterback Jacob Hollister has just gone off in 2011 throwing 24 Touchdowns with an interception in limited action due to blowouts. He has also dominated on the defensive side of the ball with 5 Int’s, which ties him for the state lead at the 5a level with cross town rival JC Grim of Bend. He is a player of the year candidate on offense and defense, and should be considered one of the top athletes in the state without an offer. Hollister threw 27 Tds and 5 picks a season ago and wants to just keep getting better. Hollister says, “Everyone is finally healthy and we feel good about what we can do moving forward, John was out the first three games but he is back and playing very well.”
His brother Cody Hollister is just as dangerous as both kids were first team all league, and all state selections as year ago. Cody has 11 total Tds and over 600 yards receiving after 8 weeks and is following up on a 2010 season where he caught 15 Tds with 1270 yds receiving. He has also intercepted three passes making him a threat in the secondary. Together they are one the most prolific brother tandems in the region.
Oregon St bound Joel Skotte is ranked the #2 linebacker in the entire state and was conference player of the year as a junior on the defensive side of the ball. He lead the state in tackles last season, and is a viable threat running the ball. His ability to fly around and hit people has made his highlight film a must see. He’s the type of kid that plays with no fear and has complete disregard for his body. To be successful at the next level you have to have a mind set like Skotte’s so the sky’s the limit. He ran for 3 tds last week and has 62 total tackles on the year. He has completely over matched most opponents so it will be good to see what he can do against some other top tier teams.
Click for video.. UNBELIEVABLE FILM..2010
A phenomenal athlete that we will hear a lot about over the next couple years is junior John Carroll. He is one of the best overall athletes in the entire state, and was a second team all league kid on both sides of the ball as a sophomore. His sized combined with overall athleticism rank him #19 and moving up on the Top 100 for 2013′. Due to injury Carroll has only played 6 games but has scored 9 touchdowns averaging 22 yards a catch, Just ridiculous numbers. He was a three sport varsity starter, something very rare at any school.
Nick Gentry and Dimitre Dillard both can play at the next level and have had outstanding seasons. Gentry looks the part and has a huge upside with his size. He has looked good on both sides of the ball catching 4 touchdowns on 5 receptions, and racking up 38 total tackles and a sack. He moves very well an should be considered one of the ten most under recruited seniors in the state. Dillard is a lock down corner that earned second team all state honors a year ago. He has moved to the starting running back position this season and rushed for over 700 yards and 8 Tds.
Its been a very successful last couple seasons for this years senior group. The Cougars are 19-2 with both losses coming to Sherwood in 2010 and 11. Its important that they stay healthy and get consistent play from their starters across the board. Head Coach Steve Turner has done an outstanding job with this group getting them prepared, as they have a legit chance to make a run. Marist and Sherwood are both very talented, but you can’t sleep on the kids from Central Oregon. They realize they won’t get another shot at this with five of the six kids graduating, so you better believe they will be laying it all on the line. We will be keeping tabs on the Cougars and wish them the best of luck moving forward.
