IStevie Coury (5-11 165 Sr. WR) has been breaking off DB’s for awhile now. He is considered one of Oregon’s top receivers and his numbers reflect his dominance. His 910 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns put him towards the top of Oregon’s 6a statistical leaders behind only Sheldon’s Connor Strahm (6-1 210 Jr. SB) and Lakeridge’s Blake Dutton (6-2 190 Sr. SB).
He is the son of Steve Coury, one of the Northwest’s all time great coaches and it shows. When you grow up in a football family you learn things you otherwise wouldn’t. “when I was little I would spend every waking hour on the football field, and I thought it was pretty cool to know all the players”. The nationally ranked Lakers (9-0) are looking to do something they have yet to accomplish and win a state title. Stevie says ” we talked as a team at our senior retreat and we all agreed that we were sick of people talking about us not being able to get a title”.
Lake O has beaten some of the top teams in the Northwest (Central Catholic, Skyline, Jesuit, West Linn) so their confidence level is high. ” We consider the playoffs a new season, and refuse to overlook anybody”. The Lakers open with a bad Reynolds team and then will play the winner of the West Salem/ Barlow match up.
Coury is an undersized receiver but is a phenomenal route runner and has had multiple break out performances just this season. “I give all credit for the way I run routes to my brother JT, he has helped me a great deal over the years and shown me some tricks that I use daily”. His 243 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns against Jesuit on national television was a testament to how dangerous he could be. He relishes the limelight and the big games which is what separates him from so many other receivers.
He has heard from a variety of schools, most notably the Washington Huskies who have offered him a preferred walk on invitation. There are plenty of Big Sky Schools that have taken notice and contacted him as well (Portland St, Montana, Montana St, E.Washington), but it all It comes down to size. Fair or not Coury understands that he will have to go out and prove that he can play at the next level. “Im still growing and I feel confident that I can play with anybody”.
For the time being he is strictly focused on bringing a title back to LO. He has been a part of all the teams that lost in the semi’s or state title games with his father being the coach, so he feels the urgency to win more than anybody. “We have one of the best defenses in the state and our line has been tremendous, we feel that if we don’t beat ourselves that no one else can.”
Lake O is ranked #56 in the country and #2 in the state (NEI) and have a legit shot at a state title. They won’t be looking to far ahead but Sheldon looks to be the team that will pose the greatest threat. The Lakers blasted the Irish 45-14 in the quarterfinals last year. We will be looking forward to this month’s state playoffs, and will be keeping tabs on Stevie Coury and the always tough Lakers.
