Siskiyous rewriting offensive record book

By Reggie Stiteler
Published: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 2:30 PM CDT
Mt Shasta News

Receiver Darius Davis is one of the offensive weapons rewriting College of the Siskiyous’ record book this fall.

Watch your step. The most prolific offense in College of the Siskiyous football program's 39-year history is breaking records all over the place.

Six team records plus four individual records (not to mention one tie), give the 2007 Eagles a total of 10 shattered records... and its only mid-season.

Surprised?

“Not so much,” says first year Siskiyous offensive coordinator Charlie Roche. “(Coming into the season), we knew we had guys who could go after it. It's a compliment to them. They don't play for us, they play for each other.”

Coming off their bye week and heading into conference play this Saturday hosting Laney, the reigning Mid-Empire Conference champion Eagles (3-2) are well positioned to defend their title and are on the brink of a special season.

Currently ranked 14th in the Northern California by the California Community College State Football Poll, the Eagles (as of Oct. 1) are second in the North in passing yards per game. Widening the scope to the entire state, Siskiyous is ranked fourth in pass yards per game, second in total offensive yards and second in all purpose yards.

Flashback to 2005 and the Eagles combined for just 1,048 passing yards the entire season. To put that in perspective, Siskiyou quarterbacks Ben Cozad and Matt Jackson combined to surpass that number this past September alone.

Each quarterback is performing near peak level despite sharing the playing time.

“They are almost identical to us,” says Roche. “Both are good enough to win with.”

“Ben, coming back, had won five games for us (in 2006). Matt we knew was good in Division II. Ideally they'd like to start, but I don't think we're losing anything (playing both).”

Each certainly has proved worthy to start this season and their numbers on the year back up the coaching staff's consensus.

Cozad ranks ninth in the state community college ranks, with a 167.4 pass rating. Jackson is close behind at #11 with 166.3 pass rating.

Both quarterbacks also played themselves into the top 10 in the state in yards per offensive play: Jackson at #5 (8.9 yards per play) and Cozad at #9 (8.3).

Talk about a win-win situation. But how does one decide who to play week in and week out?

“We evaluate them each week at practice,” Roche explains, “especially how they pick up things mentally.”

In many ways, a quarterback is only as good as his receivers. Cozad and Jackson have three good targets in Darius Davis, Demario Ballard and Rebel Hall.

Davis in particular, with a career day Sep. 8 at Delta (see list below), is having a standout season. Through September, Davis is tied for 5th in the state with 7.4 receptions per game. In five games this season, Davis has accumulated 958 all-purpose yards, good for 191.6 per-game average which is second best in the state. Gaudy numbers all around for the Eagles.

Davis has gone over 100-yards receiving three times this season and is tied with Ballard with six touchdown catches.

Cozad and Jackson are getting plenty of time to find their men downfield, a credit to an offensive line where only converted defensive tackle Johnny Viagafa had started a college game prior to this season.

“They came together pretty well this year,” Roche says of the Eagles offensive line. “Coach (Tim) Frisbie is tough on them in practice, which makes it easier in the games.”

The other components of the Siskiyous squad, although not shattering records (yet) like their passing and receiving game are providing a balance that will be needed to keep opponents honest.

Jermaine Holmes, ranking 14th in the state with 91 yards per game, leads a talented and deep Eagle rushing attack that ranks sixth in the state in rushing yards and third in yards per carry. Holmes also has contributed 31.6 yards per kick return, good for 11th statewide.

The Eagle defense is coming off a strong game at San Jose, allowing less than 100 yards total offense with seven quarterback sacks. They rank 5th in the state in pass defense (139 yards allowed per game).

Despite the numbers, the Eagles are not content and have plenty to work left to do.

“We need to address turnover issues every single week, keep the ball in our possession and match the speed of the game,” says Roche.

“Our conference is pretty even, anybody can beat anyone. We need to take care of ourselves and come to play that day at 1 p.m.”

Stay tuned, as this Eagle squad just may be getting warmed up, and may have more history left to write.

Siskiyou Football's Single Game Records Broken in 2007

-- Team Total Offensive Yards

747, Sep. 29 at San Jose City

-- Team Touchdowns

10, Sep. 1 vs Redwoods

-- Team Passing Yards

484, Sep. 29 at San Jose City

-- Team Touchdown Passes

6, Sep. 1 vs Redwoods

-- Team Pass Completions

33, Sep. 8 at. Delta

-- Team Pass Attempts

51, Sep. 8 at Delta

-- Individual Passing Yards

361, Matt Jackson, Sep. 29 at San Jose City

-- Individual Pass Receptions

11, Darius Davis, Sep. 8 at Delta

-- Individual Receiving Yards

195, Darius Davis, Sep. 8 at Delta

-- Longest Pass Play

94 yards, Matt Jackson to Klaus Geier, Sep. 1 vs. Redwoods

-- Points After Touchdown

8 (tie), Alper Keskin, Sep. 1 vs Redwoods (ties Souter, 1996)