The 2017 football season was a magical one for Churchill, which made its first championship-game appearance since 1985.
“You knew you were in the middle of a special year,” coach A.J. Robinson said.
The way things are shaping up for the Lancers, though, last season might be just an appetizer.
Granted, it appears that graduation took a heavy toll on last year’s Class 5A runner-up. Churchill lost three receivers who combined for 29 touchdown catches, including Myles Green-Richards (now at Washington State), and a 1,500-yard rusher in Dalton McDaniel.
But the Lancers of Eugene return four starters on the offensive line and three on the defensive line, and their skill positions got a boost with three talented transfers. Add in the motivational factor, and Churchill is aiming for its first state championship since sharing the title in 1977.
“Kids are excited coming off that team. They feel like they have something to prove.” said Robinson, whose team was voted No. 1 in the OSAAtoday Class 5A preseason coaches poll. “Last year kind of taught us that we can win at a high level, and hopefully this year we can get do a little bit more and get over the hump.”
Churchill has proven seniors in quarterback Jack Blackburn (2,731 passing yards, 40 touchdowns), receiver Marshaun Tucker Jr. (818 yards, seven touchdowns), lineman Richard Estrella (6-4, 300) and linebacker Beau Burnett, the 2017 Midwestern League defensive player of the year.
And then there are the transfers.
Senior quarterback Demontre Thomas II comes from Allen, Texas, where he was a backup on an undefeated state championship team last season. Senior athlete Kimani Quade joins Churchill from crosstown Class 6A power Sheldon, where he contributed on both sides of the ball the last two years. And senior receiver Tanner Branson caught six touchdown passes for league rival Willamette last season, including an 80-yarder against Churchill.
The 6-foot, 210-pound Thomas is competing “neck and neck” with Blackburn for the starting quarterback job, according to Robinson.
“We feel comfortable with both,” Robinson said. “Demontre is more of a dual threat. He has really high football IQ. He’s been at some big-time programs.”
Quade (5-9, 170) brings speed, athleticism and versatility. At Sheldon, he played safety and cornerback on defense and running back and receiver on offense. He also is a threat in the return game.
“He’s a kid we want to get the ball to and impact us,” Robinson said.
Tucker (6-2, 170) is looking to build on a big junior season in which he averaged 22.7 yards per catch.
“He’s really worked on his craft,” Robinson said. “He’s grown an inch-and-a-half and put on 20, 25 pounds. He looks like a different guy. I think he’s going to have an outstanding year.”
With Tucker, Quade, Branson, senior receivers Stuart Helikson and Elijah Fields and senior running back Isaac Keller, the Lancers are loaded with speed.
“We were fast last year, and I think we are just as fast, or faster, this year,” Robinson said. “We have a lot of guys who can run. This year’s team is actually a little bit more physically talented, but it’s still trying to find its voice, its identity.”
Churchill will be tested right out of the gate as it opens with nonleague games against No. 4 Thurston and No. 2 Wilsonville.
jerryu@osaa.org
Subscribe
