A DOUBLE THREAT.

Byline: Adam Jude The Register-Guard

COTTAGE GROVE - For all the preparation senior quarterback Cameron Dixon put in to take over as his team's leader, one basic element quickly endeared him to Cottage Grove teammates.

"That boy can run," senior lineman Zach Richardson said.

Coming of their first playoff appearance since 1992, the Lions expect Dixon's adjustment to his new role to be as swift as his feet. Dixon, a starting defensive back last season, assumes the quarterback job after concentrating much of his offseason work on bringing his teammates together.

"That's the biggest challenge. We just had a really big senior class that left, and (there's a void) in the leadership role," Dixon said. "It's my turn to step up."

Coach Randy Fisher said the offense has adapted to highlight Dixon's strengths as a dual threat.

"He's been waiting for his shot," Fisher said. "He's a great leader, and the other kids look up to him. I'm really happy to have a kid like him at that position."

Paired in the backfield with tailback Jacob Stanley, Dixon said he'll use his speed to keep defenses off-balance.

"I'm not really a pocket passer; I'm always on the move," said the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Dixon.

Like Dixon, Stanley and the starting wide receivers, Bobby Krasneski and Kelly Tuerffs, are first-year starters. But the offensive line has experience from last season, when the Lions placed third in the Sky-Em and advanced to the second round of the Class 4A playoffs.

The defense, the team's strength last season, could be even better this season.

Richardson, David Black, Ryan Stephens and Cody Birdwell form a starting line that has improved its quickness.

"We got a lot of people coming back, and our D-line is pretty solid across the board," said Richardson, a two-way starting tackle. "Our linebackers are very fast. We're very fast and we fly around to the ball. We love to hit people. That's pretty much what killed us last year, the (lack of) speed of the defense."

The added boost, both from Dixon at QB and the defense overall, has the Lions dreaming big.

"Our goals are league title and then the state championship - nothing less," Richardson said. "We've made it

to the playoffs and we know what that feels like. We don't want to lose again. That was a bad feeling. We're focused and have set our goals high."

The bad feelings stemmed from a 55-7 loss to eventual state-champion Siuslaw in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs last season. The Vikings were quicker and more disciplined, attributes the Lions hope to pick up on this season.

"We were out-classed, out-strengthened and out-manned," said Fisher, a Siuslaw graduate. "It's a tribute to their program, and we're not at that level yet. We're still chasing it."

Cottage Grove will certainly be in the chase for another playoff berth, battling with Sisters, Marist and Junction City for one of the league's three playoff berths.

"We can definitely run with 'em," Richardson said. "We got a whole new offense, and they haven't seen that yet. They're going to be surprised."

Date Opponent Time

Aug. 31 Willamette L, 28-6

Sept. 7 Scappoose 7 p.m.

Sept. 14 at North Bend 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 at Marist 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 Junction City 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 Pleasant Hill 7 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Elmira 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 at Gladstone 7 p.m.

Oct. 26 Sisters 7 p.m.

Nov. 2 at La Pine 7 p.m.

7-5, third in league at 4-2, beat Scappoose 22-14 in first round of playoffs, lost 55-7 to Siuslaw in second round.

Cameron Dixon: 6-2, 205-pound senior takes over at QB with new offense.

Zach Richardson: 250-pound senior tackle anchors one of league's best defensive lines.

Ryan Stephens: Senior lineman a key on both sides of the ball.

David Black: 6-4, 240-pound junior TE/DE will be biggest target for Dixon.

Cody Birdwell: Senior DT/RB boosts fast line.

Jacob Stanley: Undersized junior RB (5-9, 155) is state wrestling champ, labeled The Pinball for the way he bounces off defenders.

Bobby Krasneski: Junior WR/DB in first season as starter; could be Dixon's No. 1 option.

Jason Woody: Senior kicker was first-team all-league in '06.

Jesse Westbook: Speedy senior WR could be wild card in first football season since junior high.

In coach Randy Fisher's second season, the Lions reached the playoffs last year for the first time since 1992. ... Cottage Grove has never reached the playoffs in consecutive seasons. ... Fisher said the Lions were disappointed in their effort during their second-round playoff loss to Siuslaw, the eventual Class 4A champion, but said that served as motivation in the offseason. "They've all been working hard since December," he said. ... The Lions dropped their season opener last Friday, a 28-6 loss at home to Willamette, a Class 5A team.

1

Playoff victories for Cottage Grove since 1990, which was a first-round win over Scappoose last season.

16

Seniors on the Cottage Grove roster, a group with designs

on reaching the state

playoffs again.

16.3

Points per game allowed by the Lions in league play in '06, tied with Marist for second-best. Sisters was No. 1 at 13.3 ppg.

73

Yards by state career rushing leader Cory McCaffrey of Sisters in '06 vs. Lions, the only team to hold him under 100.

Randy Fisher

Season: 10th overall,

third at Cottage Grove

Overall record: 56-38

Record at school: 11-11

Playoff record: 7-3

Notable: In his first coaching position, Fisher took Pleasant Hill to three straight playoff appearances from 2000-02, reaching the 3A title game twice. He coached North Eugene in 2003-04 before joining Cottage Grove in '05. He is a Siuslaw graduate.

FISHER SAYS:

"The kids are real excited about doing more of what we did last year and getting it to another level. We're like everyone else: We want to win the league title and make some waves in the playoffs."

AROUND THE SKY-EM

Sisters: Looms as not only the favorite to repeat as the Sky-Em champions but as one of the top contenders for the Class 4A crown. Cory McCaffrey rushed for a state-record 3,335 yards in '06 and heads into his senior season as the state's all-time rushing leader (5,508). Sisters also returns all-state WR Nate Jackson and all-league QB Jarred Hasskamp.

Marist: Vies for a return to '05 championship form.

Cottage Grove: Eyes back-to-back playoff appearances.

Junction City: Factors into the mix despite a brutal schedule.

Pleasant Hill: Relies on a strong defense and a freshman QB.

Elmira: Hopes for steady progress from young nucleus.

La Pine: Rebuilds with strong junior class.

Rumbling RB. Following in a strong tradition of Lions' running backs, junior Jacob Stanley takes over as the featured ballcarrier. A compact and elusive runner, Stanley (5-9, 155) packed on 15 pounds in the offseason.

Dominating D. The Lions held Sisters' star Cory McCaffrey in check better than anyone in the state last season. They bring back three starters on the D-line, which returns as a much faster unit this season.

Confidence. After winning their first playoff game in 16 years, the Lions return with even greater aspirations and perhaps even a touch of arrogance - which isn't necessarily a bad thing. "We want to win the state title," said Stanley.

With an amped-up defense, the Lions should make another push for one of the league's three playoff berths. Skill players like Dixon, Stanley and Krasneski are talented but unproven, and will be tested during tough nonleague schedule and in league opener at Marist.