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Comets' Tyler Davis pondering his future
Crater High grad will suit up for the South squad in 60th Les Schwab Bowl
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By Don Hunt
Mail Tribune
June 21, 2007
Less than three months before college classes begin, Tyler Davis has yet to select a school of higher learning.
Or, for that matter, a sport.
les schwab bowl
what: The 60th annual all-star contest, which features the top graduating seniors from the Class 6A and 5A levels.
when, where: Friday, 7 p.m., at Portland's PGE Park.
tickets: Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for students (ages 4-1
. Reserved seating for adults is $15, and $12 for students. Admission is free for children under 4.
The recent Crater High graduate may have a better gauge of his future this weekend after he suits up for the 60th annual Les Schwab Bowl.
The all-star football classic featuring the top graduating high school seniors from the Class 6A and 5A ranks will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday at Portland's PGA Park.
Three other local players — Crater's Derek Hogenson and North Medford's Jason Slowey and Kris Carey — will join Davis on the South roster for the all-star event.
Davis, a standout wide receiver in football and outfielder in baseball, has narrowed his choices to Portland State and Lower Columbia Community College in Kelso, Wash.
PSU has invited Davis to walk on in football and has assured him it will give him a scholarship if he makes the team this fall.
The Vikings recently hired the flamboyant Jerry Glanville as its head coach and passing game guru Darrel "Mouse" Davis as its offensive coordinator.
Tyler Davis met with Glanville, a former NFL head coach, last Friday.
"He seemed like an awesome guy who would be fun to play for," said Davis of Glanville, who once left tickets to an Atlanta Falcons game for Elvis Presley. "He didn't say a whole lot at first, but he's a southern guy, and when my dad told him we lived in Alabama for five years, all of a sudden we were like family."
Davis didn't meet with Mouse Davis, but he's aware of the former Portland State head coach and Hawaii offensive coordinator who invented the "run and shoot" offense in the 1980s.
Hawaii, with Davis orchestrating, led the nation in passing yards (441.3) and scoring (46.9) at the Division IA level last season.
"As a receiver, you dream of playing for a guy like that," Tyler Davis said. "You know you're going to see the ball a bunch of times each game."
Because Glanville didn't get the Portland State job until March — more than a month after the national signing period — he wasn't able to land as many receivers as the Vikings will need in their system. That opens the door for someone like Tyler Davis.
Still, the Vikings haven't yet offered Davis any money. Lower Columbia, on the other hand, has offered Davis a scholarship to play baseball. He visited the coach (Kelly Smith) and campus in Vancouver last week and liked what he saw.
"I walked into the dugout and saw a whole wall full of championships," Davis said. "They definitely have a winning tradition."
Davis could be the South team's go-to receiver at the Schwab Bowl, especially after Oregon-bound Aaron Pflugrad strained a hamstring muscle during practice early this week. Pflugrad, a Sheldon High graduate, is doubtful for the all-star game.
"He's looked sharp in practice and is definitely fitting into our plans," said Crater coach John Beck, who is serving as one of the South team's assistants. "Tyler is one of the fastest kids here and has some shake and bake to him."
North Medford's Carey, a defensive end, has also stood out in drills, Beck said.
"He has real good speed off the edge," Beck said.
Slowey, North Medford's other representative, is penciled in as an offensive lineman while Crater's Hogenson will line up as an outside linebacker.
The South squad is considered a heavy underdog, especially with Pflugrad and standout defensive lineman Bo Moos ailing. Moos, another Sheldon High product who landed a scholarship to Arizona State, came down with a nasty virus early in the week and returned to Eugene. Like Pflugrad, he's doubtful for Friday's contest.
"We know we've got our hands full but our kids have worked hard in practice and they'll give it their best shot," said South head coach Chris McGowen, who led Corvallis to the 5A state title last fall.
Alex Besaw of Sheldon, Drew Hubel of Corvallis and Andrew Schumacher of Churchill are expected to alternate at quarterback for the South. Oregon State-bound tight end Colby Prince of West Albany is expected to be one of their favorite targets.
The North team will be led by Lincoln High graduate and Portland State-bound quarterback Connor Kavanaugh, Lincoln wide receiver Elvis Akpla and running back Isaiah Johnson of Roosevelt.
North romped to a 49-25 win last summer and has won three of the last four meetings. In the overall series that dates to 1948, North holds a 28-27 edge. There have been four ties.
Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail
[email protected]
