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2009 CENTRAL VALLEY CONFERENCE
A new coach for the Redmond Panthers, who enter a new era after the departure of Craig Ruecker to Tigard High. New coach Dan Elliott is a familiar face to his players--as the head freshman coach at Redmond for the last 16 years. Prior to that, he was head coach at nearby Culver High.
OFFENSE The offense will remain much the same, and Elliott now just has to build around a small group of returning players. Junior quarterback Mitch Dahlen (6-4 220) will anchor the Panther offense--after coming off an 1100 yard passing year in 2008. Tailback Christian Welsh (5-11 160 Sr.) returns to provide experience in the running back, after rushing for 547 yards on 99 carries last season. The key returnees on the front line include hard hitting Duel Christiansen (6-0 255 Sr.), Nathan Herber (5-10 210 Sr.) and Travis Skyles (6-1 240 Sr.). Skyles returns after sitting out his junior season. In the passing game, Dahlen has seniors Eric Hindman (5-10 175) and sure-handed Dawson Skidgel (5-7 150) as primary targets. The Panthers have lost starting tight end Michael Luenen, who transferred to Westview High School in Beaverton. DEFENSE Defensively, many of the same players will have to serve double duty for Redmond, with Christiansen on the d-line, and Welsh and Skidgel in the secondary. Elliott has some defensive specialists. Noah Weterhuis (6-0 225 Jr.) will be a force at inside linebacker, Kyle Bemrose (5-7 145 Sr.) will play at outside linebacker, and Dylan Anderson (5-11 180 Jr.) should be a factor at free safety. OTHER Elliott's biggest concerns are experience and depth, as this year's senior class numbers less than 20.
Full Access Sports Coaches Poll Prediction: 6th place
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REDMOND