2023 Program Preview: Canby
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We are getting closer to the start of the high school football season in Oregon, which means it is time to look at the football programs around the state. Oregon high school football is in a fantastic place, and I…
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Continue ReadingWe are getting closer to the start of the high school football season in Oregon, which means it is time to look at the football programs around the state. Oregon high school football is in a fantastic place, and I could not be more excited to help educate our readers on the programs they will be watching on Friday nights. The team next up is Canby High School, home of the Cougars.
The head coach of the Canby Cougars is Jimmy Joyce, who is entering his fifth season as the head man. Coach Joyce and the Cougars finished the 2022 season with a 5-4 record which was unfortunately not enough to reach the 5A state playoffs. Coach Joyce had this to say on Canby’s disappointing season last year, “Last season was a roller coaster ride, and while we finished with a winning record and saw plenty of growth, it was not up to our high standards. After starting 3-0 with wins over a playoff team in Mountain View and two 6A teams in Oregon City and Beaverton, we got hit with the injury bug. By week 4, we had lost seven defensive and eight offensive starters, and while the injuries contributed to a few losses later in the year that we wish we could get back, it was far from the only reason. Looking back, I didn’t do enough to put players in positions to be successful and allowed ourselves as a program to become complacent. We lost a little fire, which is 100% on me.”
Although last season finished with a bumpy road, Coach Joyce is pumped for this season. When asked about his goals and expectations for the year, Coach Joyce said, “We are very excited about the upcoming season and can’t wait to see what we can accomplish. We have a very experienced group coming back, with a strong senior class with over 25 athletes and large junior and sophomore classes that got a lot of experience last fall.” The experience that the young players got last season after the plethora of injuries Canby sustained may pay dividends this season, as the younger guys should be ready to step up for the Cougars.
Here is a list of All-State players that have departed the program:
- LB Braden Snoderly (Honorable Mention)
The Cougars fully expect to be in the playoffs this season. I asked Coach Joyce for some of his guys who he believes will help the Cougars reach the playoffs. Here are the guys Coach Joyce named as his top players:
The first player Coach Joyce mentioned was Tyler, who he had high praise for. Here are some things he said about Tyler, “We are also very lucky to return Tyler Konold Tyler Konold 6’0″ | 200 lbs | ATH Canby | 2024 State OR , who only played in 4.5 games last fall after a severe ankle injury in week three but still rushed for over 800 yards after rushing for 1650 as a sophomore. Tyler is a game changer and a rare type of athlete in many ways, and when he is healthy or even at 75%, he is one of the best players in the state.” That is not all Coach had to say about Tyler; he continued, “I think he is one of the best players in the state and one of the best players I have ever coached. I still don’t know why more college coaches are not as interested in him.” If Tyler can stay healthy, he will be one of the best players in Oregon.
The next player mentioned by Coach Joyce is a junior who already has an offer from BYU. Coach Joyce said, “ Jackson Doman Jackson Doman 6’5″ | 205 lbs | ATH Canby | 2025 State OR is also ready for a breakout performance; at 6’5 and 215 pounds, we anticipate moving him around as a wideout and TE. This offseason saw him make great growth that colleges across the nation have taken notice of, and he has received an offer from BYU.” When asked about his expectations for Jackson this season, he said, “He is a dynamic athlete who should be a force on both sides of the ball. He comes from a football family and is ready to take the next step in his development.” Jackson will be a crucial player for the Cougars and is a guy that will receive multiple D1 offers.
The next player mentioned is the player Coach Joyce expects to be his tight end. Here is what Coach Joyce had to say about his tight end, “At (tight end), Andy Soles Andy Soles 6’2″ | 205 lbs | LB Canby | 2024 State OR is back, and we are excited to see what he can do on both sides of the ball. A tremendous leader and athlete, he is ready to break out, and he will anchor (the receiving) group.” Andy will also be playing linebacker for the Cougars this year where he will help lead that group as well. “(Andy is) a great leader and one of the best workers I have ever been around. He is going to anchor our defense and will be a force at TE this fall,” said Coach Joyce. Andy will be a leader for this playoff-hopeful Canby squad.
Parker Ackerman Parker Ackerman 5'10" | 180 lbs | ATH Canby | 2024 State OR
Parker Ackerman Parker Ackerman 5'10" | 180 lbs | ATH Canby | 2024 State OR
The next player mentioned is one of the most versatile players in Oregon. Coach Joyce said, “(Parker is) a true Swiss Army knife who will play DB, WR, QB, and running back at different times throughout the season.” Coach Joyce explained how he envisions Parker’s quarterback usage this year, “Parker will be used as our dual-threat back, who could also take over a game and take every snap.” Expect Parker to lineup at every position on the field beside lineman and make an impact for the Cougars.
Up next is the first lineman mentioned. Coach Joyce expects Gideon to lead both the offensive and defensive lineman, saying, “ Gideon Noss Gideon Noss 5’11” | 225 lbs | DL Canby | 2024 State OR will anchor the (lineman) group after receiving second-team all-league honors last year on both sides of the ball.” Gideon is a strong and tough player who will lead the way and set the standard for the young Canby lineman.
Cohen Hall
Cohen Hall
Up next is the speedy athlete that Coach Joyce is excited about. Coach Joyce had this to say about Cohen, “Cohen Hall, who is one of the fastest players in the state, is back after missing six games last year due to a leg injury. Cohen is a player who can get behind a defense and also mix it up across the middle.” Coach Joyce said Cohen is a “definite big-play threat…” Cohen should be an exciting player to watch.
Teagan Troutman
Teagan Troutman
Teagan is an impressive athlete that I will be keeping tabs on. Here is what Coach Joyce had to say about Teagan, “One guy who saw some time last year but is now ready to be a full-time starter is Teagan Troutman. At 6’4 and 220, he is a force and a great athlete, running three electronically timed sub-4.85 forties this summer. Coach Joyce told me Teagan will be playing offensive and defensive line this season, but with that size and speed, I would not be surprised if he gets used at other positions.
The next player mentioned was the Cougars’ week one starter last season at quarterback. Here is what Coach Joyce had to say on Gage and the quarterback competition, “Last year, we began the year splitting time with Gage Millar Gage Millar 6’0″ | 180 lbs | QB Canby | 2024 State OR and Parker Ackerman Parker Ackerman 5’10” | 180 lbs | ATH Canby | 2024 State OR , but Gage would aggravate a knee injury in week three and would miss the rest of the year with a torn ACL. Parker would suffer two high ankle sprains, so the position fell to Kellen Oliver Kellen Oliver 6’0″ | 160 lbs | QB Canby | 2025 State OR for most of the season. All three return this fall, and I fully anticipate all three taking snaps for us at critical times throughout the year. Gage is a tireless worker and a very driven kid, and it has killed him not being able to participate in spring contact, but he should be fully cleared by the start of camp in mid-August.” I am eager to see how Gage returns from a severe injury and if he starts at quarterback in week one.
Highlights
Kellen is the quarterback that was called upon when the two upperclassmen went down with injury. Here is what Coach Joyce had to say about his young QB, “Kellen is a tremendously confident player with a good head on his shoulders, and he is someone people gravitate to. His growth from his freshman year to now is just amazing, and we anticipate him continuing his growth throughout the year.” Coach Joyce also wanted to clear some things up on the Cougars QB situation, saying, “I don’t like to call our situation a quarterback battle; I know Parker is going to get at least 10–15 snaps a game as a wildcat-type QB, apart from snaps at receiver and RB and starting on defense. Going into camp, I see Kellen and Gage splitting reps at least early in the year and going with the hot hand during games, similarly to what we did last year.”
Highlights
Up next is the running back that stepped up when Canby’s star player got injured. Here is what Coach Joyce had to say about Taeler and the plans for the backfield, “When Konold went down, Taeler filled his role and did so very successfully. He also went down late in the year with a groin injury. We are really excited about the possibilities of Taeler, Tyler, and Parker in our backfield.” Look for the Cougars to use Taeler as much as possible before his role increases significantly in his senior season.
UPDATE: Taeler is 5’9, according to Coach Joyce. He is not 5’5 anymore. I am unable to edit his profile, unfortunately.
Jackson Heath
Jackson Heath
The last player Coach Joyce mentioned was a surprise for the Cougars as he transferred from Rex Putnam High School. Coach Joyce said, “(Jackson is) a transfer from Putnam, who we are very excited to have on our side going forward. A dynamic athlete with tremendous football sense and ability.” When talking about the secondary as a whole, Coach Joyce said, “The other wildcard is newcomer Jackson Heath, who has transferred in from Putnam. Jackson was a first-team all-league safety as a sophomore and will definitely be on the field for us; we are just figuring out if that is going to be at corner or safety.” I am excited to see Jackson suit up for the Cougars.
Canby is a team that I am very excited to watch this year as they are a talented team that should have been a tough out in the playoffs last year if it wasn’t for the injury bug they sustained. I expect Canby to finish as a top-ten team in 5A and be competitive in the playoffs if they stay healthy.