2025 Team Preview: McDaniel Mountain Lions

The McDaniel Mountain Lions enter the 2025 season with renewed optimism under head coach Russell Millage, now in his third year leading the program. Coming off a 1-8 campaign in 2024, including a 1-6 mark in the Portland Interscholastic League (PIL), the Lions are aiming to take a significant step forward. Millage said this offseason has been the best since he arrived, crediting the team's bonding, strength program, competitions, and camp experiences.   “This has been our best offseason since I've been here at McDaniel,” Millage said. “The team bonding, strength program, team competition, and team camp has enhanced our off-season.” The Lions impressed early in the summer, going 4-1 in pool play at the University of Oregon 7-on-7 tournament, a dramatic improvement from their 0-4 showing the year before, and reaching the quarterfinals before falling to a tough Philomath squad. McDaniel also attended a padded team camp at Western Oregon University for the first time in school history, where they battled against physical programs from Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.   Heading into the fall, Millage believes the team has the right pieces and experience to make a playoff push. “Although the expectation is to always get better, we are shooting to win more than half of our games and get into the playoffs,” he said.   The Mountain Lion's All-Conference Departures:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>OL Max Kilburn - 2nd Team</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>DL C.J. Vickers - Honorable Mention</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>DL Marcus Pulliam - Honorable Mention</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>LB J.R. Lanier - Honorable Mention</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>DB Micah Hall - Honorable Mention</li> </ul>   Here are 9 Key Mountain Lions to Watch in 2025 from Coach Millage:    A two-time First Team All-PIL Offensive Utility selection, Crawford has done it all for McDaniel the past two seasons, even stepping in at quarterback due to injuries. Millage praised his leadership and playmaking ability, calling him one of the top candidates for PIL Offensive Player of the Year. Over the past two seasons, he's totaled 1,414 passing yards, 622 rushing yards, 221 receiving yards, 9 passing touchdowns, 5 rushing scores, 2 receiving touchdowns, and a pick-six. This fall, he'll be back in his natural role, where his connection with Jaydin Jordan will headline McDaniel's passing attack.     Jordan made a big impression last season after transferring in, earning First Team All-PIL honors at wide receiver. “Jaydin is as explosive as they come offensively and a lockdown physical cornerback,” Millage said. While Jordan projects as a college corner, his offensive production, 29 catches for 451 yards, plus two rushing touchdowns, makes him one of the state's most dynamic threats. He also excelled in the return game, averaging over 21 yards per kickoff return and finding the end zone.     One of two senior captains, Clay will anchor both lines this season. Millage said he had a “very strong team camp at WOU” and will be counted on heavily to set the tone in the trenches.     A returning Honorable Mention All-PIL quarterback despite only playing three games last season, McCowan is primed for a breakout year. “He can easily be the top gunslinger in the PIL with the receiver core led by the Crawford/Jordan duo and the big-play potential of [player_tooltip player_id='1476158' first='Jesse' last='Jones'] in the backfield,” Millage said. With a full year in the system, McCowan's command of the offense is much stronger heading into 2025.     Sanders earned All-PIL honors at defensive utility as a sophomore and will now move to linebacker while keeping his role as TE1. Millage called him “one of the most intriguing prospects out of the PIL” thanks to his size, speed, and athletic versatility.     Lee is set for his first high school football season after missing two years with injury. Previously a quarterback, Lee has transitioned seamlessly to receiver and defensive back, impressing as one of the team's most reliable pass-catchers.     The team's “pancake leader” from last season, Hilliard moves exceptionally well for his size. Millage said his combination of height, frame, and athleticism makes him a name to watch.     The youngest team captain in school history, Fakapulia is a standout on and off the field, boasting a 3.8 GPA. “We expect him to be the best recruit out of McDaniel since four-star Daniel Green,” Millage said. He will anchor both lines as just a sophomore.     A dynamic, low-to-the-ground back with excellent speed, Jones will bring big-play ability to the backfield and line up at receiver when needed. Millage believes Jones and Fakapulia are among the best sophomores in Oregon.    With a mix of experienced upperclassmen, breakout underclassmen, and the program's best offseason in years, McDaniel enters 2025 with confidence and momentum. The Crawford–Jordan connection gives the Mountain Lions one of the PIL's most dangerous receiving tandems, while leaders like Clay and Fakapulia provide strength in the trenches. Add in promising talents such as McCowan, Sanders, Lee, Hilliard, and Jones, and the pieces are in place for McDaniel to make a legitimate run at the postseason. If the offseason gains translate to Friday nights, the Mountain Lions could be one of the league's biggest surprises this fall.

The McDaniel Mountain Lions enter the 2025 season with renewed optimism under head coach Russell Millage, now in his third year leading the program. Coming off a 1-8 campaign in 2024, including a 1-6 mark in the Portland Interscholastic League (PIL), the Lions are aiming to take a significant step forward. Millage said this offseason has been the best since he arrived, crediting the team's bonding, strength program, competitions, and camp experiences.