It's been 20 years since Caveman Football earned a League Title, and with 2 games left GPHS sits atop the Division with a 7-0 record.  In their way stand the Axeman of South Eugene and the Willamette Wolverines whose combined record is 1-13.  GP's motto this year is to "Leave a Mark" and that has come to fruition with wins over tough competition such as the Sherwood Bowmen (5-2), perennial powerhouse Sheldon Irish (6-1), 2013 League Champion North Medford Black Tornado (6-1), and South Medford (5-2). Given the success against very tough competition, GP has earned the RPI ranking of #1 in the State for the last 4 weeks.  The RPI ranking is an important one as it determines who the Team will match up with in the playoffs come November.

Offensively, the Caveman have put up a respectable 45 points per game. The O-Line led by Seniors Andres Palomera and Destin Cook have given QB, Javan Appling, time and room to make decisions downfield to targets such as Easton Bents, Jeret Musser, JC McKinley, Keegan Weiss, and Kirkland Meadows. Junior TE  Dylan Handley has shown to be a tough blocker and downfield threat giving opposing team fits on how to match up on that type of athlete.  The Cavers feature arguably the fastest backfield in the State in Zac Hannan and Ben Dean who have both exploded for big gains and TD's throughout this season. 

Defensively, the Black Shirt Defense is coming to form and shutting down opponents to the tune of 19 points per game. It all starts up front where the front four led by Joey Malloy and Anthony Del Toro have controlled the line of scrimmage and freed up the run stopping LB's of Brandon Amaral and Hanley.  Outside, Keil Nicholas has taken away the field at the Strong Safety position consistently matching up and defeating some of the best athletes opposing Teams have to offer. In the Secondary, stand 4 DB’s who have silenced some of the best WR’s in the State: Kirkland Meadows, JC McKinley, Jeret Musser or Keegan Weiss and Jake Stoffel.

Special Teams have been a consistent supporter of both the Offense and Defense all year long. Moges Dinkins boots kickoffs in the endzone, has a range of 50 plus yards, and has already had 2 game winners in the final seconds. Return wise, Hannan has taken a KO back for a TD and consistently sets the Offense up with great field position while Jeret Musser has given the Defense some help with solid punts into enemy territory. Setting those two up for success and often times the most overlooked position on the field, Ty Eldridge is the most consistent long snapper in the State.

This week marks Homecoming for the Football Team with festivities all week long.  Students have dress themes each day at school culminated on Friday by a Pep Assembly and Cavalcade up and down 6th and 7th Streets of GP. Following the game at historic Mel Ingram field this Friday will be  the 2014 Homecoming Dance in the GP Commons. It’s an exciting time and year for the Caveman and speaking with coaches and players they know the toughest competition looms in the playoffs which is where they plan on leaving their mark next.