Forest Grove football team will show up ‘in the best shape possible,’ go from there
By Mike Wilson
Over the next few weeks, SBLive Oregon will break down every 6A, 5A and 4A football team in the state in anticipation of a six-week season in March and April. Even if the season is postponed or canceled, we will continue to highlight more than a hundred teams and more than a thousand players in Oregon. Here’s our look at the Forest Grove Vikings of the Class 5A Northwest Oregon Conference West Division.
HEAD COACH
Perry Herbst, fifth season (11-26)
2019 AT A GLANCE
Overall record: 4-5
League record: 3-3, fourth in Northwest Oregon West
Playoffs: Did not qualify
ALL-LEAGUE PLAYERS DEPARTED
LB Caleb Silva, first team
CB Dylan Straughan, first team
WR Cameron Ulloa, second team
LB Gavin Rice, second team
QB Jarod Miller, honorable mention
RB CJ Doyle, honorable mention
RB Izzy Ahmed, honorable mention
TE/DL Cameron Bennett, honorable mention on offense and defense
LB Noah Reasoner, honorable mention
LB Xzavier Rosas, honorable mention
S Joseph Wilson, honorable mention
P Sage Perrin, honorable mention
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Senior WR/QB Ayden Case
Case factored into the Vikings' receiving game regularly last season. "He's probably our best returning receiver," Herbst said. Case also backed up at quarterback last season and is in the running to be the starter this season.
Senior OL/DL Shane Parrow
Opponents figure to make Parrow a point of emphasis in their game plans. He started on both lines last season and was second-team all-Northwest Oregon Conference West on the defensive line. "He was one of the best defensive tackles in the league last year," Herbst said, "and he's probably going to be the best defensive tackle in the league this year." Built low to the ground at 5-foot-9 and 200 pounds, Parrow is "probably the strongest kid I've had in a long time," Herbst said. "I think he's going to cause problems for people."
Senior DE/TE Caleb Reece
Reece will be a two-year starter at defensive end and is notable for his athleticism, his hands and his height (6-foot-2). "I look forward to seeing his development," Herbst said.
Junior RB/DE Gavin Hale
Hale is the heir apparent at running back after the departures of Izzy Ahmad and CJ Doyle, who both earned all-conference honorable mention last season. With the presence of Ahmad and Doyle last season, some potential running backs moved to the offensive line. This season, Herbst looks to the 6-1, 220-pound Hale to be a primary ball carrier.
Senior OL/DL Saul Tinoco and senior OL/DL Malakhi Grimm
Tinoco and Grimm are returning starters on the offensive line. Tinoco is targeted to start at left tackle, and Grimm — who played some offensive tackle in 2019 — will start at center.
Senior OL/LB Trevor Brenner
Brenner started on the offensive line last season and has experience at inside linebacker. "We're counting a lot on him," Herbst said.
OUTLOOK
A key question mark is who will succeed three-year starter Jarod Miller at quarterback. Early in the year, there were four candidates:
- Case, who played wide receiver last season
- Junior Kaden Clute, who relieved an injured Miller in the NWOC crossover game against La Salle Prep that was for a berth in the OSAA playoffs
- Sophomore Afton Milton
- Junior Chaseton Hubel
Herbst said each has his strengths and provides opportunities for the Vikings to be successful.
A 27-14 loss to La Salle Prep kept Forest Grove from its second consecutive playoff berth. Parrow is the Vikings' only returner who received all-conference recognition last season, but Herbst said there are in fact several experienced players coming back.
“If we have a season, our goal will be week to week,” Herbst said. “‘Can I get better and can I show it on Friday night when we play?’”
Support for Miller's successor from the skill-position players and the offensive line could go a long way toward determining success for Forest Grove.
COACH SAID
"My goal right now is, if we get to have a season, I told my kids, 'Our goal as a team is we come in in the best shape possible.'" — Perry Herbst
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