An Immediate 5A Title Contender- Canby HS
Over the years Canby High School has featured one of the most successful and consistent programs, at the highest classification level 6A, within the state of Oregon. That said as the Cougars went (9-37) from 2014-18 with a winless 0-9 season just two years ago. This all coming after multiple deep playoff runs, which included a state seminal appearance in 2013, losing to Jesuit 35-17.
The drop off was staggering considering their success from the previous seasons so changes needed to be made. The biggest move came with the hiring of new head coach Jimmy Joyce in 2019. If I was selecting any offensive coordinator in the State of Oregon to become my head guy it would have been him. A lot of credit to the Canby athletic department and community on the hire.
Joyce made the move from Beaverton HS where I would credit his play calling for a couple extra wins a season while there. Jimmy also brought in legendary coach Faustin Riley to help with the offense. Not a bad combo.
Another big move came with Canby’s reclassification to the 5A level. A traditional 6A power dropping down a class doesn’t happen very often. The Cougars are below the threshold from an enrollment standpoint of 1260 kids. Expect them to be an immediate conference favorite along with Wilsonville, and a state title contender.
The Cougars have a solid returning senior group and some very talented underclassmen, highlighted by Junior QB Mikey Gibson 6-2 180, who has one of the highest ceilings of any player in Oregon’s 2022 class. Both Joyce and Riley rave about his overall athleticism and potential, with Joyce saying “This kid is the real deal and will only be in his third year of playing QB, with the first in the Wing-T. He’s just an impressive individual in many ways, and could wind up being a professional athlete or maybe president.”
Junior Joe Brauckmiller Joe Brauckmiller 6'4" | 180 lbs | LB Canby | 2022 State OR 6-4 200 OLB 22’ also returns after an all conference TRL season. He ranked among the top Sophomores state wide in tackles with 60, and is also listed as one of my top 22’s defensively on the PRZ rankings board.
Chance Miller Chance Miller 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR Canby | 2021 State OR 6-0 170 WR/S 21’ is committed to Air Force and projects as one of the top recruits to come out of Canby in some time. His 1st team all league accolades at WR last season, in the brutally tough TRL, speaks to his overall ability. Coach Joyce says, “He’s an unbelievable talent and has one of the fastest first steps I’ve ever seen at the high school level.” His 1,152 yards (963 receiving) and 8 Td’s from 2019 are just a glimpse of what could be an onslaught of state leading 5A statistics.
In the next month or so you will see the PRZ rankings updated for the 2021-2023 classes. The Cougars will add a handful of individuals to the list. Tyler Mead 6-1 180 WR/DB should be considered one of the most underrated kids in the state, after an outstanding junior season, that saw him earn all conference honors on both sides of the football.
Even more importantly Canby returns an impressive line with size which no team in the state is winning a title without. Sturgeon Anderson 6-5 340 T 21’ is said to have turned a corner and moves well for a big man. Payton Martin 6-0 260 OL 21’ earned all league accolades as well. Junior’s Jacob Strand 6-5 240 and twin brothers Clayton 6-3 240 OL/DL 22’ & Casey Langdale 6-3 245 OL/DL 22’ will be relied upon heavily up front.
Senior’s Kyle Sandner 5-11 177 ATH 21’ is the team’s fastest kid, with people excited about Jackson Valdrow 6-0 160 DB 21’ who is returning after some injuries. Dylan Wymer 5-11 195 LB 21’ had a nice 2019 campaign earning TRL honorable mention all conference accolades. Also don’t sleep on Nate Bailey 6-4 190 DE/TE 22’. The big man could be one of the state’s breakout athletes.
In summary Canby will immediately compete for a state title at the 5A level. As most know there is a big drop off between the two classification levels. The current freshman class is loaded and with continued progression the Cougars could be in the mix for the for-seeable future.
Coach Joyce in closing says, “I think people are very excited about the coming year, after finishing last year on a two game winning streak, following an 18 game losing streak which really revitalized people’s love for football.” He continued, “Canby is a tremendous football town, in fact we often refer to it as the best football town in Oregon, and in the coming years we hope to prove that.”