By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
GERVAIS, Ore.– Michael Davenport knows a thing or two about winning programs.
Growing up in nearby Silverton, he grew up around the high-standards that the Foxes program has for their football team and players. Through the past few years, he’s coached in the youth ranks, -playing a crucial part in getting the future Silverton ball players prepared for those Friday nights.
And now, as the Summer reaches it’s midway point and the season is on the horizon, Davenport is preparing for his next challenge:
Coaching the Gervais High School Football program.
“I was looking for an opportunity to get to the next level with High School. I still have strong roots in the youth level, but I wanted to take that next step because I accomplished everything I ever wanted to at the Youth Level as a coach,” said Davenport.
The last three years has seen the Cougars become a respectable playoff team. Three years ago, they reached the 2A State Quarterfinals and the last two years, they reached the State Semi’s. Two years ago they did so in 2A and this past Fall in 3A.
Davenport spoke to the strong senior class that Gervais had to set that foundation of success and knows that this season will test those coming back, new and returning, to continue that success into this season.
“Gervais had a strong senior class last year, that’s one thing that contributes to a lot of success is how many kids are in a program and in a system for three-four years straight and just developing those four years,” starts Davenport.
“Here, it’s going to be a challenge, a lot of kids that are coming out for the first time, but we have a lot of potential with the younger underclassmen stepping up and helping filling some of those roles….Gervais is coming into their own in the 3A division. We have to sustain the standards that has been put into place, if not increase them a little bit.”
And that’s what they’ve been doing. Since June, they’ve been hosting workouts at the school. Lifting, some field work. All trying to get themselves ready for mid-August when the season beginnings and preparing for their first game of the season on August 28 at home against Santiam Christian.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
