Madras football back where it belongs in Tri-Valley — and White Buffaloes are ‘ready to compete’ in 4A

Here’s our look at the Madras White Buffaloes of the Class 4A Tri-Valley Conference.

ByPaul Valencia

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 Madras White Buffaloes of the Class 4A Tri-Valley Conference.

MADRAS TEAM PAGE

HEAD COACH

Kurt Taylor, fifth season (14-23) 

2019 AT A GLANCE 

Overall record: 6-4 

League record: 4-1, second in 3A Special District 1 East

Playoffs: Lost 40-7 to Rainier in first round

ALL-LEAGUE PLAYERS DEPARTED 

Robert Pacheco QB (1st team), DB (honorable mention)

Treyvon Easterling RB (1st team)

Andrew Ganuza OL (1st team)

David Sumner OL (2nd team)

Kody Zemke LB (Defensive player of the year)

Erik Boynton DB (1st team)

Tony Salazar LB (2nd team)

Liam White LB (2nd team)

Matt Bunt DB (2nd team)

Tyriek Rodriguez P (2nd team)

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Jacob Hulsey, senior, TE/DE

Hulsey is the White Buffaloes’ leader, someone who will do what’s best for the team — so much so that he sacrificed personal glory last season by playing on the offensive line rather than tight end. 

Taylor is looking forward to seeing Hulsey this season, using those blocking skills at tight end but also with his receiving skills. 

“He just has amazing hands. He’ll catch anything that flies in front of him,” Taylor said. 

Seth Colton, senior, OL/TE/DE

When Madras goes double tight end, look for Colton to be there. Otherwise, he will be one of the tackles.

Colton is headed to George Fox University later this year. 

“One of the hardest workers on our team,” the coach said. “He wreaks havoc on the defensive side. He’s big, strong, and he moves really well, especially laterally.”

Tyrell Ramirez, senior, LB

One of the rare players who plays on just one side of the ball for Madras. 

Off the field, a quiet person. On the field, an intense competitor. Taylor said it’s like he becomes a whole different person when he steps on the field.

“We blitz him all the time,” Taylor said.

Jeremiah Smith, senior, H-back/LB

Several Division II and Division III schools are looking into this “absolute stud,” Taylor said. Linebacker, safety, he can do it all.

“He is by far the leader of our team when it comes to work ethic,” Taylor said. “He doesn’t miss a thing. He’s dialed in. Football is his life.”

Nathan Stout, senior, RB/DB

Very, very quick. A three-sport athlete who is coming into his own in football. The White Buffaloes did not have him listed as a running back last season, but then the coaches put Stout in at the position for the scout team.

“He was lighting our defense up,” Taylor said. “He’s taken the helm.”

Cael White, sophomore, WR/DB

The sophomore class at Madras is special. Taylor could see some Division I recruits coming out of the class. White could lead the way. Last season, he was 5-6. Now, he is just under 6-feet, and he can “jump out of the building.”

“He’s probably the best receiver that has come through the program since I’ve been there,” Taylor said.

Reece White, junior, QB

There is a three-way battle for the starting quarterback position. White might be the leader. At 6-5, the all-state wrestler “has a cannon of an arm,” Taylor said.

Dru Boyle, sophomore, QB

Boyle is one of the best athletes in the school, a three-sport athlete. “The smartest football kid we’ve had in our program in a long, long time,” Taylor said.

Ethan Graeme, junior, QB

“He’s our Brett Favre,” the coach said, referring to Graeme’s gunslinger mentality. “He’s able to make those kinds of throws.”

OUTLOOK

The White Buffaloes had stepped away to play at a lower level in recent years but are back where they belong, the coach said.

“We’re ready to compete in the Tri-Valley again,” Taylor said. “I love our opponents. No egos with these coaches. We get along great. I’m so excited to be back in the Tri-Valley.”

If there is a season, coaches and players promise to make the most of it.

“We want to take each game as if it’s our last game, because it could be,” Taylor said. “We’re going to go into each game like it’s a playoff game.”

COACH SAID 

“We’re here for a reason,” Taylor said of him and his coaching staff. “Our job is to help our young men be the best they can be.”

Taylor arrived at Madras in the middle of a really low period for the program. Not too many people outside of the community believed the White Buffaloes could turn it around. The team has had back-to-back winning seasons.

“This community has embraced us. They understand we’re doing more than just playing a game,” Taylor said. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, honestly.”

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