Raiders ink Retzlaff

SOU head football coach Craig Howard, left, stands with Matt Retzlaff on Wednesday at Louie's Bar and Grill in Ashland.Troy Goossen

February 02, 2012

ASHLAND — Former South Medford football player Matt Retzlaff said he chose to play at Southern Oregon University in part because of head coach Craig Howard's motivating personality.

"He reminded me a lot of my grandfather, Fred Spiegelberg," Retzlaff said. "I didn't know my grandpa too long, so I've only heard stories about him and I heard he was a high-tempo kind of guy. They feel love and they are true motivators who make their players want to give their best effort. And I want to give my best effort for (Howard)."

Howard's energizing demeanor was on full display at Louie's Bar and Grill on Tuesday evening during the Raiders' signing day party.

Signing day is the first day that a high school senior can sign a binding national letter of intent for college football with a school.

Howard, dressed sharply in a gray blazer, black dress shirt and red tie, gave the large crowd at the restaurant a taste of his charisma as he provided commentary to a video highlight film shown on the flat-screen televisions overhead. The movie featured his 33 signees, which include three local athletes — Retzlaff, who is a wide receiver, Rogue River offensive lineman Doug Francis and North Medford offensive lineman Dillon Henke — as well as 13 others from Oregon, 14 from California, two from Washington and one from Idaho.

"You screen through 500 to 1,000 players to get to those 33," Howard said. "So there are still boys who want to come and other boys will want to sign, but today marks a big step in the right direction for SOU football in signing (33) players who I believe will contribute on our football team to win the national title."

The incoming class will attempt to help SOU build on its 5-5 record in 2011, which was Howard's first season in Ashland.

The NAIA Raiders open the 2012 season against Montana Western on Sept. 1. They'll play their first season in the Frontier Conference.

The 2012 class features seven Oregon all-state players: Retzlaff, Central Catholic running back Hayward Demison and defensive end Mick Hartwig, Siuslaw defensive linemen Sonny Tupua and Jacob Holloway, Lake Oswego defensive lineman Turner Young and Banks linebacker Garrett Bossert.

Demison is certainly the most well-known of Howard's recruits. He ran for over 1,400 yards and recorded 19 total touchdowns as a senior after suffering a heart attack during a game against Canby his junior year. His heart stopped beating before he was revived by a cardiac nurse. He underwent open heart surgery and returned his senior year to earn all-state recognition.

Demison's story was featured in Sports Illustrated.

The 6-foot, 180-pound Retzlaff tallied 1,118 receiving yards on 56 catches with 21 touchdowns last year. He added six interceptions from the defensive back position to earn Class 6A all-state honors on both sides of the ball.

Retzlaff was offered a chance to walk on at Portland State University and to play at Linfield.

"With coach Howard I can see it in his eyes that he wants to win and he prepares his players to win," Retzlaff said. "I am very excited for him to be my coach.

"It came down to SOU being the best fit. It's close to home, but then I get that college campus vibe from it. And, you know, it is a rising program that is going to be getting some wins here in a little bit and hopefully win conference."

Retzlaff could also play defensively at the safety position.

"He is a good hitter and has a knack for interceptions and flying around and making plays," Howard said. "The offensive and defensive coaches have been fighting over him. We're just lucky he's wearing a Raider helmet."

Henke, who transferred to the area last year from Anaheim, Calif., is the biggest of all the recruits at 6-4, 320 pounds.

"You've got to build a program around your offensive line and Dillon has got a bright future for us," Howard said. "He's got size, strength and good feet."

Howard said that Francis (6-4, 285 pounds) drew attention from the University of Oregon and Boise State University after his junior season, when he earned all-state recognition.

Matt Retzlaff will join his older brother Ryan Retzlaff at SOU. Ryan, a 2009 South Medford graduate, attended Oregon State University and Rogue Community College after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament his senior year of high school. Ryan said he originally had no plans of pursuing a college career, but yearned to get back on the field. After a short stint with the Southern Oregon Renegades minor-league football team, he contacted Howard and asked for a walk-on tryout last summer.

Now, he'll get to play on the same team as his little brother for the first time.

Howard said the strength of the class is the quality and depth at offensive line, linebacker and running back.

Along with Demison, Melvin Mason (Vacaville, Calif.) and Mark Jenkins (Elk Grove, Calif.) are the other running backs who signed.

Howard wasn't the only one pleased with the progress of the program. Stan Smith, who played tackle as a freshman for the 1946 SOU team that went undefeated, is also happy.

"There is energy and overall interest," said Smith, an 87-year-old Medford resident. "(Howard's) brought a lot of enthusiasm."

For the complete list of signees, visit souraiders.com.