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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 2, 2016)
4 Wednesday, November 2, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Gurney named league’s top defender Correspondent Senior Jacob Gurney was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the Sky-Em League for the second year in row. Coach Gary Thorson told The Nugget that the award is not only a reflection of Jacob’s abilities as a player, but also a recognition of the Outlaws’ defense as a whole, and how well they play together. Sisters offense had several players selected to all-league teams. Brady Wessel (junior) earned first-team honors as guard for the second con- secutive year. Wessel was without a doubt the Outlaws’ most physical lineman and, according to Thorson, a great technician. “Brady’s off-season work- ethic in the weight room — and his commitment to the program — have helped build him into an outstanding offen- sive lineman,” said Thorson. “He has a great drive to finish his blocks.” Gurney (senior) was a first- team pick at tackle. He made the switch from an all-league guard last year to a first-team tackle this year, and didn’t miss a beat. “Along with Jacob’s tre- mendous work-ethic and desire to excel, he is a great technician with good mobil- ity, and that combines to make him a great tackle in our offense,” Thorson said. Senior Tyler Head earned first-team tight end for the sec- ond consecutive year, and is one of the team’s best athletes. “Tyler has improved his blocking over last year, possesses good hands, and has had a big impact on our offense,” said Thorson. Jacob Stevens (junior) rounded out the first-league offensive players at running back. Thorson said, “While a bit under-sized at his position, ‘Little Stevie,’ is a tough run- ner that hits the hole hard, and has been consistent all year long. He has the speed to take it all the way every time he touches the ball, and has bro- ken off several long runs for the Outlaws this past season.” Christopher Luz (junior) earned second-team slot-back. Luz was one of the league’s most explosive players, and has become a big play threat in the Outlaws offense. “Christopher is one of the team’s most improved play- ers,” said Thorson. “He has great hands, and is very elu- sive once he has the ball in his hands. He is a consistent play- maker for us. He also spent some time at quarterback for us as well. He’s a very intel- ligent football player who understands the game, and what we are trying to do on both sides of the ball.” Sisters had two players recognized at quarterback. Johnny Gurney was a sec- ond-team pick at the posi- tion and Tanner Head earned honorable-mention. Thorson told The Nugget that to have two players earn honors at the same position speaks to the abilities of the two team leaders. “Johnny has been a wild- cat quarterback in our offense, and his running ability has added another dimension to the Outlaws’ offense,” said Thorson. “Tanner received honors at quarterback last year as well, and he’s one of the best throwers in our con- ference. Tanner has had sev- eral outstanding games for us this fall. He’s shown amazing character and desire in com- ing back from injuries, and has earned the respect of not only his teammates, but oth- ers throughout the league as well.” Jaden Condel (junior) was honorable-mention at center on offense. Condel played at both center and guard for the Outlaws, but his play at center has been critical in the development of the Outlaws’ offense. “Jaden has a great prac- tice work-ethic and a desire to excel, and that shows every Friday night for Jaden,” said Thorson. “He’s a smart and heady player who has devel- oped into a great technician.” Specialist all-league recog- nition went to Christopher Luz and Zach Morgan. Luz was named first-team kick-returner. Christopher is explosive and dangerous, and returned several punts and kickoffs for scores and is a major weapon in the Outlaws’ special teams play. “Christopher is very shifty and elusive,” said Thorson. “He has a great knack for making people miss, and is a threat to score every time the ball is kicked to him.” Morgan (junior) was a second-team punter. Zach has been consistent in punting the ball for the Outlaws all year long, and has been a weapon G ARY C OOLEY S CULPTING C LASS ! N OV . 12 & 13 OR N OV 19 & 20 10 A . M . TO 4 P . M . Small classes & everything you need to complete a sculpture. $250. Call 541-968-5430 to reserve your spot! T HE C OLLECTION G ALLERY 353 W. Hood Ave. • www.garycooley.com Jacob Gtrney’s defensive skills earned him top honors in leagte. in the Outlaws’ special teams’ play. “Zach has learned to place his punts where he needs to,” said Thorson. “He’s saved us a few times with his athleticism when the snaps were off, and made great plays in getting the punts off.” On defense, senior Tyler Head was a first-team outside- linebacker pick, a repeat for this award for Head at this position. Tyler has started at this position for the Outlaws for the past three years. “Tyler has been very tough against the run for the Outlaws from his rover position, and his athleticism shows in cov- erage as well,” said Thorson. “His knowledge and under- standing of the game at this position shows every week for us and he consistently made big plays for us every Friday night.” Three defensive linemen, Brady Wessel, Joel Miller, and Austin Lake all earned spots on all-league teams. Wessel was selected first-team, Miller earned second-team, and Lake was honorable-mention. Thorson told The Nugget that the success of the Outlaws defense and linebackers was due to the work of the defen- sive line, which included Wessel, Miller, and Lake. “Each of these guys did a great job of drawing dou- ble teams and allowing the linebackers behind them to flow and fly to the ball,” said Thorson. “Brady is the most experienced and physical of See ALL LEAGUE on page 5 Frontiers In Science MONTHLY SYMPOSIUM IN SISTERS BIOMIMICRY: Sustainable Innovation Inspired by Nature KAREN ALLEN WINNEMUCCA 4-DAY/ 3-NIGHT NEW YEAR’S TOUR First time in 10 years! PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK DEC. 30-JAN 2 | $119 PPDO Receive $30 free slot play/$15 food coupons OR CASINOS (VISIT 5 CASINOS) APRIL 12-14 | $279 PPDO 1 night Ashley Inn in Lincoln City, 1 night The Mill Casino in Coos Bay. Receive 1 breakfast, food coupons, and more! WINE CRUISE! SEPT. 25-OCT 1 Cruise on the Emerald Princess - 7 Days/6 Nights, beginning in Vancou- ver, B.C. and ending in Los Angles! Includes air, taxes, transfers, port fees, meals onboard, a shore excur- sion in San Francisco that includes a scenic drive to the Carneros District in Sonoma County, where we have scheduled two vineyards with private wine tastings. Book by November 16 to receive a cabin upgrade to the best cabin in your category (inside, window or balcony). Free gratuities and a $150 per person board credit! Inside cabins starting at $1,699 PPDO, Windows starting at $1,899 PPDO and balconies starting at $1,999 PPDO PENDLETON “COME TO LIFE” TOUR MAY 19-20 | $289 PPDO 75 actors bring the underground past back to life! Includes breakfast, 1 din- ner, Pendleton Woolen Mills Connie Boyle 541-508-1500 Box 615 Sisters, OR 97759 Teacher at Arizona State University, Master of Science degree in Biomimicry & Certifi ed Biomimicry Professional CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=364500 By Rongi Yost Biomimicry is an emerging discipline that looks to nature to solve human challenges. It integrates science, technology, engineering, and biology to create sustainable solutions: self- cleaning paint modeled after a lotus leaf and solar cells inspired by pho- tosynthesis are examples of mimick- ing nature’s genius. Biomimicry con- nects us to our home habitats and helps us live more sustainably. Join Restoration Ecologist and Certifi ed Biomimicry Professional Karen Allen for an inspiring evening of story-telling about biomimetic in- novations and what we might learn from nature. Tuesday, November 15 At The Belfry, 302 E. Main Ave., Sisters One-hour lecture begins at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. for food and beverage. Admission: $5; Science Club Donors, Teachers and Students - FREE Bring your curiosity and an appetite for food, drink & knowledge!