Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2007)
November 10 Soccer players build friendships, improve play m L exi W elp _________________ Staff Reporter Led by key players such as Ryan Kurtin and Joe Offer, senior captains, the Boys' Varsity Soccer Team has improved on skills, connected as a team, built friendships and fought for the chance to compete in the playoffs. "We have definitely improved as a team compared to last year," Offer said. "The team is doing about the same as last year in terms of wins and losses," Gregory Bean, head coach, said. As far as the scores are concerned, the team has lost to Lakeridge twice, as well as losing to Putnam %\ and Clackamas. They have also tied in games against Milwaukie, Lake Oswego and Oregon City, winning another game against OC. * » "We would have to win three of our four remaining games to go to playoffs. Unfortunately, the scores don't reflect how much better our league is and how W we’ve played in almost all the games. Offer has a shot at All League, and a few others might as well, but All State is a reach at this point," Bean said. On Oct. 16 they played against LO and beat them Chris Thompson, senior, attempts to score as the defending goalie in a tight match, which turned out to be one of their blocks the shot. West Linn won the game 1-0 against LO in a tight Photo by Sarah Chicoine best games this season. The game on Oct. 16. r surprises through week eight One Sport or 3 Sports, Hometown Sports has you covered. Three-sport athlete Justin Monahan knows Hometown Sports is the best local source for Sports Apparel, Spirit Wear and by far the coolest Letterman’s Jackets anywhere. Stop by for a visit and see how things have changed. Individual or team — when you need sportswear for any sport and you expect full custom er satisfaction, Hometown Sports has you covered. S T O P BY TO GET Y O U R G E A R TOO! BEAVS & DUCKS 3 fc ■K his 3-5 Bears from the co-Editor in Chief sidelines. What's happened this Green Bay is 6-1 while the New Orleans Saints are 3-4. year in the National Football League is proof that no one Am I the only one seeing something wrong with this can be positive of how a season's going to play out. picture? Is my memory fleeting, or weren't the Saints Pre-season expectations are only expectations. in the National Football Before this season started, Conference Championship football analysts thought that game last year while the Packers didn't even make the the Saints would improve from their impressive season playoff cut? last year led by their rookie What about those Bears, who last year had one of the star Reggie Bush. This year, Bush has done close to best defenses in the game nothing with the ball (the and a young quarterback, team as a whole is averaging Rex Grossman, that they only 89.8 yards per game, thought would lead them putting them in 24th place back. This year, Grossman lost his starting job to Brian in that category out of the Griese, and is now watching 32 teams in the NFL) and J on H elmkamp . /. — j ... Under new ownership and dedicated to customer satisfaction. 5 0 3 -5 9 V -0 5 7 5 1795 Willamette Falls Drive • West Linn, Oregon • Located in the Historic Willamette area SPORTS APPAREL • SPIRIT WEAR • CUSTOM OROERS • GUARANTEED SATISFACTION an offense that averaged 26 points per game last year is only averaging 15 points per game this year. To add insult to injury, the Saints' workhorse, Deuce McAllister, is out for the season with a tom anterior cruciate ligament. And what about that old Mississippi kid, Brett Favre, who many considered to be done after a teary-eyed farewell last season, only to come back and break the all- time record for most career touchdown passes by a quarterback and most career wins? Most thought his illustrious career to be over after last season, but he's back averaging 292.3 yards per game. As expected, the Indianapolis Colts are taking care of business. Led by Peyton Manning and their high octane offense, the Colts are one of only two undefeated teams in football at 7-0, the other being the New England Patriots at 8-0. This year for the Patriots, Randy Moss joined the team, bringing with him more media attention for the Patriots. Also, the Patriots were charged with spying on the New York Jets, a claim that makes some wonder if their Superbowl rings are legitimate or not. As the season progresses, it seems like this is a year of wide receivers. LaDainian Tomlinson, running back for the San Diego Chargers, was a powerhouse last year, setting an NFL record by scoring 31 touchdowns, 28 of which were on the ground. This year, LT only has six touchdowns and is averaging 88.1 yards per game. While the running game around the league has dropped significantly from last season, the passing game has exploded. Moss has the league lead with 11 touchdowns through the first seven weeks. This season in the NFL has started off full of upsets, disappointments and unexpected heroes. Right now, it seems like it's anyone's year. game showed the team's improvement, and really built up the the players' spirit. "This game came a little late in the season, but it speaks volumes of our character and talent on our team," Bean said. The very motivated soccer team played another game against LO and beat them in a tight match. This game really boosted the team's morale, beating a ranked opponent. "This has been a constant for Joe all season," Bean said about Offer's performance during the games and the practices. Offer played a lead role in the game on Oct. 16 and helped the team bring home the win, contributing two outstanding saves to the game. "We have a lot of team chemistry. We all got older too, so that helps," Offer said. According to Offer, the players have definitely improved since last season and the team seems to have meshed really well. Girls' Varsity Soccer season ends with mixed feelings but we have the skill and the potential to become a great Although the Varsity Girls’ team," Kelsey Canez, junior, Soccer Team has contended said. for the Three River's League Team members remain title in the past, this year's optimistic, both about this team is learning that nothing season as well as the team's comes as a guarantee. future. The Lions entered the "Rocker's a good coach. He season in one of the most competitive leagues in the state, and kicked off the season against some important non-league opponents. They won their first two games convincingly with a 2-1 victory at Wilson, as well as blowing out Reynolds 5-1 in their home opener. The team looked to take this momentum into the TRL opening game at Lakeridge, but came away with a disappointing 0-5 loss. So far this season, Floyd Rocker, the new Taylor Brooke, junior, chases after the ball head coach, thinks Clackamas. The Lions fell to the they have played the agaisnt majority of their TRL Cavaliers 2-1. Photo by Kira Matsuoka opponents tough, knows the game and wants to but have come away with a make us better," Canez said. sub par record of 3-7-1. They "He's intense, but still very are not ranked, and not in approachable." contention for a title for the Junior Varsity players have season, which ended Oct. 25. also done well this season, Despite a single goal with only three losses for loss to league powerhouse the JVI team. Mary Scofield, Lake Oswego, who has been sophomore, feels that they've ranked as high as fourth in worked hard to play as a the state, the Lions appear team. to lack the lone component "We can dominate on the to push them over the final field when we work together," hurdle. Scofield said. "Our last two "We've struggled. It could games are Milwaukie and partially be the injuries and Putnam, and we will cream getting used to new coaches, them." K elsey S chrader Staff Reporter
