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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 2, 2017)
10 schools november2 2017 VHS Fall Sports Update Football – The Vernonia Log- gers ended a very good season with two straight losses, but both games were extremely close and head coach Reed Watson says he is proud of his team’s effort and the growth they’ve shown this season. “I am super proud of them,” said head coach Watson. “I think they learned some good lessons. They learned how to have courage and I think some of them overcame some fears. I think the fans know that these kids left everything on the field this year and really tried their best.” The Loggers lost to a very good Neah-Kah-Nie team 26-20 on October 20 in their final North- west League game. With second place and an automatic spot in the state playoffs on the line, the Log- gers took an early lead, but gave up several big plays and could not hold on for the win. “In that Neah-Kah-Nie game, that was probably the most focused the team has been all year long,” said Watson. “They really want- ed to get second place in the league and qualify for the playoffs.” In a non-league match up against Seton Catholic on October 27, and with a chance to grab an at large berth in the state playoffs, the Loggers again battled hard but came up just short, losing 35- 32. With the Loggers driving down the field and deep in Seton Catholic territory the game ended on a controversial call Do you believe that people and communities have a basic right to healthy environments and economies? Then come check out Clean Columbia County! We hold meetings the second Thursday of every month. Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District (Old Warren Grange) 35285 Millard Road St. Helens, OR 97051 (503)-799-6968 info@cleancolumbiacounty.info and check us out on Facebook! Above: Jake Patton. Below: #1 Josh Rice Photos courtesy of Whitley Tolonen by the referee, and ended the Logger’s season. “Both games were competitive and it felt like we could have won both of them,” said Watson. The Loggers finished the season with a 2-2 league record, a 4-5 record overall, and ranked #16 in the state but just on the outside of the 16 team state playoff bracket. Watson believes this team has shown great leadership, atti- tude, and determination through- out the season. He pointed to seniors Gaven Everett, Josh Pat- ton, and Brandon Johnson who he said have all helped set a tone and spirit that the team will car- ry forward and build on. “The way those guys play football will have an effect on the younger players and stick with them,” said Watson. “We had tremen- dous senior leadership this year and it’s going to be really hard to fill that gap next year. But we do have a great group of young players coming up.” Sophomore Josh Rice was the offensive leader for the team, scoring 20 touchdowns while racking up 1,140 yards rushing in nine games, along with almost 500 yards on kick returns and almost 400 yards receiving, for a total of 1,930 total yards on the season. Watson also mentioned sophomores Camren Depue, Brandon Clapshaw, James Wat- son, Kale Sullivan and quarter- back Gunnar Harral as a strong nucleus of young players and key pieces for the future. “We have a lot of potential,” said Watson. Watson mentioned the high number of participants on the team as another positive going forward. “We had 29 players most of the year and we were able to play a JV team, which we haven’t been able to do for a while,’ said Watson. “It was a really special year,” said Watson. “I feel like these kids really matured and grew a lot this season. They discovered what it was like to put a whole bunch of effort into something and get back some of the re- wards.” season with a 10-1 record in Northwest League play, a 12-9 record overall, and ranked #13 in the state. Following the District play- offs several Lady Loggers received All League honors. Sara Ghislanzoni was named Honorable Mention, Joyce Everett was named Second Team, and Morgan Harral and Jordan Walters were named First Team. Williams had high praise for ju- nior setter Joyce Everett, who she said was a mainstay throughout the season. “Joyce was consistent in her play,” said Williams. “She never lets down and is always vocal and encouraging.” Volleyball – The Vernonia Lady Loggers qualified for the seventh straight year for the first round of the state playoffs, but fell in the first round. After falling to Gaston 3-0 in the District Championship on October 2, the Lady Loggers were forced to travel to 5 th seeded St. Paul for the first round of the state playoffs where they lost 3-0 on October 28. Sara Ghislanzoni Photo courtesy of Garry Kinney “We worked hard to tighten up our offense during the week before the state playoff, and I felt like practice went well, but we just didn’t execute when we got there,” said head coach Teresa Wil- liams. “It’s disappointing.” The Lady Loggers finished the Morgan Harral Photo courtesy of Garry Kinney Cross Country – Vernonia’s cross country runners conclud- ed a very good season at the two final meets, the Pre-District Challenge on October 20 and the District 2 Championship on October 27. At the Pre-District Chal- lenge Jakob Handegard was the top finisher for the Logger boys, finishing 13 th with a time of 17:59.0. Justine “Tanzy” Mas- sengo finished 64 th , followed by Clay Sullivan who finished 69 th , Mekhi Williams in 75 th and By- ron Cook in 76 th . “Tanzy has been nursing a calf strain the last 3 weeks of the sea- son,” said coach John Roady. “He gave it his best effort, but wasn’t able to get back to his best time earlier in the year.” For the girls, exchange student Adele Cousseau continued her climb up the rankings, finishing 15 th in a time of V ernonia C hristian C hurch MIKE PIHL LOGGING CO., INC Everyone is welcome in our vibrant & active community! Sunday Worship Service 11:00 am Pastor Sam Hough 410 North St. Vernonia • Youth and Adult Sunday School • Evening Youth Groups Free Estimates Specializing in Private Timber 4th-6th Grade Junior & Senior High • Home Study Groups • Outdoor Ministry 503-429-1470 Christian Bow Hunters of America Annual Sportsman’s Banquet office@VernoniaChristianChurch.org 503-429-6522 continued on page 11 cell 503.789.1268 fax 503.429.0252 mplogging@frontier.com 1984 mist drive, po box 321 vernonia, or 97064
