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About Sandy post. (Sandy, Oregon) 1938-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 2, 1982)
10 — G raih om Outlook Today M agonna Wad Sapt 1. 1982 Sandy Po»t Thur» Sapt 2. 1982 Experienced Eagles expect playoffs It doesn't seem that long ago that the Centennial Eagles were Class AAA state football champions But that was in 1872, 10 years ago, when they became the only state champs East County has ever seen Entering the 1982 season the Eagles are just battling for respectability after going 34S in 1881 Eagle coach Gary Walls isn't about to predict the Eagles will fly off to the state cham pions hips again, but he says the playoffs are within reach “ I ’d be very disappointed if we don't make the playoffs. Walls says "A lot of it will depend on the energy we put into it and the bounces we get but we plan to be there Nobody has got the final standings yet " 1881 was Centennial’s worst season since Walls took over the coaching chores in 1977 Centennial ranked next to last in both team offense and defense among Wilco teams But Walls said the 1881 team was young and many of the key players from that squad are now stronger and more experienced “ We took our lumps last year, but we gained a lot of maturity and confidence,’’ Walls says. “ I think the kids know they can do it and they're a close group " Walls says 14 players who saw a lot of action last season will be back this year Eight of those returners figure to hold down the offense, including quarterback Mark James and wide receiver Matt Fischer James, who came on to start for the Eagles early last season when Mark Robison was injured, completed 42 per cent of his passes for 638 yards and three touchdowns but was intercepted 12 times Overall, James ranked fifth in passing in the Wilco league His main target likely will be Fischer, a 6-3. 17» pound senior Fischer was the sixth leading recevier in the Wilco last season will 23 catches for 323 yards On defense, Fischer contributed five interceptions Senior Daryl DeBlock, <6-2, 190) will provide James a big target a tight end. Walls has decided to try the wishbone offense this year, something James is excited about because the Eagles return standout linemen, Mick Qualls (6-5, 235), Rod Butzer (64), 160), Larry Edmonson (5-11, 165) and Steve Robards (6-0, 215) will return to open holes. Walls hopes that nucleus will be able to improve on the Eagle's eight-potnta-per-game average of last year. “ We had a number of close games last year, but we should have moved the ball better,'' Walls says “ That's one of our goals this year ” But Walls knows that if the Eagles are to get off the ground this season it will be because of their defense After giving op only 74 points In 1660, the Eagles allowed 156 point» last season. “ Defensively we'll be good; the coaching staff really believes in it,'* Walls says “ We've always been good there Sealer M att Fischer Is eae ef the league's tap receivers. but last year we ranked toward the bottom ** Anchoring the defensive line will be Sandy McDonald, a 235-pound tackle with good speed and strength McDonald was scheduled to team up with guard Duane Bishop (64), 225) in the middle but Bishop was lost for the season to back surgery “ Any other year losing a player like Bishop would have been a disaster,'' Walls says. “ But while we ll miss him, we have some other linemen who can come in and do the job '* (Xher returning starters on defense include linebacker Carl Hagström and back Terry Redmond Walls says there appears to be no clear favorites in the new Mt Hood Conference this year, especially with the uncertain ty that the league realignment brings He points to Gresham as the probable favorite but sa,s there's not much difference “ If the teams coming into the league are expecting to play marshmallows they’ll be very surprised,** Walls says “ If they think they’ll be stepping down they may t r i p ” O PEN IN G G AM E: Friday vs. Barlow. R IC H A R D SEVEN James thinking of football M ark James to snack Gary Walls' '62 QB V- mm a im a m a a s — m a m ^M 6m n— MCdJ ¥ 1 2 2 ™ ^" ' • ’T * Centennial's Mark James always finds himself in the middle of the fray The 6-2, 160 pound senior has been a vital cog in the school's successful basketball and baseball programs And he'll again be the man who pulls the trigger lor Centennial's football team Eagle football coach Gary Walls knows the benefit of having a return ing quarterback - and athlete - like James “ Mark's a real dedicated athlete.“ Walls says He ran the team well last year He has the good timing and coordination that is so important And quarterback is a good place to have a returner,” J a m « was the fifth-ranked passer in the Wilco League last year despite the Eagle’s 3-6 record James threw for 638 yards but suffered 12 intercep tions But those stats should improve naturally because James and most of the other starters on Centennial are a year more experienced “ We’U be a team to reckon with,'* says the affable James. “Our linemen are all back and hungry In the past we've talked about winning but never really took the initiative This year we're planning to shut up and do the job.*’ James feels he’ll get bis state if the Eagles have a good season and the bast way he can provide leadership is through his performance “ If a team has a good year the quarterback gets a lot of the credit and if they lose be gets a lot of the blame,” James says “ I like the situa tion because if you're going to be suc cessful you have to rise above the pressure " During basketball season, James will be looked on for his leadership again — along with his accurate jump shots And by the time spring rolls around he'll again figure to be Centen mal's ace pitcher But wouldn’t it be wise to put all his energies into one sport? " I want to keep all the doors open and let whatever comes, come,” be says “ I've received letters of interest on all three sports and I guest it Just Please tun» ta Page 22.
