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
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