SEPTEMBER 2015, MCNARY FALL SPORTS PREVIEW, PAGE 15
(Continued from Page 7)
underclassmen to step up. Also, as I men-
tioned, McNary is adjusting to yet another
coaching change. I do like the fact that Jeff
Auvinen has brought in a talented staff to
mold this team.
KT: Is there one with the most potential
to overcome those challenges? A dark horse?
MG: Sprague and South Salem both look
like teams that will remain conference title
contenders, despite challenges at key posi-
tions. Forest Grove is a decided dark horse,
and the confi dence of the coach in his team
is a big factor for me.
CS: I like Sprague to show the most prom-
ise this year and overcome their youth. I say
this for two reasons: the track record of Jay
Minyard and the valuable playing time so
many sophomores received last year. The
Olympians are deep and they are tested. With
their offensive and defensive lines they will be
hard to challenge.
With so many teams really dead even this
year, I don’t know you can call any of them
a dark horse. I guess if I was pressed I would
lean towards South Salem having a stronger
year than most people think. It all starts up
front and the Saxons could have the best of-
fensive line in the league.
KT: Who are your favorites for the top of
the GVC come November?
MG: Following a coaches poll on the mat-
ter, it looks like West Salem, South Salem, and
Sprague are the top teams, with McNary and
Forest Grove vying for a playoff spot. There
will be no pushovers in the bottom half of the
standings, so all teams will need to be at the
top of their games every week.
CS: Okay, this is where I really show I
don’t know what I am talking about! When
it comes to 16-18 year olds, you just never
know how things could shake out, but I am
going to lean this way: 1. Sprague; 2. West Al-
bany; 3. West Salem; 4. South Salem; 5. Mc-
Nary; 6. North Salem; 7. Forest Grove; 8. Mc-
Minnville; 9. McKay.
KT: What individual talents will you be
keeping the closest eye on?
MG: Running back Jason Terry of West
Salem had a fantastic season in 2014, once he
broke into the starting line up for the Titans
last year, and Sprague runner Anthony Nunn
is also a rusher to watch; addiitionally, West
Albany’s Jeff LaCoste could also be a top per-
former again in 2015. Quarterbacks Gabe
Matthews (South Salem), Taylor Jensen (For-
est Grove), Wyatt Smith (McMinnville) and
Trent Van Cleave (McNary) could be very
productive this season. There is always a new
face or two that surprises everyone, me in-
cluded—I will be curious to see who those
folks will be.
CS: I have said it a couple of times already,
I am excited to see what Gabe Matthews does
this year. A true multi-threat quarterback, big
back and exciting to watch. As for others,
hopefully Jacob Kizer can heal up and get to
100 percent. What a weapon he could be for
the Titans at tight end. Speaking of injured
players, if LaCroix Hill for McNary can stay
healthy, he can be a difference maker for the
Celtic defense. On the offensive side, I think
Fiovanni Gonzalez for North Salem is prob-
ably the most exciting running back in the
league, he is so quick, and Kyle Terry at West
Salem is just a tough, physical running back.
KT: What else is on your mind that we
haven’t talked about?
CS: Over the past several years Sprague
and West Salem have certainly separated
themselves among the GVC teams at the top
of the heap. But because of youth all around,
this may be the best year for someone else
to step up and claim the prize. If that is the
case, my money would be on West Albany or
South Salem.
LISTEN LIVE
KBZY 1490-AM - Mark and Jerry Gilman
Fri, Sep. 11 — Sprague at McKay
Fri, Sep. 18 — McKay at North Salem
Fri, Oct. 2 — West Salem at Sprague
Thu, Oct. 8 — Sprague at South Salem
Fri, Oct. 16 — West Salem at McNary
Fri, Oct. 23 — West Albany at West Salem
Fri, Oct. 30 — Sprague at McNary
Fri, Nov. 6 — STATE PLAYOFFS-Rd. 1 (TBA)
(All broadcasts begin at 6:45 p.m.)
MT
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