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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 9, 2016)
SEPTEMBER 2016, MCNARY FALL SPORTS PREVIEW, PAGE 15 Middle school football expanding Larimer said he had several kids on his By DEREK WILEY heavyweight team last season who would Of the Keizertimes have benefi ted from playing on a JV squad. Middle school football in Salem-Keizer “You could have a player who was two will look more like high school football in pounds too light who was awesome play- 2016. ing on the lightweight team when he could Along with more practice time and have been the best player on the heavy- at least one additional game, maybe two, weight team,” Larimer said. schools are abandoning the heavyweight- “You could have a lineman who was re- lightweight model for varsity and junior ally big and not good at all and never have varsity squads. played and he would be playing against the At least one coach on each team is also best big kids. Last year I had several over- required to take Heads Up concussion weight kids that should have been playing training. the line on a JV team The changes come full-time and learn- from recommenda- ing instead of being tions by a committee, backups on a varsity made up of coaches team and not getting and administrators, to play as much.” formed by Matt Bion- But just because a di, director of middle kid has never played school education for before, doesn't mean the Salem-Keizer he'll be placed on the School District. JV. Principal Julia De- “Last year I had a witt and coach Thom- Thomas number of kids that as Larimer represented Larimer, had never played that Whiteaker. Whiteaker Coach were some of the very “One of the things best kids on the team,” we heard from our Larimer said. “Those community was they kids need to know wanted a longer sea- that they can show up son,” Dewitt said. “The to play football when football season was they've never played in their life and that pretty short. They wanted a full season that they're going to be valued and that they're was comparable to what they were used to going to be good.” in clubs.” For the fi rst time, Whiteaker held a In the past, teams have played six games three-day spring camp in May and will have but will get at least seven this season and fall practice the week before school starts. possibly eight, depending on the number of Each student must have a physical and teams each school fi elds. the cost to play is $45. “The hope is that everybody will get “Just like high school, the kids will show eight,” Larimer said. “The school district up for preseason practice and I'll determine said we're losing too many kids to these which kid will be on which team,” Larimer youth leagues so let's make our product said. “We can move kids up and down each more compelling. But at the same time not week.” abandon our motto, which is based on ev- Dewitt is pleased with the safety mea- ery school having an opportunity for every sures the district has put in place. kid at a low cost.” “I'm very proud that the district has sup- Biondi hopes the switch to varsity and ported that (Heads Up) and are actually JV teams will result in more kids participat- funding that,” she said. ing. Larimer is looking forward to another “I think that's going to be a real positive season at Whiteaker. thing and it will also allow students who “I'll never forget when my son Marcus, haven't played football before or who don't who's now the offensive coordinator for have the skill or experience, they'll be able me at Whiteaker, he was in eighth grade, to start with other students who are similar we were playing Claggett, two undefeated to them,” he said. “Our goal always is to just teams that were so evenly matched that have a great environment and sportsman- ship for our students but we also want to Please see MIDDLE, Page 20 increase participation.” “ Every play that I run is a McNary play. Every piece of terminology is McNary terminology.” KEIZERTIMES/Derek Wiley Whiteaker Middle School head football coach Thomas Larimer instructs a group of eighth graders during an early practice. Family Time, Game Time, Traeger ® Time! WE PRICE MATCH! New Traeger ® Grills & Accessories 2016 PRO SERIES 34 ▼ Also carrying The Big Green Egg ® and Accessories Sales, Service, Parts (503) 302-8489 3800 River Rd. N, Suite 120, Keizer Seasonings, BBQ sauces, Marinades Love – Peace – BBO Grease
