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AUGUST 31, 2018, KEIZERTIMES FOOTBALL PREVIEW, PAGE C3 McNARY CELTICS KEIZERTIMES/Derek Wiley The Celtics have a smaller senior class this year but 29 juniors on its 2018 varsity roster, which opens the season Aug. 31 at home versus North Medford. McNary vows to be tougher in 2018 season. By DEREK WILEY “I wish they could play every play but we Of the Keizertimes McNary reached the second round of the need them on offense,” Auvinen said. “I don’t state playoffs last season for the fi rst time since know if we can because of our pace and it’s a tough game anyway. In the trenches 2013. like that is very demanding.” But the Celtics didn’t play One player that will defi nitely their best in the biggest games, “I like how play offense and defense is Junior particularity in blowout losses to these kids Walling, who led the Celtics Sprague and West Salem. “We’re working on our are running with 991 yards rushing and nine touchdowns while also leading toughness and our tenacity, which around, McNary’s defense at outside people think of as physical things linebacker. but they’re mental things as well,” how Walling will move inside this said Jeff Auvinen, who enters his enthusiastic season to Mike linebacker. fourth season as McNary’s head “As far as our defense goes, coach. they are.” he’s the overall leader and he’ll be The Celtics return eight players who started on at least one side of — Jeff Auvinen, that way this year and next year,” Auvinen said of Walling, a junior the ball last season, and due to a McNary head coach who has started on defense since lack of depth, more players will be he was a freshman. “Mike allows counted on to play both ways. On the offensive line, seniors Joshua him to play the whole fi eld. It allows him to Schmeltzer and Wyatt Sherwood are back at run sideline to sideline. Junior has all the skills guard and tackle. But Auvinen wants both guys to play inside, outside. He’s got good strength on defense, where they were used sparingly last and quickness and good instincts. I think he’s going to lead by example. He’s also become more of a vocal guy this year.” Dyami Rios, a sophomore who dominated freshman ball last year, could follow a similar path as Walling. “He works like a beast in the weight room and really has continued to keep his speed and quickness,” Auvinen said. “He’s going to take some people by surprise coming up from the freshman level and playing really well.” While Rios will primarily play outside linebacker, McNary offensive coordinator Brad Emmert also has a plan for him at running back whenever he shows he’s ready. “First year varsity guys we try to focus on one side of the ball,” Emmert said. “I have a plan for him but it’s going to depend on how he progresses. He’s going to be a stud, no doubt.” Senior Robert Benson is another kid who will play both ways, getting carries in the backfi eld and also snaps at strong safety. Senior Jacob Jackson, who led the Celtics in receiving with 562 yards and four touchdowns last season, will start at free safety. CAN COOKER ▲ ▲ BIG GREEN EGG Seasonings, BBQ sauces, Marinades Aug. 31 vs North Medford Sept. 7 at West Linn Sept. 14 at Tualatin Sept. 21 at Tumwater. Wash. Sept. 28 vs South Medford Oct. 5 vs Sprague Oct. 12 at Bend Oct. 19 at West Salem Oct. 26 vs South Salem Please see TOUGH, Page 4 Family Time, Game Time, Traeger ® Time! SCHEDULE McNary roster # PLAYER NAME YR. POS. HT. WT. # PLAYER NAME YR. POS. HT. WT. 1 Nigel Harris 12 WR/DB 6-0 160 28 Brian Hernandez 11 WR/DB 5-9 165 2 Junior Walling 11 RB/LB 6-2 225 29 Nico Sandoval 11 RB/DB 5-8 165 3 Carson Heldt 12 WR/DB 5-10 140 31 Collin Penner 12 H/LB 5-11 170 4 Devyn Schurr 12 WR/DB 5-9 165 32 Brian Schindler 11 H/LB 5-11 195 5 Alex Tavera 11 WR/DB 5-9 150 33 Matti Wiegand 11 WR/DB 6-2 185 6 Noah Lelack 11 WR/DB 6-0 185 34 Alex Simpson 11 H/DL 5-11 210 7 Robert Benson 12 RB/DB 5-8 155 42 Drew Brown 11 H/DL 5-9 190 8 Spencer Delacruz 11 H/DL 6-0 190 45 Dyami Rios 10 RB/LB 6-2 205 250 9 Griffin Oliveira 12 WR/DB 6-1 170 50 Wyatt Sherwood 12 OL/DL 6-4 10 Layton Thurlow 11 RB/LB 6-0 195 52 Ian Koenig 12 OL/DL 6-2 240 11 Noah Bach 12 H/LB 6-2 195 53 Michael Flores 11 OL/DL 5-10 175 12 Erik Barker 11 QB/DB 6-4 210 55 Arik Dela Cruz 12 OL/DL 5-10 205 13 Riley Gates 12 WR/DB 5-9 155 58 Anthony Garcia-Reyes 11 OL/DL 5-8 210 14 Joseph Fowler 11 WR/DB 5-11 180 63 Pietro Forgia 12 OL/DL 6-3 195 15 Ryan Bamford 12 QB/DB 5-10 170 64 Nathan Young 11 OL/DL 6-0 270 16 Haley Hughes 11 K 5-6 135 65 Keith Cardoza 12 OL/DL 6-0 230 17 Tyler Branstetter 12 RB/DB 5-10 165 66 Miguel Garibay 11 OL/DL 6-1 200 19 Hans Laufer 11 QB/DB 6-4 195 70 Malakai Vasseur 11 OL/DL 6-5 300 20 Riley Flores 11 WR/DB 6-2 175 72 Joshua Schmeltzer 12 OL/DL 6-1 300 21 Jacob Jackson 12 WR/DB 5-10 165 73 Gage Vrooman 11 OL/DL 5-10 205 22 Brian Bates 12 WR/LB 5-7 140 74 Nic Shepherd 11 OL/DL 6-2 240 23 Daniel Mood 11 WR/DB/K 5-11 165 75 Michael Ridgway 11 OL/DL 6-3 240 24 Adam Dang 11 RB/LB 5-11 185 76 Coleman Young 10 OL/DL 6-3 240 25 Ethan Rubio 11 WR/DB 6-2 200 78 Michael Tischer 11 OL/DL 6-1 290 27 Ethan McMunn 11 WR/DB 5-10 170 60th ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE THE TIMBERLINE 850 ▲ New Traeger ® Grills & Accessories Sales, Service, Parts (503) 302-8489 3800 River Road N Suite 120, Keizer Love – Peace – BBO Grease 6 0 TH AN NIVE R SARY Join us Friday, September 21 from 3 to 7 pm 3353 Silverton Rd NE 503.363.1990 Your locally owned and family operated collision repair business SINCE 1958
