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
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