Keizertimes., March 19, 2021, Page 39, Image 39

MARCH 19, 2021, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE B15
Celtics get hard-fought
win against West Salem
BY MATT RAWLINGS
Of the Keizertimes
In their first game in front of a lim-
ited number of fans, the McNary boys
soccer team put on a show in the sec-
ond half.
After falling behind 1-0 to West
Salem in the first half, the Celtics ral-
lied to score three unanswered goals in
the final 40 minutes to earn the 3-2 vic-
tory over the defending league champi-
ons on Monday, March 15.
“We stayed ready at all times and
were more composed in the second
half,” McNary forward Eli Petilo said.
The Celtics had multiple opportu-
nities early in the game, getting three
shots-on goal in the first seven minutes
of the contest. But they were turned
away each time.
“Honestly, I think we dominated the
whole entire game. But I think these
kids got a little nervous in the first half
with seeing their parents in the stands
for the first time. It's the first time they
have played at home with people there,”
McNary head coach Miguel Camarena
said.
McNary
goalkeeper
Emerson
Carella came up with a couple of saves
in the early stages, but the Titans were
able to sneak one by him thanks to a
fortunate bounce in the 19th minute.
West Salem's Yahir Bernal got free
with a nifty spin move and fired a shot
towards the net. Carella dove to his
left, but the ball ricocheted off the left
post right to Kaden Young, who easily
scored with Orduna out of position.
Carella, however, would save three
more shots before the end of the half
to keep the Titans from extending their
lead.
Trailing by a goal going into the sec-
ond half, Camarena decided to change
things up from a strategy standpoint.
Instead of going with their usual 2-3-2
formation, Camarena elected to push
an extra player forward to help the
Celtics attack.
The move paid off almost
immediately.
“We had to change some things.
We pushed one more center-mid so we
could play with more numbers. I think
that made the difference in the game,”
Camarena said. “We kept the ball on
the ground and started connecting.
The energy was there.”
In the opening minute of the second
half, Oscar Chavez got a through ball
to Alexis Soto up the right sideline.
Soto beat his defender, brought the
keeper out of the box and then nailed
SPORTS
Jose Martinez rises up to get his head on the ball in McNary's 3-2 win over West Salem.
Photo by MATT RAWLINGS of Keizertimes
his shot into the left corner of the goal
to tie the game up.
“Oscar gave me a great pass on the
through ball and all I had to do was just
hit it in,” Soto said.
Along with pushing numbers for-
ward, McNary was able to neutralize
the West Salem attack, giving the
Titans minimal scoring chances for the
majority of the second half.
“The way we play the best defense is
to have the ball with us. We had more
possessions in the second half. We
were able to contain them and be more
aggressive,” Camarena said.
McNary's aggressiveness forced
a hand-ball by West Salem in the
See SOCCER, page B16
McNary dominates McKay to start season 2-0
McNary running back Zane Aicher runs through defenders on his way to a first down in McNary's 42-7 win over McKay.
Photo by MATT RAWLINGS of Keizertimes
BY MATT RAWLINGS
Of the Keizertimes
After McNary's season-opening vic-
tory against West Albany, Celtics quar-
terback Jack McCarty put it on himself
to help the team clean some things up on
the offensive end.
It was clear that the senior sig-
nal-caller made good on his promise.
McCarty threw for 248 yards and four
touchdowns as McNary put a beatdown
on McKay on Friday, March 12, defeating
the Royal Scots 42-7.
“Last week we were sloppy at times,
but we fixed it during practice and came
in with a ton of confidence,” McCarty said.
“We were getting guys more chances and
taking more one-on-one opportunities,
because I honestly believe we have some
of the best receivers in the state. I don't
think there are many DB's in the state
that can cover our guys one-on-one.”
Two receivers that had big nights for
the Celtics were junior wideout Tyler
Copeland and his younger brother
Braiden, who is a sophomore — both had
over 70 yards receiving and two touch-
downs. While the two brothers are always
rooting for each other, both admitted that
there is some sibling rivalry that goes on.
“We definitely have a lot of compe-
tition out there between us because we
both want the ball,” Tyler said.
“When I am seeing (Tyler) catch all
these amazing passes, I'm like 'aw man
I need to do that too,'” Braiden added. “I
just got to try and keep up with him.”
McNary may have won the game in
blowout fashion, but the Celtics had a
rough time getting things going early
on. After starting with the ball near mid-
field to begin the game, the Celtics faced
third-and-long in their own territory due
to a pair of holding penalties. McCarty
tried to pick up the first down with a
lengthy pass downfield but was inter-
cepted by Kyrin Fuimaono, who returned
the ball to the Celtics 26-yard line.
The Royal Scots were on the verge
of scoring after a pair of first downs got
them inside the McNary five-yard line.
But the Celts defense made a play that
completely changed the trajectory of the
game just moments later.
On second-and-goal from the McNary
two-yard line, McKay quarterback Ui Ale
sprinted to his right to try and fight a
receiver while being chased by Celtics
linebacker Dyami Rios. Rios hit Ale as
he tried to throw blindly across his body
into the middle of the field.
The throw landed directly in the arms
of McNary senior linebacker Griffin
Hubbard, who had nothing but open field
in front of him.
“I had backside contain on the play, so
See FOOTBALL, page B17