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AHS PREVIEWS 12A Fishermen reloading Football team aiming for another league title By GARY HENLEY The Daily Astorian I t’s a new group, with new names and new numbers. The seniors and all-staters — Fritz, Olaf, Lyngstad, etc. — are all gone. One of the most successful senior classes in Astoria school history has moved on. But you can be sure the Astoria Fish- ermen still have that “favorite” label. The defending Cowapa League cham- pions always have high expectations. That’s natural, especially when they’re coming off a perfect league season and a second straight appearance in the state playoffs. And though it’s a new-look team, there’s no reason the Fishermen can’t accomplish what they did a year ago. Like they say in the hallowed halls of the high school, “Tradition Never Graduates.” The Cowapa Last year’s all-league team was senior-dominated, with Astoria, Banks and Scappoose all losing a lot to graduation. Still, “We hope to be right back in the mix, in the top three with Scappoose and Banks,” said Astoria coach How- ard Rub, entering his 18th season at the helm. “Coach (Jeff) Roberts running the Wing-T automatically makes Seaside a better program. (Kye) Johnson is doing a good job in Tillamook, and Valley Catho- lic is always a question, with them being a private school. “It’s a very competitive league. I wouldn’t be shocked to see four teams qualify for state.” Those four would likely be Astoria, Banks, Scappoose and Seaside, in no par- ticular order. Astoria was the clear-cut winner last season, cruising to a 5-0 league sea- son with wins over Valley Catholic (33- 20), Seaside (50-12), Tillamook (27-7), Banks (22-6) and a season-ending vic- tory at Scappoose, 25-22. Gary Henley/The Daily Astorian Trey Hageman is a triple threat for the Astoria football team — the senior can run, catch and throw the ball for the Fishermen offense. ASTORIA FOOTBALL Coach: Howard Rub, 18th year 2016: 8-2 (5-0 Cowapa) State playoffs: Defeated Gladstone (48-14), lost to Cottage Grove (21-25). All-League losses: Fridtjof Fremstad, QB/ DB (League Offensive MVP); Samboy Tui- mato, LB (League co-Defensive MVP); Olaf Englund, WR; Keldon Littell, T/DL; Jared Lucore, C; Tyler Lyngstad, LB; Matthew Ma- ther, G; Ryan Palek, WR/DB; Kyle Strange, WR; Isaac Villa, T. All-League returners: Andrew Schauer- mann, Sr., K It may be a little closer this season, but Astoria is still the league favorite. The Fishermen Specifically, Astoria lost six all-league starters on offense, including the league’s Offensive Player of the Year (quarter- back Fridtjof Fremstad), and the league’s co-Defensive Player of the Year (line- backer Samboy Tuimato). Astoria’s five all-leaguers on defense have also graduated. “We’ve got two returning starters on offense and two on defense,” Rub said. “We are definitely in reload mode. Fortunately, the lower-level coaches have done a good job the last couple years.” Yes, strong teams at the freshman/ sophomore and junior varsity levels always seem to save the Fishermen. Astoria has dominated the Cowapa at the junior varsity level, with just one loss the last two years. “To be honest, it’s a credit to those coaches and players,” Rub said. “And our incoming juniors look relatively var- sity ready.” Some of those being counted on will include junior Tristan Wallace, the front-runner at quarterback to replace Fremstad. “Tristan, K.J. Johnson, Trey (Hage- man) — they all took reps (in last week’s jamboree),” Rub said. “Going into North Bend, Tristan will be the starter. We like his athleticism. We also like how K.J. throws the ball, and we like Trey all- around. It’s a good problem to have, three guys who you can count on if you need ‘em.” At running back, “Tyler Ranta (Sr.) is one of those two returning starters on offense, so he should get the bulk of the load. We like our juniors, Connor Long and Niko Caruana, and we like the idea of converting lineman Daegan Chattick to fullback. We have some decent depth there, and some good options.” The Fishermen lost three all-league receivers — Olaf Englund, Ryan Palek and Kyle Strange. “We’re replacing a ton there, but Dylan Matteucci (Sr.) has looked really good. He should have a solid year. If K.J. isn’t at quarterback, he will be the split end on the left. Ian Hunt (Jr.) has looked good, and Josh Olsen (Jr.) is a good ath- lete, once he’s healed.” Other names to follow at the skill positions: seniors Hageman and Kainoa Kaonohi, and juniors Tryton Matlock and Justin Villa. All-league placekicker Andrew Schauermann returns for his senior year. As always, the Fishermen will have a top-flight defense. Quotable: Following last week’s jam- boree, Rub said, “we made it look like football at times. And more importantly, good football.” Prediction: League champions. THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2017 Cain returns with ‘a solid team’ in ‘17 By GARY HENLEY The Daily Astorian MORE INSIDE The Astoria boys soccer team was 3-1 through four games last year. By midsea- son, they were 3-4, and the Fishermen never did regain their winning edge, as they finished 5-8 overall in Lee Cain’s first year as head coach. And following the grad- uation of their all-star goal- keeper, Cain and the Fish- ermen are facing a tough challenge as they enter the 2017 season. The Cowapa The league will take care of itself, Cain said. He’s just focused on his team. “I really don’t know much about the league,” he said. “I haven’t cared, because I want to focus this summer on my boys and how we’re playing.” Tillamook is the defend- ing league champion, with Seaside looking to regain the title this year. Banks is also back with a varsity team, as the Cowapa returns to a full six-team league. The Fishermen Astoria lost some big- time scorers (Rafael Alcan- tar, and brothers Jorge and Luis Herrejon), and their big- time goalie (Kyle Birge, the Cowapa’s Goalkeeper of the Year). So a rebuilding job is definitely in order for Cain and the Fish. They’re off to a good start. “We’ve got a pretty solid team,” Cain said, one week into practice. “Nine, possibly 10 seniors and six juniors, so it’s a fairly mature team, and they’re all playing well together.” Astoria had a turnout of 40-plus players, and Cain will keep 17 to 20 on the varsity. “We will have a real solid JV squad that I want to keep together,” he said. “A couple Astoria girls soccer: Searching for goals By GARY HENLEY The Daily Astorian On the field, there were improvements shown for the Astoria girls soccer team in 2016. On paper, the highlights were few and far between. Their 1-0 nonleague win over Rainier early in the sea- son was Astoria’s first victory over someone other than Til- lamook in three years; and a 1-1 tie against Banks Oct. 20 highlighted the league season. Unfortunately, still no playoffs, and the goals were still hard to come by for the Lady Fishermen. Outside of the 11 goals Astoria scored in two wins against Tillamook, the one goal vs. Rainier and the 1-1 tie against Banks represented the only other scores for the Fish- ermen, who were outscored 35-0 in their nine losses. No one said life in the Conference of Champions was going to be easy. The Cowapa Last year’s tie vs. Banks was big, but the jinx is still there — no league wins for Astoria over any team but Til- lamook since 2013. The Cowapa is a tough league, as first-year coach Tim Fastabend found DEL’S O.K. TIRE last season. “The tough part is play- ing Valley Catholic and Scap- poose,” he said. “I think they only lost two or three seniors each.” Scappoose has won two state titles over the last four years, and Valley Catho- lic has played in four state championship games over the last five years. North Valley defeated Valley Catholic 2-1 in last year’s 4A title game. And the Valiants and Indi- ans “are probably stronger than they were last year,” Fastabend said. “A number of those girls play year- round, which is something we don’t have.” Still, the Lady Fish are hoping to be competitive in all games. “We had a couple games against Seaside that could have gone either way,” Fas- tabend said. “And with Lexi (Law) in goal, she saves a couple goals every game. If we can figure out how to go forward, we may have a lit- tle more offensive power this year, score some goals and be in a couple games.” The Lady Fish “We have to replace a lot of seniors,” Fastabend said. “We have some juniors Your local janitorial and paper supply...and much more! Exterior Paints Go Fishermen! Hours: Mon-Fri 8-6 • Sat- 8-4 503-325-2861 35359 BUS 101 • ASTORIA ASTORIA YOUTH ATHLETICS would like to thank McDONALDS, FULTANOS PIZZA, VAN DUSEN BEVERAGES, CLATSOP DISTRIBUTING & the Astoria community for their continued support of youth athletics. AYA is a non-profit athletic booster club committed to supporting and promoting youth sports, k-12 in Astoria, through volunteer service and financial assistance. “Growing community through youth athletics” HAVE A GREAT SEASON! 2240 Commercial Street Astoria, Oregon 503.325.6362 www.WalterENelson.com Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm Pool, Spa & Fountain •Packing Materials • Cleaning Supplies for Ovens, Grills, Carpet & Upholstery • Vehicle Cleaning Products ! O G MEN R E H FIS who have been with the var- sity for three years. We have Lexi Law back, and that gives us a strong back end. Claire Albright, Sarah Lertora, Haley Ranta, Hannah McCa- rley — the senior group is pretty good. “This will be the third var- sity year for Andrea Harris; we have a couple sophomores and we’re bringing in three freshmen. We have a good class mix.” That mix includes seniors Jasmin Mabry and Megan Schacher, and junior Saman- tha Messing. Stepping up to varsity are sophomores Taile- igh Cole and Libby Whitsett, Astoria High School cross country and volleyball previews. Page 11A ASTORIA BOYS SOCCER Coach: Lee Cain, 2nd year 2016: 5-8 (2-6 Cowapa) Playoffs: None All-League losses: Kyle Birge (GK of the Year); Rafael Alcantar, Jorge Herrejon, Luis Herrejon All-League returners: Cody Early, Sr.; Jose Gonzalez, Sr. years down the road we’re going to have a real solid team.” For now, the Fishermen will replace Birge with senior Jake Hurd in goal. “That’s a tough spot to fill,” said the coach. “Jake Hurd is going to be our start- ing keeper. He’s been work- ing hard and looks good. He played JV and part-time var- sity last year; it’s a big spot to fill, but I’m happy with what I’m seeing in Jake.” Elsewhere, Cain said, “Cole Beeson (Sr.) is back, Antonio Bermudez (Sr.), David Bermudez (So.), Trev Byrd (Sr.), Aldo Cruz (Jr.) … Jose Gonzalez (Sr.) is really solid, strong and can play anywhere; Jonathan Jimenez, Christian Medina-Perez and Rodrigo Palacio-Rojas (all juniors) will be the varsity back line.” Also playing big roles will be returners Gustavo Velazquez (Sr.) in the mid- field and Porter Whitsett (Jr.). Serving as backup keep- ers to Hurd, the Fishermen have several incoming fresh- men, as well as junior Taylor Palmberg. Also on the preseason roster: senior Tyler Gagnon, junior Ivan DeLaCruz, soph- omore Michael Postlewait and freshman Josh Condit. ASTORIA GIRLS SOCCER Coach: Tim Fastabend, 2nd year 2016: 3-9-2 (2-6-2 Cowapa) Playoffs: None All-League losses: Jenna Rudolph; Rachel Simmons All-League returners: None while freshmen Elle Esplien and Hayley Kelley will see action at the varsity level. “It’s a fairly athletic team,” Fastabend said. “We’re not strong technically, but they have a good attitude and can get up and down the field. We had kind of a weak summer turnout, so it might take us three weeks to get up to speed, but the girls seem enthusiastic and willing to work hard.” APPLIANCE AND HOME FURNISHINGS GIVE ‘EM YOUR BEST TEAMS! 529 SE MARLIN, WARRENTON 503-861-0929 Hours Open: Mon-Fri 8-6 • Saturday 9-5 • Sunday 10-4 We Service What We Sell Life happens...That’s why we’re here! 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