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10A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2017 SHS PREVIEWS MORE ON PAGE 9A Gulls’ soccer Roberts is back in ready to the saddle again bounce back By GARY HENLEY The Daily Astorian By GARY HENLEY The Daily Astorian J eff Roberts is back for more, and looking to pick up where he left off. Well, maybe not right where he left off. In his last year as the Seaside football coach, the Gulls were a disap- pointing 1-4 in league, just two years after going 8-3 and making the state playoffs. Roberts stepped down following the 2015 season to focus on his job as the Seaside principal, but Chad Smith left the post after 2016, which is why Roberts is back in the saddle again. And he’s got work to do, as Sea- side finished 0-5 in league last season. On the plus side, the Gulls have four returning all-league play- ers, including a running back and a receiver. And after missing much of last season with an injury, their quar- terback could be one of the best in the Cowapa League. The 2016 season was loaded with promise for the Seaside boys soccer program. The defending league champion Gulls had only lost three players to graduation, with six all-league return- ing players and the Cowapa’s Coach of the Year. And following a 3-0 win over Cottage Grove in the regional play-in round, Sea- side was set to make a huge run in the state playoffs. But it all came crashing down in a first-round con- test at La Grande, where the Tigers scored two second-half goals in a 3-1 win, and the season came to a premature end for the Gulls. Seaside has regrouped, they’ve still got the league’s best player, and coach John Chapman is talking league championship once again, as the Gulls hope to steal the league crown from Tillamook. “It’s not rebuild, it’s reload,” said the always-opti- mistic coach Chapman. “We lost some good guys, but we’re going to be OK.” The Cowapa In his previous four years with the Gulls (2012-15), Roberts’ best record in league was 3-2, accomplished in 2013 and ‘14. It’s a tough league, with the challenge always being the same three teams — Astoria, Banks and Scappoose. “The history of the league the last five or six years, (the league title) runs through Banks and Scappoose, with us and Astoria battling it out the last few years,” Roberts said. It’s going to run through Asto- ria this year, as the Fishermen are the defending league champs with a 5-0 mark in league play last year. The Fishermen have won nine of the last 11 Clatsop Clash meetings, although Roberts is quick to note, “Howard (Rub) and I are 2-2 against each other,” he said. But, “We’ve got some making up to do. We didn’t per- form well last year (a 50-12 Astoria win), and the kids are hungry. It left a bad taste in their mouth, and that’s a huge motivator for some of these kids. They’re hungry and ready to roll, and we look forward to a real successful year.” The Gulls Big offensive lines always equal big success. The Gulls had a big line when Roberts had Calvin Pollard in the backfield during his last stint as coach. And they’ve got another big line this year. Seaside’s strength, however, is “Our overall athleticism,” Rob- erts said. “Even the guys up front. It reminds me a lot of the 2013 class, when (Aaron) Tadei, Andrew Owens … Kevin (LaCoste) and Calvin (Pol- lard) were juniors — it reminds me a lot of that class from an athletic Gary Henley/The Daily Astorian Gio Ramirez is already striking the “Heisman” pose, as he makes the switch to running back. SEASIDE FOOTBALL Coach: Jeff Roberts, 1st year (5th overall) 2016: 2-6 (0-5 Cowapa) Playoffs: None All-League losses: None All-League returners: Cameron King, Sr., RB; Gio Ramirez, Jr., LB; Alex Teubner, Jr., DB; Duncan Thompson, Jr., WR standpoint.” Although, he said, “I had the lux- ury of handing the ball to Pollard 30 to 35 times a game, and we’re just not built that way this year. With that being said, I’ve got a lot of kids to hand the ball to and not have to rely on one kid to tote the ball that many times.” A “stable of running backs” includes Garrett Kiser, Astor Landwehr, Alex Teubner, Duncan Thompson and Gio Ramirez, who was an all-league linebacker last sea- son. Ramirez has traded his uniform number 52 for No. 25 and a spot at running back. “Those are the five guys who will get the bulk of the carries,” Roberts said. Running the offense will be junior quarterback Payton Westerholm, who missed much of last season with a leg injury suffered in a preseason jamboree. “Payton is back,” Roberts said, “and he has put on some weight and has been in the weight room. He’s got- ten a lot stronger. A lot of our success will hinge on his health.” And the success of the old Wing-T offense, which the Gulls will run again. “When I first took over in 2012, we implemented our offense, from third through 12th grade,” Roberts said. “These kids ran that offense for four years, prior to coach Smith coming in. “As we return to what I did in my first reign, a lot of it is coming back quick.” Quotable: “What was difficult last year was being really young. That will pay significant dividends to us this year, with the experience they gained. They worked their tails off in the weight room this summer.” Prediction: The expectations are high — and the Gulls will come through, with a return to the state playoffs. The Cowapa Too many ties cost the Gulls last year. While the Cheesemakers coasted to the league title with a 7-0-1 mark, Seaside finished at 4-1- 3, with ties against Scappoose and Valley Catholic, and a 1-1 deadlock with Tillamook in the league finale — the only league game the Cheesemak- ers did not win. Chapman said, “With Til- lamook, it comes down to, do they get another hand- ful of international exchange students who know how to play the game? They had five exchange students — guys from Germany and Italy, and they could all play.” The Gulls Gone are Januik, Thomp- son, Wallis, Walsh … among others. Seaside graduated nine seniors off last year’s team. The Gulls will miss their future Hall of Famers, but the shelves are still stocked with talent. After all, Seaside still has the league’s two-time Player of the Year, senior Colton Carter. “And we’ve got his lit- Gary Henley/The Daily Astorian Seaside senior Colton Car- ter is the Cowapa League’s two-time Player of the Year, as he enters his final sea- son with the Gulls. SEASIDE BOYS SOCCER Coach: John Chapman, 5th year 2016: 8-3-4 (4-1-3 Cowapa) Playoffs: Lost state playoff at La Grande, 1-3 All-League losses: Jackson Januik, Hunter Thompson, Dylan Wallis, Brent Walsh All-League returners: Colton Carter, Sr., Irving Peon, Jr., Rafi Sibony, Sr. tle brother (freshman Westin Carter), who plays at a high club ball level,” Chapman said. “We’re going to be OK. I’m optimistically confident.” Starting goalkeeper Jesus Perez has also graduated, but again, the Gulls have replace- ments ready. “We’ve got four guys who are pushing for goalkeeper roles,” Chapman said, includ- ing senior Ashton Boyd, and juniors James Petie and Mason Shamion. “I’m feeling a lot more confident with the keeper side.” Other varsity returners include seniors Henry Chap- man and Rafi Sibony; and juniors Parker Conrad, Wes Corliss, Bryce DeWinter, Chase Januik and Irving Peon. “We only have four seniors, so we’re poised for another good couple years,” coach Chapman said. “We have a few guys throughout the grades who are stepping up this year that will make the team pretty enjoyable.” Besides Westin Carter, the Gulls will also carry freshman Dodger Holmstedt on the var- sity roster. Prediction: League champions. Varsity experience will keep Seaside girls soccer competitive SEASIDE GIRLS SOCCER By GARY HENLEY The Daily Astorian “It gets easier the second year.” Seaside girls soccer coach Josh Garhofer has proba- bly heard that a few times, as the 26-year-old Seaside High graduate enters his second season as head coach. Garhofer and the Gulls had mixed results in 2016, as a 3-6-1 league record included a close, 2-0 loss to Valley Catholic, which advanced to the state championship game last season, losing 2-1 to North Valley. The Cowapa “It’s going to be just as tough as it was last year,” Garhofer said of the league, Coach: Josh Garhofer, 2nd year 2016: 3-9-2 (3-6-1 Cowapa) Playoffs: None All-League losses: Elizabeth Barnes; Morgan Brown All-League returners: None been outscored 33-1 in five previous games against the Valiants. The Lady Gulls Jeff Ter Har/The Daily Astorian Corrie Falleur, left, hopes to have the Gulls kicking up some wins in 2017. “with Banks, Valley Catholic and Scappoose. Every team is beatable, but those three espe- cially, having that close Port- land club connection. Los- ing to Valley Catholic 2-0 last year was amazing,” especially considering that the Gulls had • 2 LOCATIONS • Easy & Convenient CELEBRATING OVER 50 YEARS OF MAKING SWEET MEMORIES! Downtown Cannon Beach 256 N. Hemlock & Seaside Outlet Mall Seaside lost seven seniors to graduation last year, includ- ing all-leaguers Lizzy Barnes and Morgan Brown, along with goalkeeper Kirstin Lent and defender Sydney Ville- gas. Senior GeriAnne Klaffke has moved to the Philippines. On the plus side, the Gulls have a load of varsity-experi- enced players returning, with a couple solid candidates at keeper. “Sydney Owsley (So.) was the JV keeper last year and is looking good,” Garhofer said. “And we also picked up Ane- sha Smart (Sr.), who could be molded into a keeper, because she’s tall, athletic and strong.” Elsewhere, “We’re look- ing good,” he said. “We have (seniors) Bryre Bab- bitt and Corrie Falleur back. They were mainstays on the defense last year. They’re a year older, and being seniors makes a big difference in their outlook. It’s their team.” Additional returners include juniors Jessica Angu- lo-Joli, Chloe Bartel, Maddie Brown, Audrey Kunde and Katie Zagata. Bartel, Brown and Kunde are entering their third year with the varsity. Senior Sonoma Moon makes the step up from JV, while the Gulls have added juniors Taylor Carson, Annaka Garhofer and Trinity Turner to the varsity mix. “(Annaka Garhofer) is my youngest sister,” Josh said. “And she’s been on a hia- tus from soccer since middle school. She has a pretty strong leg.” Sophomores Adamari Anguiano and Angela Flores- Reyes round out the roster. “We have some spots to fill on defense, and maybe in the forward area,” coach Garhofer said, “but every- body seems to be catching on quick.” GO SEAGULLS!! SCORE BIG WITH YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS THIS FALL SEASON BY SHOPPING AT BRUCE’S!! GOOD LUCK TO ALL FALL ATHLETES & COACHES! CB: 503-436-2641 Seaside: 503-738-7828 www.brucescandy.com Candy Makes the Sweetest Gift!