Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 29, 2018)
Page 4C FOOTBALL East Oregonian Class 4A Greater Oregon League The GOL looks like Ontario’s league to lose this season, as the defending league cham- pions return some key contributors to the Tigers team that made it all the way to the state semifinal a season ago. La Grande, Baker and Mac-Hi will battle it out for the league’s second playoff spot. 3-0 2-1 1-2 0-3 For the past five seasons only Vale and Nyssa have been crowned Eastern Oregon League champions, with Burns finishing in third three of those times. Umatilla and Irri- gon will try to break that streak this fall and snag one of the league’s three playoff spots. 8-3 8-3 3-6 3-4 Mac-Hi Pioneers Head coach: Gary Robertson Assistant coaches: Rory Simpson (Defensive Coordinator, Running Backs, Linebackers); James Wilbourn (Defensive Line); Mike Lesko (Line Coach); James McBride (Line Coach). 2017 season: 3-4 overall, 0-3 Greater Oregon League (4th); Did not make playoffs. Returning starters: Wyatt Gilm- ore, QB/S, jr.; Alexis Perez, OL/DL, sr.; Alex Doherty, OL/DL, sr.; Marcell Brinkley, RB, jr. Other returning lettermen: Tristan Brennan, L, jr.; Sam Carlson, OL/LB, sr.; Devin Humbert, WR/LB, soph.; Rafael Peredyn, LB, soph.; Dylan Quist, TE/DL, jr.; Kiez White, RB, soph. Other seniors: Matt Cunnington, OL/DL; Zach Hodgen, OL/DL. Team outlook: The strength of the Pioneers Class 1A Special District 5 For the first time since 1959, six-man foot- ball will be played at the high school level in at Madras vs. Tilamook vs. Baker* vs. La Grande* at Ontario* at Baker* at La Grande* vs. Ontario* 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. *-league game lies in the trenches and the offensive skill po- sitions, with a group of big, strong linemen and fast skill guys. Robertson’s expectations: “Build on the success of the previous season, have fun and play with passion.” Oregon this fall. As part of a two-year trial, teams with adjusted enrollments of fewer than 89 were eligible and the Echo Cougars are a part of the 15 teams playing six-man. Head coach: Dan Durfey, 4th year Assistant coaches: Kris Welch (Defensive Co- ordinator), 3rd year; Steven Williams (QBs), 2nd year; John Garrett (Special Teams), 1st year; Norman Val- dez (Line Coach), 1st year 2017 season: 4-5 overall, 1-4 Eastern Oregon League (5th); Did not make playoffs. Returning starters: Darion Smith, DE/OL, jr.; Trent Durfey, RB/LB, sr.; Pablo Ames, WR, sr.; Josh Brown, TE/LB, sr.; Arrik Russel, WR, jr.; Zach Funderburk, DE/T, sr.; Blaz Zapata, DT/OG, sr. Other returning lettermen: Eric Hoyos, RB/LB, soph. Impact newcomers: Andrew Earl, QB/WR/FS, jr. Team outlook: The Vikings have a few notable pieces to replace, including QB Kaden Webb, but return all-state player Trent Durfey and other key contributors as the Vikings aim for a playoff berth in a smaller Eastern Oregon League in 2018. Durfey’s expectations: “Improve on the record from last year and make the playoffs.” Echo Cougars Head coach: Rick Thew, 8th year Assistant coaches: Richard Thew, Don Walker 2017 season: 7-3 overall, 4-1 1A Special District 1 (4th); Lost 58-20 to Falls City in 1A first round Key returners: Devan Craig, QB/S, sr.; Caden Fisher, LB/C jr.; Camron Scott, DE, soph.; Eli Garcilazo, NG, soph. Thew’s expectations: “We expect to competing for the top spot in our league and our goal is to have fun learning this new game while Class 1A Special District 3 Special District 3, which encompasses Eastern Oregon, is now a 15-team district comprised of the 2017 Special District 1 vs. Harper Charter at Dayville vs. Huntington at Prairie City at Burnt River at Mitchell vs. South Wasco 6 p.m. 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 2 p.m. 3 p.m. 7 p.m. playing at a high level.” and Special District 4, as well as a few Class 2A teams such as Pilot Rock and Enterprise that dropped down to 1A for competitive balance purposes. Head coach: Ken Thompson, 1st year Assistant coach: Jacob Arnold 2017 season: 4-4 overall, 2-3 Eastern Oregon League (4th); Did not make playoffs. Key returners: Reece Sheller, C, jr.; Keith Fleming, LB, jr.; Alex Walls, LB, jr.; Lino Covarrubia, LB/RB, jr.; Josue Aguilera, RB/LB, sr.; Zack Hen- richs, QB/DB, sr. Team outlook: With talented running backs Lino Covarrubia and Josue Aguilera back for their senior seasons, the Knights will contin- ue to be a run-heavy team as they aim to Pilot Rock/Nixyaawii Head coach: Mike Baleztena Assistant coaches: Joe Burns (Special Teams), Shane Munkers (Defensive Coordinator), Terry Corwin (Line Coach), Lane Crisman (Nixyaawii) 2017 season: 3-5 overall as Class 2A independent; did not qualify for postseason. Returning starters: Logan Wein- ke, QB/DB, jr.; Cade Munkers, OC/ DE, sr.; Saber Harp, DB/WR, sr.; Christian Has- kall, P/DB, sr.; Tanner Corwin, DB/WR, soph.; Tyasin Burns, RB/DB, soph.; Ian Gambill, RB/ DB, soph.; William Sigo, NT/OL, soph.; Caden Thornton, DE/OL, soph. Other retuning lettermen: Paxton Ellis, DT, soph.; Deven Barkley, DT, sr. Impact newcomers: Quanah Picard, WR, sr.; Justin Smith, DB, sr.; Kade Koberstein, OL, soph. Team outlook: Low participation forced Pilot Rock to play 8-man football last season as a Class 2A independent, and though numbers 8-1 7-4 5-4 4-4 4-5 Staff photo by Kathy Aney Viking running back Trent Durfey (34) makes long yardage. 2018 Schedule Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 19 Oct. 25 vs. Rainier vs. Clatskaine at Stanfield at Grant Union at Nyssa* vs. Burns* vs. Vale* at Irrigon* 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. *-league game 2018 Schedule vs. Enterprise* vs. Sherman* at Ione* at Arlington* vs. Imbler* at Union* vs. Dufur* League Playoff# 2018 Schedule Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 25 at Stanfield vs. Weston-McEwen at Liberty (WA) vs. Stevenson (WA) at Burns* at Heppner at Vale* vs. Nyssa* vs. Umatilla* 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. *-league game crack the likes of Vale, Burns and Nyssa for a playoff spot this fall. Ione Cardinals are up this year, Pilot Rock drops to the Class 1A level for football as a part of the OSAA’s new competitive balance measures. And with nine returning starters and some new talent coming into the team, Pilot Rock is thinking about a playoff spot this fall. Baleztena’s expectations: “Stay healthy and make the playoffs.” Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 11 Oct. 26 5-0 4-1 3-2 2-3 1-4 Irrigon Knights 2018 Schedule Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Nyssa Vale Burns Irrigon Umatilla Umatilla Vikings 2018 Schedule Aug. 31 Sept.7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 2017 Standings Class 3A Special District 3 2017 Standings Ontario La Grande Baker Mac-Hi Wednesday, August 29, 2018 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. TBD *-league game #-at Eastern Oregon University Head coach: JJ Rosenberg, 1st year Assistant coaches: Tanner Rietmann, 1st year; Gary Maldonado (equipment), 1st year; Josh Bleth (equip- ment). 2017 season: Did not field team. Returning starters: Nestor Ramirez, RB/DB, sr.; JR Roque, RB/LB, jr.; Hunter Padberg, RB/LB, soph. Other returning lettermen: Aidan Barresse, RB/ LB, sr.; Josh Gray, OL/DL, sr.; Jake Heideman, QB/DB, jr.; Evan Ferguison, WR/DB, soph. Other seniors: JR Verduzco, RB/DB. Impact newcomers: Mauricio Martinez, WR/ DB, jr.; Taylor Rollins, RB/LB, fr.; Colt Parker, QB/DB, fr.; Gary Walls, OL/DL, fr. Team outlook: After a one-year co-op with Riverside due to low participation, football is back in Ione with more than enough kids for the 8-man level. The Cardinals have several experienced upperclassmen to lead the way, and four first-time varsity players to fill in the gaps. Rosenberg’s expectations: “We are going to take care of the small things and the rest will fall into place. Our expectation for the year is to win in the community, classroom and on the field.” 2018 Schedule Aug. 30 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 18 Oct. 26 vs. Powder Valley# at Enterprise* vs. Pilot Rock* at Imbler* at Dufur* vs. Sherman* vs. Arlington* vs. Union* League Playoff 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 2 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. TBD *-league game #-at Dufur Proud of Our Athletes! YOUTH IS OUR • Business • Industrial • Service Organization • Health & Life • Worker’s Compensation • Farm & Crop • Personal Luke Swanson Steve Bertelson With eleven offices in Northeastern Oregon, our experienced agents can offer insurance programs in the following areas: FUTURE! 455 E. Main St., Hermiston • 541-567-8834 • www.wheatlandins.com ELMER’S IRRIGATION, INC. Alecia Funk Wendy Snyder Dallas Bolen Patty Echols Michelle Jurcich “Proudly serving and investing in the future of our communities” 80527 Hwy 395 N., Hermiston • 541-567-5572 PETROLEUM • Commercial & Industrial Lubricants • Automotive Engine Oils • Food Grade Grease • Industrial Cleaning Products • Petroleum Equipment & Accessories • Greases & Gear Oil • CFN Cardlock Fueling • Pacific Pride Cardlock Fueling • Voyager Channel Partner • Tanker Fuel Delivery Locally owned & operated Hermiston Branch • 541-289-5015 www.mcpcoop.com r u O f o l l A o t k c u L Good n! o s a e S s i h T s e t e l Ath • Certifi ed Welders • Sandblasting/Powder Coating • Fabrication • Steel Sales • Water Jetting 541-567-7171 • 80496 Highway 395 N. • Hermiston CCB# 66293 www.nwmetalfab.com