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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (April 14, 2021)
SIUSLAW NEWS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020 | 5B from 1B whom we freshmen during the 2018 drubbing — were keen on hitting a few high notes of their own against the Bulldogs. Though the Vikings were first to score on an 11-yard run from Lacouture and a conversion from Loomis less than two minutes into the game, Sutherlin was able to answer back on its possession, connecting on a 57-yard bomb. Howev- er, the conversion attempt failed, leaving Siuslaw ahead 8-6. The Vikings from 1B more than 50 years coach- ing Sailors. Friday’s win marked a winning record of 4-2 overall, and second place in the 1A Special District 1 North League. “I'm just really proud of our kids and how they came together,” said Greene. “As a coach, you always want to see im- provement. And each week, we saw improve- ments; something just clicked with our kids.” To see the Sailors play Friday was a true joy for fans as the team came to- gether as a true unit. “Falls City was not a bad team. They've won a lot of games,” said Greene. “But we came out and our kids executed — and they were ready to play.” Greene explained the importance of this final game, and Mapleton had several reasons to leave it all on the field with the Mountaineers. “We don't know if eight-man is going to happen for us next year, and there is a lot of uncertainty with the program now because of a lack of numbers,” said Greene. “We talk- ed about the history, 80 years of football on that field, and how they don't know if that's going to be the last game in the last year for Sailor foot- ball. So, our kids had the mindset of leaving a leg- acy on a good note. “They're going to re- member that last game here on this field,” Greene said. In addition to mak- ing the final Sailor foot- ball memory count, the team will graduate many seven seniors from its 11-player roster. Greene explained to the only four athletes at that point and never saw the end zone for the remainder of the game. La- couture scored for the Viks once more in the quarter, slipping past the Sutherlin defense on a 2-yard run, followed by the conversion from Loomis to make it 23- 12 heading into the second quarter. For the rest of the game, it was all Vikings. Siuslaw’s defense kept the Bulldogs on a short leash, allowing them only a few sniffs of the end zone but never across it. Suther- lin turned the ball over on downs during all three of its second-half possessions while Siuslaw continued to run the board. Thornton made three more touch- downs in the game, on runs of 8 yards and 55 yards, as well as a 3-yard pass re- ception from Blankenship, who also scored the con- version. The Viks also got con- versions from Rhys Flem- ing and Loomis. Ahead 47-12 entering the fourth quarter, a run- ning clock was initiated as part of the 35-point Mer- cy Rule. Still, Siuslaw was able to score one more time when Isaac Garza snagged a 2-yard pass from Blan- kenship, followed by the PAT from Lacouture less than two minutes into the quarter. Siuslaw held Sutherlin scoreless for the next 10 minutes and, ultimately, a lopsided 54-12 win. From the pocket, Blan- kenship had 197 yards passing, including 3 touch- downs. In rushing, Lacou- ture had 12 carries for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns; Thornton had 3 carries for 61 yards and 2 TDs; Loomis had 8 carries for 40 yards. Thornton led all receiv- ing with 7 catches for 91 yards and 2 TDs; Fleming had 44 yards on 2 recep- tions; Garza had 3 catches for 38 yards and 1 TD; and Lacouture had 20 yards on 2 receptions. Beau Erickson also had a pass interception for the Vikings. That same night, Siu- slaw’s cheerleading squad said goodbye to the team’s only senior this year, Adria Sandusky. The Vikings finished the season at 3-3, with wins against Harrisburg, Sisters and Sutherlin; losses were to La Pine, Santiam Chris- tian and Junction City. who aren’t seniors on the team, “This is their last game, and if I'm not a se- nior, I’m playing through them or for them.” With COVID-19 put- ting a huge strain on the season, Greene said he felt fortunate that his team was able to make it successful at all, let alone having it end on such a high point. “So much has been taken away from them,” he said, “and for them to come out and perform like that was really cool. You're not playing for anything, but we had to figure out something to play for besides the last game.” And they played their hearts out with every member of the team con- tributing. “It was a great team win. And it had to be a total team effort to win,” said Greene. “It's not just about one kid. Yeah, JJ [Neece] had a monster game. But you know, he wouldn't have gotten those yards without those kids — it's a team effort.” Neece did have a mon- umental game, with 40 carries for 452 yards rush- ing and 9 touchdowns. He also had 15 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions and a pick six. Said Greene, “He's doing things that normally don't happen in eight-man. You don't have a kid with his ability play- ing eight-man. And the hits he was making! That one was like a gun going off, I'm surprised that kid got up! But it’s football, he played the game the way it's supposed to be played.” Neece, who is attending Western Oregon Univer- sity on a football schol- arship in the fall, also received the Blitz Friday Night Lights Performance of the Year from KEZI. “He's fun to watch,” said Greene. “When you get an athlete like that, it's like watching art, really. Or a ballet or a performance.” In addition to Neece the rest of the team had a great game as well. Mapleton senior AJ Moso was two for three from the pocket, with 109 yards and two passing touchdowns, as well as three catches for 54 yards. Fellow senior Philip Burnett had 10 tackles on defense and scored on a 40-yard touchdown at running back. Jeremy Bender, also a senior, who was out last year with a knee inju- ry, was able to pick up a 2-point conversion. Joe Shepherd, a junior, had three catches for 139 yards and two touch- downs. “He had a key role on the offensive and defen- sive sides, and he just keeps getting better and better,” Greene said of Shepherd. “Hopefully, he'll be back next year be- cause he's going to be re- ally good next year.” The Sailors did a fan- tastic job on defense as well, adjusting at halftime to account for the pass- heavy Mountaineers. “[Assistant coach] Eric Wolgamott made a nice adjustment to what they were doing, and how to stop their passes,” said Greene. “We were kind of zone [defense] in the first half, and then we started [man-to-man defense] in the second half, because it was a pretty tight game still. Then we just started kind of pulling away.” Greene also made sure to mention two players on the team who have made vast improvements as players, sophomore Jeff Bernhardt and Shepard. “Those two guys are the most improved on the team in how much bet- ter they've gotten,” said Greene. “But a lot of it has to do with their attitude; they have to have a good attitude to get better, and they were wanting to get better. It showed.” In all, the Sailors’ out- standing game was quite a sendoff for Greene. “It was like a good sto- rybook Disney ending,” he said. Greene, Moore and the coaching staff brought the Sailors far this season, es- pecially when considering the small roster it had. Even playing eight-man with such a small team was risky to begin with. “Most coaches wouldn't have played, or they would have played six-man,” said Greene. “We said no way, we're going to play.” To be able to close out his final year on such a positive note was defi- nitely a bonus for Greene, who has many positive memories to hold onto. “They’ll look back on going to games on the buses, and the fun- ny things that happen at practice — it's just that bond you have with your teammates,” Greene said. “That's what they will re- member.” FEATURED HOME OF THE WEEK Prepare for power outages with a Generac home standby generator REQUEST A FREE QUOTE! 844-630-1554 FREE 64 SHORELINE DRIVE Move-in ready custom Tom Smith built home on cul-de-sac in gated Shelter Cover neigh- borhood with peek-a-boo views of Siuslaw River & dunes. Soaring vaulted wood ceilings & fireplace in living room. Kitchen highlights include custom cabinets, solid surface counters & Sub-Zero built-in fridge. 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Screening Presented by: Siuslaw News & City Lights Cinemas EARTH DAY THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021 Three Showings @ City Lights Cinema 1:00pm • 4:00pm • 7:00pm Tickets are FREE* SPONSORED BY: CEN T (54 R 1 RV 541-997-8233 5 SE IC ) 902-75 L SA PO 4 COAST DIS AL IL E Mapleton again scored just two min- utes later, when Blanken- ship found Thornton on a 25-yard pass. Lacouture kicked for the extra point and Siuslaw moved ahead 15-6. With just over two min- utes remaining in the quar- ter, Sutherlin managed a 29-yard scamper into the end zone but, once again, Siuslaw’s defense denied the conversion attempt, leaving the Bulldogs trail- ing 15-12. While on the surface it appeared the game was going to be a grinder, the Bulldogs ran out of meat M Siuslaw E W I TH A S Admission tickets are required and available starting April 1st at City Lights Cinemas 1930 Highway 101 or online www.citylightscinemas.com *Only 100 tickets available. First come, fi rst served,. Masks Required when not eating food or drinking • Social Distance when not with your group Hand Sanitizer Station available • Enhanced Cleaning Protocols in place