The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current, August 21, 2021, SATURDAY EDITION, Image 12

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The Siuslaw news., August 21, 2021, SATURDAY EDITION, Page 12, Image 12

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Newspaper Page Text2B | SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2021 | SIUSLAW NEWS FOOTBALL from page 1B late July, if not early August. “One of the Siuslaw tra- ditions has been that we outwork everybody in the offseason, because every- body else is playing base- ball or playing basketball. For us, it’s time to get back to football, which allows us to be in better shape and know our systems even better, which we struggled with last year just because there was no offseason.” Lacking an offseason was an issue for many teams last year, but with Siuslaw’s offseason being such a ma- jor part of their program, the team definitely felt the strains of not having that extra time. “It leveled the playing field in that way, because everybody got the same offseason amount of time, which was two weeks,” said Johnson. “But for us to be able to get to where we want to go, we want to have four months to be able to do that.” The level of dedication Johnson and all those in- volved in the Vikings’ foot- ball program demonstrate has indeed been a long- standing tradition over the years. It’s a work ethic that was ingrained in the coach by his predecessors, and one that he continuously aims to instill in his players. “I think it’s a very old school way of doing things, just because that’s what Len Lutero did, and that’s what Tim Dodson did,” said Johnson. “I ran the same systems when I was playing [as I do] now that I’m coaching, and it takes a long time [to learn].” For example, “We run a split-back veer, and it’s pret- ty simple to understand for the most part for our kids, but [we need the practice] to get live reps against each other,” he said. “We don’t put our five best kids on the offensive line; we put five kids that have chemis- try together who can com- municate. So, we try to feel out who we can plug in and where all the way through- out the summer.” With extra preparation time, the team truly gels. Additionally, the hard work as a unit brings the students closer together, making them better connected as a group. “More than anything, we want to make sure our kids bond in a brotherhood and [feel like], ‘Hey, I actually love these guys next to me,’” said Johnson. “It’s not just showing up to play football. It’s showing up with their best friends and brothers to accomplish one common goal. Our kids have really bought into that, so that’s been really nice for me.” This sentiment is echoed by his players, who are quick to acknowledge the fact that having Johnson around after two years of such irregularity within the program has been vital to their success and their bond. “It means the world to me when they say stuff like that,” Johnson said. “I don’t think I’m the second coming of Jesus Christ in being a football coach, but my best friends my entire life have always been the 40 kids I grew up with, and that’s been one of my main goals [with my play- ers]. Jake Thompson called me the other day, and I’ve talked with all of the kids that I grew up with within the last two weeks, and I want my kids [in the pro- gram] to have those kinds of relationships for the rest of their lives with the kids they grew up with.” This year’s squad will be particularly strong, as over 75 percent of the team is made up of upperclassmen, many of whom were start- ers last year. “We have 21 juniors and seniors on our roster right now, which is pretty unique, especially [because we have] basically all the same kids that have started for the last two years,” said Johnson. The Viks have six team captains this year; all are seniors, several were cap- tains last year and many are multi-athletes. In addition to wide receivers Braydon Thornton and Isaac Gar- za as captains, the Vikings have Camp Lacouture lead- ing as running back. Lacouture is a shining example of one of Johnson’s hardest working players, who understands the im- portance of both the cohe- siveness of their unit as well as the effort that must be put in to win. “It’s going to be a fun year,” Lacouture said. “We have been really blessed to have been able to play foot- ball together for as long as I can remember. This year’s seniors have always been a group of athletes that peo- ple talked about, but we have nothing to show. The main goal would be [to earn] some sort of accolade for our hard work, and I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t be satisfied with a league title.” In addition to Lacouture, Garza and Thornton, John- son has high hopes for his offensive line. “The two kids that I would say are our strongest and kind of hold down the offensive line for us would be Henry Rankin and Av- ery Hart,” said Johnson. Finally, with big shoes to fill, but every capability to handle it, is captain Beau Erickson coming on as quarterback. “Beau is taking over for Elijah Blankenship at quar- terback,” said Johnson. “All summer, he’s kind of torched everybody we’ve played, and I think Elijah taught him a ton of stuff. So, being able to learn from him for two years, Beau is definitely ready to take the reins of Siuslaw football, which will be really helpful for me.” One more major goal for Johnson and the team this season will be to requali- fy for the 4A division after having been bumped down to 3A a couple of years ago. “We thought we could possibly jump back up to the 4A division after my first year here, and it was just one of those weird things where technically we didn’t have enough wins be- cause the year before I got here, they didn’t win any games,” explained John- son. “For us to jump up, we would have had to basically win a state championship, so we entered back into a two-year contract with 3A, and this would be year two of that contract.” The Viks have a very competitive game schedule this season, which aims to accomplish that goal, and the school rivalries promise to be fierce. “I think we have those ri- valries with teams, and we teach our kids not to shy away from those,” admitted Watch “In Search of the Lord’s Way” Sunday, 7:30 AM KMTR Cable Channel 12 Western Lane Translator Channel 16.2 Then visit the Florence church of Christ 1833 Tamarack Florence, Oregon and experience the joy and simplicity of pre-denominational New Testament Worship. (Romans 16:16) Bible Study: Sunday, 10:00 am Worship: Sunday, 11:00 am www.churchofchristfl orence.org Johnson, “but I genuinely think our kids are really ex- cited for every game.” Some of those games will start the season. “We open up the year at home against the top 10 team in the state, South Umpqua, and then we do two back-to-back trips that are four-hour drives to get to our destinations with Brookings and Sisters, and both of those teams are going to be really well- coached,” he said. “They’re not necessarily perennial powerhouses right now, but those two teams are really dangerous to play against just because to travel to Brookings, it’s like you’re playing in the Twilight Zone. So, for our kids to be able to understand that and prepare for that is really im- portant.” The season will continue with additional travel. “Then, week four is probably the one I think our kids are looking for- ward to the most. We’re going to Portland, so it’s the third eight-hour round trip in a row, and we’re playing Gladstone, who’s a top-10 team in the state in any division. They’re going to be big, physical and fast, and they’re the team that I lost to my senior year in the quarterfinals. We know what we’re getting our- selves into; they’re a divi- sion above us and they’re I think number three in the state at the 4A level,” said Johnson. “So, it’ll be a really good matchup, and I think our SUMMER SPECIAL $1000 OFF THE FIRST MONTH RENT FOR MOVE IN DURING JUNE AND JULY Contact us today to set up a tour or to receive an informational packet DeAnn Hawkins, Community Relations Director (541)997-6111 DHawkins@spruce-point.com Faith – Friendship - Fellowship – Fun CHURCH DIRECTORY To include your organization in this directory, please call us @ 541-997-3441 BAHA’I FAITH OF FLORENCE FLORENCE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP Ongoing Devotions, Study Circles, Services to the 87738 Hwy 101 at Heceta Beach Road Community, Join us on Facebook. RUAUU? All are welcome to explore the answer. Join your friends via zoom, Monday’s 7:30-8:30p.m. Until it is safe to meet in person, Sunday Worship Services “SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS” are available 24/7 on our website: www.florenceuuf.org Florence Baha’i Community For info: 541-590-0779 BAY BERRY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Friday Evenings – 7 PM SINGSPIRATION You are invited to come and sing your favorite Ole Time Gospel songs. Come and enjoy a time of fellowship & refreshments before we sing. NEW LOCATION Now Meeting in Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church at 1935 East 25th Street For Info: Jack - 541-999-8278 or Ron - mccrary9483@gmail.com THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 2705 Munsel Lake Road, All are welcome! Sunday Worship Services are at 10 AM & 11:15 AM. Bishop Larry Farnsworth 541-999-1979 LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTERS Tires • Brakes Shocks • Alignment 4325 Highway 101, Florence 541-997-7178 HOME OF THE BEST TIRE VALUE PROMISE We are open and ready to assist you! kids are looking forward to it, just because it’s that’s the division we want to be in,” he said. “We want to be a 4A school, so we’ll see if we can we match up with the best of the best in 4A, and if we can, we’ll be in good shape. If we can’t, then we’ll have to regroup, and we have a bye week the follow- ing week.” All in all, it promises to be an exciting season for Vikings football. Siuslaw’s first game of the season is at home on Fri- day, Sept. 3, against South Umpqua starting at 7 pm. COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 4590 Hwy. 101, Across from Fred Meyer –- 997-7418 Sunday School, 9:30a.m. – Worship, 10:45 Wed. Prayer - 6:00 p.m. – Wed. Ministries 1-8 Grade 7 p.m. CROSS ROAD ASSEMBLY OF GOD Corner of 10th & Maple- 541-997-3533 Sunday Services are 9am and 11am and on Facebook live and KCST at 11am Wednesdays at 7pm https://www.ﬂ orencecrossroadag.org/church-online Other platforms update after the service. ﬂ orencecrossroadag.org ofﬁ ce@ﬂ orencecrossroadag.org FLORENCE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 2nd & Ivy - 541-997-2961 - Non-Denominational Service is on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Sunday Service also streaming live at 10:00 am at ﬂ orencechurch.com FLORENCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2nd & Kingwood • (541) 997-6025 Link to Sunday services at www.ﬂ orenceunitedmethodist.org or ﬁ nd us on Facebook. FOURSQUARE CHURCH 1624 Highway 101 (next to A&W) –- 997-6337 Pastor George Pagel – Something for the entire family. Sun. Services: 9:00 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study returns this Fall. Website: ﬂ orence4square.com NEW LIFE LUTHERAN E.L.C.A. 21st & Spruce Streets—997-8113 Interim Pastor David Brauer-Rieke, All are welcome. Sunday in-person worship service@ 10:30. Also available to you on website www.ﬂ orencenewlifelutheran.org. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF THE SIUSLAW 3996 N Hwy 101 541-997-7136 Internet and in person Sunday services at 10AM, Call the church for details. Reverend Greg Wood All Welcome. Come as you are. RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) “War is still not the answer.” FCNL We meet Sunday’s at 11am in our homes. Call 408-482-1141 or 541-997-4237 for locations. RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH, L.C.M.S. Worship Services 10 am • Bible Study 9:00 am Pastor Steve Waterman 85294 Hwy. 101 S. – 997-8038 DVD of Weekly worship service available. www.puppro.wixite.com/rlcﬂ orence ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL Church Welcomes You FLORENCE CHURCH OF CHRIST Worship Sun. 9am Wed 11am 2135 19th St. Pre-Denominational (Romans 16:16) 541-997-6600 standssecretary19@gmail.com Labyrinth & 1833 Tamarack Street Garden daily 8am-5pm (2 blocks east of Hwy. 101 on 18th St.) “Be the change.” Bible Study: Sunday 10 a.m.; Worship: Sunday 11 a.m. www.churchofchristﬂ orence.org SAINT MARY, OUR LADY OF THE DUNES CATHOLIC CHURCH FLORENCE EVANGELICAL CHURCH 1.5 miles south of river on Hwy 101 – 997-2312 1318 Rhododendron Dr. • 541-997-2523 COVID-19 Compliant Masses have been scheduled. Sunday Service 11am ( Children Sunday School) Please call our ofﬁ ce for details. Mid-Week Activities, all ages. Johnston Motor Company Since 1939 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 FLORENCE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST 4445 Hwy 101 (South of Fred Meyer) – 997-3951 Worship on Saturday 11:00 A.M. Adult/Children’s Sabbath School 10:00 A.M. Give us a call 541-997-3441 to get us your updates or email to: mberg@thesiuslawnews.com