2B | CGHS APRIL 8, 2021 | COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL from B1 Grove simply wasn’t ready to match the raised energy and intensity level of the Vi- kings that evening. After the loss, the girls met on Friday to practice, knowing that the Elks from B1 impressed with our defense for the game.” The Warriors did try to make a comeback in the sec- ond half. “Siletz, I’ll give them all the credit in the world, they came out firing in the second half, and it was it was a battle for sure.” Siletz was able to score 14 points in the third quarter to Elkton’s seven, bringing the score to 45-26. Lockhart ex- Lions from B1 their means, the Lions got some much-needed experi- ence this season to begin to rebuild their program and, fortunately, it is a year where no one’s records would have been normal. Polamalu said he was grate- ful for the time he did get with his players this season, as it helped to set a strong founda- tion for what will hopefully be a more normal season in the fall. Now that football is over, Soccer from B1 school and going from there. So, it’s important as a coach to develop a strong program re- gardless of who comes in; you may not win state champion- ships, but that’s not what’s im- portant to me as a high school coach. My importance is for the kids to have the best expe- rience that they possibly can.” Stewart also acknowledged that in a short season like the one they just experienced, there isn’t as much time to create the connections a coach normally would in a full sea- playoffs were a possibility. “We knew that there was a chance,” said Ladd, “because we knew they were going to pull two second place [teams to the playoffs], so we prac- ticed on Friday anyway. I told the girls, ‘If we go to the play- offs, at least we practiced. And if not, let’s end on a more pos- itive note. Let’s just have a fun practice. Let’s just play. Let’s be together. Let’s be a team.’” After putting a bit of pos- itive closure on the season, Ladd received a pleasant sur- prise. “As I was walking out of the gym,” she said, “I got a text from our athletic director that we were going to go to the playoffs. So, I was like, ‘Bring it back, ladies!’ I let them know that we were going, and they were all excited about the opportunity.” The top eight teams of the Sky-Em League played Tuesday (April 6), including Cottage Grove, who played against Sweet Home. Going into the game, Ladd said, “We’re all very excited and hopeful for this opportu- nity. I’m hoping they hold on to that and realize that this is a very lucky opportunity, and they play like they’re excited to be there.” Unfortunately, the Lady Lions were unable to take the win Tuesday, ending their playoff run — But still with a standout record in a season that was challenging for all. plained that the Elks were determined to hold the War- riors, regardless. Going into the fourth quarter, the Elks kept pushing. Both teams turned the ball over on downs several times as the clock ran down. “By that point, it was about three minutes to go,” said Lockhart. “We made a couple first downs, and then we just kneeled it down because they didn’t have any more time- outs.” With neither team scoring in the fourth quarter, the final score was 45-26 with the Elks coming out victorious. Statistically, the Elks had another great week. Peters had 16 carries for 244 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, as well as one conver- sion on the ground. In rushing, Nathan Rausch had three carries for 20 yards, as well as a successful conver- sion. Passing, Clevenger was five of 14 for 159 yards and two touchdowns, as well as one conversion through the air. Receiver Ben Bowen had three receptions for 111 yards, one touchdown and one con- version. Defensively, Clevenger was a beast for the Elks. “This was definitely his best defensive game that I’ve ever seen him play,” said Lockhart. “He had 16 tackles. He was wreaking havoc through the middle. He also had a fumble recovery, and he had an inter- ception.” Also notable on defense, Anthony Alimenti picked the ball on a conversion play, get- ting a solid stop for the Elks. Finally, Paul Yearous had the only quarterback sack of the game. Looking forward, Elkton has one final league game on Friday (April 9), and next year they plan to stay as a six-man team for the time being. The Elks will lose five seniors, and while there will be several in- coming freshman signing up, their numbers will likely not support an eight-man team just yet. According to Lockhart, the decision was the best one for this school year, and it allowed Elkton’s program to perform their best given the issues at hand. “It was definitely the right decision for us to go to six- man for this year,” said Lock- hart. “I think it’s the right decision for us next year. But we’ll see, again, we’re not op- posed to ever going back to eight-man. But this is a lot of fun, and the kids are loving it, and that’s the most important.” The Elks’ final game this Friday is against Eddyville, beginning at 4 pm. Polamalu is encouraging his players to continue athletics this school year. “From here on out, a lot of sports and other events are coming into play,” he said. “I was sharing with [my team] how important I think it is for them to participate in other activities, and to stay in a very competitive state of mind and stay active.” Next school year, Cottage Grove will return to playing varsity football, which every- one was hoping would be the case. “We will go varsity,” said Polamalu, “this was just kind of one of those situations, I think we were young and in- experienced, but next fall is next fall, it’s back to normal. That’s our push. We had a long time to spend with our cur- rent 25 to 27 players, really to implement a lot of things, and we’ve just got to get back to work in the beginning of July.” One major benefit the coach will have is that he is not losing any seniors in the next school year, and all of his returning players will have had this season’s experience of practice and bonding under their belts as a unit. While it was a short sea- son, Polamalu and his players made the best of it. “Technically, we were to- gether for nine weeks, and the last three weeks we played,” said the coach. “But we got to know each other, and the rou- tines, expectations and drills, and all those things that hope- fully as we come into [next year], expectations are some- what in place.” Above all, Polamalu is hopeful that sports in general will return to some semblance of normalcy. “Information will be com- ing out as far as dates of workouts and participation, and we’re really pushing hard to get kids out and involved and back in a similar routine during the summertime, fol- lowing the OSAA calendar year,” Polamalu said. At this point, the Cottage Grove football program has a better foundation laid than it has in recent years and, moving forward — provided the pandemic doesn’t throw further wrenches in the game — Polamalu is on the road to success with his team. “As far as looking farther down the road, we’re always saying, ‘Okay, it’s going to be back on schedule,’ but you know as well as I know that things could change day to day or week to week,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m looking at that old schedule, and I know what time to show up, I know what time we’ll start. And until somebody says ‘No,’ we’re moving.” son. However, Stewart and his team absolutely made the best of the situation, and still managed to have a winning season. This season, the Lions had three total shutout games, winning 8-0 against Junction City, Siuslaw, and Elmira at different points in the season, as well as two other very com- fortable wins and a tie to go along with three losses. “The first meeting against Marist, that was a humbling experience,” Stewart admit- ted. “But then we came back, and we played one of our best games that we’ve played.” Stewart is truly proud of his team — and he should be. He has developed a program where the players genuinely care for each other and are in each other’s corners regardless of whether they win or lose. “After we were finished playing and we lost our last game against Marshfield,” he said. “One of the coaches who rode the bus said you would have thought that we had just won the state championship with the amount of singing that was going on.” Then, when he got home, Stewart said he got a call ask- ing if the team could practice the next day. “I said, ‘Guys, but it’s over!’ But we ended up going out and practicing the next day,” said Stewart. “It wasn’t a prac- tice really, we just basically split the teams up and had two hours of fun kicking the ball around. “But they didn’t want it to end. So, that’s what a good program is all about.” It is no surprise that Stewart continues to run the program at Cottage Grove. As a unit, they are clearly strong. “I guess at my age, that’s what keeps me coming back,” said Stewart. “I know all of the other things will dissolve and come to an end; all good things have to come to an end at some point in time, but the memories that I have — I can go back to so many things, and so many personalities of different teams that I’ve had the privilege of coaching. And every one of them is unique.” FROM BEST OF HAWAII FOUR-ISLAND TOUR $ $ 2,599 2,349 * 12 days, departs year-round TM 1-888-817-0676 promo code N7017 * Free date changes anytime up to 45 days prior to departure for land tours, up to 95 days prior to departure for cruise tours. Deposits and final payments remain non-refundable. Prices are per person based on double occupancy plus $299 in taxes & fees. Single supplement and seasonal surcharges may apply. Add-on airfare available. Offers apply to new bookings only, made by 6/30/21. Other terms & conditions may apply. Ask your Travel Consultant for details. 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