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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 26, 2016)
Polk County Sports Polk County Itemizer-Observer • October 26, 2016 15A PREP FOOTBALL Dallas, Lebanon to clash for league title By Lukas Eggen The Itemizer-Observer CORVALLIS — Since Dal- las’ football team’s seniors arrived, the Dragons have never won a Mid-Willamette Conference title. That may change on Fri- day. The Dragons defeated Crescent Valley 49-12 on Fri- day from a season ago set- ting up a showdown with Lebanon Friday at 7 p.m. Both teams enter with identical records: 7-1 overall, 4-1 in MWC play. Dallas’ lone loss was a one-point setback to Cen- tral. Lebanon fell 16-14 to South Albany on Friday. Central: Girls and boys in contention Continued from Page 14A “There’s a narrow part of the course that’s a bit tight,” Cirino said. “It’s right at the beginning of the race, not even half a mile I think. We talked about making sure they make their move before they get to that narrow strip out there and not getting caught behind people who are going to hold them back.” In a hypothetical race based on season-best times recorded on athletic.net, Central boys rank tied for fifth, but the second- through seventh-ranked schools are separated by only 28 points. “They’re full of confidence right now, but fully aware that this is going to be a bat- tle,” Cirino said. “They feel like they could finish any- where from third to sixth or seventh. Our league is just so tough. They don’t expect to get to state, but they are going down there Wednesday (today) with the intention of absolutely going for it.” The girls are ranked fourth, behind Corvallis, set- ting up a possible showdown between the two teams for the final team berth to the state meet on Nov. 5. Bailie Hartford hopes for a top-10 finish to lead the way, with fellow varsity run- ners Beatriz Trujillo, Diana Nye, Bethanie Altamirano, Aliza Camero and Annie Taylor looking to run to- gether. “That’s what makes this fun,” Cirino said. “Central, for years, we were a target in Class 4A. It’s kind of fun going into these meets dreaming of trying to get to one of these spots. They are positive, but also realistic. It would take not only a per- sonal record, we’d need one or two girls to have a real breakout performance for us to have a chance.” The winner becomes league champion. — The Dragons dominated the Raiders on Friday to set up its showdown against Lebanon. Dallas gained 420 yards of total offense. Senior running back Tanner Earhart rushed for 144 yards and two touch- downs. Tristan Evans ran for 83 yards and two touch- downs. Senior quarterback Caed- mon Blair also ran for two touchdowns, while Aaron White had one. “We just went out and dominated,” Earhart said. “We were really ready to go from the first whistle. It was really fun. … It was another example of how tough our guys are.” The team’s attention turns to Lebanon — and the chance to win a league title. “Ever since we were freshmen, we knew that when we got older, this is what we wanted,” Earhart said. But the Dragons won’t let the pressure get to them. Instead, they’ll focus on what’s gotten them this far — heart. “I don’t think our mindset should — or will — change,” Earhart said. “All we can do is focus on a good week of practice and continue to play at a high level.” CENTRAL ROUNDUP Boys soccer preps for postseason Itemizer-Observer staff report INDEPENDENCE — Central’s boys soccer team defeated Dallas 3-1 on Oct. 18 before falling to Corvallis 1-0 on Thursday. The Panthers played Woodburn Tuesday after press time. Central entered the week in second place in the Mid- Willamette Conference. If the Panthers finish second, they will automatically ad- vance to the first round of the state playoffs on Nov. 2. If Central drops to third, it will host the Midwestern League’s sixth-place finish- er in the play-in round scheduled on or before Saturday. A win against Woodburn clinches the second seed. A loss and the Panthers could drop to third. FOOTBALL DROPS GAME TO SILVERTON: Central’s foot- ball team lost to Silverton 28- 25 on Friday. LUKAS EGGEN/ Itemizer-Observer Central’s Evan Hoover and Dallas’ Josh Dudley fight for a loose ball on Oct. 18. Peter Mendazona threw for 256 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Peter Mason had three catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns, while Jackson Holstad had six catches for 34 yards and a touchdown. A.J. Morales carried the ball 12 times for 57 yards and a touch- down. Will Cable and Jesse Cable recorded nine tackles each to lead the defense. Mar- lon Tuipulotu had eight tack- les and two sacks. The Panthers (4-4 overall, 3- 2 MWC) play at Corvallis to close out the regular season. Central entered the week in fourth place in the league standings. GIRLS SOCCER FALLS: Cen- tral’s girls soccer team lost to Dallas 7-0 on Oct. 18 before falling to Corvallis 9-0 on Thursday. The Panthers (1-10-1 overall, 0-6 MWC) played Woodburn Tuesday after press time in the team’s final match of the season. DHS: Cross looks to contend for conference title Continued from Page 14A Dallas hopes to make a serious run at qualifying for state as a team. At the Dragons’ home meet on Oct. 19, Ryan Bibler (17:30.1), Kenny Sutton (17:35.0) and Gavin Grass (17:37.2) all cracked the 18- minute mark for the first time this season. “We’re going in with the mentality that we’re stronger if we run as a pack,” Bibler said. The battle for third in the team standings will likely be hotly contested, but Dallas enters with cautious opti- mism. “I think it’s going to be a good race,” Sutton said. “What happens will happen, I just want to run the best race I can and place the best I can for my team.” In a hypothetical race based on each runner’s sea- son-best time, Dallas ranks seventh out of eight teams. “We’re in striking dis- tance,” Lankheet said. “… You have to develop an ap- petite for feeling really un- comfortable to enjoy this sport. They understand that and aren’t afraid of that any- more. We can test their lim- its. Before they were holding back and thinking, I don’t want to die. Now they’re not afraid to die.” The boys know they will be in a battle if they want to WESTERN OREGON ROUNDUP Football’s rally falls short Itemizer-Observer staff report MONMOUTH — Western Oregon’s football team fell just short on Homecoming day against Humboldt State on Saturday. The Wolves trailed 42-14 entering the fourth quarter after the Lumberjacks outscored WOU 35-7 in the third quarter. Quarterback Phillip Fen- umiai threw for 122 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and a 19- yard touchdown catch from Javontae Perry with 38 sec- onds left brought WOU to within two. Humboldt State recovered the ensuing on- side kick to preserve the vic- tory. Western Oregon (2-4 overall, 3-5 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) has a bye week before returning to the gridiron to play at Azusa Pacific on Nov. 5. MEN’S XC PLACES FOURTH: Western Oregon’s men’s cross-country team placed fourth at the GNAC Championships Saturday at Bellingham, Wash. Junior David Ribich took fifth overall, finishing the 8,000-meter race in 25 min- utes, 23.04 seconds. Sopho- more Dustin Nading took 10th in 25:40.70 as both runners earned all-conference honors. The women’s squad finished ninth in the team standings. Kennedy Rufener placed 16th overall, finishing the 6,000- meter race in 11:41.30. WOU will compete at the NCAA Division II West Regional Championships in Billings, Mont. on Nov. 5. VOLLEYBALL WINS TWO: Western Oregon’s volleyball team defeated Saint Martin’s 25-19, 25-22, 19-25, 25-17 on Thursday and Seattle Pacific 25-19, 25-18, 20-25, 25-22 on Saturday. Sophomore outside hitter Mariella Vandenkooy had a career-high 16 kills against the Saints to lead the Wolves, while senior Christie Colasurdo recorded 24 digs. Junior Alisha Bettinson had 15 kills and 12 digs against Seattle Pacific. Western Oregon (8-11 over- all, 5-7 GNAC) plays at Western Washington on Thursday and at Simon Fraser on Saturday. SOCCER LOSES TO SIMON FRASER: Western Oregon’s women’s soccer team lost to Simon Fraser 1-0 on Saturday. The Clan scored the match’s lone goal on a shot from Emma Pringle. WOU (4-10-1 overall, 1-8-1 GNAC) played Saint Martin’s Tuesday after press time. The Wolves close out the regular season on Thursday when WOU hosts Seattle Pacific at 3 p.m. FALLS CITY ROUNDUP Football to face Yoncalla again Itemizer-Observer staff report YONCALLA — Falls City’s football team defeated Yon- calla 66-6 on Friday. Coach Laric Cook knows the matchup that really matters is this Friday, when the teams face again in the league playoff at Panther Stadium at 7 p.m. “We talked about how we can’t be overconfident,” Cook said. “They’re going to have a little feel for us and we have a little feel for them. We have to tear them down brick-by-brick.” The winner advances to the 1A state playoffs. The loser stays home. “In the past, we’ve been the underdog,” Cook said. “Now we’re the two seed. I told them to embrace it and go out there and play better than what we did last week and we’ll let the chips fall where they may.” VOLLEYBALL FALLS IN LEAGUE TOURNAMENT: Falls City’s volleyball team lost to Jewell 21-25, 25-17, 24-26, 25- 18, 15-7 in the Casco League tournament on Saturday. “The district tournament was a really great experience for our young team,” coach Roxi Barnhart said. “Our lone senior, Anna Lammers, was a strong, positive leader and kept her teammates calm.” PREP FOOTBALL State playoff bert at stake for Pirates Itemizer-Observer staff report PERRYDALE — After a 62-22 loss to Sherman on Friday, Perrydale’s football team enters its final regular season game at Arlington tied for third place in Spe- cial District 4 with 3-2 mark in league play. The top three teams from the league advance to state. “I try to make every game important,” coach Duane Riddell said. “We will ap- proach it as we’re going to prepare the best we can and play the best we can.” Despite the loss to Sher- man, Riddell said there were positive signs, includ- ing solid games from quar- terback Daniel Domes, run- ning back Cooper Butler and center Colton Moore, Riddell said. “We took away that there are things we need to be more consistent in,” Riddell said. “... Sometimes i think we dwell on the mistakes and successes a little too long and we have to re- member to move on ot the next play.” With a win-or-go home game ahead of them, Rid- dell said Perrydale will be ready for a stiff challenge from Arlington on Friday. “I think they’re a compet- itive team and we have to really prepare for them and take them seriously,” Rid- dell said. qualify for state as a team, but they know anything can happen. “Our boys, if we run really well and get some things in our favor, we have a shot,” Lankheet said. The girls hope for a strong showing as well. “I hope to see everyone on my team pushing them- selves to do their best,” Bekah Rocak said. The girls face a tall order to move up spots in the team standings, and Lankheet is excited to see them compete. “They’re working hard and have personal goals on where they want to finish,” Lankheet said. Dallas: DHS to hit the road for play-in Continued from Page 14A The loser finishes in sixth place and will take on the Midwestern League’s third- place team in the play-in round. Play-in matches will take place on or before Saturday. The Dragons will spend some of the week practicing on turf, in case they face an opponent with a turf field. Dallas should receive a boost with Olivia Dalke, Katie Senger and Kloe Tot- ten, all starters, set to return from injuries prior to the play-in round. The first round of the state playoffs begins on Tuesday. Boys soccer: Dallas’ boys soc- cer team fell to Central 3-1 on Oct. 18 before losing to Wood- burn 10-0 on Thursday. The Dragons (1-11-1 overall, 0-5-1 MWC) played South Albany Tuesday after press time in the team’s final match of the season. Krug: Also worked at Silverton High Continued from Page 14A There’s more to recovery than simply giving someone rehabilitation. A key part is learning how best to communicate with an athlete, Krug said. That’s where a sports background is advantageous. “I think that it really is beneficial,” Krug said. “I can relate to an athlete. They know my best interest is for them. I want to get them back out there. Sometimes, the best way to do that is to take some rest.” Krug has been pleasantly surprised with the Dallas community’s support in working toward the benefit of the athletes. “I’ve been really im- pressed,” she said. “Every- one enjoys working together and they want the best for the athlete.” Krug is grateful for the ca- reer advice she received in college. And for as difficult as telling an athlete they can’t play right now can be, see- ing that athlete come back from an injury is a reminder of why she does what she does. “When an athlete who has been injured finally re- turns to play, you can just see the excitement on those kids’ faces,” Krug said. “Knowing how hard they worked to get back out there, that is awesome. I love that part.” Dallas volleyball ends year Itemizer-Observer staff report DALLAS — Dallas’ volley- ball team closed out its sea- son with a split. The Dragons defeated Woodburn 25-16, 25-16, 11-25, 25-13 on Oct. 18 before falling to South Al- bany 25-16, 25-22, 25-23 on Thursday. Dallas finished with a record 5-14 overall, 3- 11 Mid-Willamette Confer- ence, good for seventh place.
