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KICKOFF'15

an esa oun ov e r or seasont t's a season marked by

change, for us at TheObserver and the Baker CityHerald, the governing bodyof Oregon high schools andmany of our Union, Wallowaand Baker county schools.

First, let's start with thetweaks by the Oregon SchoolActivities Association. Themain differences centeraround player safety atpractice. Teams were notallowed more than eight daysof practice with protectivefootball equipment within a10-day span before July 26,when restrictions on protective equipment goes intoeffect until Aug. 16.

At the beginning of those10 days, every participantwas required to have threedays ofhelmet/shoulder padpractice with limited personto-person contact, with afive-day period without anyrestriction regarding contact.

When practice started Aug.17 for all teams, the first twodays featured helmet-onlypractices. On the third day,helmets and shoulder padswere allowed, and the fourthday switched to full protective equipment. On the firsttwo multiple-practice sessiondays, there must be a teaching session where practiceintensity and duration arescaled down.

Only one practice sessionon any multiple practicesession days may contain fullcontact, and multiple practicesessions are not allowed onconsecutive days at any timeduring the season.

Starting in week three ofthe regular season, teams are

KICKOFF'15 MONDAY,

restricted to a maximum of90 minutes of full contact perweek which can be extendedover three practice sessions.There is a limit of one hour ofweight training before and/or after practice on a singlepractice session day. Playersmay only attend one weighttraining session on a singlepractice day.

As far as the actual teamsgo, a slew of area programshave new leaders. La Grandehas Harold Shannon as itsnew leader, and DustanAdams takes over for Imbler.Joseph's man in charge willnow be Toby Koehn, whilePowder Valley's Riley Martinmoves into his new role ashead coach.

It always has to be toughfor high school kids to adaptto fresh voices if they'vegrown accustomed to the oldhead coaches. But all fourseem like committed footballmen that are invested in theircommunities, which will be abig boost for the players in thetransition. And sometimes, anew perspective can energizea group of players. It will beexciting to see the impactsthat all four have on theirrespective squads.

That brings us to us. Thisyear, myself and sportswriterRonald Bond and the BakerCity Herald's Gerry Steele,with the enormous help ofevery department at Th e Observer from advertising andprinting press to our editor,

AUGUST 31, 2015

JQSH BENHAM

BENHAM'S' BENCH

season.

photographers and reporters,have undertaken somethingsimilar but also different this

In an effort to continue tostrive to bring coverage of thesports our readers find mostimportant in their lives, we'relaunching our"Kickoff 2015"for the second straight fall.Every prep team in Union,Wallowa and Baker Counties, plus Eastern OregonUniversity, has a preview ontheir 2015 season. The pagesfeature respective teams' topreturners, their outlook forthe season, who is poised totake the next step, and theirkeys for making a playoff run.Gerry, Ronald and myself alsoput together features on ahandful of players that shouldappeal to our readers.

What's really exciting is thatwe tailored our preview coversto match up with the countieswhere they are being delivered. For Union County, it'sLa Grande's Ray Jimenez. InWallowa County, readers aretreated to a cover of Koby Fryefiom Wallowa. Baker Countyresidents get to see KalaniHeiser on the cover.It's an idea that started as

a pipe dream, as we thoughtit'd be a great way to givea personal feel to everyone.The logistics seemed a littledaunting, but through thededication ofliterally everyone at this newspaper, it wasable to come to fruition.

We're extremely excited tobring this to you. It's takensome hard work, but it'ssomething we're proud toshow ofK We hope you enjoy it,as well. Let the games begin.

LA GRANDE TIGERSRunning back Ray Jimenez and the Tigers look to take thenext step. Pages 6-7Tigers look to use 2014 success as a springboard. Page 8BAKER CITY BULLDOGSExperienced offensive line is the cornerstone of a highpowered attack. Pages 10-11Veteran Bulldogs head coach foresees a resurgentyearwith a slew of returners. Page 12ELGIN HUSKIESSenior quarterback Gage Little back from basketball injury.Pages 14-15Huskies have big goals for 2015. Page16IMBLER HUSKIESNew head coach, but same goals in mind for storiedPanthers' program. Page 18UNION/COVE WILDCATSW ildcats enter second season as a co-op and hope thatsecond go-around is even better than the first. Page 20ENTERPRISE OUTLAWSYoung Outlaws are optimistic and hope to rebound from adifficult 2014 campaign. Page 22PINE EAGLE SPARTANSAfter making it to last season's playoffs, the Spartans lookfor bigger and better things with core returning. Page 24WALLOWA COUGARSQuarterback Koby Frye, running back Chandler Burnsheadline returners for Wallowa. Pages 26-27Expectation are high after Cougars saw a resurgence in2014. Page 28JOSEPH EAGLESNew head coachToby Koehn hopes to get Eagles excitedabout football again. Page 30HARPER/HUNTINGTON LOCONETSLocoNets are down in numbers but high on talent in thebackfield. Page 32POWDER VALLEY BADGERSAfter a disappointing 2014, the Badgers aim for more winswith skilled talent back all over the field. Page 34PRAIRIE CITY/BURNT RIVER BULLSAfter failing to field a varsity program last fall, Prairie Cityand Burnt River have formed a co-op for 2015. Page 36EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY MOUNTAINEERSSenior running back Jace Billingsley is poised to lead teamto promised land in his final season. Pages 44-45With a snub at the end of 2014, Mounties focused on notrepeating last year's mistakes. Page 46

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE OBSERVER rr BAKER CITY HERALD — 3

KICKOFF'15

BVTHE NUMBERS'QQ The number of yards and touchdowns,~~ r espectively, that will be missing from La

Grande's offense with the graduation of quarterback Brandon Dall.

2

The number of seasons La Grande had gone without winning aconference title before the Tigers ended the skid in 2014 when they

• The sportswriters for The Observer and theBaker City Herald answer the big questions won a share of the Greater Oregon League regular season crown.

The number of wins Wallowa had from 2012-2013 before winningseven contests last season and making it all the way to the Class 1A

4A: Gladstone,Phoenix, North Bend.2A: Burns, Knappa,Heppner. 1A: Adrian,Sherman, Wallowa.

Josh Benham

Don't blame me if Ijinx your team, Wallowa,but I see the Cougarspulling off anupset.

Baker. It'll come downto La Grande and Baker,but my head says theBulldogs' experienceprevails.

4A: Scappoose,Mazama, North Bend,Cascade. 2A: Heppner,Knappa, Burns. 1A: Dufur,Lowell, Adrian, Wallowa.

Crane and Wallowahave the best chance.Both return key players,while Adrian lost a lot.

La Grande. The weakareas will be shored upby the GOL opener, andthe playmakers will carrytheTigers to the title.

Ronald Bond

• • I . •

4A: Baker, Cascade,North Bend, Gladstone,Scappoose. 2A: Heppner. 1A:Adrian, Dufur,Perrydale, Lowell.

No. Pine Eagle andCrane probably have thebest chance, butAdrianstill is the favorite.

Baker. The Bulldogsreturn just about everybody from last yearand don't appear tohave any weaknesses.

Gerry Steele

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quarterfinals.

to the state playoffs 11 times.

~~ vi c tories in 2014.

g The number of rushing touchdowns that Imbler will have toii replace with the graduation of star running back Joe Griffin.

The number of Greater Oregon League titles Baker has won orshared with Dave Johnson as coach.

QQ $'QThe margin of defeat in the two losses UniorVCove~ suffered to Burns last season. They were the only losses

Q'Q The margin of victory for Union/Cove in its eight

Q $$ Baker coach Dave Johnson has coached the Bulldogs13~ • • seasons entering this year. The Bulldogs have advanced

for the Wildcats all year.

The number of games in which Elgin broke the 50-point mark lastseason.

Powder Valley. TheBadgers will be muchimproved with all theskill returning.

Enterprise. The Outlawshave a blend of leadership and youth, and willcontend for the playoffs.

Harper/Huntington. TheLocoNets return key players and could surpriseteams in their district. 3 I The number of players on Class 2A Enterprise's

~ 2014varsity roster, according to the OSAA website,compared to the number on 4A La Grande's 2014 varsity roster.

Imbler vs. Heppner atEOU. I'm looking forwardto the Panthers againstthe 20142A runner-ups.

Ontario at La Grande.The regular seasonfinale will have leagueand playoff implications.

4 — THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

La Grande at Baker.The GOL title could beriding on that rivalrygame. DeLury (457, 6) combined for in the Badgers' 52-48 win last season.

Q The number of yards and touchdowns Powderi Va lley's Seth Dixon (510, 6) and Joseph's Cayden

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THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 5KICKOFF'15 MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015

Ray Jimenez,Running Back

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6 — THE OBSERVER rr BAKER CITY HERALD MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015 KICKOFF'15

KICKOFF'15

Running back Ray Jimenez and theTigers look to take the next step after

last year's Greater Oregon League titleBy RONALD BOND IWesCom News Service

etting to face state runner up N-orth Bend I

Oregon Coast Technology in last year's Class

4A playoffs brought a dose of reality to the

The team's 5-4 record was the bestin nearly a decade, and La Grandewon a share of the Greater OregonLeague title for the first time sincealso sharing it in 2006.

But much more is needed forthe program to reach a level ofconsistency.

La Grande's last outright GOL titlewas in 2005, which is also the sameyear as the last La Grande playofFvictory. At the time the Tigers — andthe GOL — were in the 3A classification, a year before the Oregon SchoolActivities Association expanded to thecurrent six-class system.

Success has beenscant in recentyears and is nothelped by the constant changing ofhead coaches.

In order for theTigers to build onthe foundation of2014 and not let itcrumble, team leaders — which moreoften than not its seniors — are lookedat to set the bar.

Recognizing that, Jimenez, whowill likely play an even bigger role inLa Grande's offense, is taking hisgame up a notch.

"I'm going to work harder than I didthe previous years," he said.

Head coach Harold Shannonwants to use Jimenez as more of afixture in the offense, but that possibility, not to mention the team'schances, likely rest on how well theTigers replace four starting offensivelinemen.

''We would like to use him in a more

prominent role, but I'm not sure howthat's going to work with an inexperienced offensive line," he said.

If the line does gel, however,Jimenez and his big-play abilityhave potential to bring balance to theoffense.

Bursts ofhis talent were shown lastseason, including when he scored ona kickoff return in the season opener

against Nyssa, and when he strippedthe ball from a player and scoredagainst Weiser.

But the best performance fromJimenez, who considers himself a runner with a slashing style rather thana power back, may have been againstBaker. He scored two touchdowns— one on a 23-yard scamper and asecond on a 77-yard screen pass — inthe Tigers' 37-24 win.

Jimenez knows, however, what heneeds to do to im prove. He said one ofthe topics he wants to address individually this season is ball security.

"iMyl personal goal is to not fumble

"The team goal is to make it tothe playoffs again. That would benice (and) to do a little bit betterthan last year, hopefully."

as much as last year," he said.Jimenez is already considered

one of the hardest workers on theteam and a player many others seekto emulate because ofhis ethic andapproach.

"Everybody looks at Ray," Shannonsaid."Everybody looks up to Ray. Heleads by example. He's one of our bestworkers out here, iandl he's one of thetoughest kids we have.

"They use him as their example.He's easy to build around becausethey respect what he does."

Jimenez isn't alone at the top. Whilethe Tigers did graduate close to halftheir team, there is talent, experienceand leadership in many areas.

If all those pieces fit well, the Tigers— and Jimenez — should meet theirgoal of continuing to move the program forward.

"The team goal is to make it to theplayoffs again," Jimenez said.'Thatwould be nice iandl to do a little bitbetter than last year, hopefully."

THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 7

La Grande football team

Ray Jimenez, one ofseveral returnersfrom the

2014 squad, said he now knows what building

consistency at La Grande is going to take — especially

if the Tigers want to become a playoffcontender and

notjust an attendee.

"(We) have to work a lot harder than we did last

year, that'sfor sure,"the senior running back said of

what he learned from the Tigers'season ending

71-22 loss to the Bulldogs 'We realized .there's a lot ofcompetition."

The 2014 season was indeed a success as the

Tigers laid the foundation for a program turnaround

Ray Jimenez, La Grande running back

KICKOFF'15 MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015

KICKOFF'15

4A GREATER OR E G O N LEA G U E

THE CORNERSTONES

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ENROLLMENT: 531COACH: Harold Shannon (first season)2014 RECORD: 5-4 overall, 2-1 GOLTALE OF 2014: The Tigers posted theirbest record in almost a decade and won ashare of the GOL crown. La Grande posted

wins against Baker and Mac-Hi in leagueplay while dropping an overtime thrilleragainst Ontario. The season ended with a71-22 loss to North Bend in the playoffs.LAST LEAGUETITLE: 2014 (GOLshared)LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 2014

Jimenez I. Cranford Pea sleyRB/LB WR/ L B QB/S

THE FOUNDATION "I'mtrying reallyhardto make sure that theyknowwhere I'mheaded,because if theybuy into

what I want (them) to, I thinkthat's goingto make it very easyto be on the same page."NAME POS. HT./WT. YR.C onnor Brandt OUDL 6 -0/245 Jr .Z ack Jacobs W R/ S 5- 9 /175 Jr .S pencer Case OULB 6 - 1/190 Jr . Harold Shannon, Tigers head coach

• •THE ADDITIONSNAME POS. HT./WT. YR.D arren Ross RB/LB 6- 1/185 S r .B obby Askins OUDL 5 -10/175 J r .Cade Reed W R/DB 5- 6 '140 So .

DATE OPPONENT TIMESept. 4 at Nyssa 6 p.m.S ept. 11 at Weiser (Idaho) 6 p. m .Sept. 18 v s . Pendleton 7 p.m.Sept. 25 vs. Bonners Ferry (Idaho)' 6 p.m.Oct. 2 at T h e Dalles 7 p.m.Oct. 9 vs. McLoughlin'Griswold" 7 p.m.Oct.16 at Ba ker" 7 p.m.Oct. 23 vs. Ontario" 7 p.m.'Game at Ritzville, Washington"Greater Oregon League game

CAN'T-MISS GAME

SCHEDULE

OCT. 23: ONTARIOAT LA GRANDEOntario posted a 40-34 comeback vic

tory last fall, which prevented La Grandefrom winning the GOL outright. Theseason finale will determine postseasonpositioning and, perhaps, the league title.

— Ronald Bond

NewTigers head coach Harold Shannon is hoping to use last fall's successas a stepping-off point to keep theLa Grande program moving forward.

And although the reigning GreaterOregon League co-champions lostnearly half of the 2014 team tograduation, they do have veterans inessential positions returning who canhelp provide needed leadership forthe young up-and-coming talent.

"I think they're excited. I think theylook around at the other playersand they go, 'There's some potentialhere,'" Shannon said. "I think theyunderstand that if they work hard,they can be a good football team."

Led by GOL Player of the YearBrandon Dall and a senior-ladenoffensive line, the Tigers won a shareof the league title for the first timesince 2006.

The front line will consist of mostlynew faces this fall, and sophomoreAndrew Peasley figures to step in toquarterback the spread offense.

But around those younger playersare seniors who got a taste of playoff

football last season, including receivers Alec and Isaiah Cranford andrunning back Ray Jimenez.

"We have kids that are going towork together and there's a lot morekids out this year, for sure," Peasleysaid. "I think we can have a good of

Sophomore Andrew Peasley steps in at quarterback for the Tigers.Peasley, who will replace Brandon Dall, scored in each game lastyear.

fense and a pretty solid defense."Team cohesiveness — both of

fensively and defensively — will be afocal point for Shannon, and a necessity if La Grande is indeed to build offof last year's success.

Ronald BondNVescom News Sennce

— Ronald Bond

MQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 KICKOFF'158 — THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

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Will Goodwin,Lineman

1 0 — THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015 KICKOFF'15

KICKOFF'15Most are entering their fourth sea

son on the team.And, the majority of the same play

ers anchor the defensive line as well.'The kids have had a great summer.

The kids are excited and have highexpectations," said Baker coach DaveJohnson.'They've had a great ninemonths and have been serious in theweight room. They're thicker, stronger.That's their commitment."

Heiser and Trevor Ball, bothseniors, lead the returning players asfirst team all-Greater Oregon Leagueselections &om last season, followinga 3-6 season, a 2-1markin the GOL, ashare of the GOL title with La Grandeand Ontario and aloss to Molalla inthe Class 4A state

Talented Baker offensive line hopes topave the way to a GOL championship

By GERRY STEELE IWesCom News Service

Wright said the fact that they haveplayed together for so long is a definiteplus.

''We've just always clicked really

well," he said.Heiser said all-GOL running back

Porter Cline trusts his front line tomake the plays.

"He trusts us with his life," Heisersaid."Last year we ran for between200 and 300 yards a game. We'd liketo do at least as well this season."

Pogue said most of the current linehas gone through the ranks. Now, theytry to teach the younger linemen tocontinue the trend.

"It goes back to how well you were

"It's a brotherhood,"saidjunior Tristian Pogue. '%e

work for the guy next to us We s.tick together We can.work together because we know what's on each other's

minds."

The Bulldogs are gearing up not only for a run at

the Greater Oregon League title but possibly the Class

4A title as well.'%e think about it a lot,"said senior Kalani Heiser

of the possible 4A crown "This is .my last season, andI'd like nothing better than to win the championship"

Baker lostjust one starterfrom lastyear's offensive

line, and have filled any holes that might have poppedup All of the cu.rrent group has played at least two

seasons of varsity ball

ll for one and one for all

No, it's not the Three Musketeers. It's theBaker football team's offensive line

are joined by fellow

ton, a second-teamGOLpick,andNate fO glVe Ollr maXlmllm.

pleyingeme. The "Coach (Dave Johnson) tells us

49 ]8 ' ' Bak we can only give 1 00 percent. It'st ndth Bdld g ' nof possible fo gjye more fhan

HeiserandBall fhaf ggt lf yog dO yogr jOb q00percent is achievable. We all try

Wright, Will Good Tristian Pogue, Baker linemanwln and ]unlorsSam Bootsma andPogue.

"Goodwin's made an amazing trans- coached, and how well you learned,"formation &om his younger years," he s a id.'The younger guys help thesaid Johnson."He's looked impres ones above them. We all hope theysive." take the ticket."

Having a unit that's played as many W r i ght said because the offensivegames together as the Baker offensive l ine has experienced success as aline, means that each person knows gro up, they are listened to by otherswhat the other is thinking, and, more on the team.importantly, what the others are going "Because of our success, a lot ofto do in pressure situations. people listen to what we have to say,"

''We're basically one mind, one Wright said.heart, one soul," said Bootsma. The players chuckled when talking

Denton said the members of the about Johnson telling them he doesn'tline are just a close group of fiiends bel i eve it when people say they shouldand that closeness translates between be giving more than 100 percent.the white lines on Fridays in the fall. "Coach tells us we can only give 100

''We work well together. We just perc ent. It's not possible to give moreseem to click," Denton said.'We pretty t han that," Pogue said."But if you domuch all played together since we your job, 100 percent is achievable. Wewere sophomores." all try to give our maximum."

THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 1 1KICKOFF'15 MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015

KICKOFF'15

4A GREATER OR E G O N LEA G U E

THE CORNERSTONES

ClineRB/DB

ENROLLMENT: 431COACH: Dave Johnson (13th season)2014 RECORD: 3-6 overall, 2-1 GOLTALE OF 2014: Baker finished last season3-6 after losing 49-18 to Molalla in its Class4A play-in game. The Bulldogs finished the

GOL season in a three-way tie for first withOntario and La Grande at 2-1.LAST LEAGUETITLE: 2014 (GOLshared)LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 2012(OSAA doesn't recognize play-in games asa postseason appearance.)

Heiser Plum l eyO UDL RB/L B

THE FOUNDATION"We'll have speed, and there's a strong chemistry with this group. It's a lot likeNAME POS. HT./WT. YR.

Sam Hamilton QB/DB 5-11/160 So.B randon Stairs WR/DB 6-0/170 S r .B rad Zemmer QB/DB 6 -0/165 J r .T revor Ball OUD L 5-9 /175 S r .C ody Denton OUDL 6- 3/210 S r .T ristian Pogue OUDL 6 - 1/195 J r .S am Bootsma OUDL 5 - 9/195 J r .N ate Wright O U D L 5 -10/185 S r .W ill Goodwin OUDL 6- 1/260 S r .

• •

Dave Johnson, Bulldogs head coach

it's been other years when we've had success."

DATE OPPONENT TIMESept.4 at Ri dgeview 7 p.m.Sept. 11 vs. Payette (Idaho) 7 p . m.Sept. 18 v s . Redmond 7 p.m.Sept. 25 vs. Vale 7 p.m.Oct. 2 at Nyssa 6 p.m.Oct. 9 at On tario' 6 p.m.Oct.16 vs. La Grande' 7 p.m.Oct. 23 at McLoughlin/Griswold' 7 p.m.'Greater Oregon League game

CAN'T-MISS GAMEOCT. 9: BAKER AT ONTARIO

Head coach Dave Johnson sees Ontarioas Baker's main challenger in the GOL. Hedid add, however, "you can't stub your toeagainst anybody."The Bulldogs defeatedOntario in the 2014 regular season finale,42-35, so with the contest in Ontario thisseason, expect another similar dogfight inwhat could be a pivotal league game.

SCHEDULE

— Gerry Steele

Baker football coach Dave Johnsonsmiles widely when talking aboutthis year's Baker team.

"We have no major questions atthis point," Johnson said. "We have alot of depth. This team reminds me alot of the 2010 team."

That team won the Class 4A statechampionship.

"We have 19 guys returning witha lot of varsity experience," Johnsonsald.

Last year, the Bulldogs finishedin a three-way tie for the GreaterOregon League title. Baker earnedthe league's No. 2 state berth after atie-breaker.

Baker returns a quartet of firstteam all-GOL players on offense.

Running backs Porter Cline andMarcus Plumley and linemen KalaniHeiser andTrevor Ball are amongthe top returnees.

Johnson said he may have anadded twist to the offense at quarterback.

Last year's starter, sophomoreSam Hamilton, may share the du

The Bulldogs have 19 returning varsity players as they look tobounce back from a 3-6 season.

ties with junior Brad Zemmer.Zemmer stepped in last season

when Hamilton was injured.The Baker coach said the

Bulldogs' defense will be led by astrong group of linebackers.Plumley, Ryan Schwin, Sam

Bootsma and Brandon Stairs leadthat group.

Johnson looks for Ontario to "beits usual self." He sees La Grandeand Mac-Hi as being in transitionyears.

S. John CollinsNVescom News Sennce

— Gerry Steele

MQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 KICKOFF'151 2 — THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

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Gage Little,Quarterback

1 4 — THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015 KICKOFF'15

KICKOFF'15

DD

smaller high schools.

But for Elgin senior Gage Littlejust being able

to take the field with his mates is something he isn't

taking for granted

From his quarterback spot as ajunior, Little led the

Huskies to a 7-1 season during the program's second

year as a 2A independent team He pass.edfor 1,086

yards while rushing for 164yards, combining for 20

touchdowns His bigg.est games included throwing for

212yards and four touchdowns, with an additional

score on the ground, in a 56-16 win over Ione, and

another in which he had four total touchdowns and

195 passing yards in a 50-46 victory over Pine Eagle.

By JOSH BENHAM IWesCom News Service

Starting quarterback Gage Little is backfrom injury for final season at the helm

ost, ifnot all two year starters view starting

that third season at their position as a

formality That e.specially holds true at

But in the final game of the WapitiDistrict Tournament for the Elginbasketball team in February, he toreall the tendons in his right ankle.

He said after rehabbing the injury,it was about two and a half monthsuntil he was able to actually run on it.

'The toughest part for me was notbeing active after that," Little said."I really like to get out and do things,and being in crutches and a boot isn'treally what I would call fun. But really, you just have to count your blessings. At least I didn't break it."

But now, Little said he feels justabout back where he was prior to theinjury.

"I'm feeling prettygood right now,"he said."It's just ablessing to be back."

With a roster sizeof 16 players duringthe first week of

ill afford to lose sucha prominent starter.The coaching stafFis also thankful thattheir quarterback isback under center.

"Gage is a greathigh school footballplayer," assistantcoach Jeff Rysdam said."He'sstarter since he was a sophomhe's meant a lot to the progr

Rysdam said Little forms oneof the trio that he calls the"hesoul of the team." Fellow seniorsChristenson and Jaydon McKaother stalwarts for the Huskies.

'They're really a three-headmonster, and they're great rolefor our program," Rysdam said.they came in as wide-eyed freswe had to sort of throw themwolves, so to speak. But they'vetheir time and really bought in4ead coach) Brock iEcksteinlwere telling them."

The quarterback agreed witdam's comments about the trihe can depend on McKay or C

"We all have the same goal, to im

prove off of last year's record. Weall want to work hard and we're

practce Elgncould all out here for the same mission.I don't feel like (motivation) willbe a problem. None of us like tolose, so we're all out here to win."

been the 'We all have the same goal toore, and improve ofFoflast year's record," Little

am." said.'We all want to work hard, andpart we' r e all out here for the same mis

art and sio n . I don't feel like it will be problem.Gavin N o ne of us like to lose, so we're all out

y are the here to win."

ed footb all career after high school bymodels p l aying college ball. If that doesn't''When come to fruition, however, he still has

hmen, de s igns on getting his college educato the t ion . But for the present, all the focus

put in is on leaving a lasting impression onto what t h e Huskies' program.and I "I mean, it is really sad knowing

this will be our last year on this field,"h Rys- h e said."But you just have to soak ito, saying all up."hristen- And of course, count his blessings.

THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 1 5

son whenever he needs to, and viceversa. Those three will be counted onfor their leadership again.

Elgin enters its third consecutiveseason with no possibility of makingthe playofFs as it transitions to 8-manClass 1A football.

"It's kind of discouraging a little bit.Like last year, when you think abouthow we could be playing in a stateplayofF game right now," Little said."It'sjust the kind of stuff you have to facewhen you're in a rural area like this."

But just like last season, whenElgin won all but one of its games,motivation doesn't seem to be a hugeissue for the team.

Little has hopes of continuing his

Gage Little, Elgin quarterback


KICKOFF'15

2A INDEPENDENT

THE CORNERSTONES

LittleQB/DE

ChristensonWR/DB

ENROLLMENT: 101COACH: Brock Eckstein (fourth season)2014 RECORD: 7-1 overallTALE OF 2014: The Huskies em ployed ahigh-scoring offensive attack last season.They scored 42 points or more in each

of their seven victories and reached the50-point plateau in six contests. Elginended the season with a thrilling 52-46triumph over Condon/Wheeler.LAST LEAGUETITLE: 1981 (Wapiti-shared)LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 2008

McKayRB/LB

THE FOUNDATION"We're pretty excited for this season. We're keeping our goals in house, but we've got aNAME POS. HT./WT. YR.

C hance Weaver RB/LB 5-10/180 J r .D evan Packard OUDL 5-11/205 J r .S teven Sandgren OUDL 6-1/165 J r .T anner Owen RB/LB 6 - 0/165 Jr .Brandon Howes WR/DB 5-11/140 So.

Jeff Rysdam, Huskies assistant coach

lot of high expectations for the season."

• •

DATESept. 4Sept. 11Sept. 18Sept. 25Oct. 9Oct. 16Oct. 23Oct. 30

SCHEDULEOPPONENT TIME

a t Dayton (Wash.) 7 p . m.vs. Harper/Huntington 7 p.m.at Liberty Christian (Wash.) 7 p.m.

at Pine Eagle 7 p.m.Tekoa-Rosalia (Wash.) 7 p.m.

vs. Echo 7 p.m.a t Powder Valley 7 p. m .at Sherman County 6 p.m.

CAN'T-MISS GAME

With the team transitioning to 8-manClass 1A, assistant coach Jeff Rysdam saidhe and head coach Brock Eckstein wantedto see where they measured up with topteams. Well, look no further than the seasonfinale for the Huskies. Sherman County wasrunner-up in 1A last season.

NAME POS. HT./WT. YR.K ristion Owen RB/LB 5 -8/140 F r .l an Smith WR/ DB 5 -10/113 F r .C hris Hanson OUDL 5 -11/175 F r .

THE ADDITIONS

OCT. 30: ELGIN AT SHERMAN CO.

— Josh Benham

Even though Elgin isn't eligiblefor the postseason again this fall, itdoesn't mean they won't face a toplevel schedule.

"We want to get those playoffteams (from last year)," assistantcoach Jeff Rysdam said. "That's kindof why we stacked our schedule, tosee where we're at."

The Huskies are coming off a 7-1season and return a bunch of talenton both sides of the ball.

"We're pretty excited for thisseason," Rysdam said. "We're keeping our goals in house, but we'vegot a lot of high expectations for theseason."

Quarterback Gage Little, runningback/linebacker Jaydon McKay, whohad 915 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, and wide receiver GavinChristenson will be leaned on forquality senior leadership.

"We've been playing togethersince the seventh grade, so we havepretty good chemistry," McKay said.

The Huskies must replace linemenLevi Carper and BrandonTeem, plus

'imm. It~mr ' >

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tlserrslb

Elgin players collide as the team takes part in hitting drills during thefirst week of practice.

running back/linebacker JordanVermillion. But the seniors havealready been mentoring the underclassmen in early practices in hopesthat this season is even more successful than last year.

"I just want to come out here and

have fun my last year," Christenson,who had 945 receiving yards and 14total touchdowns, said. "I don't knowif I'll be able to play college, but I justwant to get my stats up and go outwith a bang as a team."

Cherise KaecheleNVescom News Sennce

— Josh Benham

MQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 KICKOFF'151 6 — THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

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KICKOFF'15

2A WAPITI LEAGUE

<PL ' 4aTHE CORNERSTONESI

KanohoWR/LB

ENROLLMENT: 106COACH: Dustan Adams (first season)2014 RECORD: 5-2 overall, 2-2WapitiTALE OF 2014: The move from Class 1A to2A went smoother than some might havethought, as the Panthers won five games

in the Wapiti League. But the losses cameto Burns, the eventual state champion, andUniorh'Cove, denying a playoff appearancefor Imbler.LAST LEAGUETITLE: 2013 (1A SD-4)LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 2013

McGilvray T v . TandyQ B/DB RB/L B

THE FOUNDATION"We've got a quality senior group. The freshmen group is eager to learn, and the reality ofNAME POS. HT./WT. YR.

Taylor Tandy OUDL 5 -11/220 S r .T yler Bales RB /LB 5 -11/200 S r .Jordan Teeter OUDL 6- 4/285 So .M att Ortmann WR/DB 5 -9/145 S r .

it is some them probably will probably contribute. That's just the nature of it."Dustan Adams, Panthers head coach

• •

THE ADDITIONS

SCHEDULEDATE OPPONENTSept. 4 vs. Heppner (EOU)Sept. 11 vs. Weston-McEwenSept. 19 vs . Toledo"Sept. 25 at S tanfieldOct. 2 vs. Burns'Oct. 9 vs. Union/Cove'Oct. 23 at Enterprise'Oct. 30 a t Grant Union''Wapiti League game" Game played in Wilsonville

CAN'T-MISS GAMEOCT. 9: UNION/COVE AT IMBLER

Quarterback Brandon McGilvray said he'slooking forward to playing theWildcats afterthe close 22-20 loss last season. Adams echoedthose comments, citing the fact the game camedown to two-pointconversions — Union/Coveconverted two while Imbler had one.

NAME POS. HT./WT. YR.R yan Mullarkey WR/DB 6-0/155 J r .Hunter Teem RB/LB 5 - 9/160 So.K evin Bullock OUDL 5- 8/195 S r .

— Josh Benham

TIME7 p.m.3 p.m.

1:30 p.m.7 p.m.2 p.m.2 p.m.7 p.m.7 p.m.

Having a new head coach inDustan Adams doesn't mean Imbler'sambitions have changed.

"The goal is to come in as a groupand play as a team, hopefully winsome games and make the playoffs,"senior Tyler Tandy said.

The Panthers bring backtwo offensive players who started all sevengames last season — left tackle TaylorTandy, and right tackle Jordan Teeter.Defensively, Imbler has more experience with five starters returning: TaylorTandy (defensive tackle),Tyler Tandy(outside linebacker),Anu Kanoho (linebacker), Brandon McGilvray (safety)andTeeter (nose tackle). Tyler Balesstarted the final three games of theseason at defensive end.

"Of our eight seniors that we hadlast year, seven of them started," Adams said. "Sixteen of our 28 kids arenew to the program, and 13 are freshmen. So there's quite a bit of change."

Adams anticipates McGilvray,the expected quarterback, providingquality leadership. McGilvray saidthe seniors are stepping up in that

Imbler players go through conditioning drills during the first week ofpractice at the high school.

regard, as well."The seniors definitely seemed to be

focused," he said."We're replacing someplayers, but we've also got some newkids that will come in and help us."

The main loss is running back JoeGriffin. Tyler Tandy will fill that role,and Adams sees him as a capablereplacement.

"Tyler is a talented kid. It just sohappens he's been behind Joe for thelast three years," Adams said. "Hewaited his turn, and now he's got hisopportunity this year."

Adams views Burns and UniorVCove as the Panthers' toughest opponents in theWapiti League.

Josh BenhamNVescom News Sennce

— Josh Benham

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015 KICKOFF'151 8 — THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

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KICKOFF'15

2A WAPITI LEAGUE

THE CORNERSTONES

WittyFB

THE FOUNDATION

ENROLLMENT: 191 (combined)COACH: Jon Reynolds (fifth season)2014 RECORD: 8-2 overall, 3-1 WapitiTALE OF 2014: The Wildcats had a greatyear during the first season of their co-op,winning eight of10 games en route to

Sheehy Sca nt lingOL WR

a second-place Wapiti finish. But bothlosses were big losses to eventual statechampion Burns, with the second onecoming in the playoffs.LAST LEAGUETITLE: 2010 (Cove,1A SD-4)LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 2014

"With the returners we have and as well as we played last year, I foresee us up there

(in the Wapiti League), ready to knock on the door and go to the playoffs again."NAME POS. HT./WT. YR.C hase Houck OL 6-3/ 205 Sr .C ecil Defries OL 5-7/ 175 Sr .B rody Norton RB 5-1 0/175 S r .C ooper Huntington OL 6- 2/220 S r .M att Kromwall RB 5-10/165 J r .

Jon Reynolds,Wildcats head coach

• •

NAME POS. HT./WT. YR.Q uinn Evans QB 5-1 1/165 J r .Cole Baxter R B 5-10/170 J r .B ryson Stitzel QB 6-0 / 170 S o .

DATE OPPONENT TIMESept. 4 vs. Umatilla (Union) 7 p .m.Sept. 11 at R iverside 7 p.m.Sept.18 vs. Pilot Rock(Cove) 7 p .m.Sept. 25 at I r r igon 7 p.m.Oct. 9 at Imbler' 2 p.m.Oct.16 vs. Grant Union'(Cove) 7 p.m.Oct. 23 at Bu rns' 7 p.m.Oct. 30 vs. Enterprise (Cove)' 6 p .m.'Wapiti League game

THE ADDITIONS

CAN'T-MISS GAME

SCHEDULE

OCT. 23: UNION/COVE AT BURNSI'm tempted to say the Imbler matchup,

with the proximity of the teams. But eachplayer I spoke with talked about getting ashot at reigning state champ Burns. Theyall knew it'll be a tough game, but it's always fun to measure up to a team like that.

— Josh Benham

The first year of Union/Cove playing together was a hit. The team ishoping the encore is even sweeter.

"Since we're so close in towns,we grew up playing together," seniorChase Houck said. "We grew closerfrom lastyear, and it's just kept going."

TheWildcats made it to the playoffsbefore losing to eventual state champion Burns in 2014. Gone are starterslike Derrick Murchison, J.D. Graves andTayton Duby, and senior Aaron Clark isout for the season with an injury.

"We did lose some talent, but westill have a lot of the same guys coming back," senior Brooke Scantlingsaid. "We have really good teamchemistry, so I feel like we can justbuild on that."

A major asset is the offensive line andthe wealth of experience that returns.

"Playing since Pee-Wee together,we have a chemistry and we all knowhow we play and practice," junior ColinSheehy said of the line.While head coach Jon Reynolds

certainly wouldn't characterize it asa weakness, the team will have new

aalNsas aa

Union/Cove running back Cole Baxter looks for running room duringthe first week of practice in Union.

faces at quarterback and runningback, to name a couple positions.Finding the right mix of newcomersand returners, such as fullback ChadWitty, will be a challenge.

"Right now, it's about figuring outa rotation," Reynolds said. "It's justfinding our groove and what offenseworks for us. We're trying to figure

®ir/'

out if we're going to be a smashmouth team, or if we're going to be amisdirection team."

Reynolds said Burns and Imbleroffer the most resistance for theWapiti League crown, with Burns thefavorite until someone knocks themoff. He hopes it's his squad.

• ~a.~~ Q


— Josh Benham

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015 KICKOFF'1520 — THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

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KICKOFF'15

2A WAPITI LEAGUE

THE CORNERSTONES

MccaddenQB/LB

ENROLLMENT: 117COACH: Mike Rowley (fourth season)2014 RECORD: 1-7 overall, 1-3WapitiTALE OF 2014: The Outlaws struggledto find an offensive rhythm most of theseason, averaging just 7.1 points per game.

Enterprise was held to six points or lesssix times and shut out in three consecutivegames. The team's lone win came in a 14-6victory against Grant Union.LAST LEAGUETITLE: 2001 (Wapiti)LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 2012

E xon Rowle yR B/LB FB/L B

THE FOUNDATION"We're hoping this year that two or three people will step up, or even a lot of the otherNAME POS. HT./WT. YR.

A ndrew Curtis OUDL 6 - 5/330 S r .N athan Perren WR/CB 6-1/165 S r .W ade Isley TE/ L B 5 -11/200 J r .T rent Bales RB /LB 5 -10/170 J r .

(younger) kids. Once you do that, you're strong in a lot of other areas."Mike Rowley, Outlaws head coach

• •

THE ADDITIONSNAME POS. HT./WT. YR.M att McTee O UD L 6- 0 /195 Jr .TrentWalker WR/CB 5 - 9/145 So.

DATE OPPONENT TIMESept. 4 vs. Stanfield 7 p.m.Sept. 11 at I r r igon 7 p.m.Sept. 18 at Heppner 7 p.m.O ct. 2 at G rant Union' 7 p.m .Oct. 9 vs. Tri-City Prep (Wash.) 7 p.m.Oct. 16 vs. Burns' 6 p.m.Oct. 23 vs. Imbler' 7 p.m.Oct. 30 at Union/Cove (Cove)' 7 p .m.'Wapiti League game

CAN'T-MISS GAME

SCHEDULE

OCT. 23: IMBLERAT ENTERPRISEEnterprise's home finale is a key game for

both teams, as each will be halfway throughitsWapiti League schedule and possiblyjockeying for a playoff spot. Imbler won athome last season,46-0. So with the memories of the thumping the Panthers handeddown, the Outlaws will be out for revenge.

— Ronald Bond

The Enterprise football team isviewing the 2015 season with optimism as it looks to rebound from atough 2014 campaign.

Last season, the Outlaws struggledthrough a 1-7 season and ended bydropping their final four games. Thatcomes on the heels of a playoff berthin 2012 and falling one win short ofthe playoffs in 2013.

"Last year was really our onlyyear that we weren't in the hunt, andthat was very discouraging for thesekids," head coach Mike Rowley said.

Five seniors return from thatsquad to lead a young 2015 edition ofthe Outlaws, and the team approachis one that has Rowley and theplayers hopeful.

"We have a really good attitudethisyear," he said."Ithinkthere's alot of optimism on our team, and wehave some good leadership, which inthe end equates to a lot of effort."

Enterprise also has a wealth of upand-coming underclassmen amongthe 28 players taking the field this fall.

"That assures our future, for sure,"

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Will McCadden, right, and the rest of the Outlaws will look to improve offensively after scoring just 57 points last season.

Rowley said.Will McCadden, Justin Exon, Isaac

Rowley and Nathan Perren look tobe essential to what Coach Rowleyhopes will be an improved offense,while Andrew Curtis and transferstudent Matt McTee lookto anchoran offensive line that must replace

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standout Daniel Kohlhepp."We're definitely a team that can

get better as the season goes on,"McCadden said. "I like the new offense that's (been) put in and I thinkthat we can work off of that and be areally good team."

Ronald BondNVescom News Sennce

— Ronald Bond

MQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 KICKOFF'1522 — THE OBSERVER rr, BAKER CITY HERALD

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THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 23KICKOFF'15 MQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015

KICKOFF'15

1 A OLD OREGON LEA G U E

THE CORNERSTONES

ENROLLMENT: 59COACH: Blake Dennis (12th season)2014 RECORD: 6-3 overall, 3-1 OOLTALE OF 2014: Pine Eagle finished 6-3,finished second in the Old Oregon Leagueand advanced to the Class 1A state

playoffs for the first time since 2004. TheSpartans defeated Harper/Huntington34-32 at districts but lost 52-12 to CamasValley in the first round of the playoffs.LAST LEAGUETITLE: 1974 (Class A SD-8)LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 2014

Deniq R ice Aquil a rQB/DB RB/ LB TE/LB

THE FOUNDATION"It looks like it might come down to us and Wallowa as the favorites, and it's tooNAME POS. HT./WT. YR.

N athan McCall WR/DB 5-10/150 J r .Haden Kuta R B /DL 5- 6/155 So.T rey Fisher RB /DL 5 -10/185 J r .Colton Walker TE/LB 5 - 8/135 So.

bad we have to open league play against Wallowa."Blake Dennis, Spartans head coach

• •

SCHEDULEDATE OPPONENT TIMES ept. 4 a t Jordan Valley 1 p.m .Sept. 11 at Prairie City/Burnt River 1 p.m.S ept. 19 vs. Crane (Baker) 1 p. m .Sept. 25 vs. E lgin 2 p.m.Oct.2 vs.W a llowa' 2 p.m.O ct. 9 at Powder Valley' 7 p.m .Oct. 16 at J o seph' 7 p.m.Oct. 23 vs. Echo' 2 p.m.'Old Oregon League game

CAN'T-MISS GAMEOCT. 2: WALLOWA AT PINE EAGLELeague championships usually aren't

claimed the first weekend in October, butthe winner of the showdown between theCougars and Spartans has the inside tracktoward the Old Oregon League crown.Pine Eagle will be looking to exact somerevenge after Wallowa won at home, 34-30,in a thriller last season. The Spartans werevictorious in four the five games for therest of the season, but it didn't matter. TheCougars never lost a league game, keeping Pine Eagle in their rearview mirror.Don't expect the Spartans to forget that.

— Ronald Bond

season.

Pine Eagle football coach BlakeDennis likes what he sees at theSpartans' early practices for theupcoming Special District1 North

The Spartans, who finished 6-3overall and 3-1 in the Old OregonLeague, advanced to the postseason for the first time since 2004 lastseason. The Spartans lost 52-12 toCamasValley in the opening round ofthe Class 1A state playoffs.

Dennis also is counting on experience to help the Spartans' chancesof returning to the postseason. PineEagle must replace basically threestarters, running back Isaiah Simpson, center Ray Denig and widereceiver Jon Thorn, each of whomgraduated.

The Spartans return the core oflast year's playoff team."We have pretty much everybody

backexcept for those three seniors,"Dennis said.Dennis expects Shane Denig to

lead the offense in his second seasonas the Pine Eagle quarterback.

The Spartans, who reached the postseason last year for the first timesince 2004, return all but three seniors from last year's squad.

"He's a solid athlete who started atmiddle linebacker for us as a freshman and moved to safety last year,"Dennis said.

Denig was a second team all-OOLquarterback last season.

Dennis said senior Jeff Rice willdo the bulk of the ball carrying atrunning back. Rice was a first team

i .i s p sp

,$ .pS'

all-OOL running back a year ago.The Spartans defense will come

from the majority of the samegi'oup.

Dennis said experience is obviously a team strength. The Spartans'top weakness is a lack of playoffexperience.

,I

S. John CollinsNVescom News Sennce

24 — THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HER

— Gerry Stee/e

MQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 KICKOFF'15ALD

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You - reak i t .W e f i x it .


)Koby Frye,Quarterback


KICKOFF'15

Wallowa duo Koby Frye and ChandlerBurns return with title aspirations

Wallowa reached the state semifi- on multiple occasions, including anals five straight seasons in the 1990s, 219-yard, three-score effort in a 68-0winning the school's fourth state title th u mping of Echo.in 1993 against St. Paul. Frye has worked to improve as a

However, that success waned some quarterback, which could mean anin the 2000s, and although the Cou- imp roved passing game and anothergars reached the postseason five times offensive weapon to balance the Couin a seven-year span, they only got gar s ' run-heavy attack.back to the semifinals once — a 2005 "It'll bring more people in on theloss to Mohawk. offense," he said."IQ1 bring some more

Last year's return trip to the play- di v ersity by showing we don't just runoffs was the first since 2010, and given the ball."that the school's previous runs have What makes Wallowa even scariercome in spurts, the latest wave of suc — and could make Frye and Burnscess could be on its way. even more lethal — is that Brockamp

Head coach Matt Brockamp knows says the Cougars are more than justthe history of Wallowa — which won th e i r senior quarterback and juniorits other three state

and 1967 — but he

rom 0 8and -an afterthought in 2013 to 7 3and

a team to be reckoned with in 2014.

The one year -resurrection of the Wallowa

football program is nothing short of spectacular,

especially considering last year's team had a new head

coach,just two seniors and had been outscored 468

122 in those eight losses theyear before

Ttoo players at the middle of that resurgence

quarterback Koby Frye and running back Chandler

Burns — are back, and headline a team looking to

take a leap and rjeoin the elite of 1A football'%e want to get to the championship andjust win

as much as we can,"Frye said.

Getting to the promised land ofhigh school sports

would be a return to a place the Cougars historically

know well.KICKOFF'15 MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015

By RONALD BOND IWesCom News Service

resting on laurels.

ssesin1951,1952 "(I'm) kind of putting theisn'tfocusedonpast ownership on them (that) the

tradition starts here and startswith each one of these kids. Thetraditions and legacies they leave

"il™lk dofput behind StartS With eaCh One Ofting the ownershipon them (that) the theSe piayerS,tradition starts hereand starts with eachone of these kids," hesaid.'The traditions and legacies they running back.leave behind starts with each one of "I see a lot of potential in this teamthese players." here," Burns said.rWe had a goodFrye and Burns have already begun team last year but we have a better

to lay the groundwork. team this year."The duo was a big part of a high- Indeed, Wallowa has talent at other

powered Cougar offense that averaged positions on the field in seniors Noah42 points per game and posted at least Allen and Cole Hafer and sophomore50 points on four occasions. Patrick Ritthaler, to name a few. Not

The climax for Wallowa was its 82- t o mention what Brockamp said is a30 thrashing of Powers in the opening ta lented &eshman class.round of the 1A playoffs — a game That means if opposing defenses trythat saw Burns post 193 yards with and focus on just Frye and Burns, thetwo touchdowns and Frye add two slack will likely be picked up. If thosescores ofhis own. teams try to spread the field and cover

But that wasn't close to the best ever yone evenly, the duo will likelyfor either player. Frye's wow moment have a heyday.was in the Cougars' 72-34 drubbing of Eit her way, Wallowa's oppositionPowder Valley when he scored seven c ould be in for a rough go this seasontouchdowns and amassed 213 yards. — against a team with the highest exBurns went over the 200-yard mark pe c tations they've had in a long time.

THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 27

Matt Brockamp,Wallowa head coach

KICKOFF'15


THE CORNERSTONES

ENROLLMENT: 56COACH: Matt Brockamp (second season)2014 RECORD: 7-3 overall, 4-0 OOLTALE OF 2014: Wallowa ran roughshodthrough its OOL schedule on the way to a 6-1regular season record. Eventual champion

Adrian thumped Wallowa in the SpecialDistrict1 playoffs. The Cougars rebounded tobeat Powers 82-30 in the first round of the 1Aplayoffs before ending with a loss to Dufur.LAST LEAGUETITLE: 2014 (OOL)LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 2014

Frye Bums HaferQB/LB RB/ D E TE/LB

THE FOUNDATION"We've got high expectations. We want to win a state championship, and everyNAME POS. HT./WT. YR.

T ravis Haga T E /DE 6- 3/170 Jr .N oah Allen RB /DB 5- 6/155 S r .B ryce Melville OUDL 5-10/170 J r .Patrick Ritthaler RB/LB 5 -9/160 So.Joseph Pendarvis RB/LB 5-9/160 So.

Matt Brockamp, Cougars head coach

play that we play, we'll put out our best effort."

• •

CAN'T-MISS GAME

The early season showdown withthe Antelopes, the defending 1A statechampions, will show if Wallowa doesindeed have championship mettle. Adrianbeat the Cougars 60-8 in the SpecialDistrict1 playoffs last fall in a game thatgot out hand right from the start. The keyfor the Cougars is not committing crucialmistakes early on. With the majority ofthe team on the field for that drubbing,it surely left a sour taste in the collectivemouths of Wallowa.

DATE OPPONENT TIMESept. 4 vs. Chiloquin (Dufur Classic) 1 p.m.Sept. 18 vs. Adrian (Baker) TBASept. 25 vs. Echo' 2 p.m.Oct. 2 at P ine Eagle' 2 p.m.O ct. 16 vs. Powder Valley' 2 p. m .Oct. 23 at J o seph' 7 p.m.'Old Oregon League game

SEPT. 18: WALLOWA VS. ADRIAN

SCHEDULE

— Ronald Bond

In his first season at the helm, Wallowa head coach Matt Brockamp leda resurgence as the Cougars went7-3 and reached the1A quarterfinals— that after going 1-15 the previoustwo years.

Now, with the majority of the 2014roster back and groomed by last sea ison's playoff push, there is talk in theprogram about the Cougars' possiblycontending for something Wallowahasn't seen since the early 1990s.

A state title."We've got high expectations,"

Brockamp said. "We want to win astate championship, and every playthat we play, we'll put out our besteffort."

Seniors Koby Frye and Cole Haferand juniors Chandler Burns andTravis Haga headline the returnersforWallowa, which lost Micah Fullerand Gareth Murray to graduation.

Opponents may try to focus on Fryeand Burns, who were two key cogs tothe Cougars' success last fall. However,employing that strategy could backfire,as Wallowa features a team Brockamp

~' 1IfeI0~tqee

IITM,L

The Cougars return all but two seniors from last year's squad, andenter the 2015 season with high expectations.

says is loaded with talent and gained alot of experience from getting to face astate semifinalist in Dufur and the statechampion, Adrian.

"We now have experience, sowe know what to look forward to,"Hafer said. "We know what's going tocome so we're ready for it next time."

0rat. rt I

t*

Brockamp added he'd like m oredepth, but with the players and talentWallowa has, the pieces may be inplace for a special run.

"I think we're going to be betterthan we were last year," Brockampsald.

Tim MustoeNVescom News Sennce

'1.r

28 — THE OBSERVER rr, BAKER CITY HER

— Ronald Bond


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KICKOFF'15


THE CORNERSTONES

CR®

DeLup SealOUDL

)j

ENROLLMENT: 69COACH: Toby Koehn (first season)2014 RECORD: 2-6 overall, 1-3 OOLTALE OF 2014:The Eagles bounced backfrom a trio of season-opening losses toearn blowout wins againstYakamaTribal,

W ashington, and Echo.They ended theseason dropping their final three games,including a 70-28 league playoff game lossto Dayville/Monument.LAST LEAGUETITLE: 1958 (Class B Dist. 8)LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 2011

OliverOUDL

THE FOUNDATION"Virtually every freshman is out for football this year so that's where it starts. You'reNAME POS. HT./WT. YR.

B en Lopez OUDULB 5-10/170 J r .L oganWelch RB/LB 5 - 7/150 Jr .RylieWarnock OULB 5 -11/180 So.

not going to get it starting with the top end down. It's a grassroots thing."Toby Koehn, Eagles head coach

• •THE ADDITIONSNAME POS. HT./WT. YR.Sam Beckman QB/DL 5-11/180 S r .T reyWandschneider TE/DB 6-2/145 F r .T yler Homan QB/DB 5 - 6/120 F r .

The teams combined for 100 points ina wild shootout last season in Joseph,ultimately won by Powder Valley, 52-48.Both offenses should be high octaneagain this year, so the scoreboardshould get a healthy workout once againthis fall.

DATE OPPONENT TIMES ept. 11 atWilder (ldaho) 4 p. m .Sept. 19 vs. Dayville/Monument' 10 a.m.Sept.25 atPowderValley" 7 p.m .O ct. 2 vs . Dreary (Idaho) 7 p . m .Oct. 9 at Echo" 7 p.m.Oct.16 vs . Pine Eagle" 7 p.m.Oct. 23 vs. Wallowa" 7 p.m.'Game played at Baker City"Old Oregon League game

CAN'T-MISS GAMESEPT. 25: JOSEPH AT

POWDER VALLEY

SCHEDULE

Joseph begins the 2015 season witha young team and a new head coach,but that fact should by no means be adetriment to the program.

Toby Koehn served as an assistantcoach for Joseph last fall and stepsinto his new role with one goal inmind: get Joseph excited aboutfootball again.

"(We're) just trying to build theright attitude in Joseph as far aswanting to play football," he said."It's going to be a couple of years,but you have to start somewhere."

The Eagles have endured somelean years since making a run to the1A state championship game in 2008,posting just one season with morethan three wins since.Constant success won't come

overnight, but Joseph has a largefreshman class out this fall to go withsome key returners who form a goodnucleus to build around.

"We've got great upperclassmen for leaders," Koehn said."Theseniors, they're a great group of kids.They might be small in numbers,

Cayden DeLury, right, turns upfield to score a touchdown duringteam drills in Joseph Aug. 17.

but as far as leadership skills, they're der former Cove leader Skip Perierasuper good. during the early 2000s.

Koehn has been around some Fundamentals will be a majorof northeast Oregon's best football tea ching point this fall, and Koehnminds, as he played under recently- h o pes it will lead to a brighter futureretired Imbler head coach Lee Lowe as the program looks to bounce back.in the 1980s and was an assistant un — Ronald Bond


IIW' g

30 — THE OBSERVER rr BAKER CITY HER

— Ronald Bond

I

Ronald BondNVesCom News Sennce

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KICKOFF'15

1 A HIGH DESERT LEAG U E

THE CORNERSTONES

AllaireQB/DB

r~

/

ENROLLMENT: 50 (combined)COACH: Lee Tiller (fifth season)2014 RECORD: 3-4 overall, 2-2 High DesertTALE OF 2014: Harper/Huntingtonalternated wins and losses all season onits way to a 3-4 finish, which was good

for third in Special District 1 South. TheLocoNets lost 34-32 to Pine Eagle in thedistrict playoffs.LAST LEAGUETITLE: 2000 (Tri-Co League, lostin District playoffs, missed OSAA playoffs.)LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 1981

Chandler San chezW R/DB RB/ DB

THE FOUNDATION"We're small and not fast. We're short on the line and strong in the backfield.NAME POS. HT./WT. YR.

Bernardo DeSantiago QB/DB 5-10/180 Sr.D avid Schweitzer RB/DB 5-6/150 J r .E rnesto Tadeo OUDL 5 -4/162 J r .C layton Garcia OUDL 5-11/160 J r .Will Bezates O UDL 5- 9 /165 So .

LeeTiller, LocoNets head coach

W e lost a lot from last year."

• •

SCHEDULEDATE OPPONENT TIMESept. 4 vs. Powder Valley-a 2 p .m.Sept. 11 at Elgin 7 p.m.S ept. 19 vs. Echo (Baker) 7 p.m .Sept. 25 vs. Jordan Valley-b' 1 p . m.Oct. 2 at Adrian' 6 p.m.Oct. 9 at Dayville/Monument' 1 p.m.Oct. 16 vs. Crane-a' 1 p.m.Oct. 23 at Prairie City/Burnt River' 7 p.m.'High Desert League gamea-Game played at Huntingtonb-Game played at Harper

The LocoNets and Cougars cap off a fullday of Old Oregon League vs. High DesertLeague action at the Baker City Classic whenthe meet under the Bulldog Stadium lights inthe finale of the1A quadruple header. Withit being the third game of the season, a winfor the LocoNets could set a positive tone forthe rest of the season, especially with theirleague opener the following weekend.

CAN'T-MISS GAMESEPT. 19: ECHO VS.

HARPER/HUNTINGTON

The Harper/Huntington footballteam is down both in numbers and insize this season.

Coach LeeTiller said he has only adozen players out this season, downfrom 18 a year ago.

"We're small and not fast,"Tillersaid. "We're short on the line andstrong in the backfield. We lost a lotfrom last year."

Tiller said the LocoNets have fiveseniors, two juniors, a sophomore andfour freshmen on this year's roster. Hesaid just two players — Shawn andJustin Clark — come from Huntington.

Senior quarterback Dakota Allaireleads the LocoNets offense.

Wyatt Sanchez and Bernardo DeSantiago return at running back alongwith junior David Schweitzer.

Anticipated starters on the line arejuniors ErnestoTadeo and ClaytonGarcia, and sophomoreWill Bezates.

Greg Chandler returns at receiver."And we have four freshman I know

nothing about yet,"Tiller said.The coach said the players will prac

tice two nights a week at Ontario and

The LocoNets have just 12 players out for football this fall, but fieldfive seniors among the group and boast a strong backfield.

one night on their own fields at Harper last season.or Huntington. The LocoNets then lost 34-32 to

Harper/Huntington finished third Pin e Eagle in the district playoffs.in the Special District1 South League — Gerry Steele


-Ronald Bond

Harper School District photo


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KICKOFF'15


THE CORNERSTONES

DixonQB

THE FOUNDATION

StanfordRB

ColtonWR

ENROLLMENT: 67COACH: Riley Martin (first season)2014 RECORD: 2-6, 2-2 OOLTALE OF 2014: The Badgers started theyear off in the toughest of ways, givingup 60 or more points to their opponents

in three consecutive losses. While PowderValley was able to reel off a couple of wins,the defense wasn't consistent enough tohelp out a sometimes prolific offense.LAST LEAGUETITLE: 2003 (OOL)LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 2012

"Wallowa will be the main returner (for district supremacy). Pine Eagle is always stout up

front,but it's wide open. If we get our game together there's no reason we can't win it."NAME POS. HT./WT. YR.C ade Browne SB 5-1 0/170 Jr .Shane Hoopai OL 5-9 /205 Jr .D awson Smith RB 6-0 /170 S o .H udson Cole OL 6-1/ 195 S o .

Riley Martin, Badgers head coach

• •

THE ADDITIONS

SCHEDULEDATE OPPONENTSept. 4 at Harper/HuntingtonSept. 11 at Council (Idaho)Sept. 19 vs. Jordan Valley"Sept. 25 vs. Joseph'Oct. 2 at Echo'Oct. 9 vs. Pine Eagle'Oct. 16 at W allowa'Oct. 23 vs. E lgin'Old Oregon League game"Game played in Baker City

CAN'T-MISS GAME

NAME POS. HT./WT. YR.Tanner Eubanks WR 6- 0 /175 So .T yler Hufford OL 5-1 1/180 Jr .

OCT. 16: POWDERVAILEYATWALLOWAQuarterback Seth Dixon had the stron

gest response to w hich game he was mostexcited for — the clash with the Cougars.Last season Wallowa ran through, overand around the Badgers on their hometurf for a dominating 72-34 win, so theyare looking forward at another shot.

— Josh Benham

TIME2 p.m.6 p.m.4 p.m.7 p.m.7 p.m.7 p.m.2 p.m.7 p.m.

New Powder Valley head coachRiley Martin has one goal in mind.

"We're going to really hit the fundamentals and try to be a physicallydominating team," he said.

Martin takes over the Badgers' program after a disappointing 2-6 season.Martin, who was an assistant coachfor the basketball team for the previous eightyears, plans to feature hisathletes as much as he can this season."On offense, we're going to kind

of spread it out a little bit and get tothe corners, because we've got somepretty good speed guys," he said.

During the two-win 2014 campaign, the Badgers had their shareof highs, including back-to-back winsover Joseph and Echo. The inconsistency, however, caused games tounravel more often than not.

"Lastyear, we had a lot oftimeswhere we'd come and play really wellfor a couple minutes, but we didn'tplay all the way through," junior SethDixon said. "We just have to battle allthe way through, (and) stay focused."

Dixon resumes his role as

• assat

Powder Valley head coach Riley Martin, left, directs Seth Dixon infootwork drills during the first practice of the season.

quarterback, with Martin pointingto him as a "true leader." SeniorSean Stanford returns as runningback, junior Cade Browne andsophomore Dawson Smith are theslot backs, and junior Isaac Coltonand sophomoreTanner Eubankswill start at wide receiver give theBadgers plenty of options.

Martin pointed to Wallowa, Echo

I'»

and Pine Eagle as top teams in theSpecial District 1 North, but the teambelieves it should be right in the mixin the league race.

"With all the new coaches and allthe new players, I just think we've gotto figure out how we mesh," Brownesaid. "We'll have to figure out whatour strengths are as a team."



— Josh Benham


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THE OBSERVER th BAKER CITY HERALD — 35KICKOFF'15 MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015

KICKOFF'15

1 A HIGH DESERT LEAG U E

THE CORNERSTONES

ENROLLMENT: 61 (combined)COACHES: John Belveal (Burnt River) andDarrell McKorala (Prairie City)2014 RECORD: 0-0 (did not field a team)TALE OF 2014: Neither Prairie City norBurnt River had enough players to field a

varsity program in 2014. The low numbersled to the decision to co-op this season.LAST LEAGUETITLE: 2004 (Prairie City,1A SD-4)LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 2006(Prairie City)

BELVEAL ISENBURGER SIDDOWAYR B/QB WR/ DB RB

THE FOUNDATION"Our first practices were surrounded by Forest Service engines and tents. Some of the

firefighters came on the practice field and played some catch with the players."NAME POS. HT./WT. YR.M att Siddoway RB/OL 5-10/230 J r .D aniel IsenburgerWR/DB 5-8/115 J r .T yler Belveal RB/QB 5-10/165 J r .

John Belveal, Bulls head coach

• •

SCHEDULEDATE OPPONENT TIMESept. 3 vs. Spray/Mitchell-a 7 p .m.S ept. 11 vs. Pine Eagle-b 1 p.m .Sept.18 at N o rthLake 2 p.m.Sept. 25 at Dayville/Monument' 1 p.m.Oct. 2 vs. Crane-a' 7 p.m.Oct.9 atAdrian' 6p.m.Oct.16 vs. JordanValley-b' 1 p . m.Oct. 23 vs. Harper/Huntington-a' 7 p.m.'High Desert League gamea-Game played at Prairie Cityb-Game played at Unity

SEPT. 3: SPRAY/MITCHELL ATPRAIRIE CITY/BURNT RIVER

The season opener at Prairie City willbe the first time the schools take the fieldas a co-op. Interestingly, Spray/Mitchelland Prairie City met in the Panthers 2013season finale, which was the last gamePrairie City played before sitting out the2014 varsity season. Prairie City won thatgame, 74-12, which was its only win.

CAN'T-MISS GAME

— Gerry Steele


Burnt River and Prairie City sat outthe Special District1 South footballseason a year ago due to a lack ofplayers.

Actually, both teams played juniorvarsity schedules. This season, theteams have combined in a co-operative unit to return to the varsity level.

"We had talked about a co-op for acouple of years," said Lorrie Andrews, Burnt River superintendent."This year just seemed to be theright time."

This year's team will have 14 players from Burnt River and seven fromPrairie City.

The coaches will be John Belvealof Burnt River and Darrell McKoralaof Prairie City.

Belveal, who has coached at BurntRiver four seasons, said the Bullsreturn just three players from lastseason — Matt Siddoway, linemanand running back; Daniel Isenburger,safety; andTyler Belveal, quarterbackand running back.

He said nine other Burnt Riverplayers are foreign exchange stu

ls 4

After neither school fielded a varsity program in 2014, Burnt Riverand Prairie City will play as a co-op this season.

dents, and most are younger players,15-16-year-olds.

"Those kids started practice withzero knowledge about football,"Belveal said. "But, everybody seemswilling to learn, and we've seen somepotential."

II \,

And, like with most co-op teams,practice time is different.

Belveal said the players practice asa unit one night a week at Unity, onenight at Prairie City, and two nightsindividually on their own fields.

t

, ~ ' Z 4

— Gerry Steele


Jessica Wilson photo

ALD

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KICKOFF'15

PREVIOUS OREGON STATE CHAMPIONS

6A: Aloha

6A:Jesuit

(1950-PRESENT)

6A: Central Catholic5A: Hermiston4A: Gladstone3A: Vale2A: Burns1A: Adrian

6A: Central Catholic5A: West Albany4A: Ridgeview3A: Cascade Christian2A: Grant Union1A: Imbler

6A: Sheldon5A: Sherwood4A: Baker3A: Dayton2A: Oakland1A: Camas Valley

20116A: Lake Oswego5A: Mountain View4A: La Salle Prep3A: Santiam Christian2A: Gold Beach1A: Camas Valley

2010

5A: Sherwood4A: Baker3A: Rainier2A: Scio1A: St. Paul

20096A: Sheldon5A: Hillsboro4A: Marist3A: Amity2A: Scio1A: St. Paul

20086A: Southridge5A: West Albany4A: Astoria3A: Grant Union2A: Knappa1A: Imbler

6A: Sheldon5A: West Albany4A: Marist3A: Gold Beach2A: Culver1A: Mohawk

2006

5A: Corvallis

2012

2007

2013

20144A: Siuslaw3A: Nyssa2A: Cascade Christian1A: Dufur

4A:Jesuit3A: Marist2A: Nyssa1A: Mohawk

20044A: Sprague3A: Wilsonville2A: Lost River1A: Perrydale

20034A: Tigard3A: Marist2A: Amity1A: Powder Valley

20024A: Sheldon3A: Scappoose2A: Dayton1A: St. Paul

20014A: McNary3A: Scappoose2A: Amity1A: Dufur

4A:Jesuit3A: Scappoose2A: Amity1A: Dufur

4A: Beaverton3A: Sisters2A: Amity1A: Dufur

4A: Ashland3A: Sisters2A: Amity1A: Powers

19974A: McNary3A: Ontario'2A: Lost River1A: Powers'Game forfeited byOntario. Championshiptrophy not awarded.

4A: Roseburg3A: St. Helens2A: Dayton1A: Powers

19954A: Roseburg3A: Junction City

38 — THE OBSERVER rr, BAKER CITY HERALD

2000

2005

1999

1996

1998

2A: Dayton1A: Dufur

4A: Glencoe3A: Seaside2A: Sherman1A: Dufur

4A: North Medford3A: Junction City2A: Vale1A: Wallowa

19924A: Marshfield3A: St. Helens2A: Heppner1A: St. Paul

19914A: Ashland3A: Silverton2A: Vale1A: St. Paul

19904A: (tie)Tigard/Roseburg3A: Reedsport2A: Vale1A: Camas Valley

1989AAA: AshlandAA: Hood River ValleyA: Salem AcademyB: Sherman

1988AAA: BensonAA: PhilomathA: Salem AcademyB: Cove

AAA: LakeridgeAA: Sweet HomeA: RegisB: Cove

AAA: GlencoeAA: DallasA: DaytonB: Butte Falls

1985AAA: MedfordAA: PhoenixA: DaytonB: Cove

AAA: Crook CountyAA: North ValleyA: EnterpriseB: St. Paul

AAA: Corvallis

1987

1983

1993

1984

1994

1986

AA: CentralA: (tie) St. Mary's/ColtonB: Cove

AAA: GreshamAA: HenleyA: St. Mary'sB: (tie) Prospect/Cove

AAA: RoseburgAA: (tie) Siuslaw/South UmpquaA: St. Mary'sB: Arlington

1980AAA: BeavertonAA: CascadeA: RegisB: Camas Valley

1979AAA: CorvallisAA: PhoenixA: St. Mary'sB: lone

AAA: CorvallisAA: GladstoneA: St. Mary'sB: lone

AAA: (tie) Medford/ChurchillAA: South UmpquaA: RegisB: Arlington

1976AAA: SunsetAA: (tie) Gold Beach/South UmpquaA: RegisB: Culver

AAA: SunsetAA: ValeA: RegisB: Culver

AAA: La GrandeAA: Pleasant HillA: RegisB: Culver

AAA: HillsboroAA: MaristA: RegisB: Butte Falls

1972AAA: CentennialAA: GladstoneA: Santiam

1981

1973

1975

1977

1982

1974

1978

A:Jesuit

B:Alsea

AAA: South SalemAA: GladstoneA: SantiamB: Huntington

1970AAA: CorvallisAA: CoquilleA: St. Mary'sB: Huntington

1969A: MedfordA-2: St. Mary'sB: McKenzieB-8: Huntington

1968

A-2: BandonB: (tie) Corbett/Sacred HeartB-8: Huntington

1967

1971

A: (tie) Grants Pass/JesuitA-2: CentralB: WallowaB-8: Prospect

1966A: HillsboroA-2: ValeB: HarrisburgB-8: (tie) Wheeler/Riverside

A: David DouglasA-2: Serra CatholicB: JeffersonB-8: St. Francis

1964A: Grants PassA-2: ValeB: OaklandB-8: Camas Valley

1963A: (tie) Grant/North SalemA-2: PhoenixB: JeffersonB-8: Camas Valley

1962A: MedfordA-2: CentralB: Merrill (via forfeit)B-8: Hereford

1961A: RoseburgA-2: (tie) Phoenix/Myrtle PointB: (tie)Yoncalla/Pilot Rock

1965

Source: OSAA

B-8: Sisters1960

A: David DouglasA-2: CentralB: St. Mary'sB-8: lone

A: MedfordA-2: SeasideB: (tie) St. Mary's/YoncallaB-6: Sisters

1958A: JeffersonA-2: ValeB: MerrillB-6:Alsea

A: JeffersonA-2: ValeB: StanfieldB-6: Sisters

1956A: MarshfieldA-2: ReedsportB: (tre) Monroe/StanfreldB-6: Culver

1955A: MarshfieldA-2: ValeB: MalinB-6: Culver

1954A: (tie) Marshfield/South SalemA-2: ValeB: (tie) Monroe/UnionB-6: Glide

A: Central CatholicA-2: Crook CountyB: UnionB-6: Coburg

1952A: Central CatholicA-2: Crook CountyB: WallowaB-6: Coburg

1951A: Grants Pass'B: WallowaB-6: Coburg'Championshipawarded based on firstdowns.

A: GrantB: BandonB-6: Pilot Rock

1959

1957

1953

1950

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015 KICKOFF'15

(w.. ee e "JuSt In Time"

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KICKOFF'15

2014 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS

Central Catholic 70, Thurston19

WestAlbany 16, Grant 6Clackamas 28, Lincoln 21West Linn 49, Roosevelt 15Sherwood 56, Roseburg 13Lakeridge 79, Westview 67Oregon City 38, McNary 6Sheldon 34, Canby 14Grants Pass 77, Barlow14Lake Oswego 24, South

Medford 7West Salem 48, Beaverton 21Southridge 34, South Salem 28Jesuit 41, Gresham 14North Medford 41, Wilson 7Sunset 49, Sprague 24Tigard 70, David Douglas 49

Central Catholic 59, WestAlbany 16West Linn 47, Clackamas 7Sherwood 31, Lakeridge 14Sheldon 56, Oregon City 34Grants Pass 28, Lake Oswego

21

First Round

Second Round

Class 6A West Salem 56, Southridge 14Jesuit 35, North Medford 21Tigard 42, Sunset 20

QuarterfinalsCentral Catholic 42, West

Linn 7Sheldon 35, Sherwood 31West Salem 42, Grants Pass

28Tigard 42, Jesuit 41, 3OT

Central Catholic 65, Sheldon21

Tigard 17, West Salem 14

Central Catholic 49, Tigard 0

First Round

Semifinals

Class 5A

Final

Corvallis 42, Mountain View 28Marist Catholic 41, Summit 29Hermiston 17, Sandy 0Liberty 35, Crescent Valley 14Springfield 26, Parkrose 14Wilsonville 31, Central 22Ashland 52, Hillsboro 22Silverton 54, Pendleton 6

First RoundGladstone 21, Sisters 10Junction City 19, Crook

County 8Scappoose 41, Molalla 6Cascade 10, Banks 7Mazama 42, Siuslaw 12Phoenix 38, Sweet Home 28South Umpqua 57, Philomath 14North Bend/Oregon Coast

Technology 71, La Grande 22

Gladstone 28, Junction City 21Scappoose 20, Cascade 7Mazama 48, Phoenix 0

Quarterfinals

Quarterfinals

Hermiston 19, Liberty 14Springfield 56, Wilsonville 47Silverton 28, Ashland 0

Semifinals

Final

Marist Catholic 28, Corvallis 14

Hermiston 30, Marist Catholic 13Silverton 31, Springfield 14

Hermiston 34, Silverton 12

Class 4A

North Bend/Oregon CoastTechnology 42, South Umpqua13

Gladstone 27, Scappoose26, OT

North Bend/Oregon CoastTechnology 41, Mazama 40

Gladstone 35, North Bend/Oregon Coast Technology 17

Class 3A

Santiam Christian 57, SalemAcademy 14

Scio 52, Taft 34Dayton 14, lllinois Valley 6Harrisburg 35, Rainier 0Nyssa 46, Clatskanie 21Blanchet Catholic 17, Horizon

Christian 16Vale 69, Coquille 22Cascade Christian 21, Pleas

ant Hill 0

Santiam Christian 42, Scio 0

Semifinals

Finals

First Round

Harrisburg 28, Dayton 7Blanchet Catholic 24, Nyssa 6Vale 35, Cascade Christian 21

Harrisburg 21, SantiamChristian 19

Vale 51, Blanchet Catholic 0

Vale 45, Harrisburg 19

Class 2ABurns 57, Kennedy 7Union/Cove 16, Nestucca 8Regis 41, Lost River 10Gold Beach 30, Oakridge 0Heppner 49, Myrtle Point 0Central Linn 6, Weston-McEwen/

Griswold 0Oakland 35, Toledo 18Knappa 54, Culver 16

QuarterfmalsBurns 47, Union/Cove 6Regis 29, Gold Beach 0Heppner 45, Central Linn 8Knappa 12, Oakland 7

SemifinalsBurns 33, Regis 0

Semifinals

First Round

Finals

Heppner25, Knappa 16

Burns 49, Heppner 0

Class 1AFirst Round

Sherman 52, HosannaChristian 8

Triangle Lake 66, Crane 52Camas Valley 52, Pine Eagle

12Dufur48, North Douglas 0Wallowa 82, Powers 30Yoncalla 66, Days Creek 60, OTAdrian 66, lone 6

Sherman 50, Lowell 42Camas Valley 66, Triangle

Lake 20Dufur 72, Wallowa 20Adrian 64, Yoncalla 8

Semifinals

Adrian 58, Dufur 52Finals

Adrian 46, Sherman 28

Quarterfinals

Finals

Lowell 54, Condon/Wheeler 8

Sherman 24, Camas Valley 18

Quarterfinals

2014 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STATETITLE GAME RECAPS

Class 6ACENTRAL CATHOLICROUTS TIGARD

Central Catholic secured itssecond straight 6A state titlewith a 49-0 win over Tigard inthe OSAA Class 6A championship game.

The Rams jumped ahead28-0 at halftime and kept theirfoot on the gas on both sidesof the ball to record their sixthstraight game with more than40 points.

Class 5AHERMISTON WINS FIRSTSTATE FOOTBALLTITLE

Hermiston senior ChaseKnutz passed for 248 yardsand three touchdowns, andthe Bulldogs won the school'sfirst state football title with a34-12 win over Silverton inthe OSAA Class 5A championship game.

This was the first-ever statetitle in football, basketball or

Adrian running back ChaseWalker runs past a Shermandefender during the Antelopes' Class 1A state championship win last season at Kennison Field in Hermiston.

baseball for Hermiston.

Class 4AGLADSTONE ENDS STATETITLE DROUGHT

Handsome Smith ran for 212yards and three touchdowns,

Billy Gates/The Oregonian

rushing yards on the way towinning the school's fourthstate championship. Smithhad 21 carries, includingtouchdown runs of 5, 51 and59 yards.

Class 3AVALE RUMBLESTOSTATETITLE WIN

Vale running back AndrewWeber ran hard, churning hislegs to amass179 yards andtwo touchdowns during theVikings' 45-19 win over Harrisburg in the OSAA Class 3Achampionship game.

Vale's power running game,which finished with 489 yardsrushing, allowed the Vikingsto extend its lead after aWeber 10-yard run put theVikings up 12-0.

Class 2ABURNS SCORES EARLYAND OFTEN IN ROUT

Burns scored on its first five

possessions and ran awaywith the Class 2A state football title, thumping Heppner49-0 in the OSAA Class 2Achampionship game.

Burns completed anundefeated13-0 season withthe win behind a dynamicoffense and a smotheringdefense.

Class 1AADRIAN CRUISES PASTSHERMAN INTITLETILT

The punishing rushing attack for Adrian, led by fullbackMorgan White and tailbackChase Walker, lifted the Antelopes to the school's first statetitle 46-28 over Sherman inthe OSAA Class 1A championship game.

Walker rushed for the mostyards on the night, gaining201 on 21 carries and a touchdown, but White scored fourtimes and gained168 yardson 16 carries.

and Gladstone claimed its firststate football title in 36 yearswith a 35-17 win over NorthBend in the OSAA Class 4Achampionship game.

The Gladiators ran wildon North Bend, piling up 375


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KICKOFF'15

Some stories to keep an eye on during the seasontt wasn't long ago that

the spring sports seasonwrapped up, and we here atThe Observer and the BakerCity Herald were looking attwo and a half months beforeteams took to the gridiron.

But now, football is upon us.A few area teams have

already taken part in somejamboree play, but the bulk ofthe action starts Friday.

With the season ready tobegin, here are three of themany storylines I'm excited tosee play out:

• How will La Grande fareas it replaces its kont line andleague player of the year? Obvi

RQNALD BQND

RONALD'SREPORT

but also some huge questionmarks — comes together, andifit can indeed take the successof a league co-championshipand springboard ahead.

• What will Wallowa do foran encore? Goingkom 0-8 to7-3 in one season, under a newhead coach iwho had nevercoached 8-man before) withjust two seniors and reaching the quarterfinals, as theCougars did, is downrightimpressive. Nearly the entaeteam returns, which is huge ifyou're a W allowa fan. Talk of astate championship is swirling.Could the Cougars go kom0-8 to a title in two years? I

watched my alma mater, Vale,go kom 1-8 to a title in threeyears, so it's definitely possible. Defending state championAdrian and many others in thedeep Class 1A will have theirsay, but with talent and playoffexperience, a deep run byWallowa would not be a surprise.

• Who will etch their placein Oregon high school footballlore? I've been shocked inresearching the history offootball in northeast Oregonto see who has had dominantruns. That Cove ifive — oneshared), Huntington andWallowa ifour each) are thestate title leaders in the area

stunned me. I'm a sucker fornumbers like that and havespent countless hours in thepast perusing through the archives on osaa.org just to seewho has had a glorious pastand who has made a recentrise. I think a local programcould be on the cusp of a run.I'm going to go out on a limband say that at least one ofthe teams in this preview section will play for a state title.I'd say who, but unfortunatelym y crystal ball broke before Igarnered that information.

It's going to be a very exciting fall season, and I can't waitfor Friday to get here.

ously, one player does not makea team, but one player canhave a huge impact. BrandonDall was that player for theTigers in 2014 as they madea turnaround. Now he, fourstarting linemen and a handful of other seniors need to bereplaced. The success of 2014has been well documented, andit was La Grande's best teamin nearly a decade. I'm curiousto see how this team — whichhas talent at the skill positions

AREA OSAA STATE PLAYOFF RECORDSSchool T imes StreakBaker 20 12Burnt River 3 1Cove 22 10Elgin 12 7Enterprise 18 6Huntington 8 6Imbler 13 4Joseph 5 2La Grande 17 2Pine Eagle 1 3 6PowderValley 16 5Prairie City 9 3Union 14 3Wallowa 18 5'Co-op with Union"Co-op with Cove


Last R ecord2012 25- 17-12005 0-2-1

~2014 26 - 17-12008 8-1 2 -02012 20- 17-01981 9-4- 02013 18- 11-02 011 5-5- 02014 11 -16-02014 8-1 3 -02013 12 - 15-02 006 3-9 -0

~~2014 15-11-12014 23 - 14-0

Imbler is the area program with the most recent appearance and victory in the state championship game, having defeated Lowell for the1A state title in 2013.

Nancy Campbell photo

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015 KICKOFF'15

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s s• • 'I s s • s


Jace Billingsley,Running Back


KICKOFF'15

Running back Jace Billingsley and theMountaineers vie for first playoff bidafter last season's disappointing snub

By JOSH BENHAM iWesCom News Service

campaign. Billingsley, who startedthe year as a wide receiver but movedover to running back midway through,finished with 891 yards on the groundwith 10 touchdowns while averagingseven yards a carry. He also had ateam-high 59 receptions for 637 yardsand six additional scores. To top it otf,he was named first team all-conference in the Frontier Conference as akick returner, averaging 25.9 yardsper return on 18 kickoffs.

Atter defeating the eventual NAIAnational champions, Southern OregonUniversity, in the season finale,Eastern was ranked No. 15 and poisedfor a first-everplayofF spot. But

the first team left

learned a lot, butin the back of my headI kind of was hoping I could work mywayinto arunning back spot, which ismore natural," Billingsley said.

Along the way, he's made a closebond with redshirt junior quarterbackZach Bartlow. The pair lived togetheras freshmen and have been roommates ever since.''We've had a great relationship

ever since then," Billingsley said."I'mexcited to be in the backfield with himthis year because he's going to havean amazing year."

Bartlow believes the time at widereceiver will pay huge dividends for

the Mounties were "We've got big expectations.

out of the play Q' I'm excited, a little nervous, but-': h".~dB;u''.g:-' mostly just ready to go."t's hard for Jace Billingsley tograsp the fact he's

heading into his finalyear"It's definitely pretty crazy It seems lik.e not that

long ago I was showing up as a nervousfreshman,"

he said.

But with that final fall of donning the Eastern

Oregon Universityjersey a reality now, he treasures

the impact his teammates, coaches and the school

have made on him."It's been everything I've thought it would be and

more,"Billingsley said. "I can't thank these teammates

enoughjust for the experience that they've helped me

have here."

Those same teammates probably have similar

thoughts for their running back

The senior is coming off a scintillatingjunior

ley andhis team- Jace B i l l ingsley, Eastern Oregon University running backmates while alsoconvincing the teamof its abilities.''We're all real hungry and ready," he

said.'You could tell all the way throughfall camp, it gave us confidence. Becausenow we know we can hang with national champions in this division."

The opportunity to potentiallylead a college football team to theNAIA playoffs almost never came tofiuition for Billingsley. Coming out ofWinnemucca, Nevada, he was a starwrestler and football player, but it washis ability on the mat that got him themost notice.

"I just wanted to play football, butnot a lot of schools were looking at meto play football," he said."I really likedall the coaches and teammates I methere at Eastern, and it was kind ofclose to home."

The Mountie coaches recruited himas a slotreceiver despite playingrunning back in high school, and Billingsleyexcelled, leading the team in receptionsand yards his first two seasons. Butwhen the time came to return to thebackfield, Billingsley was prepared.

"I enjoyed my time atreceiver and


Billingsley as a running back."He's the full package," Bartlow

said."He's got great vision, speed andexplosion. But the No. 1 thing that hebrings is his ability to catch the ball onscreens or go out in the slot. It reallyopens up the offense that way."

In the rugged Frontier, Billingsleyknows making the playotfs will be atall task. But with a potent offenseEastern is poised for a history-makingyear. Doing that in his final seasonwould be the perfect final chapter to astoried career as a M ountie.

"It would mean the world to me tocap off the great experience I've hadhere," Billingsley said.'These teamm ates and all the coaches deserve it."

Billingsley is majoring in secondaryeducation, and ifhe isn't able to catchon in a professional football leagueatter this year, he'll try for a master'sdegree in teaching. But right now, he'sjust focused on making his last seasonmemorable.''We've got big expectations," he

said."I'm excited, a little nervous, butmostly just ready to go."

ERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 45THE OBS

KICKOFF'15

FRONTIER CONFERENCE

THE CORNERSTONES

BartlowQB

THE FOUNDATION

ENROLLMENT: 3,653COACH: Tim Camp (eighth season)2014 RECORD: 8-3 overall, 7-3 FrontierTALE OF 2014: The Mounties equaleda program-high of eight wins in 2014,including a huge win over Southern

Billinqsley Ben sonRB DB

Oregon University in the season finale.But Eastern had to watch from home asthe Raiders won the NAIA title while theMounties were snubbed.LAST CONFERENCETITLE: 1980 (Co-Champs)LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: None

"We're not the biggest team, we're not the fastest team, but one thing I believe that weNAME POS. HT./WT. YR.A dam Bese DB 6-0/ 195 Sr .Kyle Lanoue DL 6-1/ 260 Jr.Calvin Connors W R 5-9 /160 S o .G ary Posten LB 6-1/ 210 Sr .Mitch Staeffler OL 6-2 /277 Jr .

Tim Camp, Mountaineers head coach

have is we have a passion to play the game and play it the right way."

• •

DATE OPPONENT TIMEAug. 29 atThe College of Idaho NoonSept. 5 a t Sacramento St. 6:05 p.m.Sept. 12 at Southern Oregon 1 p .m.Sept. 19 vs. Montana Tech 1 p . m.Sept. 26 vs. Rocky Mountain College 1 p.m.Oct. 10 a t Carroll College NoonOct. 17 vs. Univ. of Montana-Western 1 p.m.Oct. 24 at Montana St.-Northern NoonOct. 31 a t Montana Tech NoonNov. 7 vs. The College of Idaho NoonN ov. 14 vs. Southern Oregon N o o n

NAME POS. HT./WT. YR.C ooper Harris LB 6-1 / 230 Sr .H ayden Burris OL 6-3 /300 S o .Justin Hughes DB 5-10/165 So.

THE ADDITIONS

CAN'T-MISS GAME

SCHEDULE

NOV. 14: SOUTHERN OREGON AT EOUWhile the early matchup against Division

I Sacramento State is intriguing on manylevels, the home game against the Raiderscould have large conference implications.

— Josh Benham

Missing out on the NAIA playoffs in2014 is something that's driven EasternOregon University all offseason.

"We'd get together and talk abouthow lastyear wasn't good enough,"senior safetyAdam Bese said."Throughout the winter, spring andsummer, it's fueled the fire."

The Mountaineers are ranked No.13 in the preseason coaches poll,the highest in program history, andreturn a plethora of talent. Quarterback Zach Bartlow, running back JaceBillingsley and wide receiver CalvinConnors headline the offense.

"I feel really, really good aboutour skill kids," head coachTim Campsaid. "That is our strength. They'veplayed a lot of football in the FrontierConference."

The biggest question mark onthat side of the ball is the line. Theonly returning starter is guard MitchStaeffler.

"Building a good chemistry as key.As far as that, we're doing great," Staeffler said. "There's been a huge difference just in the first week of practice."

lL

Eastern Oregon University head coachTim Camp, gray, gives instructions during the opening practices of the fall.

Defensively, Tucker Stanley andGary Posten are back at linebacker,and the secondary is stocked. Beseand cornerback Byron Benson lead aseasoned group.

"We have a lot of (defensive) returners, so we're trying to perfect whatwe worked on last year," Posten said.

"We all have a lot of confidence witheach other, and we trust each other onthe field."

Defensive lineman Kyle Lanouereturns, but as nose tackle Parker Lawson graduated. Camp said that's thebiggest question mark defensively.

Cherise KaecheleNVescom News Sennce

— Josh Benham

MQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 KICKOFF'1546 — THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

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Kickoff 08-31-15

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