Kickoff 08-31-15

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PRESENTED BY THE L<A QGRANDE OBSERVER7AND",BAKER CITY HERA+LD

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Full Stable Strong core back ' ~~ I for another run at state playoffs

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KICKOFF'15

a n esa oun t's a season marked by change, for us at The Observer and the Baker City Herald, the governing body of Oregon high schools and many of our Union, Wallowa and Baker county schools.

First, let's start with the tweaks by the Oregon School Activities Association. The main differences center around player safety at practice. Teams were not allowed more than eight days of pract ice with protective football equipment within a 10-day span before July 26, when restrictions on protective equipment goes into effect until Aug. 16.

At the beginning of those 10 days, every participant was required to have three days ofhelmet/shoulder pad practice with limited personto-person contact, with a five-day period without any restric tion regarding contact.

When practice started Aug. 17 for all teams, the first two days featured helmet-only practices. On the third day, helmets and shoulder pads were allowed, and the fourth day switched to full protective equipment. On the first two multiple-practice session days, there must be a teaching session where practice intensity and duration are scaled down.

Only one practice session on any multiple practice session days may contain full contact, and multiple practice sessions are not allowed on consecutive days at any time during the season.

Starting in week three of theregularseason,teams are

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BENHAM'S ' BENCH JQSH BENHAM restricted to a maximum of 90 minutes of full contact per week which can be extended overthree practice sessions.

There is a limit of one hour of weight training before and/ or after practice on a single practice session day.Players may only attend one weight training session on a single practice day.

As far as the actual teams go, a slew of area programs have new leaders. La Grande has Harold Shannon as its new leader, and Dustan Adams takes over for Imbler.

Joseph's man in charge will now be Toby Koehn, while Powder Valley's Riley Martin moves into his new role as head coach.

It always has to be tough forhigh schoolkids to adapt tofreshvoicesifthey've grown accustomed to the old head coaches. But all four seem like committed football men that are invested in their communities, which will be a bigboostforthe playersin the transition. And sometimes, a new perspective can energize a group of players. It will be exciting to see the impacts that all four have on their respective squads.

That brings us to us. This year, myself and sportswriter Ronald Bond and the Baker City Herald's Gerry Steele, with the enormous help of everydepartment atTh eObserverfrom advertising and printingpressto our editor,

KICKOFF'15 MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015

ov e r or photographers and reporters, have undertaken something similar but also different this season.

In an effort to continue to striveto bring coverage ofthe sports our readers find most important in their lives, we're launching our"Kickoff 2015" forthe second straight fall.

Everyprep team inUnion, Wallowa and Baker Counties, plus Eastern Oregon University, has a preview on their 2015 season. The pages featurerespectiveteams' top returners, their outlook for the season, who is poised to take the next step, and their keysformaking a playoffrun.

Gerry, Ronald and myself also put together features on a handful of players that should appeal to our readers.

What's really exciting is that we tail ored our preview covers to match up with the counties where they are being delivered. For Union County, it's La Grande's Ray Jimenez. In Wallowa County, readers are treatedtoa coverofKoby Frye fiom Wallowa.

Baker County residents get to see Kalani Heiser on the cover.

It'san idea thatstarted as a pipe dream, as we thought it'd be a great way to give a personalfeelto everyone.

The logistics seemed a little daunting, but through the dedication ofliterally everyone at this newspaper, it was able to come to fruition.

We're extremely excited to bring this to you. It's taken some hard work, but it's something we're proud to show ofK We hope you enjoy it, as well. Let the games begin.

season TABLE OF CONTENTS

LA GRANDE TIGERS Running back Ray Jimenez and the Tigers look to take the next step. Pages 6-7 Tigers look to use 2014 success as a springboard. Page 8 BAKER CITY BULLDOGS Experienced offensive line is the cornerstone of a highpowered attack. Pages 10-11 Veteran Bulldogs head coach foresees a resurgentyear with a slew of returners. Page 12 ELGIN HUSKIES Senior quarterback Gage Little back from basketball injury.

Pages 14-15 Huskies have big goals for 2015. Page16 IMBLER HUSKIES New head coach, but same goals in mind for storied Panthers' program. Page 18 UNION/COVE WILDCATS W ildcats entersecond season as aco-op and hope that second go-around is even better than the first. Page 20 ENTERPRISE OUTLAWS Young Outlaws are optimistic and hope to rebound from a difficult 2014 campaign. Page 22 PINE EAGLE SPARTANS After making it to last season's playoffs, the Spartans look for bigger and better things with core returning. Page 24 WALLOWA COUGARS Quarterback Koby Frye, running back Chandler Burns headline returners for Wallowa. Pages 26-27 Expectation are high after Cougars saw a resurgence in 2014. Page 28 JOSEPH EAGLES New headcoachToby Koehn hopes to getEaglesexcited about football again. Page 30 HARPER/HUNTINGTON LOCONETS LocoNets are down in numbers but high on talent in the backfield. Page 32 POWDER VALLEY BADGERS After a disappointing 2014, the Badgers aim for more wins with skilled talent back all over the field. Page 34 PRAIRIE CITY/BURNT RIVER BULLS After failing to field a varsity program last fall, Prairie City and Burnt River have formed a co-op for 2015. Page 36 EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY MOUNTAINEERS Senior running back Jace Billingsley is poised to lead team to promised land in his final season. Pages 44-45 With a snub at the end of 2014, Mounties focused on not repeating last year's mistakes. Page 46 THE OBSERVER rr BAKER CITY HERALD â&#x20AC;&#x201D;3

KICKOFF'15

BVTHE NUMBERS 2

'QQ The number ofyardsandtouchdowns,

~~ r e spectively, that will be missing from La Grande's offense with the graduation of quarterback Brandon Dall.

• The sportswriters for The Observer and the Baker City Herald answer the big questions

The numberofseasons La Grande had gone withoutwinning a conference title before the Tigers ended the skid in 2014 when they won a share of the Greater Oregon League regular season crown.

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

Josh Benham

Ronald Bond •

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Baker. It'll come down La Grande.Theweak to La Grande and Baker, areas will be shored up but my head says the by the GOL opener, and Bulldogs' experience the playmakers will carry prevails. theTigers to the title.

Don't blame me if I jinx your team, Wallowa, but I see the Cougars pulling off anupset.

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Powder Valley. The Badgers will be much improved with all the skill returning.

Q $$ Baker coach Dave Johnson has coached the Bulldogs13 ~ • • sea sons entering this year. The Bulldogs have advanced to the state playoffs 11 times.

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Baker. The Bulldogs return just about everybody from last year and don't appear to have any weaknesses.

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Crane and Wallowa have the best chance.

Both return key players, while Adrian lost a lot.

No. Pine Eagle and Crane probably have the best chance, butAdrian still is the favorite. j

4A: Gladstone, Phoenix, North Bend.

2A: Burns, Knappa, Heppner. 1A: Adrian, Sherman, Wallowa.

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Gerry Steele

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

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

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The number of rushing touchdowns that Imbler will have to re place with the graduation of star running back Joe Griffin.

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The margin of victory for Union/Cove in its eight vi c tories in 2014.

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

Enterprise. The Outlaws Harper/Huntington. The have a blend of leaderLocoNets return key playship and youth, and will ers and could surprise contend for the playoffs. teams in their district.

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The margin of defeat in the two losses UniorVCove ~ suffered to Burns last season. They were the only losses for the Wildcats all year.

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

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The number of players on Class 2A Enterprise's I~ 2014varsity roster, according to the OSAA website,

compared to the number on 4A La Grande's 2014 varsity roster.

Imbler vs. Heppner at EOU. I'm looking forward to the Panthers against the 20142A runner-ups.

Ontario at La Grande.

The regular season finale will have league and playoff implications.

4 — THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

La Grande at Baker.

The GOL title could be riding on that rivalry game.

Q The number yar ofdsand touchdowns Powder i Va lley's Seth Dixon (510, 6) and Joseph's Cayden DeLury (457, 6) combined for in the Badgers' 52-48 win last season.

MQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

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Ray Jimenez, Running Back

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—THE OBSERVER rr BAKER CITY HERALD

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MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

KICKOFF'15

Running back RayJimenez and the Tigers look to take the next step after last year's Greater Oregon League title

By RONALD BOND IWesCom News Service

etting to face state runner up N-orth Bend I OregonCoastTechnologyin lastyear' sClass 4Aplayoffs brought a dose of reality to the 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'sforsure,"theseniorrunning backsaid of what he learned from the Tigers'season ending71-22loss to the Bulldogs 'We realized.there's a lot of competition."

The 2014 season was indeed a success asthe Tigers laid the foundation for a program turnaround KICKO F F '15

MO NDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015

The team's 5-4 record was the best in nearly a decade, and La Grande won a share of the Greater Oregon League title for the first time since also sharing it in 2006.

But much more is needed for theprogram toreach a levelof consistency.

La Grande's last outright GOL title was in 2005, which is also the same year as the last La Grande playofF victory. At the time the Tigers — and the GOL — were in the 3A classification, a year before the Oregon School Activities Association expanded to the current six-class system.

Success has been scant in recent years and is not helped by the constant changing of head coaches.

In order for the Tigers to build on the foundation of 2014 andnotletit crumble,team leaders — which more often than not its seniors — are looked at tosetthebar.

Recognizing that, Jimenez, who will likely play an even bigger role in La Grande's offense, is taking his game up a notch.

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

Head coach Harold Shannon wants to use Jimenez as more of a fixture in the offense, but that possibility, not to mention the team's chances, likely rest on how well the Tigersreplace four starting offensive linemen. ''We would like to use him in a more prominent role, but I'm not sure how that's going to work with an inexperienced offensive line," he said.

If the line does gel, however, Jimenez and his big-play ability have potential to bring balance to the offense.

Bursts ofhis talent were shown last season, including when he scored on a kickoff return in the season opener

against Nyssa, and when he stripped the ballfrom aplayer and scored against Weiser.

But the best performance from Jimenez, who considers himself a runner with a slashing style rather than a power back, may have been against Baker. He scored two touchdowns — one on a 23-yard scamper and a second on a 77-yard screen pass — in the Tigers' 37-24 win.

Jimenez knows, however, what he needstodo toim prove.He said one of the 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 to the playoffs again. That would be nice (and) to do a little bit better than last year, hopefully."

Ray Jimenez,La Grande running back

as much as last year," he said.

Jimenez is already considered one of the hardest workers on the team and a player many others seek to emulate because ofhis ethic and approach.

"Everybody looks at Ray," Shannon said."Everybody looks up to Ray. He leads by example. He's one of our best workers out here, iandl he's one of the toughest kids we have.

"They use him as their example.

He's easy to build around because they respect what he does."

Jimenez isn't alone at the top. While the Tigersdid graduate close to half their team, there is talent, experience and leadership in many areas.

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

"The team goal is to make it to the playoffs again," Jimenez said.'That would be nice iandl to do a little bit better than last year, hopefully."

THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD —7

KICKOFF'15

4A GRE A T E R

OREGO N LEAG U E

THE CORNERSTONES ENROLLMENT: 531 wins against Baker and Mac-Hi in league COACH: Harold Shannon (first season) play while dropping an overtime thriller 2014 RECORD: 5-4 overall, 2-1 GOL against Ontario. The season ended with a 71-22 loss to North Bend in the playoffs.

TALE OF 2014: TheTigers posted their best record in almost a decade and won a LAST LEAGUETITLE: 2014 (GOLshared) share of the GOL crown. La Grande posted LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 2014

/ i, / + Jimenez

RB/LB

I. C ranford

WR/ L B

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QB/S

THE FOUNDATION 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 .

THE ADDITIONS NAME POS. HT./WT. YR. D arren Ross R B/LB 6- 1/185 S r .

B obby Askins OUDL 5 -10/175 J r .

C ade Reed W R /D B 5- 6 '140 S o .

SCHEDULE DATE OPPO NENT TIME Sept. 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 OCT. 23: ONTARIOAT LA GRANDE Ontario posted a 40-34 comeback victory last fall, which prevented La Grande from winning the GOL outright. The season finale will determine postseason positioning and, perhaps, the league title.

— Ronald Bond

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—THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

"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."

Harold Shannon, Tigers head coach •

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NewTigers head coachHarold Shannon is hoping to use last fall's success as a stepping-off point to keep the La Grande program moving forward.

And although the reigning Greater OregonLeague co-champions lost nearly half of the 2014 team to graduation, they do have veterans in essential positions returning who can help provide needed leadership for the young up-and-coming talent.

"I think they're excited. I think they look around at the other players and they go, 'There's some potential here,'" Shannon said. "I think they understand that if they work hard, they can be a good football team."

Led by GOL Player of the Year Brandon Dall and a senior-laden offensive line, the Tigers won a share of the league title for the first time since 2006.

The front line will consist of mostly new faces this fall, and sophomore Andrew Peasley figures to step in to quarterback the spread off ense.

But around those younger players are seniors who got a taste of playoff

Ronald BondNVescomNews Sennce

Sophomore Andrew Peasley steps in at quarterback for the Tigers.

Peasley, who will replace Brandon Dall, scored in each game lastyear. football last season, including receivers Alec and Isaiah Cranford and running back Ray Jimenez.

"We have kids that are going to work together and there's a lot more kids out this year, for sure," Peasley said. "I think we can have a good of-

fense and a pretty solid defense."

Team cohesiveness— both offensively and defensively — will be a focal point for Shannon, and a necessity if La Grande is indeed to build off of last year's success.

— Ronald Bond

MQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

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THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD —9

Will Goodwin, Lineman

1 0 — THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

KICKOFF'15

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

By GERRY STEELEIWesCom News Service

ll for one and one for all No, it's not the Three Musketeers. It's the Baker football team's offensive line "It's a brotherhood,"saidjunior Tristian Pogue.'%e work for the guy next to us Wes.tick together We can. worktogetherbecauseweknow what'son each other's minds."

The Bulldogs are gearing up not only for a run at the Greater Oregon League titlebut possibly the Class 4A title as well. '%ethink about it a lot,"said senior Kalani Heiser of the possible4A crown "This is .my last season, and I'd like nothing better than towin the championship" Baker lostjust one starterfrom lastyear's offensive line, and have filled any holes that might have popped up All of the cu.rrent group has played at least two seasons fovarsity ball KICKO F F '15

MO NDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015

Most are entering their fourth season on the team.

And, the majority of the same players anchor the defensive line as well.

'The kids have had a greatsummer.

The kids are excited and have high expectations," said Baker coach Dave Johnson.'They've had a great nine months and have been serious in the weight room. They're thicker, stronger.

That's their commitment."

Heiser and Trevor Ball, both seniors, lead the returning players as first team all-Greater Oregon League selections &om last season, following a 3-6 season, a 2-1markin the GOL, a share of the GOL title with La Grande and Ontario and a loss to Molalla in the Class 4A state pleyingeme. The 49 ]8 '

' Bak

t n dth Bdld g ' HeiserandBall are joined by fellow ton, a second-team

Wright said the fact that they have played together for so long is a definite plus. ''We've just always clicked really well," he said.

Heiser said all-GOL running back Porter Cline trusts his front line to make the plays.

"He trusts us with his life," Heiser said."Last year we ran for between 200 and300 yards agame. We'd like to do at least as well this season."

Pogue said most of the current line has gone through the ranks. Now, they try to teach the younger linemen to continue the trend.

"It goes back to how well you were

"Coach (Dave Johnson) tells us we can only give 1 00 percent. It's nof possible fo gjye more fhan fhaf ggt lf yog dO yogr jOb q00 percent is achievable. We all try

GOLpick,andNate fO glVe Ollr maXlmllm.

Wright, Will GoodTristian Pogue, Baker lineman wln and ]unlors Sam Bootsma and Pogue.

"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 the said Johnson."He's looked impresones above them. We all hope they sive." take the ticket."

Having a unit that's played as many W r i g ht said because the offensive games together as the Baker offensive line has experienced success as a line, means that each person knows gro u p, they are listened to by others what the other is thinking, and, more o n the team.

"Becauseofour success,alotof importantly, what the others are going to doin 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't line are just a close group of fiiends bel i eve it when people say they should and that closeness translates between be giving more than 100 percent.

"Coach tells us we can only give 100 the white lines on Fridays in the fall. ''We work well together. We just perc e nt. It's not possible to give more seem to click," Denton said.'We pretty t h an that," Pogue said."But if you do much all played together since we your j ob, 100 percent is achievable. We were sophomores." all try to give our maximum."

THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD â&#x20AC;&#x201D;1 1

KICKOFF'15

4A GRE A T E R

OREGO N LEAG U E

THE CORNERSTONES

Cline

RB/DB

H eiser

ENROLLMENT:431 COACH:Dave Johnson (13th season) 2014 RECORD:3-6 overall, 2-1 GOL TALE OF 2014:Baker finished last season 3-6 after losing 49-18 to Molalla in its Class 4A play-in game. The Bulldogs finished the

Plum l e y

O UDL

RB/L B

THE FOUNDATION NAME 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 O UD L 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 .

SCHEDULE DATE OPPO NENT Sept.4 at Ri d geview S ept. 11 vs. Payette (Idaho) Sept. 18 v s . Redmond Sept. 25 vs.V ale Oct. 2 at Nyssa Oct. 9 at On t ario' Oct.16 vs. LaGrande' 7 Oct. 23 at McLoughlin/Griswold' 'Greater Oregon League game

TIME 7 p.m.

7p .m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m. p.m.

7 p.m.

CAN'T-MISS GAME OCT. 9: BAKER AT ONTARIO Head coach Dave Johnson sees Ontario as Baker's main challenger in the GOL. He did add, however, "you can't stub your toe against anybody."The Bulldogs defeated Ontario in the 2014 regular season finale, 42-35, so with the contest in Ontario this season, expect another similar dogfight in what could be a pivotal league game.

— Gerry Steele

GOL season in a three-way tie for first with Ontario and La Grande at 2-1.

LAST LEAGUETITLE:2014 (GOLshared) LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE:2012 (OSAA doesn't recognize play-in games as a postseason appearance.)

"We'll have speed, and there's a strong chemistry with this group. It's a lot like it's been other years when we've had success."

Dave Johnson, Bulldogs head coach •

•

Baker football coach Dave Johnson smiles widely when talking about this year's Baker team.

"We have no major questions at this point," Johnson said. "We have a lot of depth. This team reminds me a lot of the 2010 team."

That team won the Class 4A state championship.

"We have 19 guys returning with a lot of varsity experience," Johnson sald.

Last year, the Bulldogs finished in a three-way tie for the Greater Oregon League title. Baker earned the league's No. 2 state berth after a tie-breaker.

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

Running backs Porter Cline and Marcus Plumley and linemen Kalani Heiser andTrevor Ball are among the top returnees.

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

Last year's starter, sophomore Sam Hamilton, may share the du-

1 2 — THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

S. John CollinsNVescom News Sennce

The Bulldogs have 19 returning varsity players as they look to bounce 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 a strong group of linebackers.

Plumley, Ryan Schwin, Sam

Bootsma and Brandon Stairs lead that group.

Johnson looks for Ontario to "be its usual self." He sees La Grande and Mac-Hi as being in transition years.

— Gerry Steele

MQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

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M QNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015

THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 1 3

Gage Little, Quarterback

1 4 — THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

KICKOFF'15 D D

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

By JOSH BENHAM IWesCom News Service

ost, ifnot all two year starters view starting that third season at their position as a formality That e.specially holds true at 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 a7-1season during the program's second year as a2A 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 scoreon theground,in a 56-16 win overIone,and another in which he had four total touchdowns and 195passingyardsin a 50-46victory overPineEagle.

KICKO F F '15

MO NDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015

But in the final game of the Wapiti District Tournament for the Elgin basketball team in February, he tore all the tendons in his right ankle.

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

'The toughest part for me was not beingactive afterthat,"Little said.

"I really like to get out and do things, and being in crutches and a boot isn't really 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 just about back where he was prior to the injury.

"I'm feeling pretty good right now," he said."It's just a blessing to be back."

With a roster size of 16 players during the first week of

practce Elgncould

son whenever he needs to, and vice versa. Those three will be counted on for their leadership again.

Elgin enters its third consecutive season with no possibility of making the playofFs as it transitions to 8-man Class 1A football.

"It's kind of discouraging a little bit.

Like last year, when you think about how we could be playing in a state playofF game right now," Little said."It's justthekind ofstuffyou haveto face when you're in a rural area like this."

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

"We all have the same goal, to improve off of last year's record. We all want to work hard and we're all out here for the same mission.

I don't feel like (motivation) will be a problem. None of us like to lose, so we're all out here to win."

ill afford to lose such a prominent starter.

The coaching stafF is also thankful that their quarterback is back under center.

"Gage is a great Gage Little, Elgin quarterback high school football player, "assistant 'We all have the same goal to coach Jeff Rysdam said."He'sbeen the starter since he was a sophomore,and improve ofFoflastyear' srecord,"Little he's meant a lot to the program." said.'We all want to work hard, and Rysdam said Little forms onepart we' r e all out here for the same misof the trio that he calls the"heart and sio n . I don't feel like it will be problem. soul of the team." Fellow seniorsGavin N o n e of us like to lose, so we're all out Christenson and Jaydon McKay are the here to win." otherstalwarts forthe Huskies.

Little has hopes of continuing his 'They're really a three-headed footb a ll career after high school by monster, and they're great rolemodels p l aying college ball. If that doesn't for our program," Rysdam said.''When come to fruition, however, he still has they came in as wide-eyed freshmen, de s i gns on getting his college educawe had to sort of throw themto the t ion . But for the present, all the focus wolves, so to speak. But they'veput in is on leaving a lasting impression on their time and really bought into what t h e Huskies' program.

"I mean, it is really sad knowing 4ead coach) Brock iEcksteinl and I were telling them." this will be our last year on this field," h esaid."But you just have to soak it The quarterback agreed with Rysdam's comments about the trio, saying all up." he can depend on McKay or ChristenAnd of course, count his blessings.

THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD â&#x20AC;&#x201D;1 5

KICKOFF'15

2 A IND E P E N D E N T THE CORNERSTONES

Little

QB/DE

McKay

RB/LB

ENROLLMENT: 101 COACH:Brock Eckstein (fourth season) 2014 RECORD:7-1 overall TALE OF2014:The Huskiesem ployed a high-scoring offensive attack last season.

They scored 42 points or more in each

Christenson

WR/DB

THE FOUNDATION NAME 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.

THE ADDITIONS NAME POS. HT./WT. YR. K ristion Owen RB/LB 5 - 8/140 F r . l an Smith WR/ D B 5 - 10/113 F r .

C hris Hanson OUDL 5 -11/175 F r .

SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT TIME Sept. 4 a t Dayton (Wash.)

7p . m.

Sept. 11 vs. Harper/Huntington 7 p.m.

Sept. 18 at Liberty Christian (Wash.) 7 p.m.

Sept. 25 at Pine Eagle 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 Tekoa-Rosalia (Wash.) 7 p.m.

Oct. 16 vs. Echo 7 p.m.

Oct. 23 a t Powder Valley 7 p. m .

Oct. 30 at ShermanCounty 6 p.m.

CAN'T-MISS GAME OCT. 30: ELGIN AT SHERMAN CO. With the team transitioning to 8-man Class 1A, assistant coach Jeff Rysdam said he and head coach Brock Eckstein wanted to see where they measured up with top teams. Well, look no further than the season finale for the Huskies. Sherman County was runner-up in 1A last season.

— JoshBenham

of their seven victories and reached the 50-point plateau in six contests. Elgin ended the season with a thrilling 52-46 triumph over Condon/Wheeler.

LAST LEAGUETITLE:1981 (Wapiti-shared) LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE:2008

"We're pretty excited for this season. We're keeping our goals in house, but we've got a lot of high expectations for the season."

Jeff Rysdam, Huskies assistant coach •

•

Even though Elgin isn't eligible for the postseason again this fall, it doesn't mean they won't face a toplevel schedule.

"We want to get those playoff teams (from last year)," assistant coachJeffRysdam said."That'skind of why we stacked our schedule, to see where we're at."

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

"We're pretty excited for this season," Rysdam said. "We're keeping our goals in house, but we've got a lot of high expectations for the season."

Quarterback Gage Little, running back/l inebackerJaydon McKay,who had 915 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, and wide receiver Gavin Christenson will be leaned on for quality senior leadership.

"We've been playing together since the seventh grade, so we have pretty good chemistry," McKay said.

The Huskies must replace linemen Levi Carper and BrandonTeem, plus

1 6 — THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

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Elgin players collide as the team takes part in hitting drills during the first week of practice. running back/linebacker Jordan Vermillion. But the seniors have already been mentoring the underclassmen in early practices in hopes that 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 14 total touchdowns, said. "I don't know if I'll be able to play college, but I just want to get my stats up and go out with a bang as a team."

— JoshBenham

MQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

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THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD —1 7

KICKOFF'15

2 A WAP IT I L E A G U E a4

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THE CORNERSTONES

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ENROLLMENT:106 COACH:Dustan Adams (first season) 2014 RECORD:5-2 overall, 2-2Wapiti TALE OF2014: The move from Class 1A to 2A went smoother than some might have thought, as the Panthers won five games

Kanoho

WR/LB

THE FOUNDATION NAME POS. HT./WT. YR. T aylor Tandy O U D L 5 - 11/220 S r .

T yler Bales RB / L B 5 - 11/200 S r .

J ordan Teeter OUDL 6- 4/285 S o .

M att Ortmann WR/DB 5 - 9/145 S r .

in the Wapiti League. But the losses came to Burns, the eventual state champion, and Uniorh'Cove, denying a playoff appearance for Imbler.

LAST LEAGUETITLE:2013 (1A SD-4) LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE:2013

"We've got a quality senior group. The freshmen group is eager to learn, and the reality of it is some them probably will probably contribute. That's just the nature of it."

Dustan Adams, Panthers head coach •

•

THE ADDITIONS NAME POS. HT./WT. YR. R yan Mullarkey WR/DB 6-0/155 J r .

H unter Teem RB/LB 5 - 9/160 S o .

K evin Bullock OUDL 5- 8/195 S r .

SCHEDULE DATE OPPO NENT TIME Sept. 4 v s . Heppner (EOU) 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 vs. Weston-McEwen 3 p.m.

Sept. 19 vs . Toledo" 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 at S t anfield 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 vs. Burns' 2 p.m.

Oct. 9 vs. Union/Cove' 2 p.m.

Oct. 23 at E nterprise' 7 p.m.

Oct. 30 a tGrant Union' 7 p.m.

'Wapiti League game " Game played in Wilsonville

CAN'T-MISS GAME OCT. 9: UNION/COVE AT IMBLER Quarterback Brandon McGilvray said he's looking forward to playing theWildcats after theclose22-20losslastseason.Adams echoed those comments, citing the fact the gamecame down to two-pointconversions —Union/Cove converted two while Imbler had one.

— JoshBenham

Having a new head coach in Dustan Adams doesn't mean Imbler's ambitionshave changed.

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

The Panthers bring backtwo offensive players who started all seven games last season — left tackleTaylor Tandy, and right tackle Jordan Teeter.

Defensively, Imbler has more experience with five starters returning: Taylor Tandy (defensive tackle),Tyler Tandy (outside linebacker),Anu Kanoho (linebacker), Brandon McGilvray (safety) andTeeter (nose tackle).Tyler Bales started the final three games of the season at defensive end.

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

Adams anticipates McGilvray, the expected quarterback, providing quality leadership. McGilvray said the seniors are stepping up in that

1 8 — THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

Josh BenhamNVescom News Sennce

Imbler players go through conditioning drills during the first week of practice at the high school. regard, as well.

"The seniors definitely seemed to be focused," he said."We're replacing some players, but we've also got some new kids that will come in and help us."

The main loss is running back Joe Griffin. Tyler Tandy will fill that role, and Adamsseeshim asacapable replacement.

"Tyler is a talented kid. It just so happens he's been behind Joe for the last three years," Adams said. "He waited his turn, and now he's got his opportunity this year."

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

— JoshBenham

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

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THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD —1 9

KICKOFF'15

2 A WAP IT I L E A G U E THE CORNERSTONES

Witty

Sheehy

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

Sca n t ling

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THE FOUNDATION

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

NAME POS. HT./WT. YR. C hase Houck OL 6-3/ 20 5 Sr .

C ecil Defries OL 5-7/ 17 5 Sr .

B rody Norton RB 5-1 0/175 S r .

C ooper Huntington OL 6- 2 /220 S r .

M att Kromwall RB 5-1 0/165 J r .

THE ADDITIONS NAME Q uinn Evans Cole Baxter B ryson Stitzel

POS. HT./WT. YR. QB 5-1 1/165 J r .

R B 5-10/170 J r .

QB 6-0 / 170 S o .

SCHEDULE DATE OPPO NENT TIME S ept. 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 r ns' 7 p.m.

Oct. 30 vs. Enterprise (Cove)' 6 p . m.

'Wapiti League game

CAN'T-MISS GAME OCT. 23:UNION/COVE AT BURNS I'm tempted to say the Imbler matchup, with the proximity of the teams. But each player I spoke with talked about getting a shot at reigning state champ Burns. They all knew it'll be a tough game, but it's always fun to measure up to a team like that.

— JoshBenham 20

a second-place Wapiti finish. But both losses were big losses to eventual state champion Burns, with the second one coming in the playoffs.

LAST LEAGUETITLE:2010 (Cove,1A SD-4) LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE:2014

(in the Wapiti League), ready to knock on the door and go to the playoffs again."

Jon Reynolds,Wildcatshead coach •

•

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

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

TheWildcats made it to the playoffs before losing to eventual state champion Burns in 2014. Gone are starters like Derrick Murchison, J.D. Graves and Tayton Duby, and senior Aaron Clark is out for the season with an injury.

"We did lose some talent, but we still have a lot of the same guys coming back," senior Brooke Scantling said. "We have really good team chemistry, so I feel like we can just build on that."

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

"Playing since Pee-Wee together, we have a chemistry and we all know how we play and practice," junior Colin Sheehy said of the line.

Whilehead coach Jon Reynolds certainly wouldn't characterize it as a weakness, the team will have new

—THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

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Josh BenhamNVescom News Sennce

Union/Cove running back Cole Baxter looks for running room during the first week of practice in Union. faces at quarterback and running back, to name a couple positions.

Finding the right mix of newcomers and returners, such as fullback Chad Witty, will be a challenge.

"Right now, it's about figuring out a rotation," Reynolds said. "It's just finding our groove and what offense works for us. We're trying to figure

out if we're going to be a smash mouth team, or if we're going to be a misdirection team."

Reynolds said Burns and Imbler offer the most resistance for the Wapiti League crown, with Burns the favorite until someone knocks them off.

He hopes it'shissquad.

— JoshBenham

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MO NDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015

THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 2 1

KICKOFF'15

2 A WAP IT I L E A G U E THE CORNERSTONES

Mccadden

QB/LB

E xon

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

Row le y

R B/LB

FB/L B

THE FOUNDATION NAME 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 / L B 5 - 10/170 J r .

"We're hoping this year that two or three people will step up, or even a lot of the other

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

Mike Rowley,Outlaws head coach •

THE ADDITIONS NAME POS. HT./WT. YR. M att McTee O U D L 6- 0 /195 Jr .

T rentWalker WR/CB 5 - 9/145 S o .

SCHEDULE DATE OPPO NENT TIME Sept. 4 vs. Stanfield 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 at I r r igon 7 p.m.

Sept. 18 at H e ppner 7 p.m.

O ct. 2 at G r ant Union' 7 p.m .

Oct. 9 vs. Tri-City Prep (Wash.) 7 p.m.

Oct. 16 vs. B urns' 6 p.m.

Oct. 23 vs. I mbler' 7 p.m.

Oct. 30 at Union/Cove (Cove)' 7 p . m.

'Wapiti League game

CAN'T-MISS GAME OCT. 23:IMBLERAT ENTERPRISE Enterprise's home finale is a key game for both teams, as each will be halfway through itsWapiti League schedule and possibly jockeying for a playoff spot. Imbler won at home last season,46-0.So withthe memories of the thumping the Panthers handed down, the Outlaws will be out for revenge.

— Ronald Bond 22

Enterprise was held to six points or less six times and shut out in three consecutive games.

The team's lonewincame in a 14-6 victory against Grant Union.

LAST LEAGUETITLE:2001 (Wapiti) LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE:2012

•

The Enterprise football team is viewing the 2015 season with optimism as it looks to rebound from a tough 2014 campaign.

Last season, the Outlaws struggled through a 1-7 season and ended by dropping their final four games. That comes on the heels of a playoff berth in 2012 and falling one win short of the playoffs in 2013.

"Last year was really our only year that we weren't in the hunt, and that was very discouraging for these kids, " head coach Mike Rowley said.

Five seniors return from that squad to lead a young 2015 edition of the Outlaws, and the team approach is one that has Rowley and the players hopeful.

"We have a really good attitude thisyear," he said."Ithinkthere's a lot of optimism on our team, and we have some good leadership, which in the end equates to a lot of effort."

Enterprise also has a wealth of upand-comingunderclassmen among the 28 players taking the field this fall.

"That assures our future, for sure,"

—THE OBSERVER rr, BAKER CITY HERALD

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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 to be essential to what Coach Rowley hopes will be an improved offense, while Andrew Curtis and transfer student Matt McTee lookto anchor an offensive line that must replace

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 think that we can work off of that and be a really good team."

— Ronald Bond

MQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

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KICKO F F '15

MQ NDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015

THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 23

KICKOFF'15

1 A OLD O R E G O N L E A G U E THE CORNERSTONES

Deniq

QB/DB

R ice

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

Aquil a r

RB/ LB

TE/LB

THE FOUNDATION

playoffs for the first time since 2004. The Spartans defeated Harper/Huntington 34-32 at districts but lost 52-12 to Camas Valley in the first round of the playoffs.

LAST LEAGUETITLE:1974 (Class A SD-8) LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE:2014

"It looks like it might come down to us and Wallowa as the favorites, and it's too

NAME POS. HT./WT. YR. N athan McCall WR/DB 5-10/150 J r .

H aden Kuta R B /D L 5- 6 /155 S o .

T rey Fisher RB / D L 5 - 10/185 J r .

C olton Walker TE/LB 5 - 8/135 S o .

bad we have to open league play against Wallowa."

Blake Dennis, Spartans head coach •

•

SCHEDULE DATE OPPO NENT S ept. 4 a tJ ordan Valley Sept. 11 at Prairie City/Burnt River S ept. 19 vs. Crane (Baker) Sept. 25 vs. E lgin Oct.2 vs.W a llowa' O ct. 9 at Powder Valley' Oct. 16 at J o seph' Oct. 23 vs. E cho' 'OldOregon League game

TIME 1 p.m .

1 p.m.

1 p. m .

2 p.m.

2 p.m.

7 p.m .

7 p.m.

2 p.m.

CAN'T-MISS GAME OCT. 2: WALLOWA AT PINE EAGLE League championships usually aren't claimed the first weekend in October, but the winner of the showdown between the Cougars and Spartans has the inside track toward the Old Oregon League crown.

Pine Eagle will be looking to exact some revenge after Wallowa won at home, 34-30, in a thriller last season. The Spartans were victorious in four the five games for the rest of the season, but it didn't matter. The Cougarsnever losta league game, keeping Pine Eagle in their rearview mirror.

Don't expect the Spartans to forget that.

— Ronald Bond 24

Pine Eagle football coach Blake Dennis likes what he sees at the Spartans' early practices for the upcoming Special District1 North season.

The Spartans, who finished 6-3 overall and 3-1 in the Old Oregon League, advanced to the postseason for the first time since 2004 last season. The Spartans lost 52-12 to CamasValley in the opening round of the Class 1A state playoffs.

Dennis also is counting on experience tohelp the Spartans'chances of returning to the postseason. Pine Eagle must replace basically three starters, running back Isaiah Simpson, center Ray Denig and wide receiver Jon Thorn, each of whom graduated.

The Spartans return the core of last year's playoff team.

"We havepretty much everybody backexcept for those three seniors," Dennis said.

Dennis expects Shane Denig to leadthe off ense in hissecond season as the Pine Eagle quarterback.

—THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HER ALD

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

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

Denig was a second team all-OOL quarterback last season.

Dennis said senior Jeff Rice will do the bulk of the ball carrying at running back. Rice was a first team

all-OOL running back a year ago.

The Spartans defense will come from the majority of the same gi'oup.

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

— GerryStee/e

MQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

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54 1 -523-6648 THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 25

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— THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

Koby Frye, Quarterback

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

KICKOFF'15

Wallowa duo Koby Frye and Chandler Burns return with title aspirations

By RONALD BOND IWesCom News Service

Wallowa reached the state semifion m u ltiple occasions, including a nalsfi ve straight seasons in the 1990s, 219-yard,three-score effortin a 68-0 winning the school's fourth state title th u m ping of Echo. in 1993 against St. Paul.

Frye has worked to improve as a However, that success waned some q u arterback, which could mean an in the 2000s, and although the Couimp r oved passing game and another gars reached the postseason five times offensive weapon to balance the Couin a seven-year span, they only got gar s ' run-heavy attack.

"It'll bring more people in on the back to the semifinals once — a 2005 loss to Mohawk. offense," he said."IQ1 bring some more Last year's return trip to the playdi v ersity by showing we don't just run offs was the first since 2010, and given the ball." that the school's previous runs have What m akes Wallowa even scarier come in spurts, the latest wave of suc- — and could make Frye and Burns cess could be on its way. even more lethal — is that Brockamp Head coach Matt Brockamp knows s ays the Cougars are more than just the history of Wallowa — which won th e i r senior quarterback and junior itsother three state

ssesin1951,1952 and 1967 — but he isn'tfocusedonpast

rom 0 8and -an afterthought in 2013 to 7 3anda team to be reckoned with in 2014.

The one year -resurrection ofthe Wallowa

resting on laurels.

"il™lk dofput-

"(I'm) kind of putting the ownership on them (that) the tradition starts here and starts with each one of these kids. The traditions and legacies they leave behind StartS With eaCh OneOf theSe piayerS,

football program is nothing short of spectacular,

ting the ownership

especially considering last year's team had a new head

traditionstartshere Matt Brockamp,Wallowa head coach and starts with each one of these kids," he said.'The traditions and legacies they r u nning back.

"I see a lot of potential in this team leave behind starts with each one of these players." here," Burns said.rWe had a good Fryeand Burns have already begun team last yearbutwe have a better to lay the groundwork. team this year."

The duo was a big part of a highI ndee d, Wallowa has talent at other powered Cougar offense that averaged positions on the field in seniors Noah 42 points per game and posted at least Allen and Cole Hafer and sophomore 50 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 a 30 thrashing of Powers in the opening t a lented &eshman class. round of the 1A playoffs — a game That m eans if opposing defenses try that saw Burns post 193 yards with and focus on just Frye and Burns, the two touchdowns and Frye add two slack will likely be picked up. If those scores ofhis own. teams try to spread the field and cover But that wasn't close to the best ever y one evenly, the duo will likely foreither player.Frye'swow moment have a heyday. was in the Cougars' 72-34 drubbing of Eit h er way, Wallowa's opposition Powder Valley when he scored seven c o uld be in for a rough go this season touchdowns and amassed 213 yards.

— against a team with the highest exBurns went over the 200-yard mark pe c t ations they've had in a long time.

coach,just twoseniorsand had been outscored 468122in those eight losses theyear before Ttoo players at the middle ofthat 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 '%ewant 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.

KICKO F F '15

MO NDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015

on them (that) the

THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 27

KICKOFF'15

1 A OLD O R E G O N L E A G U E THE CORNERSTONES

Frye

QB/LB

Bums

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

Hafer

RB/ D E

TE/LB

THE FOUNDATION

"We've got high expectations. We want to win a state championship, and every

NAME POS. HT./WT. YR. T ravis Haga T E /D E 6- 3/170 Jr .

N oah Allen RB / D B 5- 6 /155 S r .

B ryce Melville OUDL 5 -10/170 J r .

P atrick Ritthaler RB/LB 5 - 9/160 S o .

J oseph Pendarvis RB/LB 5-9/160 S o .

SCHEDULE DATE

OPPO NENT

TIME

Sept. 4 vs. Chiloquin (Dufur Classic) 1 p.m.

Sept. 18 vs. Adrian (Baker) TBA Sept. 25 vs. Echo' Oct. 2 at P i ne Eagle' O ct. 16 v s . Powder Valley' Oct. 23 at J o seph'

2 p.m.

2 p.m.

2 p. m .

7 p.m.

'OldOregon League game

CAN'T-MISSGAME SEPT. 18: WALLOWA VS. ADRIAN The early season showdown with the Antelopes, the defending 1A state champions, will show if Wallowa does indeed have championship mettle. Adrian beat the Cougars 60-8 in the Special District1 playoffs last fall in a game that got out hand right from the start. The key for the Cougars is not committing crucial mistakes early on. With the majority of the team on the field for that drubbing, it surely left a sour taste in the collective mouths of Wallowa.

—Ronald Bond 28

Adrian thumped Wallowa in the Special District1 playoffs. The Cougars rebounded to beat Powers 82-30 in the first round of the 1A playoffs before ending with a loss to Dufur.

LAST LEAGUETITLE: 2014 (OOL) LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 2014

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

Matt Brockamp, Cougarshead coach •

•

In his first season at the helm, Wallowa head coach Matt Brockamp led a resurgence as the Cougars went 7-3 and reached the1A quarterfinals — that after going 1-15 the previous two years.

Now, with the majority of the 2014 roster back and groomed by last season's playoff push, there is talk in the program about the Cougars' possibly contending for something Wallowa hasn't seen since the early 1990s.

A state title.

"We've got high expectations," Brockamp said. "We want to win a state championship, and every play that we play, we'll put out our best effort."

Seniors Koby Frye and Cole Hafer and juniors Chandler Burns and Travis Haga headline the returners forWallowa, which lost Micah Fuller and Gareth Murray to graduation.

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

—THE OBSERVER rr, BAKER CITY HER ALD

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The Cougars return all but two seniors from last year's squad, and enter the 2015 season with high expectations. says is loaded with talent and gained a lot of experience from getting to face a state semifinalist in Dufur and the state champion, Adrian.

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

Brockampadded he'd like m ore depth, but with the players and talent Wallowa has, the pieces may be in place for a special run.

"I think we're going to be better than we were last year," Brockamp sald.

— Ronald Bond

MQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

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THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 29

KICKOFF'15

1 A OLD O R E G O N L E A G U E THE CORNERSTONES ENROLLMENT: 69 COACH:Toby Koehn (first season) 2014 RECORD:2-6 overall, 1-3 OOL TALE OF 2014:TheEagles bounced back from a trio of season-opening losses to earn blowout wins againstYakamaTribal,

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THE FOUNDATION

"Virtually every freshman is out for football this year so that's where it starts. You're not going to get it starting with the top end down. It's a grassroots thing."

NAME POS. HT./WT. YR. B en Lopez OUDULB 5-10/170 J r .

L oganWelch R B/LB 5 - 7/150 Jr .

RylieWarnock OULB 5 -11/180 So.

Toby Koehn, Eagles head coach

THE ADDITIONS NAME POS. HT./WT. YR. S am Beckman QB/DL 5-11/180 S r .

T reyWandschneider TE/DB 6-2/145 Fr. T yler Homan QB/DB 5 - 6/120 F r .

SCHEDULE DATE OPPO NENT TIME S ept. 11 a t Wilder (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 .

7 p.m.

Oct. 9 at Echo" Oct.16 vs . Pine Eagle" 7 p.m.

Oct. 23 vs. Wallowa" 7 p.m.

'Game played at Baker City "Old OregonLeague game

CAN'T-MISS GAME SEPT. 25: JOSEPH AT POWDER VALLEY The teams combined for 100 points in a wild shootout last season in Joseph, ultimately won by Powder Valley, 52-48.

Both off enses should be high octane again this year, so the scoreboard should get a healthy workout once again this fall.

— Ronald Bond 30

W ashington, and Echo.They ended the season dropping their final three games, including a 70-28 league playoff game loss to Dayville/Monument.

LAST LEAGUETITLE:1958 (Class B Dist. 8) LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE:2011

•

•

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

Toby Koehn served as an assistant coach for Joseph last fall and steps into his new role with one goal in mind: get Joseph excited about football again. "(We're) just trying to build the right attitude in Joseph as far as wanting to play football," he said.

"It's going to be a couple of years, but you have to start somewhere."

The Eagles have endured some lean years since making a run to the 1A state championship game in 2008, posting just one season with more than three wins since.

Constantsuccess won'tcome overnight, but Joseph has a large freshman class out this fall to go with some key returners who form a good nucleus to build around.

"We've got great upperclassmen for leaders," Koehn said."The seniors, they're a great group of kids.

They might be small in numbers,

—THE OBSERVER rr BAKER CITY HER ALD

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Ronald BondNVesComNews Sennce

Cayden DeLury, right, turns upfield to score a touchdown during team drills in Joseph Aug. 17. but as far as leadership skills, they're der former Cove leader Skip Periera super good. during the early 2000s.

Koehn has been around some Fundamentals will be a major of northeast Oregon's best football tea ching point this fall, and Koehn minds, as he played under recentlyh o pes it will lead to a brighter future retired Imbler head coach Lee Lowe a s the program looks to bounce back.

— Ronald Bond in the 1980s and was an assistant unMQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

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THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 3 1

KICKOFF'15

1 A HIGH D E S E R T L E A G U E THE CORNERSTONES

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Allaire

QB/DB

Chandler

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THE FOUNDATION

DATE OPPO NENT TIME S ept. 4 vs. Powder Valley-a 2 p . m.

Sept. 11 at Elgin 7 p.m.

S ept. 19 v s . Echo (Baker) 7 p.m .

S ept. 25 vs. Jordan Valley-b' 1p . 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 game a-Game played at Huntington b-Game played at Harper

CAN'T-MISS GAME SEPT. 19: ECHO VS. HARPER/HUNTINGTON The LocoNets andCougarscap offafull day of Old Oregon League vs. High Desert League action at the Baker City Classic when the meet under the Bulldog Stadium lights in the finale of the1A quadruple header. With it being the third game of the season, a win for the LocoNets could set a positive tone for the rest of the season, especially with their league opener the following weekend.

-Ronald Bond 32

for third in Special District 1 South. The LocoNets lost 34-32 to Pine Eagle in the district playoffs.

LAST LEAGUETITLE: 2000 (Tri-Co League, lost in District playoffs, missed OSAA playoffs.)

LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE:1981

"We're small and not fast. We're short on the line and strong in the backfield.

NAME POS. HT./WT. YR. Bernardo DeSantiagoQB/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 .

W ill Bezates O U D L 5- 9 /165 S o .

SCHEDULE

ENROLLMENT: 50 (combined) COACH:Lee Tiller (fifth season) 2014 RECORD:3-4 overall, 2-2 High Desert TALE OF 2014:Harper/Huntington alternated wins and losses all season on its way to a 3-4 finish, which was good

W e lost a lotfrom lastyear. " LeeTiller, LocoNets head coach •

•

The Harper/Huntington football team is down both in numbers and in size this season.

Coach LeeTiller said he has only a dozen players out this season, down from 18 a year ago.

"We're small and not fast,"Tiller said. "We're short on the line and strong in the backfield. We lost a lot from last year."

Tiller said the LocoNets have five seniors, two juniors, a sophomore and four freshmen on this year's roster. He said just two players — Shawn and Justin Clark — come from Huntington.

Senior quarterback Dakota Allaire leadstheLocoNets off ense.

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

Anticipated starters on the line are juniors ErnestoTadeo and Clayton Garcia, 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 practice two nights a week at Ontario and

—THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

Harper School District photo

The LocoNets have just 12 players out for football this fall, but field five 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.

— GerrySteele in the Special District1 South League MQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

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THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 33

KICKOFF'15

1 A OLD O R E G O N L E A G U E THE CORNERSTONES

Dixon

QB

Stanford

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

Colton

RB

WR

THE FOUNDATION

in three consecutive losses. While Powder Valley was able to reel off a couple of wins, the defense wasn't consistent enough to help 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 / 20 5 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 NAME POS. HT./WT. YR. T anner Eubanks W R 6- 0 /175 S o .

T yler Hufford OL 5-1 1/180 Jr .

SCHEDULE DATE OPPO NENT Sept. 4 at Harper/Huntington Sept. 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 a llowa' Oct. 23 vs. E l gin 'OldOregon League game "Game played in Baker City

TIME 2 p.m.

6 p.m.

4 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

2 p.m.

7 p.m.

CAN'T-MISS GAME OCT. 16: POWDERVAILEYATWALLOWA Quarterback Seth Dixon had the strongestresponse tow hichgame he was most excited for — the clash with the Cougars.

Last season Wallowa ran through, over and around the Badgers on their home turf for a dominating 72-34 win, so they are looking forward at another shot.

— JoshBenham 34

New Powder Valley head coach Riley Martin has one goal in mind.

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

Martin takes over the Badgers' program after a disappointing 2-6 season.

Martin, who was an assistant coach for the basketball team for the previous eightyears, plans to feature his athletes asmuchashecanthisseason.

"On off ense,we'regoingto kind of spread it out a little bit and get to the corners, because we've got some pretty good speed guys," he said.

During the two-win 2014 campaign, the Badgers had their share of highs, including back-to-back wins over Joseph and Echo. The inconsistency, however,caused games to unravel more often than not.

"Lastyear, we had a lot oftimes where we'd come and play really well for a couple minutes, but we didn't play all the way through," junior Seth Dixon said. "We just have to battle all the way through, (and) stay focused."

Dixon resumes his role as

—THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HER ALD

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Josh BenhamNVescom News Sennce

Powder Valley head coach Riley Martin, left, directs Seth Dixon in footwork drills during the first practice of the season. quarterback, with Martin pointing to him as a "true leader." Senior Sean Stanford returns as running back, junior Cade Browne and sophomore Dawson Smith are the slot backs, and junior Isaac Colton and sophomoreTanner Eubanks will start at wide receiver give the Badgers plenty of options.

Martin pointed to Wallowa, Echo

and Pine Eagle as top teams in the Special District 1 North, but the team believes it should be right in the mix in the league race.

"With all the new coaches and all the new players, I just think we've got to figure out how we mesh," Browne said. "We'll have to figure out what our strengths are as a team."

— JoshBenham

MQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

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THE OBSERVER th BAKER CITY HERALD —35

KICKOFF'15

1 A HIGH D E S E R T L E A G U E THE CORNERSTONES ENROLLMENT: 61 (combined) varsity program in 2014. The low numbers COACHES: John Belveal (Burnt River) and led to the decision to co-op this season.

Darrell McKorala (Prairie City) LAST LEAGUETITLE:2004 (Prairie City, 1A SD-4) 2014 RECORD:0-0 (did not field a team) TALE OF 2014:Neither Prairie City nor LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE:2006 Burnt River had enough players to field a (Prairie City)

BELVEAL ISENBURGER SIDDOWAY

R B/QB

WR/ D B

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 •

•

SCHEDULE DATE OPPO NENT TIME S ept. 3 vs. Spray/Mitchell-a 7 p . m.

S ept. 11 v s . Pine Eagle-b 1 p.m .

Sept.18 at N o r thLake 2 p.m.

Sept. 25 at Dayville/Monument' 1 p .m.

Oct. 2 vs. C rane-a' 7 p.m.

Oct.9 atAdrian' 6p.m.

O ct.16 v s. JordanValley-b' 1p . m .

Oct. 23 vs. Harper/Huntington-a' 7 p.m.

'High Desert League game a-Game played at Prairie City b-Game played at Unity

CAN'T-MISS GAME SEPT. 3: SPRAY/MITCHELL AT PRAIRIE CITY/BURNT RIVER The season opener at Prairie City will be the first time the schools take the field as a co-op. Interestingly, Spray/Mitchell and Prairie City met in the Panthers 2013 season finale, which was the last game Prairie City played before sitting out the 2014 varsity season. Prairie City won that game, 74-12, which was its only win.

— Gerry Steele 36

Burnt River and Prairie City sat out the Special District1 South football season a year ago due to a lack of players.

Actually, both teams played junior varsity schedules. This season, the teams havecombined inaco-operative unit to return to the varsity level.

"We had talked about a co-op for a couple of years," said Lorrie Andrews, Burnt River superintendent.

"This year just seemed to be the right time."

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

The coaches will be John Belveal of Burnt River and Darrell McKorala of Prairie City.

Belveal, who has coached at Burnt River four seasons, said the Bulls return just three players from last season — Matt Siddoway, lineman and running back; Daniel Isenburger, safety; andTyler Belveal, quarterback and running back.

He said nine other Burnt River players are foreign exchange stu-

—THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HER ALD

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After neither school fielded a varsity program in 2014, Burnt River and Prairie City will play as a co-op this season. dents, and most are younger players, 15-16-year-olds.

"Those kids started practice with zero knowledge about football," Belveal said. "But, everybody seems willing to learn, and we've seen some potential."

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

Belveal said the players practice as a unit one night a week at Unity, one night at Prairie City, and two nights individually on their own fields.

— Gerry Steele

MQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

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THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 37

KICKOFF'15 PREVIOUS OREGON STATE CHAMPIONS (1950-PRESENT) 2014 6A: Central Catholic 5A:Hermiston 4A:Gladstone 3A:Vale 2A:Burns 1A:Adrian 2013 6A: Central Catholic 5A:West Albany 4A:Ridgeview 3A:Cascade Christian 2A:Grant Union 1A:Imbler 2012 6A: Sheldon 5A:Sherwood 4A:Baker 3A:Dayton 2A:Oakland 1A:Camas Valley 2011 6A: Lake Oswego 5A:Mountain View 4A:La Salle Prep 3A:Santiam Christian 2A:Gold Beach 1A:Camas Valley 2010 6A:Aloha 5A:Sherwood 4A:Baker 3A:Rainier 2A:Scio 1A:St. Paul 2009 6A: Sheldon 5A:Hillsboro 4A:Marist 3A:Amity 2A:Scio 1A:St. Paul 2008 6A: Southridge 5A:West Albany 4A:Astoria 3A:Grant Union 2A:Knappa 1A:Imbler 2007 6A: Sheldon 5A:West Albany 4A:Marist 3A:Gold Beach 2A:Culver 1A:Mohawk 2006 6A:Jesuit 5A:Corvallis 38

4A: Siuslaw 3A: Nyssa 2A: Cascade Christian 1A:Dufur 2005 4A:Jesuit 3A: Marist 2A: Nyssa 1A:Mohawk 2004 4A: Sprague 3A:Wilsonville 2A: Lost River 1A:Perrydale 2003 4A:Tigard 3A: Marist 2A:Amity 1A:Powder Valley 2002 4A: Sheldon 3A: Scappoose 2A: Dayton 1A:St. Paul 2001 4A: McNary 3A: Scappoose 2A:Amity 1A:Dufur 2000 4A:Jesuit 3A: Scappoose 2A:Amity 1A:Dufur 1999 4A: Beaverton 3A: Sisters 2A:Amity 1A:Dufur 1998 4A:Ashland 3A: Sisters 2A:Amity 1A:Powers 1997 4A: McNary 3A: Ontario' 2A: Lost River 1A:Powers 'Game forfeited by Ontario. Championship trophy not awarded.

1996 4A: Roseburg 3A: St. Helens 2A: Dayton 1A:Powers 1995 4A: Roseburg 3A: Junction City

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;THE OBSERVER rr, BAKER CITY HERALD

2A:Dayton 1A:Dufur 1994 4A:Glencoe 3A:Seaside 2A:Sherman 1A:Dufur 1993 4A:North Medford 3A:Junction City 2A:Vale 1A:Wallowa 1992 4A:Marshfield 3A:St. Helens 2A:Heppner 1A:St. Paul 1991 4A:Ashland 3A:Silverton 2A:Vale 1A:St. Paul 1990 4A:(tie)Tigard/ Roseburg 3A:Reedsport 2A:Vale 1A:Camas Valley 1989 AAA:Ashland AA:Hood River Valley A: Salem Academy B: Sherman 1988 AAA:Benson AA:Philomath A: Salem Academy B: Cove 1987 AAA:Lakeridge AA:Sweet Home A: Regis B: Cove 1986 AAA:Glencoe AA:Dallas A: Dayton B: Butte Falls 1985 AAA:Medford AA:Phoenix A: Dayton B: Cove 1984 AAA:Crook County AA:North Valley A: Enterprise B: St. Paul 1983 AAA:Corvallis

AA:Central A: (tie) St. Mary's/Colton B: Cove 1982 AAA:Gresham AA: Henley A: St. Mary's B: (tie) Prospect/Cove 1981 AAA:Roseburg AA:(tie) Siuslaw/ South Umpqua A: St. Mary's B: Arlington 1980 AAA:Beaverton AA:Cascade A: Regis B: Camas Valley 1979 AAA:Corvallis AA: Phoenix A: St. Mary's B: lone 1978 AAA:Corvallis AA:Gladstone A: St. Mary's B: lone 1977

AAA:(tie) Medford/ Churchill AA:South Umpqua A: Regis B: Arlington 1976 AAA:Sunset AA:(tie) Gold Beach/ South Umpqua A: Regis B: Culver 1975 AAA:Sunset AA:Vale A: Regis B: Culver 1974

AAA:La Grande AA: Pleasant Hill A: Regis B: Culver 1973 AAA:Hillsboro AA: Marist A: Regis B: Butte Falls 1972 AAA:Centennial AA:Gladstone A: Santiam

B:Alsea 1971

AAA:South Salem AA:Gladstone A: Santiam B: Huntington 1970 AAA:Corvallis AA:Coquille A: St. Mary's B: Huntington 1969 A: Medford A-2: St. Mary's B: McKenzie B-8: Huntington 1968 A:Jesuit A-2: Bandon B: (tie) Corbett/ Sacred Heart B-8: Huntington 1967 A: (tie) Grants Pass/ Jesuit A-2: Central B: Wallowa B-8: Prospect 1966 A: Hillsboro A-2: Vale B: Harrisburg B-8: (tie) Wheeler/ Riverside 1965 A: David Douglas A-2: Serra Catholic B: Jefferson B-8: St. Francis 1964 A: Grants Pass A-2: Vale B: Oakland B-8: Camas Valley 1963 A: (tie) Grant/ North Salem A-2: Phoenix B: Jefferson B-8: Camas Valley 1962 A: Medford A-2: Central B: Merrill (via forfeit) B-8: Hereford 1961 A: Roseburg A-2: (tie) Phoenix/ Myrtle Point B: (tie)Yoncalla/Pilot Rock

B-8: Sisters 1960 A: David Douglas A-2: Central B: St. Mary's B-8: lone 1959 A: Medford A-2: Seaside B: (tie) St. Mary's/ Yoncalla B-6: Sisters 1958 A: Jefferson A-2: Vale B: Merrill B-6:Alsea 1957 A: Jefferson A-2: Vale B: Stanfield B-6: Sisters 1956 A: Marshfield A-2: Reedsport B: (tre) Monroe/Stanfreld B-6: Culver 1955 A: Marshfield A-2: Vale B: Malin B-6: Culver 1954 A: (tie) Marshfield/ South Salem A-2: Vale B: (tie) Monroe/Union B-6: Glide 1953 A: Central Catholic A-2: Crook County B: Union B-6: Coburg 1952 A: Central Catholic A-2: Crook County B: Wallowa B-6: Coburg 1951 A: Grants Pass' B: Wallowa B-6: Coburg 'Championship awarded based on first downs.

1950 A: Grant B: Bandon B-6: Pilot Rock Source:OSAA

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

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THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 39

KICKOFF'15 2014 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS Class 6A First Round Central Catholic 70, Thurston 19 WestAlbany 16, Grant 6 Clackamas 28, Lincoln 21 West Linn 49, Roosevelt 15 Sherwood 56, Roseburg 13 Lakeridge 79, Westview 67 Oregon City 38, McNary 6 Sheldon 34, Canby 14 Grants Pass 77, Barlow14 Lake Oswego 24, South Medford 7 West Salem 48, Beaverton 21 Southridge 34, South Salem 28 Jesuit 41, Gresham 14 North Medford 41, Wilson 7 Sunset 49, Sprague 24 Tigard 70, David Douglas 49 Second Round Central Catholic 59, West Albany 16 West Linn47,Clackamas 7 Sherwood 31, Lakeridge 14 Sheldon 56, Oregon City 34 Grants Pass 28, Lake Oswego 21

Quarterfinals

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

Marist Catholic 28, Corvallis 14 Hermiston 19, Liberty 14 Springfield 56, Wilsonville 47 Silverton 28, Ashland 0 Semifinals Hermiston 30, Marist Catholic 13 Silverton 31, Springfield 14 Final Hermiston 34, Silverton 12

Quarterfinals Central Catholic 42, West Linn 7 Sheldon 35, Sherwood 31 West Salem 42, Grants Pass 28 Tigard 42, Jesuit 41, 3OT Semifinals Central Catholic 65, Sheldon 21 Tigard 17, West Salem 14 Final Central Catholic 49, Tigard 0

Class 5A First Round Corvallis 42, Mountain View 28 Marist Catholic 41, Summit 29 Hermiston 17, Sandy 0 Liberty 35, Crescent Valley 14 Springfield 26, Parkrose 14 Wilsonville 31, Central 22 Ashland 52, Hillsboro 22 Silverton 54, Pendleton 6

Class 4A First Round Gladstone 21, Sisters 10 Junction City 19, Crook County 8 Scappoose 41, Molalla 6 Cascade 10, Banks 7 Mazama 42, Siuslaw 12 Phoenix 38, Sweet Home 28 South Umpqua 57, Philomath 14 North Bend/Oregon Coast Technology 71,La Grande 22

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

North Bend/Oregon Coast Technology 42, South Umpqua 13 Semifinals Gladstone 27, Scappoose 26, OT North Bend/Oregon Coast Technology 41, Mazama 40 Finals Gladstone 35, North Bend/ Oregon Coast Technology 17

Class 3A First Round Santiam Christian 57, Salem Academy 14 Scio 52, Taft 34 Dayton 14, lllinois Valley 6 Harrisburg 35, Rainier 0 Nyssa 46, Clatskanie 21 Blanchet Catholic 17, Horizon Christian 16 Vale 69, Coquille 22 Cascade Christian 21, Pleasant Hill 0

Quarterfinals Santiam Christian 42, Scio 0

Harrisburg 28, Dayton 7 Blanchet Catholic 24, Nyssa 6 Vale 35, Cascade Christian 21 Semifinals Harrisburg 21, Santiam Christian 19 Vale 51, Blanchet Catholic 0 Finals Vale 45, Harrisburg 19

Class 2A

First Round Burns 57, Kennedy 7 Union/Cove 16,Nestucca 8 Regis 41, Lost River 10 Gold Beach30,Oakr idge 0 Heppner 49, Myrtle Point 0 Central Linn 6,Weston-McEwen/ Griswold 0 Oakland 35, Toledo 18 Knappa 54, Culver 16 Quarterfmals Burns 47,Union/Cove 6 Regis 29, Gold Beach 0 Heppner 45, Central Linn 8 Knappa 12, Oakland 7 Semifinals Burns 33, Regis 0

Heppner25, Knappa 16 Finals Burns 49, Heppner 0

Class 1A First Round Lowell 54, Condon/Wheeler 8 Sherman 52, Hosanna Christian 8 Triangle Lake 66, Crane 52 Camas Valley 52,Pine Eagle 12 Dufur48, North Douglas 0 Wallowa 82,Powers 30 Yoncalla 66, Days Creek 60, OT Adrian 66, lone 6

Quarterfinals Sherman 50, Lowell 42 Camas Valley 66, Triangle Lake 20 Dufur 72,Wallowa 20 Adrian 64, Yoncalla 8 Semifinals Sherman 24, Camas Valley 18 Adrian 58, Dufur 52 Finals Adrian 46, Sherman 28

2014 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STATETITLE GAME RECAPS Class 6A

rushing yards on the way to winning the school's fourth state championship. Smith had 21 carries, including touchdown runs of 5, 51 and 59 yards.

CENTRAL CATHOLIC ROUTS TIGARD Central Catholic secured its second straight 6A state title with a 49-0 win over Tigard in the OSAA Class 6A championship game.

The Rams jumped ahead 28-0 at halftime and kept their foot on the gas on both sides of the ball to record their sixth straight game with more than 40 points.

Class 3A

Class 5A HERMISTON WINS FIRST STATE FOOTBALLTITLE Hermiston senior Chase Knutz passed for 248 yards and three touchdowns, and the Bulldogs won the school's first state football title with a 34-12 win over Silverton in the OSAA Class 5A championship game.

This was the first-ever state title in football, basketball or

40

Billy Gates/The Oregonian

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

and Gladstone claimed its first state football title in 36 years Class 4A with a 35-17 win over North GLADSTONE ENDS STATE Bend in the OSAA Class 4A TITLE DROUGHT championship game.

Handsome Smith ran for 212 The Gladiators ran wild on North Bend, piling up 375 yards and three touchdowns,

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

VALE RUMBLESTO STATETITLE WIN Vale running back Andrew Weber ran hard, churning his legs to amass179 yards and two touchdowns during the Vikings' 45-19 win over Harrisburg in the OSAA Class 3A championship game.

Vale's power running game, which finished with 489 yards rushing, allowed the Vikings to extend its lead after a Weber 10-yard run put the Vikings up 12-0.

possessions and ran away with the Class 2A state football title, thumping Heppner 49-0 in the OSAA Class 2A championshipgame.

Burns completed an undefeated13-0 season with the win behind a dynamic offenseand a smothering defense.

Class 1A

ADRIAN CRUISES PAST SHERMAN INTITLETILT The punishing rushing attack for Adrian, led by fullback Morgan White and tailback Chase Walker, lifted the Antelopes to the school's first state title 46-28 over Sherman in the OSAA Class 1A championship game.

Walker rushed for the most yards on the night, gaining Class 2A 201 on 21 carries and a touchBURNS SCORES EARLY down, but White scored four AND OFTEN IN ROUT times and gained168 yards Burns scored on its first five on 16 carries.

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

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La raneALhfE. vv HE BSERVER Produced bp: NIE D I

KICKO F F '15

MO NDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015

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THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 41

KICKOFF'15

Some stories to keep an eye on during the season t

t wasn't long ago that the spring sports season wrapped up, and we here at The Observer and the Baker City Herald were looking at two and a half months before teams took to the gridiron.

But now, football is upon us.

A few area teams have already taken part in some jamboree play, but the bulk of the action starts Friday.

With the season ready to begin, here are three of the many storylines I'm excited to see play out: • How will La Grande fare as it replaces its kont line and leagueplayeroftheyear?Obvi-

but also some huge question marks — comes together, and ifit can indeed take the success RQNALD BQND of aleague co-championship and springboard ahead.

• What will Wallowa do for ously, one player does not make a team, but one player can an encore? Goingkom 0-8 to have a huge impact. Brandon 7-3 in one season, under a new Dall was that player for the head coach iwho had never Tigers in 2014 as they made coached 8-man before) with a turnaround. Now he, four just two seniors and reachstarting linemen and a handing the quarterfinals, as the fulofotherseniorsneed to be Cougars did, is downright replaced. The success of 2014 impressive. Nearly the entae has been well documented, and team returns, which is huge if it was La Grande's best team you're aW allowa fan.Talk ofa in nearly a decade. I'm curious state championship is swirling. to see how this team — which Could the Cougars go kom has talent at the skill positions 0-8 to a title in two years? I

RONALD'S REPORT

watched my alma mater, Vale, go kom 1-8 to a title in three years, so it's definitely possible. Defending state champion Adrian and many others in the deep Class 1A will have their say, but with talent and playoff experience, a deep run byWallowa would not be a surprise.

• Who will etch their place in Oregon high school football lore? I've been shocked in researching the history of football in northeast Oregon to see who has had dominant runs.That Cove ifi ve— one shared), Huntington and Wallowa ifour each) are the statetitleleadersin the area

stunned me. I'm a sucker for numbers like that and have spent countless hours in the past perusing through the archiveson osaa.orgjustto see who has had a glorious past and who has made a recent rise. I think a local program could be on the cusp of a run.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that at least one of the teams in this preview section will play for a state title.

I'd say who, but unfortunately m y crystal ballbroke before I garnered that information.

It's going to be a very exciting fall season, and I can't wait forFriday to gethere.

AREA OSAA STATE PLAYOFF RECORDS School T i mes Streak Baker 20 12 Burnt River

3 22 12 18 8 13 5 17

1 10 7 6 6 4 2 2

Pine Eagle 1 3 PowderValley 16

6 5

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3 3 5

Cove Elgin Enterprise Huntington Imbler

Joseph La Grande

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'Co-op with Union "Co-op with Cove 42

— THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

Nancy Campbellphoto

Imbler is the area program with the most recent appearance and victory in the state championship game, having defeated Lowell for the 1A state title in 2013.

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

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THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD — 43

to to 0 CL' ci 0 to CL' U

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Jace Billingsley, Running Back

44

— THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

KICKOFF'15

Running back Jace Billingsley and the Mountaineers vie for first playoff bid after last season's disappointing snub

By JOSH BENHAM iWesCom News Service

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, coachesand 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."

Thosesame teammates probably havesim ilar thoughts for their running back The senior is coming off a scintillatingjunior KICKO F F '15

MO NDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015

campaign. Billingsley, who started theyear as a widereceiverbutmoved overtorunning back midway through, finished with 891 yards on the ground with 10 touchdowns while averaging seven yards a carry. He also had a team-high59 receptions for637 yards and six additional scores. To top it otf, he was named first team all-conference in the Frontier Conference as a kick returner, averaging 25.9 yards per return on 18 kickoffs.

Atter defeating the eventual NAIA national champions, Southern Oregon University, in the season finale, Eastern was ranked No. 15 and poised fora fi rst-ever playofF spot. But the Mounties were the first team left

out of the play Q'

-': h".~dB;u''.g:-' ley andhis team-

learned a lot, butin the back of my head I kind of was hoping I could work my wayinto arunning back spot, which is more natural," Billingsley said.

Along the way, he's made a close bond with redshirt junior quarterback Zach Bartlow. The pair lived together as freshmen and have been roommates ever since. ''We'vehad a greatrelationship ever since then," Billingsley said."I'm excited to be in the backfield with him this year because he's going to have an amazing year."

Bartlow believes the time at wide receiver will pay huge dividends for

"We've got big expectations.

I'm excited, a little nervous, but mostly just ready to go."

Jace B i llingsley, Eastern Oregon University running back

mates while also convincing the team of its abilities. ''We'reallrealhungry andready, "he said.'You could tell all the way through fall camp, it gave us confidence. Because now we know we can hang with national champions in this division."

The opportunity to potentially lead a college football team to the NAIA playoffs almost never came to fiuition for Billingsley. Coming out of Winnemucca, Nevada, he was a star wrestler and footballplayer,butitwas his ability on the mat that got him the most notice.

"I just wanted to play football, but not a lot of schools were looking at me to play football," he said."I really liked all the coaches and teammates I met here at Eastern, and it was kind of close to home."

The Mountie coaches recruited him as a slotreceiver despite playingrunning back in high school, and Billingsley excelled, leading the team in receptions and yards his first two seasons. But when the time came to return to the backfield, Billingsley was prepared.

"I enjoyed my time atreceiver and

Billingsley as a running back.

"He's the full package," Bartlow said."He'sgotgreatvision,speed and explosion. But the No. 1 thing that he brings is his ability to catch the ball on screensorgooutin the slot.Itreally opens up the offense that way."

In the rugged Frontier, Billingsley knows making the playotfs will be a tall task. But with a potent offense Eastern is poised for a history-making year. Doing that in his final season would be the perfect final chapter to a storiedcareer asa M ountie.

"It would mean the world to me to cap offthegreatexperience I've had here," Billingsley said.'These teamm ates and allthecoaches deserve it."

Billingsley is majoring in secondary education, and ifhe isn't able to catch on in a professional football league atter this year, he'll try for a master's degree in teaching. But right now, he's just focused on making his last season memorable. ''We'vegotbigexpectations,"he said."I'm excited, a little nervous, but mostly just ready to go."

THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 45

KICKOFF'15

F RONTIER C O N F E R E N C E THE CORNERSTONES

Bartlow

QB

B illinqsley

RB

Ben s on

DB

THE FOUNDATION NAME POS. HT./WT. YR. A dam Bese DB 6-0/ 19 5 Sr .

Kyle Lanoue DL 6-1/ 26 0 Jr. C alvin Connors W R 5-9 /160 S o .

G ary Posten LB 6-1/ 2 1 0 Sr .

Mitch Staeffler OL 6-2 / 277 Jr .

THE ADDITIONS NAME C ooper Harris H ayden Burris J ustin Hughes

POS. HT./WT. YR. LB 6-1 / 23 0 Sr .

OL 6-3 / 300 S o .

DB 5-1 0/165 S o .

SCHEDULE DATE OPPO NENT TIME A ug. 29 atThe College of Idaho N o o n Sept. 5 a t Sacramento St. 6:05 p.m.

S ept. 12 at Southern Oregon 1 p . m.

S ept. 19 vs. Montana Tech 1p . m .

Sept. 26 vs. Rocky Mountain College 1 p.m.

Oct. 10 a t Carroll College Noon Oct. 17 vs. Univ. of Montana-Western 1 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Montana St.-Northern Noon Oct. 31 a tM ontana Tech Noon Nov. 7 vs.

The College ofIdaho Noon N ov. 14 vs. Southern Oregon Noon

CAN'T-MISS GAME NOV. 14: SOUTHERN OREGON AT EOU While the early matchup against Division I Sacramento State is intriguing on many levels, the home game against the Raiders could have large conference implications.

— JoshBenham 46

ENROLLMENT:3,653 COACH: Tim Camp (eighth season) 2014 RECORD:8-3 overall, 7-3 Frontier TALE OF2014:The Mountiesequaled a program-high of eight wins in 2014, including a huge win over Southern

Oregon University in the season finale.

But Eastern had to watch from home as the Raiders won the NAIA title while the Mounties were snubbed.

LAST CONFERENCETITLE: 1980(Co-Champs) LAST POSTSEASONAPPEARANCE: None

"We're not the biggest team, we're not the fastest team, but one thing I believe that we

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

Tim Camp, Mountaineers head coach •

•

Missing out on the NAIA playoffs in 2014 is something that's driven Eastern Oregon University all offseason.

"We'd get together and talk about how lastyear wasn't good enough," senior safetyAdam Bese said.

"Throughout the winter, spring and summer, it's fueled the fire."

The Mountaineers are ranked No. 13 in the preseason coaches poll, the highest in program history, and return a plethora of talent. Quarterback Zach Bartlow, running back Jace Billingsley and wide receiver Calvin Connorsheadlinethe off ense.

"I feel really, really good about our skill kids," head coachTim Camp said. "That is our strength. They've played a lot of football in the Frontier Conference."

The biggest question mark on that side of the ball is the line. The only returning starter is guard Mitch Staeffler.

"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."

—THE OBSERVER a BAKER CITY HERALD

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Cherise KaecheleNVescomNews Sennce

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

Defensively, Tucker Stanley and Gary Posten are back at linebacker, and the secondary is stocked. Bese and cornerback Byron Benson lead a seasoned group.

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

"We all have a lot of confidence with each other, and we trust each other on the field."

Defensive lineman Kyle Lanoue returns, but as nose tackle Parker Lawson graduated. Camp said that's the biggest question mark defensively.

— JoshBenham

MQNDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5

T he beat k i n d

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care that helps you stay healthy or recoverquickly, so that you can get back to living your life, doing the things you love to do.

It is care you can count on to meet the highest standards of safety and quality.

This kind of care is available when you need it, easy to access and tailored to your unique needs. The best kind of care is delivered with compassion and respect by someone who treats you like you're one of a kind. At Saint Alphonsus Medical Center — Baker City, we believe the best kind of care is

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Saint Alphonsus

Medical Group Baker Clinic 3175 Pocahontas Road Baker City, Oregon 97814 (541) 523-4415 Hours: M-Th, 8 a.m.— 5 p.m.; Fri, 8a.m.-3p.m.

General and Orthopedic Surgery 3325 Pocahontas Road.

Baker City, Oregon 97814 (541) 523-1797

Valley Medical Clin ic 3820 17th Street Baker City, Oregon 97814 (541) 523-4465 Hours: M-Fri, 7 a.m.-7 p,m.

Emergency Room Physicians 3325 Pocahontas Rd. Baker City, Oregon 97814 (541) 523-8105

Hours: M-Th, 8 a.m.— 5 p.m.; Fri, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

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Community Local Money Working For LocalPeople www.commLInitybanknet.com Member FDIC

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—THE OBsERvER a BAKER clTY HERALD

Visit your local Community Bank: La Grande 904 Adams Ave La Grande Valley 2313 Adams Ave Elgin 109 S 8th St Baker City 1190 Campbell St Wallowa 202 N Storie St Enterprise 300 NW 1st St Joseph 609 N Main St

MONDAY, AUGUsT 31, 2015 K ICKOF F ' 1 5