Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Old friends to meet on opposite sidelines Friday
By John Gunther, Sports Editor
Thursday, August 28, 2008 | No comments posted.
NORTH BEND — Friday marks Marshfield coach Kent Wigle’s 21st Civil War football game against North Bend. The game at Vic Adams Field will be Bulldog coach Rick Taylor’s first.
That doesn’t mean the two coaches are strangers.
They recounted some of their memories from their earlier coaching days, when both were in the Umpqua Valley, during a joint booster club meeting at North Bend on Wednesday.
“It’s always fun to play your neighbor,” said Wigle, who is in his 38th year as a head coach — he started his career at South Umpqua High School. “In 1984, 85, 86 and 87, Rick was our neighbor at Douglas High School. We were eight miles apart. It was the same type of rivalry.”
Wigle and Taylor forged a friendship then that continues to this day, and the Marshfield coach told North Bend’s supporters that the school has hired a great new coach.
“Rick is a quality person,” Wigle said. “You guys are lucky to have him here to work with your young people.”
Friday night marks the first time the friends have faced off on the field since Wigle’s last year at South Umpqua. The 7 p.m. contest is an Oregon School Activities Association endowment game, which helps fund the OSAA Foundation. The admission, set by OSAA, is $6 for adults and $4 for students.
Taylor is looking forward to his first game with the Bulldogs after replacing Bill Masei, who left North Bend for the head coaching job at Dallas High School near Salem. But the new Bulldog coach also said the option scheme he runs is hard to pick up quickly, so his team’s execution has a long way to go in preparation for the league season.
“I love the guys I’m working with,” Taylor said. “And I’ve got a great coaching staff.”
On paper, Marshfield figures to have an advantage Friday night, in part because of a strong senior class, the best the team has had in several seasons.
“We have 22 seniors,” Wigle said. “That’s the biggest number we’ve had by six or seven student-athletes (in recent years).”
That has led to great competition in practice, which should make the Pirates better during games.
“The best form of motivation is having someone breathing down your throat,” Wigle said of the battles for some of the positions.
The Pirates return 11 starters, a solid core on both offense and defense. The one spot lacking in experience is the offensive backfield, where junior Kyle Tedder takes over at quarterback and Talo Silver will be the starting running back.
Aside from those spots, Marshfield has good returning talent on offense.
Jordan Shepherd could be a standout at receiver and Levi Meline also returns to the position. Shane Daly also will be a talented receiver from the tight end position.
Marshfield returns three starting offensive linemen — Jordan Chaplin, Jordan Tardie and McKenzie Freeman, a huge guard whom Wigle thinks could be playing college ball this time next year.
Daly and Travis Bettin return as starting defensive backs, while linebackers Kyle Brown and Cody Dew also return to the starting lineup. Bo Cutting started at defensive end last season.
Tedder was the team’s kicker and punter a year ago.
Other players are filling in the holes, which has Wigle excited about the team’s potential.
“We have a good nucleus returning,” he said. “I feel really comfortable with our group.”
Marshfield will try to use that talent to reverse its fortunes from last year, when the Pirates lost several close games and had just their second losing record in Wigle’s tenure.
North Bend, on the other hand, had a great season, reaching the Class 4A quarterfinals before losing a thrilling game at top-ranked Sisters.
But, as Taylor pointed out, his team is not overflowing with experience.
“We don’t have 22 seniors,” he said. “Those guys graduated last year.”
North Bend returns just five starters and 11 lettermen overall, but Taylor likes the group’s work ethic.
“Our kids are working very hard,” he said. “We’ve got some pretty decent team speed.”
The team’s biggest need is experience in the new offense.
“It takes a lot of work to make it work,” he said of the triple-option attack.
North Bend’s strength is up front. Linemen Brandon Huber, Phil Boateng and Justin Tobey all are three-year starters, while Trae Collins is a huge, athletic tackle who just hasn’t had much playing time at the varsity level.
Skyler Walton, Bryce Weidman and Seth Johnson provide talent at the receiving positions, while Shane Halford will play fullback and also fill a key role on defense at linebacker along with sophomore Jake Lucero.
With the limited experience and depth, Taylor stated one of the obvious keys to the season, saying, “We need to stay healthy.”
Taylor never considered trying a new offense when he came to North Bend, which used a single-wing attack under Masei.
“I’ve stayed with it for a long time because it’s difficult to cover,” he said of challenges the triple option poses for defenses. “You’ve got to believe in something. You’ve got to use it and convince the kids it’s the right thing to do.”
North Bend athletic director Boyd Bjorkquist joked that he didn’t do Taylor a lot of favors with the Bulldogs’ schedule.
North Bend does start with four straight home games, but Friday’s game is followed by contests against Newport, North Eugene, Phoenix and at Sweet Home.
“It’s a tough preseason, but I think that’s a positive,” Taylor said. “If you can keep (the players) positive until you get to league, they will have played some of the toughest teams in the state.”
And Taylor has a strong feeling the group will be able to do OK.
“They care about each other,” he said. “There’s a tremendous care going on and I think that’s important. These are very, very good kids.”
Notes: The joint meeting was hosted by the North Bend Booster club, which has its regular meetings at noon on Wednesdays at North Bend Lanes. The Marshfield Booster Club meets at noon on Thursdays at Abby’s Pizza. The Pirates also are bringing back the Quarterback Club this fall. That group will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. on Fridays at the Coney Station in Coos Bay, strictly to discuss football, previewing that week’s game and also the weekend games for the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. The Quarterback Club’s first meeting is this Friday.
That doesn’t mean the two coaches are strangers.
They recounted some of their memories from their earlier coaching days, when both were in the Umpqua Valley, during a joint booster club meeting at North Bend on Wednesday.
“It’s always fun to play your neighbor,” said Wigle, who is in his 38th year as a head coach — he started his career at South Umpqua High School. “In 1984, 85, 86 and 87, Rick was our neighbor at Douglas High School. We were eight miles apart. It was the same type of rivalry.”
Wigle and Taylor forged a friendship then that continues to this day, and the Marshfield coach told North Bend’s supporters that the school has hired a great new coach.
“Rick is a quality person,” Wigle said. “You guys are lucky to have him here to work with your young people.”
Friday night marks the first time the friends have faced off on the field since Wigle’s last year at South Umpqua. The 7 p.m. contest is an Oregon School Activities Association endowment game, which helps fund the OSAA Foundation. The admission, set by OSAA, is $6 for adults and $4 for students.
Taylor is looking forward to his first game with the Bulldogs after replacing Bill Masei, who left North Bend for the head coaching job at Dallas High School near Salem. But the new Bulldog coach also said the option scheme he runs is hard to pick up quickly, so his team’s execution has a long way to go in preparation for the league season.
“I love the guys I’m working with,” Taylor said. “And I’ve got a great coaching staff.”
On paper, Marshfield figures to have an advantage Friday night, in part because of a strong senior class, the best the team has had in several seasons.
“We have 22 seniors,” Wigle said. “That’s the biggest number we’ve had by six or seven student-athletes (in recent years).”
That has led to great competition in practice, which should make the Pirates better during games.
“The best form of motivation is having someone breathing down your throat,” Wigle said of the battles for some of the positions.
The Pirates return 11 starters, a solid core on both offense and defense. The one spot lacking in experience is the offensive backfield, where junior Kyle Tedder takes over at quarterback and Talo Silver will be the starting running back.
Aside from those spots, Marshfield has good returning talent on offense.
Jordan Shepherd could be a standout at receiver and Levi Meline also returns to the position. Shane Daly also will be a talented receiver from the tight end position.
Marshfield returns three starting offensive linemen — Jordan Chaplin, Jordan Tardie and McKenzie Freeman, a huge guard whom Wigle thinks could be playing college ball this time next year.
Daly and Travis Bettin return as starting defensive backs, while linebackers Kyle Brown and Cody Dew also return to the starting lineup. Bo Cutting started at defensive end last season.
Tedder was the team’s kicker and punter a year ago.
Other players are filling in the holes, which has Wigle excited about the team’s potential.
“We have a good nucleus returning,” he said. “I feel really comfortable with our group.”
Marshfield will try to use that talent to reverse its fortunes from last year, when the Pirates lost several close games and had just their second losing record in Wigle’s tenure.
North Bend, on the other hand, had a great season, reaching the Class 4A quarterfinals before losing a thrilling game at top-ranked Sisters.
But, as Taylor pointed out, his team is not overflowing with experience.
“We don’t have 22 seniors,” he said. “Those guys graduated last year.”
North Bend returns just five starters and 11 lettermen overall, but Taylor likes the group’s work ethic.
“Our kids are working very hard,” he said. “We’ve got some pretty decent team speed.”
The team’s biggest need is experience in the new offense.
“It takes a lot of work to make it work,” he said of the triple-option attack.
North Bend’s strength is up front. Linemen Brandon Huber, Phil Boateng and Justin Tobey all are three-year starters, while Trae Collins is a huge, athletic tackle who just hasn’t had much playing time at the varsity level.
Skyler Walton, Bryce Weidman and Seth Johnson provide talent at the receiving positions, while Shane Halford will play fullback and also fill a key role on defense at linebacker along with sophomore Jake Lucero.
With the limited experience and depth, Taylor stated one of the obvious keys to the season, saying, “We need to stay healthy.”
Taylor never considered trying a new offense when he came to North Bend, which used a single-wing attack under Masei.
“I’ve stayed with it for a long time because it’s difficult to cover,” he said of challenges the triple option poses for defenses. “You’ve got to believe in something. You’ve got to use it and convince the kids it’s the right thing to do.”
North Bend athletic director Boyd Bjorkquist joked that he didn’t do Taylor a lot of favors with the Bulldogs’ schedule.
North Bend does start with four straight home games, but Friday’s game is followed by contests against Newport, North Eugene, Phoenix and at Sweet Home.
“It’s a tough preseason, but I think that’s a positive,” Taylor said. “If you can keep (the players) positive until you get to league, they will have played some of the toughest teams in the state.”
And Taylor has a strong feeling the group will be able to do OK.
“They care about each other,” he said. “There’s a tremendous care going on and I think that’s important. These are very, very good kids.”
Notes: The joint meeting was hosted by the North Bend Booster club, which has its regular meetings at noon on Wednesdays at North Bend Lanes. The Marshfield Booster Club meets at noon on Thursdays at Abby’s Pizza. The Pirates also are bringing back the Quarterback Club this fall. That group will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. on Fridays at the Coney Station in Coos Bay, strictly to discuss football, previewing that week’s game and also the weekend games for the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. The Quarterback Club’s first meeting is this Friday.
The comments below are from users of theworldlink.com and do not necessarily represent the views of The World or Lee Enterprises. Participation Guidelines
Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Not already registered?
The World welcomes your comments about stories, and we encourage a robust dialogue on this site. All comments must meet reasonable standards of decency and civility.
Please follow these basic rules:
- No defamatory comments about individuals or businesses.
- No deliberately false information.
- No obscenity or racially offensive language.
- No harassment, verbal abuse, threats or personal attacks.
- No information that invades another person's privacy.
- No business solicitations or charitable solicitations.
Comments that violate these standards will not be posted. Users with repeated violations may be banned from future posting.Comments will be approved throughout the day during business hours. After hours and weekend comments may not appear until the following business day. It may take a couple of hours before comments are approved.
The World generally does not edit comments, but we reserve the right to edit any comment that does not meet our standards.
Close Guidelines