The boys of fall are on the football fields, golfers are off and chipping or putting, volleyball players are skinning their knees and knocking it down, and soccer is off and going strong. This is one of my favorite times of year, the beginning of fall high school sports. This year especially, is very important to me.
Last year I didn’t get to spend a lot of time on the sidelines and so I didn’t feel as connected to the teams as I sometimes do. But that has changed and although I’m not quite 100 percent, more like 90 percent, I am looking forward to the fall.
In Class A cross country, Corvallis brought home the championship behind Anders Watt, Jake Jessop, and Grant Martin who all placed in the top 20 at the state meet. The loss of these may affect the Blue Devils but they are a deep team and there are sure to be more following in their footsteps. The Corvallis girls finished in second in the state with only two seniors on the team so they should be in the hunt for a trophy come the first of October.
Hamilton’s Lyric DeVries finished second last year at state but she graduated. However, Brynnli Poulsen finished sixth and she was just a freshman. Ani Mason was also in the top 25. Hamilton finished seventh overall and will be tough again this year. Hamilton’s Matt Wilson finished second at state last year but he was a senior and won’t be back. Overall, the Hamilton boys finished eighth and will give chase for the title this year.
Darby finished 10th in Class C with only three girls including Gracie Lang who finished second as a sophomore. The Darby boys finished ninth with Donovan Chaffin, a junior, finishing the highest at 21st.
On the soccer pitch, it will be a rebuilding year for the schools in the valley. The Hamilton girls did make it to the second round of the state championship playoffs, while Stevensville lost out in the first round. The Hamilton boys did make it to the playoffs. With a new fitness routine in place this season, Hamilton is looking to make some waves as will Stevensville.
Hamilton’s run for the championship in football last year was nothing short of stellar. With the combination of Carson Rostad at the quarterback position and receivers Tyler Chouinard, Cameron Rothie, and Tanner Goligoski, and a line that would and did stop almost every team, the Broncs finished second in Class A. Although Chouinard graduated, the other three will make up the backbone the Bronc offense and should have another good run. Corvallis and Stevensville will be rebuilding and should have some good players out this season.
Victor lost a key player with the graduation of Eli Rosen but with quarterback JD Kay at the helm, the Pirates could have a successful year. Darby brings back Dylan Parks and Nelson Smith who made several successful connections in last year’s season. Florence opens their season playing in Washington Grizzly Stadium this week. After making the playoffs for the first time in a few years last season, the Falcons are looking to improve even more.
The Florence Lady Falcons had another successful season but have lost a few key players to graduation this year. However, their junior varsity team last year was very tough and will fill the gaps left. Rylee Mangun and Shannon Byrne will be the leaders for the Lady Falcons.
Corvallis also made it to state last year but the loss of Kate Hurlbert at the setter position will be tough to fill. Hannah Hutchison, Charlotte Powell, and Maureen Jessop will be tough at the net and help to lead the Blue Devils back to state again.
Hamilton lost some key players to graduation as well. Cariann Kunkel, Tristy Searle, and Caitlin Dillon all played key parts of the Lady Bronc volleyball team. This year, look to Sophia Doyle and Magdalena Ringer for leadership on the young team.
Stevensville will have Angel Richardson, Quinn Larson, Casie Kopsa, Mikayla Newman to rely on. With new coach and former Yellowjacket Kyla Paulsen in her first year of coaching, look for some upward movement for the Lady ‘Jackets.
Darby’s Casey Ehmann will be the go to gal for the Lady Tigers. With her athleticism and ball sense, she will keep the Lady Tigers on track. Victor lost most of their players to graduation and will have a new look this year.