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Ready to run: 36 teams take on Silver Falls Oktoberfest Invitational

James DayBy James Day

The Silver Falls Oktoberfest Invitational will be run on a new course this year. The cross country meet, which is co-hosted by Silverton and Kennedy, traditionally has featured a course that starts at the Old Ranches and uses the “monster” hill that passes the water tower in Silver Falls State Park. This year, the races will start in the parking lot at the South Falls day-use area, which means easier parking for spectators.

Race coordinators Erik Cross of Silverton and Steve Ritchie of Kennedy note that 36 teams will be on hand for the Sept. 16 meet, representing five of the six classes in the OSAA. Both local schools figure to perform well.

Cross lost 22 seniors from last year’s squad but has 65 runners on hand, including senior Maddie Fuhrman, who participated in the Class 5A meet the past two years and finished ninth last year.

“Maddie has recorded an amazing high school running career thus far,” Cross said. “I believe her experience both with her successes and having to try a variety of different training methods to find what works best for her will result in an exceptional senior year.”

Junior Hosea Catterall, who had a breakthrough track season last spring, is the top boys runner for the Foxes.

Kennedy, meanwhile, should be in the mix for both girls and boys district titles.

The Trojans return district champ Adrian Parra, who took fourth at state. Junior Noe Jines (sixth at districts last year) is also on hand although he has battled an illness during fall training.

The Trojan girls squad will miss four-year stalwart Lauren Stokley, but sophomore Kaylin Cantu is ready to challenge for a top five position at state. Cantu won the district title and was 10th at state.

Ritchie said he still is looking for a No. 4 and No. 5 on the boys side, “but if we get them the boys should contend for a district title and state meet berth. The girls should make a strong run at a district title if they stay healthy and things come together.”

Kennedy football: The Trojans showed a strongly balanced offense in their 34-8 season-opening win Sept. 4 at Clatskanie. Kennedy, in its second year under Coach Joe Panuke, had to weather a lightning storm that stopped play early in the second quarter.

“They sent us to the locker room for a good hour,” Panuke said. “We didn’t get home until 1 a.m. I’ve never had that happen to me in football … in baseball yes, but not in football.”

Kennedy led 7-0 when play was halted, but took control for good soon thereafter.

Quarterback Brett Traeger hit 6 of 12 passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Jacob Lopez and Bishop Mitchell took turns carrying the ball effectively for Kennedy. Lopez ran for 90 yards and a 26-yard touchdown run. Mitchell added 77 yards on 11 carries, scored one rushing TD and added a 58-yard TD catch from Traeger. Damien Guerrero added a rushing TD, while Owen Seiler had a 40-yard TD catch.

“The guys played well,” Panuke said. “For a first game there were very few mistakes. Some miscommunications but overall it was a pretty clean game.”

The Trojans hosted Knappa on Sept. 11 after Our Town’s presstime. The game should give Kennedy a good sense of how the Tri-River Conference might shape up this season.

Silverton football: The Foxes fell 14-13 in their opener Sept. 4 at Wilson of Portland. The Trojans connected on an 18-yard touchdown pass with 26 second left to tie the game 13-13 and then Ben Turker nailed the PAT to seal the win.

Silverton played a stout game defensively despite giving up 192 yards on 34 carries by Wilson senior running back Riley Tindell. Until those final 26 seconds Wilson’s lone score came after a disputed fumble on a punt that gave the Trojans a short field at the Foxes’ 33.

Junior quarterback Sam Morrison, who had the unenviable task of replacing three-year all-state player Cole Chandler, had a solid first game, hitting 7 of his 13 passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. His lone interception came in the final 15 seconds of the game.

Senior Noah Dahl continued to show his versatility, rushing 15 times for 79 yards and catching six passes for 55 yards.

“I’m disappointed of course, but I am proud of our guys,” Silverton Coach John Mannion said. “That was a very good football game for an opener. It was a hard-fought game, and the physicality will benefit us down the line. Some things went our way and some didn’t, but we’re a proud program and we’ll get back to work in the morning.”

The Foxes hosted Marist Catholic on Sept. 11. Visit Our Town’s Facebook page for an update on the game.

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