Kennedy High continues to prove its mettle in Class 2A football. The Trojans, who advanced to the championship game a year ago, made it to the semifinals this season before falling 32-13 to Stanfield on Nov. 19.
The game was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which the Trojans won 34-20.
“Stanfield was more physical upfront this year,” said Kennedy coach Joe Panuke. “It was tough for us to get any movement. Stanfield was able to convert some key third downs in the second half that kept the chains moving in their favor, and we had a tough time running the ball.”
The Trojans finished the season 10-2, with the lone losses to Regis and Stanfield, the two teams that played for the state title.
“We are extremely proud of this team,” Panuke said. “They played their hearts out week in and week out. This team played with class and played the game the right way. It is going to be tough to replace this group of seniors. They have put in so much time to the program.”
Kennedy was led by Tri-River Conference offensive player of the year Bishop Mitchell, who rushed for 2,217 yards and 28 touchdowns. Mitchell, who has committed to play college ball at Portland State University, averaged an eye-popping 9.9 yards per carry.
Also on the Tri-River first team were wide receiver Skyler Bizon (25 catches, 527 yards and 7 TDs), offensive/defensive lineman Jeremy Kliewer, place-kicker Diego Hernandez, defensive back Brett Traeger and linebacker Jack Suing.
On the second team were Traeger at quarterback (557 rushing yards, 9 TDs and 1,231 passing yards, 13 TDs). Jack Suing (433 yards, 5 TDs) at running back, offensive linemen Nick Suing and David Wright, punter Emorej Lynk, Mitchell at defensive back, linebacker Christian Larios and defensive linemen Nick Suing and Bryce Vandervort.
Bizon received honorable mention at defensive back.
All-MWC: Silverton, which finished 7-3 overall, placed six players on the all-Mid-Willamette Conference team. Tackle Dustin Gubbels and wide receiver Spencer Clements were named on offense, lineman Colin Walker, linebacker Lance Cline and defensive back Kobe Garcia were chosen on defense and punter Austin Haskett was a special teams pick.
Earning second team slots were defensive lineman David Espe, linebacker Collin Zollinger, offensive guard Ben Willis, tight end Elijah Nielsen, running back Darren Buckley and Garcia at wide receiver. On the honorable mention list were defensive back Sam Morrison, center Nick Tokarski and quarterback Levi Nielsen.
Cross country: Two former Foxes standouts, Morgan Anderson and Maddie Fuhrman ran against each other Nov. 11 in the NCAA West Regionals at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento. Anderson, a redshirt senior at Oregon State University, ran the 6-kilometer course in 21:35 and finished 96th. Her finish was 100 places better than at last year’s meet and her time moved her into the No. 19 spot all time at OSU. Anderson also is 13th in Beavers history at 5K (17:27).
Fuhrman, meanwhile, a freshman at the University of Hawaii, finished 195th in 23:01.7. Her best time at 6K was 22:06.5 and she also turned in a 19:27 at 5K.
Fuhrman told Our Town that “my first college season was fun. Lots of good experience building and it made me excited for the next couple of years.”
In addition to getting adjusted to “being far away from home, new coach and new team and more schoolwork” Fuhrman also had to deal with the travel – every road meet means a plane ride – and the weather.
She said it is usually 80 degrees but that she’s “getting used to it.”
Volleyball: Five members of the Silverton volleyball team received all-league mention. Junior Olivia Pavlicek and seniors Kayce McLaughlin and Megan Mannion were named to the second team and junior Maggie Buckholz and senior Annika Gulstrom received honorable mention. The Foxes finished 14-11 overall and just one match short of qualifying for the state tournament.
Boys soccer: Ethan Crofts and Ethan Risby of Silverton both received honorable mention on the all-Mid-Willamette boys soccer team. The Foxes finished 6-6-4 overall and advanced to the round of 16 in the Class 5A playoffs before falling to eventual semifinalist Summit.
Fun run: A 5K run and walk will be held Saturday, Dec. 3, in conjunction with the annual Hazelnut Festival in Mount Angel. The event starts and finishes at the Festhalle and costs $28 (including festival admission). Race registration starts at 8:45 a.m. and runners hit the course at 10 a.m.
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