Here is our seasonal look at how Stayton-area athletes performed in college this fall.
Jose Gomez and Kevin Hernandez, Stayton: The former Eagles helped lead the Chemeketa Community College men’s soccer program to a South Region title and into the NWAC semifinals. Gomez, a sophomore defender started all 14 games and scored one goal. Hernandez, a freshman forward, scored twice and added an assist while playing in 12 matches.
Casey Pugh, Stayton: The sophomore at Lane Community College in Eugene helped the Titans capture their third consecutive Northwest Athletic Conference Southern Region cross country title. Pugh ran the 8K in 26:57.0 and finished eighth overall. Lane had seven runners finish in the top 10.
Alyssa Smart, Stayton: The freshman defender played all 15 matches while starting 14 for the Chemeketa Community College women’s soccer program. The Storm finished 1-9-2 in the NWAC South and 1-12-2 overall.
Nic Farr, Cascade: The senior goalkeeper at Corban University split time with Justin Keegan on a Warriors squad that won the Cascade Collegiate Conference title and advanced to the NAIA tournament before falling to UC Merced on penalty kicks. Farr turned in a 9-0-1 record with two shutouts and 32 saves.
Brandon Piete, Regis: The sophomore defensive back at George Fox University in Newberg intercepted four passes for the Bruins and was third on the team in tackles with 29 solo tackles and 24 assists.
Tyrell Williams, Cascade: The wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders of the NFL still had one game left to play at Our Town’s presstime. Williams has caught 42 passes for 651 yards and six touchdowns. He is averaging 15.5 yards per catch and had a long play of 46 yards. He played four years with the Chargers before signing a four-year, $44 million contract with the Raiders in March.
In other news:
Basketball: The Cascade boys team is off to a 7-0 start under new coach Calvin Molan, a former Cougar standout. Cascade is ranked No. 4 in Class 4A. Stayton is 5-3, with the losses to North Marion (ranked No. 1), Banks (No. 5) and Seaside (No. 6). Santiam, meanwhile is 6-1 overall and 1-0 in the Tri-River, while earning the No. 4 ranking in Class 2A.
Stayton and Cascade open Oregon West Conference play after the first of the year, with the Eagles hosting Philomath on Jan. 10 and the Cougars hosting Sisters on Jan. 14. League contests are doublehaders involving the boys and girls games.
Stayton and Cascade also are off to strong starts in girls hoops. Cascade is 5-2 and ranked seventh, while Stayton is 6-2 and ranked 11th.
Football: Brandon White of Oregon West Conference champion Cascade was a two-time all-state Class 4A honoree. White made the first team as a defensive lineman and the second team on the offensive line. Also earning slots for the 7-2 Cougars was Caleb Sell, first team offensive lineman and Ethan Coffey, honorable mention running back.
Stayton, which finished 6-3, earned four honorable mention spots. Quarterback/defensive back Ben Rash was honored on both sides of the ball, with offensive lineman Bryce Whieldon and wide receiver Logan Classen also receiving honorable mention.
The team was selected by the state’s coaches and assembled by The Oregonian/OregonLive.
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