Don’t look now, but this fall sports thing might actually come off for local high schools.
Teams are practicing. Schedule slots are being filled in. And Marion County moved Feb. 23 from the extreme risk level to the high risk category on Gov. Kate Brown’s COVID chart.
Teams in soccer, cross country and volleyball can play games beginning March 1, with March 5 the first football Friday night. Stayton hosts Marshfield, Cascade visits Woodburn and Regis visits Blanchet Catholic in football openers.
Limited off-season workout opportunities and power outages have put a serious crimp in preparation time, but optimism remains high.
“To be honest it is very stressful as a coach to go from almost nothing to jumping in full speed,” Brandon Bennett of Cascade told Our Town. “We typically have a summer leading into the season which allows you to scaffold your teaching of offense and defense. In this scenario we are going from 0 to 100. Throw everything at the kids and see what sticks for game one. I am excited and impressed with what my players have been able to handle from the mental standpoint. We will be ready on March 5.
“Practices have been going great. Kids are excited about getting a chance to play. There is a buzz in our community that football is back. I personally love that feeling.”
“The toughest challenge has been the uncertainty kids and coaches are faced with,” said Stayton athletic director Darren Shryock. “It is difficult to maintain focus and effort when the season may or may not happen.”
Shryock was especially pleased at the lower risk level, which will open things up for more volleyball, the lone indoor sport of the “fall” season.
“For football and other sports, we are preparing for games following all mandates, including everyone wearing masks, social distancing, and no fans. No spectators is heartbreaking for our parents, but at least we have the Pixellot system installed so they can view games as we live stream them.”
Empty stadiums and parents and students watching games on streaming services. Welcome to 2021.
Youth Golf: The Santiam Canyon Youth Benefit Golf Tournament is set for Aug. 7, 2021. The event was not held during 2020 because of the coronavirus, but organizers still plan to award scholarships and grants this April. To support the program the group is conducting an online auction that runs March 15-25. Among the items up for auction are golf outings, metal art from Herman Frieden, a 6-person rafting trip, one ton of wood pellets, a 5-cubic-foot load of bark dust, golf lessons, gifts baskets and more.
To bid on auction items go to https://charityauction.bid/YBGT. Organizers also are accepting cash donations. Contact Mike Long at 503-897-4902, [email protected] or see the website (www.ybgolf.com).
This is the 21st year of the program and Long expects the group to pass the $250,000 mark with the current campaign.
Club Soccer: Spring registration is now open for the Stayton Boys Soccer Club. Practices start in April, games quickly follow and the season concludes in June. Registration costs $70, with an additional $35 for uniforms. Teams will practice in Stayton, with games at the Capital FC Timbers complex on State Street in Salem. See the club Facebook page at https://tinyurl.com/1fazdmp1 for more information.
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