The fall high school athletic season features new faces in key places at Regis High School. Brynie Robinson has taken over as the football coach, and he was hired by new athletic director, Dave Johnson.
So far the plan is working well. Robinson’s Rams are 3-1 overall, with the lone loss a 10-8 defeat at the hands of Class 3A Blanchet Catholic. Since then Regis has pitched three shutouts, blanking Harrisburg 64-0, Salem Academy 26-0 and Gervais 60-0.
“We are just focused on improving 1% each day and taking it one game focus at a time trying to go 1-0 each week,” Robinson told Our Town. “We are trying to encourage players and coaches to ignore the polls, standings, and records of other teams. We are just trying to be our ‘brother’s keeper’ and focus on our opponent being ourselves.”
Robinson most recently was the coach at Tri-River Conference foe Colton, and he earned some publicity in his early days of coaching when he had a punishing commute from Silverton to a coaching gig at Vashon Island, Washington.
During last season at Colton, Robinson experienced a death in his family, which he said “helped me put in perspective that being near family was more important than ever moving forward in life. Coaching at Regis… has been a huge blessing. The Regis family is special and I’m blessed to be included in their family as well.”
Taking the Regis job also allowed Robinson to reunite with his father, Robby, who is serving as one of his assistants. Robby has won state titles in multiple states, including a 1991 Class 3A title with Silverton.
Brynie Robinson works as a financial adviser at the Edward Jones office in Silverton, where he says “you might find some football plays on the wall.”
Locally, Johnson has worked at Corban University, Jefferson High, West Albany High and South Salem High. Nationally and internationally he is known for his track and field career and his work as a motivational speaker. Johnson was a four-time national champion in the decathlon and won the bronze medal in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
Johnson has worked with Regis track and field athletes in recent years and “always have wanted to find a way to teach or administrate here. Regis is an amazing place for students. I am honored to be here. I have a very Christ-centered background and feel at home where I can openly talk about my faith.”
Soccer: The Stayton boys, who won the Class 4A state title during the COVID-shortened spring season, are off to another strong start. The Eagles entered the week 8-0 overall, 4-0 in Oregon West Conference play and ranked No. 1 in the state. Stayton has outscored opponents 36-4.
The Eagles are led by senior forward Jayden Esparza, a two-time Class 4A player of the year who has scored 11 goals and added four assists.
Coach Chris Shields says Esparza is flying a bit below the radar as a soccer player and is worthy of more attention.
“I have a feeling if he was playing football or basketball (there would be) a greater spotlight on the kid,” Shields said. “It is very frustrating considering the amount of time and energy this young man has put into this program.”
Shields starts just three seniors, with Santos Navarro and Pedro Garibaldi joining Esparza.
“We start five sophomores some nights,” Shields said.
One of those sophomores, Ishmael Esparza, has scored seven goals. Other key contributors include dominating junior midfielder Owen Samuell, sophomore Angel Garcia and junior Omar Garcia.
Stayton will receive a stiff challenge in league play, with Philomath ranked second and Sisters fourth.
“This year has been a learning experience for many players and we hope to make a large jump next season,” Shields said.
Football: Cascade is 4-0 and ranked No. 4 in Class 4A. “To be honest I could not be more proud of this team,” said coach Brandon Bennett. “If you have not seen these boys play find sometime on a Friday night to come watch the show. They are talented, tough and play exciting football.”
Stayton, meanwhile, is 1-3, but coach Randy Nyquist said “we are continuing to grow and are making progress. I am so happy to see our kids play and compete in a challenging time in our world and we appreciate all of the support from our school and community.”
Volleyball: Cascade is 10-2 overall, 4-1 in league play and ranked No. 2 in Class 4A behind MWC foe Sisters, which is also 10-2 and 4-1. The Cougars claimed a 3-1 home win against Sisters earlier this season but must visit the Outlaws on Oct. 19.
Redistricting: The Oregon School Activities Association committee working on new leagues for the next four-year cycle is looking at a five-class system as well as one that continues the current six-class approach.
The five-class model would keep Stayton and Cascade in Class 4A but move them into a new league that also would include Central, Dallas, Lebanon, Molalla, Sweet Home and Woodburn.
The six-class plan would keep Stayton and Cascade in their current Oregon West Conference lineup that includes Sisters, Newport, Philomath and Sweet Home. Both the five-class and six-class proposals would keep Regis in Class 2A.
The committee meets Oct. 11, Nov. 1 and Nov. 22 before presenting its final recommendation to the executive board on Dec. 13. The new league structure will take effect in the fall of 2022.
Follow me on Twitter.com @jameshday.
