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Commentary North builds for its future By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN With a dry, fast artificial-turf field to run on, the speed at which North Medford and Westview played in their Class 4A state playoff football game Friday turned incredible. It seemed like a track meet. The fast surface picked up the pace of North Medford's normally slow, power-running game and prompted coach Rod Rumrey to pull out his playbook and turn to the page with all the trick plays. He says he used them all. Reverses, double reverses, halfback passes and throw-back passes. It made for an entertaining game because Westview coach Ron Lineman also went deep into his playbook to pull out plays to accentuate his team speed, which may be the best in Oregon -- although Ashland still might get to say something about that down the playoff road. "We almost didn't get out of here," Linehan told his team after the win, which was accomplished with a touchdown in the final minute to beat back a determined, solid effort by North. It might have been among Rumrey's best coaching jobs in nine years at North. And it's something on which to build. Rumrey has a lot of returning youngsters and a flock of new talent ready to enter the program next year. A talented freshman class could feed several players to the varsity next year. Leading the way are 6-foot-2, 245-pound freshman lineman Franco Console, 6-4, 200-pound quarterback-tight end Travis Poulton and running back Justin MacLauchlan. "Even though we lost, this is a good start for next year," says Rumrey, who will have two talented backs ahead of MacLauchlan in the talent pool. They are returners Kenny Halpin, a junior, and sophomore Phil Ouellette, a sprinter who has a bunch of good moves and athletic ability to go with all that speed. "I like our future," Rumrey said after the game. "We have a lot of talent coming back." Another probable star next year for North will be fullback-linebacker Diego Apodaca, a 180-pound junior with speed, talent and heart. "You're going to be a great one," Rumrey told Apodaca, as they talked and exchanged hugs. Several North Medford coaches and school district officials got a close look at the brand new AstroTurf surface at Hare Field. That field had always been regarded as a quagmire waiting to happen. Before this year. It's the softest, best AstroTurf surface I've seen. It's softer than a lot of grass fields I've walked on. The turf was put down after a $1 million donation by the Coca-Cola Co. It turns Hare Field from a mediocre facility into a showplace. Just looking at all that smooth green is amazing enough. But to see how it so dramatically increases the pace of the game is the payoff for the teams and fans. Imagine how it would look at Spiegelberg Stadium. It would be incredible -- and fitting for Medford. If Medford, or the Medford Linebackers, could put the same turf down in Spiegelberg, it would mean so much to football in the city. Let's face it, football has taken a downturn in recent years due to the spiraling success of soccer programs at South Medford and North Medford high schools. "We've already been talking about it (putting AstroTurf) in there (Spiegelberg Stadium)," said North Medford Athletic Director Mike Kay. "I don't know if it can be done or not. But this is amazing stuff. It's so soft. It changes the game." "I think it's something we might pursue," said Kay. It should be a priority. I'll guarantee the Medford Linebackers can make it happen. They raised money and financed the new blue track at Spiegelberg Stadium a few years ago. Now, it's time to come to the aid of Medford football, which hasn't produced an SOC champion in a decade. Installing this AstroTurf would allow all junior varsity and freshman football games to be played in the stadium. It would be great for everyone. (Randy Hammericksen is the Mail Tribune's sports columnist. He can be reached at 776-4499.) Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford,