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43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, October 10, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 6, 2004 Medford schools picked to win title By KEVIN GOFF Mail Tribune "Sweet" was the word South Medford coach Dave Potter used to describe the memory of his team’s run through the 2003 boys soccer season. The Panthers rode an experienced bunch to the school’s second Class 4A state title, and the first under coach Dave Potter. The word describing the Panthers and the rest of the Southern Oregon Conference this year? Change. The top of the SOC may have a familiar look, according to a preseason coaches poll, but the route on getting there will differ. The conference did away with nonconference games and adapted a round robin format. Advertisement "The new scheduling is kind of tough for two reasons," says 13-year North Medford coach Rich Garcia. "One, you don’t get a feel for any other teams in the state, or get to talk to some of the other coaches to find out about some of the other teams. Two, we’re jumping right into conference play without any warm-up." As opposed to cutting its teeth on Sheldon or South Eugene as in years past, South Medford was set to open the 2004 campaign against league foe Eagle Point. But the Eagles represent the other twist thrown at the rest of the conference. SOC coaches found out just three weeks ago the Eagles, whose coach left to take another job elsewhere, will not field a team, leaving the remaining seven squads to slug it out for a playoff berth. Despite this season’s differences, coaches still see the Medfords and Ashland as the teams to beat. North received four first-place votes and is picked to tie with rival South Medford for the league crown. The Grizzlies, who finished in a three-way tie for the SOC title with North and South last season, were picked third. "We’ll be doing some rebuilding," says Potter, who lost forward Corey O’Neill and SOC player of the year Spencer Hunter to graduation. "It’s an all-new season. We have to set our goals for this year and put last year’s (state title) away." But other SOC coaches aren’t buying Potter’s insistence that his team is possibly rebuilding. "Potter will sing you the blues," says Grants Pass coach Scott Gottula, "but the fact is they have a ton of kids that can play and understand how to win. He’s done a great job with that program." NORTH MEDFORD — The Tornado returns all but two starters from the co-SOC championship squad that advanced to the second round of the state playoffs last year. Although the loss of Richard Snapp puts a dent in the leadership department, Garcia is blessed with a bevy of returning talent. Senior first-team all-conference standout Luis Cabrera, the team’s leading goal scorer and assist man last season, returns along with James Kidwell to fill out the forward position. Kidwell replaces Brandon Deluca, who moved back to Washington for his senior season. Goalkeeper Oscar Benitez returns to mind the net, while junior Scott Reid and senior Devin Torrey, who moves from the right side to center, will lead a feisty defensive unit. "I can field 11 very, very good players," says Garcia of his team’s depth. "There’s about six kids that come off the bench that can be just like starters in certain positions." Junior Jason Hanlin brings tenacity to the front line and should see major minutes off the bench, while Garcia expects 6-foot-3 Eric Howe, a left-footer, to use his frame and different foot angle to wreak havoc. SOUTH MEDFORD — The Panthers lost quite a bit from last season but a whole crop of fresh talent is ready to step in. Senior keeper Mike Belzberg, an all-SOC honorable mention pick, and senior Kevin Potter return to pick up the defensive slack. Senior midfielders Scott Marlow, Shane Holiday, Bryan Waggener and Eric Loeffler also come back to shore up a position of definite strength for South. Bret Hamilton (junior forward) and Chris Swartsley (junior midfielder) saw action last year and will be big contributors this season. Dane Happeny, a goalkeeper last year as a sophomore, will also see time as a defender. Sophomore defender Walt Wimmer, sophomore forward Alex Arazaga, junior forward/midfielder Kyle Ross and junior defender Jesse Bright are key newcomers this season. "We have some kids coming back that know what it takes to win," says Potter, "and were a big part of last year’s team. They’re helping motivate the rest of the boys to work harder." ASHLAND — Senior first-team all-SOC forward Fabian Garcia-Flores will be the key to a very potent offense. Standout midfielders Corey Fisher and Collin Rainstied, along with fullback Matt Tavich join Garcia-Flores as the lone returning starters. But newcomers may also make an immediate impact. Senior Roberto Ramos, who didn’t play last year, enters the fray as a stopper. Thomas Golding, who spent last year as an exchange student overseas, should contribute major minutes, while Nico Walker (sweeper), Joe Sallon (forward) and freshman Alex Murray (midfielder) will play a big role in helping the Grizzlies maintain last season’s momentum. ROSEBURG — Coach Steve Kaser had to trim down a turnout of 71 kids this year — the largest he’s had entering his fifth season at the helm. But it’s the crew he has back that could move Roseburg up in the standings. First-team all-SOC senior Nathan Eckstein leads a group of four returning starters. Other returners include senior Collin Soderberg-Chase (defender/midfielder) and goalkeepers Cuylar Zeigler and Jameson Baird. Zeigler and Baird split time last season and Kaser is willing to do the same this year. Possible sophomore standouts Taylor Martin and Johnson Reed (both midfielders) will start. Martin earned time as a freshman, which Kaser says is a rarity for his teams. Forwards Juan Carlos Rodriguez and Quentin Clark, who missed most of last year with an injury, will play major roles, while senior Nick Ramano will head up the defense. GRANTS PASS — The injury bug and academic problems will set the Cavemen back this season. Gottula, entering his 12th season, lost six of seven returning players and had to scramble to get some of his younger athletes ready. First-team all-conference midfielder Colin Hackett will miss his senior season, while junior forward Aaryn Walsh also won’t be seeing time. Another starter, Jared Wilhelm, tore his ACL on the second day of practice and is lost for the year. Adam Ortiz returns up front to lead the young crew and Travis Bille will mind the goalkeeper position. Junior Chad Farber could see more action in back if a hip injury to Ortiz doesn’t heal up by game-time. New to the lineup is 6-5 Brad Erby, who didn’t play last season. He is joined by fellow newcomers Steve Draper, Jake Word and freshman Cameron Schaffer. CRATER — The Comets may find themselves in rebuilding mode after reaching the state playoffs for the first time in school history a year ago. With only four starters back, third-year coach Chris Gallegos will rely on a large number of sophomores to keep the ship afloat. Crater returns only four starters in center midfielder Josh Smith, sweeper Aaron Powell, and midfielders Eric Lundgren and Paul Melgren. Looking to make an impact this year are outside defender Chris Venebales and forward Devin Swanson, while bruising sophomore Mario Hangartner should make an immediate impact as a stopper. KLAMATH UNION — Transfers and change of interest hit the Pelicans hard in the offseason. Klamath lost four returning players — two transferred to Mazama and the others decided to concentrate on other sports — from a squad that finished 2-5 in the SOC last season. Fourth-year coach Marty Ledgerwood now turns to brothers Matt and Adam Cornachione, and six freshman to help take up the slack. Freshman forward Luis Ortega, brother of standout keeper Jose Ortega, will help lead the young crew of starters. Matt Cornachione will start at sweeper and Adam Cornachione is slotted in at center midfield. Reach reporter Kevin Goff at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities