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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories 10 things to know for Wednesday Since You Asked: Birders disagree on the species of large black birds spotted near Roxy Ann Get Up & Go: Dec. 17 Emergency services Ashland won't tax market vendors until 2015 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Man pleads guilty to gang-fight charges Emergency Services Police utilize social media to track down sex offender Man dies in early morning crash near Prospect Politics and Elections State certifies recount showing failure of GMO-labeling measure Time running out for O&C funds GMO vote recount still shows little change GMO labeling votes recounted under careful watch in Jackson County Kent Bush: First Amendment doesn’t mean what you think it means Education Logos may offer students 'fifth year' at RCC or SOU St. Mary's plays host to youth robotics tournament A lesson in giving Hedrick student council works to clean up the language Table Rock solid: Elementary school praised for keeping attendance up Environment No fish, no funding for problem dams Most residents speak against gas pipeline Coalition asks for defense of GMO ban Home Help: Make your new house feel like home Bighorn sheep reintroduced along Klamath River State News As deadline nears, Oregon's health insurance signups still low Gang-related shooting in Portland sends 3 youth to hospital GMO labeling proponents concede defeat Tribes can decide whether to legalize pot Lawyer says football player had altercation Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Dolores Jean Marier Christina Lea "Mima" Jacobson Donna Jeanne Brawn DeCamp Joan E. 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Dunbar Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable ACCESS receives $50,000 donation from Wells Fargo Sports Latest Stories North Medford hands Comets first loss Warriors stopped at 16 Johnson scores 18 in No. 3 Arizona's rout of Oakland SOU offense, Marian defense form dream matchup Raider for life Varsity 541 College Sports Johnson scores 18 in No. 3 Arizona's rout of Oakland SOU offense, Marian defense form dream matchup Raider for life In Eugene, focus returns to football Four Raiders selected to All-American teams Pro Sports Warriors stopped at 16 Costly triumph Saints rout Bears, take lead in South Griffin, Jordan lead Clippers over Pistons Deal puts Headley at third for Yanks, not A-Rod Community Sports Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories Employment in Oregon surpasses pre-recession levels Free lunchtime presentation covers business planning Ride & Drive: 2015 Nissan Juke Nismo Honda’s CR-V goes uptown again Rental owners group reports 2.48 percent vacancy rate Real Estate News Rental owners group reports 2.48 percent vacancy rate More sales, but no change in residential housing median price Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban People In Business People in Business, Dec. 3 Transportation Allegiant Air will resume Medford-Phoenix service May 22 Agriculture K-BAR ignites agriculture boom beneath Table Rocks Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Opinion Latest Granlund cartoon: Christmas season Our View: Celebrate by helping those in need Letters to the Editor, Dec. 17 Guest Opinion: Loved one chose death with dignity in Oregon Granlund cartoon: Cheney and waterboarding Editorials Our View: Celebrate by helping those in need Our View: Ashland Hospital's remarkable turnaround Our View: Councilors' criticism less troubling than secrecy Other Views: Riley leaves strong legacy at OSU Our View: Cheers and jeers Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Dec. 17 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 16 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 15 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 14 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 12 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Loved one chose death with dignity in Oregon Guest Opinion: Forest thinning means water for the future Guest Opinion: Suit threatens family farms and democratic vote Guest Opinion: SOU pool decision short-sighted Guest Opinion: It's time for biologists to let OR-7 go dark Lifestyle Latest stories How NOT to install drywall 5 Things to Do This Weekend (Dec. 19-21) Dave Ramsey: When children steal money Dear Monty: Siblings dispute inherited real estate Local bubbly can ring in the New Year Food Local bubbly can ring in the New Year Food for Thought: How to keep your kitchen organized during the holidays Kitchen Call: Shopping for the cook Community blog: Gobble gougeres as appetizers or with light meals Community blog: Choose presents cooks can cherish, not regift Home and Garden How NOT to install drywall Dear Monty: Siblings dispute inherited real estate Home Help: Create a happy homemade holiday Rogue Valley Christmas light displays Remodeling your attic: Know the details before you start Health Community blog: The Promise of Hope � and Health - 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Guest Opinion: Loved one chose death with dignity in Oregon ... Ashland won't tax market vendors until 2015 ... Our View: Celebrate by helping those in need ... Guest Opinion: Loved one chose death with dignity in Oregon ... Ashland won't tax market vendors until 2015 ... COLLEGE FOOTBALL Raider for life Oregon coach Helfrich keeps tabs on his alma mater from afar By Tim Trower Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tim Trower Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 16, 2014 @ 7:10 pm By Tim Trower Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 16, 2014 @ 7:10 pm --> SOU vs. Marian WHAT: NAIA national championship WHEN: Noon, Friday. WHERE: Daytona Beach, Fla. TV: ESPNU... » Read more X SOU vs. Marian WHAT : NAIA national championship WHEN : Noon, Friday. WHERE : Daytona Beach, Fla. TV : ESPNU » Social News Oregon football head coach Mark Helfrich would love to sit in front of the TV on Friday and watch his alma mater, Southern Oregon University, play for the NAIA national championship. The Raiders face Marian University at noon PST in Daytona Beach, Fla. The game will be televised on ESPNU. “It’s been really cool to follow those guys, and Friday afternoon, I will definitely be recording them,” Helfrich said Tuesday during his weekly press conference in Eugene. There’s a conflict, however. “We have some meetings scheduled for that time. Some jerk scheduled meetings we have to work around,” chuckled the man who, uh, does the scheduling. Helfrich has been fairly preoccupied this fall as the Ducks have worked their way into a national championship opportunity of their own. They play Florida State in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, one of the College Football Playoff semifinal games. But the former star quarterback for Marshfield High and Southern Oregon hasn’t forgotten the programs in which he cut his teeth. “I’ve followed them (Raiders) every single week, checking the score,” said Helfrich, who arrived on the SOU campus in the early 1990s and seemed destined for great things until injuries cut short his junior and senior seasons. “I did not get a chance to watch the snow game before our game, but I saw a couple of pictures and highlights. But, yeah, I’m always checking on my Marshfield Pirates and my Raiders.” He referred to the quarterfinals, when SOU traveled to Helena, Mont., and, in a veritable blizzard, rallied for a 45-42 victory over top-ranked Carroll College. One week later, SOU went to Chicago and demolished St. Xavier. “That was amazing,” said Helfrich. “I heard the score, what was it, 62-37 or something like that. (It was.) A drubbing at that point of the playoffs is pretty impressive.” Helfrich’s roots run deep at SOU. His father played football in the 1960s for the Raiders, and his mother is an SOU graduate as well. Helfrich was born in Medford before moving away at an early age. He graduated from Marshfield in 1992. Asked about his playing days, Helfrich was self-deprecating. “I threw a lot of picks, and had a lot of fun,” he said. “No, it’s a great place. Ashland is a great place and Southern Oregon is a great school.” He praised the job SOU coach Craig Howard has done as “phenomenal.” The two have met several times. The Raider coaching staff went to an Oregon game during an SOU bye week this season, and the staffs have gotten together a couple times in the offseason. “Very briefly, unfortunately,” said Helfrich. “He’s got a great staff and a great group of guys who have won a lot of games at a bunch of different places.” One reason for the Raiders’ unprecedented recent success has been the play of quarterback Austin Dodge, who has set numerous NAIA records, including those for career passing yards, completions and touchdowns. Along the way, he knocked Helfrich off a few school marks that stood for nearly 20 years. Helfrich got a little playing time as a freshman in 1992, filling in when senior Brent Barry of Medford was injured. A year later, the heady Helfrich took the program by storm and set school records of 326 pass attempts, 2,712 passing yards, 2,962 total offensive yards — which led the nation — and six touchdown passes in one game. Dodge has swallowed up all of those marks. “Yeah, I think he passed those a long time ago,” said Helfrich. “We didn’t throw quite as much or win as many games to get this far.” In fact, he didn’t play many more, suffering an eye injury during the first practice of his junior year and missing the majority of the season, and incurring a leg injury in Game 2 as a senior, ending his campaign. Helfrich admires what Dodge has accomplished. “I haven’t seen him this year,” said the Oregon coach, “but I’ve actually talked to a couple NFL scouts that have mentioned him as a potential guy down the road, and anytime you’re doing that at that level, it’s impressive.” He likened Dodge to Jon Kitna, whose career at Central Washington paralleled Helfrich’s at SOU. Kitna led CWU to the NAIA title, then had a 16-year NFL career. “He obviously did a lot of things at the next level,” said Helfrich, “so I wish (Dodge) nothing but the best.” Asked about his highlight as a player, Helfrich joked, “You said it right, I think it was one highlight.” “I don’t know,” he said, “our teammates. We had an unbelievable group of guys that I’ve stayed in contact with, and even some Beaver fans that I think we’ve turned.” Changing allegiance isn’t something that is likely to happen with Helfrich. He remains entrenched in the Raiders’ corner. Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 541-776-4479, or email [email protected] By Tim Trower Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tim Trower Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 16, 2014 @ 7:10 pm » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. fantasy football Week 16 RB Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Dec. 17, 2014 at 10:26 am Fantasy Football Week 16 Rankings: Updated Overview for All Positions Dec. 17, 2014 at 10:00 am Must-Start Fantasy Players for Week 16 Dec. 17, 2014 at 9:02 am Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups: 5 Sleepers Who May Still Be Available Dec. 17, 2014 at 9:00 am Week 16 Sleepers to Start in a Pinch Dec. 17, 2014 at 8:10 am Week 16 Fantasy Big Board Dec. 17, 2014 at 7:15 am calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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