Document text
North scores big with six first-teamers By Don Hunt The North Medford High football team hit the jackpot when the all-state awards were released by the Oregonian newspaper. Three members of the Black Tornado�s rough and tumble offensive line � center Dan Crawford, guard Justin Baehmann and tackle Scott Myers � were named to the first team, as were defensive tackle Norris Bier, defensive back Mike Olson and linebacker Tyler Graham. Olson was also selected to the second team as a wide receiver on offense, Phil Ouellette made the second team as a running back, Kevin Foreman was chosen to the third team at quarterback and Kelly Brown was selected third-team placekicker. Also, Matt Havniear was tabbed honorable mention all-state at linebacker. To top things off, Tornado coach Rod Rumrey was named the Class 4A coach of the year. The accolades come in the wake of a dream season that saw North Medford post an unbeaten regular season and four straight playoff victories before dropping a 38-28 decision to Jesuit in the state championship game. Jesuit wide receiver Mike Hass was named the state�s offensive player of the year and Sprague�s Bill Swancutt, an end, was chosen defensive player of the year. "I was a little surprised at how many of our kids got first team, but they certainly all deserved it," Rumrey said. "This was a reward for all the hard work they put in during the summer and the off-season." Crawford, Baehmann and Myers formed the middle and left side of one of the greatest offensive lines in Black Tornado history. "If we needed a yard or two, we weren�t shy about going to that left side," Rumrey said. "But anyone who went against us knew that our entire line was good." Olson said he was surprised to be named first team on defense. He was more dynamic on offense, catching 39 passes for 852 yards and 14 touchdowns. He had a huge game in the state semifinals against Churchill, catching seven passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns as the Tornado squeezed out a 29-28 victory. "I�ve got to give a lot of credit to Brian Weeks, our other receiver," Olson said. "We went against each other every day in practice. If you didn�t step it up then he�d beat you, and vice-versa." Graham, the Tornado�s leading tackler on the season and the defensive player of the year in the Southern Oregon Conference, said the season ended too soon. "I�m already missing it a lot," he said. "It was so much fun. School gets out now and I�m still looking to head to practice." Foreman, who passed for 1,777 yards, ran for 692 and totaled 43 touchdowns, performed exceptionally well in the playoffs. Some thought he was shortchanged in the all-state balloting but Rumrey admitted the two quarterbacks in front of Foreman � Jesuit�s Mike McGrain and Central Catholic�s Michael Harrington � were top quality, too. "Foreman was voted the most valuable player of our football team by our players and that says a lot right there," Rumrey says. As for Rumrey, he captured his first state coaching award since 1987, when he guided Sweet Home to the Class 3A title. He took over the North Medford job the following season and just completed his 30th year in coaching. "I�ve got the most dedicated staff around me that I�ve ever had, and that makes a difference in how efficiently everything works," Rumrey said. "We were putting in five to six hours every Saturday and Sunday, and none of these guys was willing to go home until everything was covered." There has been speculation that the 53-year-old Rumrey was thinking about calling it quits, but he vowed to be back in 2001. Several other players from the SOC also received all-state honors. They were: South Medford�s John McKay (second-team punter); Roseburg�s Joe Newton (second-team tight end); Ashland�s Mac Contreras (third-team defensive back); Roseburg�s Jeff Bond (third-team defensive line); Ashland�s Ryan Goodman (honorable mention placekicker and defensive back); and Grants Pass� Parker Lane (honorable mention defensive back). Class 4A All�State Football Offensive player of the year: Mike Hass, Jesuit, Sr., 6-2, 181. Defensive player of the year: Bill Swancutt, Sprague, Sr., 6-4, 235. Coach of the year: Rod Rumrey, North Medford. OFFENSIVE FIRST TEAM WR � Mike Hass, Jesuit, Sr., 6-2, 181 WR � Tony Salazar, Central Catholic, Sr., 6-4, 200 T � Scott Myers, North Medford, Sr., 6-1, 250 T � Steve Zahler, Jesuit, Sr., 6-3, 270 G � Kellen Wright, Churchill, Sr., 6-3, 270 G � Justin Baehmann, North Medford, Sr., 6-0, 225 C � Dan Crawford, North Medford, Sr., 6-0, 225 TE � Bill Swancutt, Sprague, Sr., 6-4, 235 RB � Niles Mittasch, Churchill, Sr., 6-0, 190 RB � Cole Clasen, Lake Oswego, Sr., 5-9, 180 QB � Mike McGrain, Jesuit, Sr., 6-3, 205 K � John Dailey, Jesuit, Sr., 6-1, 195 DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM DL � Bill Swancutt, Sprague, Sr., 6-4, 235 DL � Norris Bier, North Medford, Sr., 5-9, 220 DL � Tim Brown, Sheldon, Sr., 6-3, 220 DL � Reed Keltner, Jesuit, Sr., 5-9, 220 LB � Tyler Graham, North Medford, Sr., 5-10, 188 LB � Kyle Floberg, Jesuit, Sr., 6-1, 185 LB � Scott Smith, Tualatin, Sr., 6-4, 240 DB � Mike Hass, Jesuit, Sr., 6-2, 180 DB � Niles Mittasch, Churchill, Sr., 6-0, 190 DB � Mike Olson, North Medford, Sr., 6-1, 180 DB � Tony Salazar, Central Catholic, Sr., 6-4, 200 P � John Dailey, Jesuit, Sr., 6-1, 195 Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.