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50 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, November 25, 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 Passport to the Rogue Valley 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 November 18, 2004 Smythe, Celtics have South Medford’s attention Veteran coach ranks seventh on Oregon’s all-time win list By DON HUNT Mail Tribune Tom Smythe has coached football for 34 years. He’s won state titles in three different decades and two separate centuries. What does it all mean? "For one thing, it means I’m an old man," Smythe says with a chuckle. Smythe will bring his McNary High Celtics into Spiegelberg Stadium Friday night for a Class 4A, second-round state playoff game against fourth-ranked South Medford. While the cagey, old coach doesn’t consider his 2004 Celtics squad to be among his best, his reputation alone commands respect. "He’s got one of the top programs in the state, year in and year out, and so we know what we’re up against," South Medford coach Bill Singler says. "It’s no accident they’re back in the playoffs." Advertisement Smythe’s career winning percentage of .826 is unparalleled among Class 4A coaches with at least 200 wins, and his 247 victories (against 52 losses and one tie) ranks seventh all-time, regardless of classification. Had Smythe not left the high school ranks to coach at Lewis and Clark College in Portland for six years, his prep marks would be even more impressive. Smythe launched his coaching career in 1970 at Lake Oswego and then spent 17 seasons at Lakeridge before taking over the L-C program in 1988. This season marks his 10th at McNary. Smythe’s current Celtic squad enters Friday’s contest with an 8-2 record following a 31-21 victory over Redmond in the first round of the playoffs. Like most successful coaches, Smythe gears his offense around his personnel. This season, the Celts primarily have been a running team. Kiley McCrae, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound junior, fuels the attack with 1,509 yards and 14 touchdowns. "He’s a tough inside runner, but he’ll also bounce it to the outside and make you miss," says Smythe of McCrae. "He’s a heck of an athlete. I think he’ll probably be a Division I cornerback in college, but he’s also a great high school running back." Junior quarterback Randy Ball is averaging only 15 pass attempts per game, but he’s thrown for 1,231 yards and 15 touchdowns, with 10 interceptions. The Celtics’ top receiving threat is senior Alex Yeaney, a speedster who has totaled 524 yards and seven touchdowns on just 15 catches. Senior Everett Austria has 21 receptions for 350 yards and three scores. Up front, McNary is led by 6-4, 260-pound senior Kyle Ward and 6-2, 230-pound senior center Andrew Reid. Ward is a three-year starter. Smythe likens his team to South Medford in that both squads feature finesse and quickness without a great deal of size. "We’ve gone against a lot of power running teams in our league that try to shove the ball down your throat, and Redmond was the same way last week," Smythe says. "You get a little tired of that. "I told our kids that this Friday it’s athletes against athletes. We know we’ll have our hands full, but I think it’s going to be a fun game for us to play and the fans to watch." The Panthers enter the game with a 9-1 record and a seven-game win streak. They polished off Madison 41-14 in their opening-round playoff tilt last Friday as senior quarterback Jon Weaver completed 14 of 22 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns. South Medford’s defense, which has been sturdy all season, held Madison to 198 total yards thanks in large part to the play of senior linebackers Justin Meyer and Jon Lang. Singler’s biggest concern is the health of his nephew, tight end Kyle Singler, who broke his right thumb two weeks ago against Roseburg and will be in a cast Friday. The younger Singler, South Medford’s leading receiver with 46 catches for 655 yards and six touchdowns, and also their starting free safety on defense, didn’t learn of the fracture until he visited his doctor on Monday. The 6-foot-7 sophomore is expected to be in a cast for 4-6 weeks and will likely miss the start of the basketball season. "I don’t think it will affect him on defense and we’ll just see how it goes as far as catching the football," coach Singler says. "John McKay played with a cast on several years ago and was still able to catch the ball. It can be done." South Medford senior wide receiver Dan Chancler missed practice with a sprained ankle early in the week, but is expected to be in the starting lineup Friday. EXTRA POINTS — Smythe’s wife, Nancy, was a cheerleader at Medford High in 1969 when Bill Singler was helping the Black Tornado to a state championship. Her maiden name was Nancy Shepherd ... Smythe’s 1997 McNary team set a state record for most points scored in a Class 4A state title game and yet barely had enough horsepower to squeeze out a 51-49 win over Beaverton ... a South Medford victory would boost the Panthers into the quarterfinal round for the fifth time in school history. They’ve never advanced any further. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, 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