Document text
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 Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Parts of Normal Neighborhood Plan approved ... Pacific fisher sculpture dedicated in Ashland ... Techtoberfest has high-tech speakers and exhibits ... Parts of Normal Neighborhood Plan approved ... Pacific fisher sculpture dedicated in Ashland ... Techtoberfest has high-tech speakers and exhibits ... North hopes to keep momentum Black Tornado tasked with replacing pivotal 2015 class Comment By Kris Henry Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Kris Henry Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 3, 2015 at 3:43 PM By Kris Henry Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 3, 2015 at 3:43 PM --> TORNADO GLANCE HEAD COACH Mike Mitchell (Fourth year, 20-13) Mitchell spent the spring and summer in Sweden guiding the Uppsala 86ers, which went 7-3 in Europe’s firs... » Read more X TORNADO GLANCE HEAD COACH Mike Mitchell (Fourth year, 20-13) Mitchell spent the spring and summer in Sweden guiding the Uppsala 86ers, which went 7-3 in Europe’s first division of football. Mitchell was also one of three finalists for coach of the year. GENERAL INFORMATION ASSISTANTS: Jered Gail (assistant head coach), Jim Figoni (offensive line), Doug Elam (receivers), Jacob Palaniuk (defensive coordinator), Curtis Stout (secondary), David Patstone (running backs), Phillip Lopez (freshman). 2014 LEAGUE RECORD: 5-2 (third, SWC). 2014 OVERALL RECORD: 8-3. PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: Third. 2014 RESULTS North Medford;Opponents 41;Fortuna (Calif.) 31 35;Canby 21 56;Roseburg 7 69;South Eugene 6 57;Thurston 7 21;Grants Pass 38 44;Willamette 16 49;South Medford 22 14;Sheldon 21 State Playoffs 41;Wilson 7 21;Jesuit 35 RETURNING STARTERS OFFENSE (2): Running back Will Spence (6-0, 185, sr.), receiver Tucker Barry (6-1, 180, sr.). DEFENSE (4): Defensive tackle Tre Holmes (6-0, 270, jr.), linebacker Will Spence, safety Tucker Barry, safety Greyson Wolff (6-0, 180, sr.). OTHER NOTABLES Quarterback/safety Chase Warren (6-0, 180, jr.), lineman Michael Polataivao (6-5, 300, sr.), tight end/defensive end David Patstone (5-11, 200, sr.), lineman A.J. Raye (6-4, 260, jr.), lineman Michael Rucker (5-10, 220, jr.), lineman Ethan Gibson (6-1, 245, sr.), lineman Daniel Ibarra (6-3, 285, jr.), lineman C.J. Tracy (6-0, 190, sr.), lineman Dylan Ireland (6-5, 225, jr.), lineman Anthony Colley-Ledbetter (6-4, 330, jr.), receiver/safety Mason Barone (6-1, 190, jr.), receiver/cornerback Preston Johnson (6-1, 170, jr.), running back/linebacker Wyatt Westfall (6-0, 195, sr.), running back/cornerback Cody Matthews (5-8, 165, sr.), running back/linebacker Jonathan Collins (5-11, 190, sr.), running back/linebacker Justin Geyer (5-10, 185, jr.), running back/linebacker Praise Villamu (5-11, 210, jr.), receiver/punter Dallas Casebier (6-2, 190, sr.), receiver/defensive back Cory Reece (6-3, 185, sr.), running back/defensive end Nicholas Winetrout (5-10, 175, so.), fullback/linebacker Derek Kinsey (5-9, 200, sr.), running back/linebacker Justin Goslin (5-9, 180, sr.), receiver/cornerback Tyler Oedekoven (6-1, 160, jr.), receiver/cornerback Joey Hunter (5-10, 150, jr.), receiver/cornerback Juan Castellanos (5-11, 150, sr.). 2015 SCHEDULE Sept. 4;at Fortuna, Calif., 7 p.m. Sept. 11;CANBY, 7 p.m. Sept. 18;at Roseburg, 7 p.m. Sept. 25;SOUTH EUGENE, 7 p.m. Oct. 2;at Thurston, 7 p.m. Oct. 9;GRANTS PASS, 7 p.m. Oct. 16;WILLAMETTE, 7 p.m. Oct. 23;at South Medford, 7 p.m. Oct. 30;at Sheldon, 7 p.m. » Social News Gone is a senior class of students that played a pivotal role in getting North Medford’s football program back on track. Now, the Black Tornado’s focus is on continuing to build upon that foundation. After being saddled with losing records for seven straight seasons, North Medford took a giant leap in 2013 by earning the Southwest Conference championship. The Black Tornado enters this season having won 12 of its last 14 SWC games but must rely on an almost entirely new cast to retain that momentum after graduating 30 seniors. “With this group of kids, we’re not worried that they haven’t been on the field and gotten salty as much as a group as we’d like them to be,” said North Medford assistant head coach Jered Gail. “We’re really excited about this group because they’re hungry. When you haven’t played a lot as backups, it’s kind of like, ‘Hey, we’ve waited a long time and it’s our turn.’ I think they’re ready to go.” Gail has been in charge of North Medford’s offseason training — with help from a veteran staff of assistant coaches — with head coach Mike Mitchell in Sweden since May. Mitchell coached the Uppsala 86ers to a 7-3 mark in Europe’s first division and was named one of three finalists for coach of the year. Prior to his first season at North Medford, Mitchell also spent the 2012 offseason coaching professional football in Croatia. “We hear from him routinely, it’s an everyday or other day type of thing,” said Gail, who expects Mitchell to return prior to the team’s Sept. 4 opener. “He’s on top of what’s going on and we just look at it as business as usual.” Gail previously served 10 years as an assistant coach at Grants Pass High and is in his fifth year overall with the Black Tornado, including all of Mitchell’s tenure. “He gave me the car keys while he’s gone,” said Gail. “My job when he gets back is the car is running well and it’s full of gas.” Helping create a smooth ride thus far has been a core group of returners, led by senior running back/linebacker Will Spence. The 6-foot, 185-pound standout enters his third varsity season and will be called upon to provide leadership on both sides of the football. Last year, Spence rushed 40 times for 255 yards and three touchdowns and caught 13 passes for 242 yards and one TD. “Will is our most dynamic kid,” said Gail. “Our offense is going to go through Will, he’s going to pack a lot of the load offensively. He’s as good of a linebacker for us defensively, too, so figuring out a way to use him appropriately will be the key.” Spence is joined by senior receiver/safety Tucker Barry as the only two-way returning starters. Barry hauled in 14 passes for 154 yards and two TDs as a member of last year’s deep receiving corps and expects to be a top option in the Tornado’s high-octane attack. The player responsible for guiding North’s offense is still to be determined, with senior Greyson Wolff and junior Chase Warren vying for the right to replace record-setting quarterback Troy Fowler. Both have junior varsity experience and would be worthy options for the Tornado, according to Gail and Mitchell. “Leadership is as important as putting the ball where it needs to be,” said Gail. “Both those guys understand that and they’re both taking huge strides in that direction.” Gail said the plan was to make a decision on a starting quarterback after an Aug. 28 jamboree to allow the team to better prepare for its opener against Fortuna High in California. Either quarterback stands to gain a boost from a sturdy offensive line that is light on varsity experience but has more girth than in recent years. “We’re going to look the part up front a little more than we have in the last couple years,” said Gail. “We’re definitely beefier, stronger.” Defensively, returning starter Tre Holmes (6-0, 270), a junior tackle, headlines North’s front wall of defense with senior teammates Michael Polataivao and David Patstone, who each saw considerable action last year. That front group will be asked to shoulder the load a little more early on to help a deep cast of inexperienced linebackers get up to speed with Spence. Seniors Jonathan Collins, Wyatt Westfall, Derek Kinsey, Justin Goslin and junior Praise Villamu give the Tornado plenty of talent and athleticism at linebacker. “We’ve got some big shoes to fill at linebacker but I’m confident we can do it,” said Gail. The secondary expects to be solid with Barry and Wolff as returning starters at safety, with Mason Barone providing a key alternative at safety and as a receiver with fellow junior Preston Johnson. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, [email protected], www.facebook.com/krishenryMT or www.twitter.com/Kris_Henry By Kris Henry Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Kris Henry Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 3, 2015 at 3:43 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events 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 Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501