Here are some of the many sports stories I have written over the years. I have covered many different sports in different leagues and class divisions.

From March 2007 Scio News

Wrestlers fourth at Willamina

by Kay M Roth

The Scio Logger fans who traveled to Willamina High School on Saturday, January 6 for the Bob Bishop Invitational Wrestling Tournament saw a trio of Loggers at the top of the victory stand at the end of the day long event. As a team, Scio finished fourth, the top Class 2A team, among the 11 teams. “It was a tough tournament,” Head Coach Matt Parazoo said of the field that included Willamina, Sheridan, Seaside, and Hudson Bay High Schools. Scio finished sixth at the tournament last year.

In addition to the quality of their opponents, several of Scio’s grapplers got in the maximum five matches allowed in a day. “A lot of guys got all five matches in,” Parazoo noted. With the Assics Classic this weekend in Redmond, Parazoo was pleased his wrestlers got so many matches under their belts.

Sophomore Robert Galindo, wrestling at 103 pounds, captured the Loggers first crown. “He was a surprise for us,” Parazoo said. Galindo pinned both of his opponents to claim the title. “It was a really good win.”

Eddy Moody, at 125 pounds, was Scio’s next wrestler to hit the mat. In one of the fullest brackets in the tournament, Moody’s day ended early after a pair of losses.

At 135 pounds, Coulter Mastenbroek made it to the semifinals before being knocked into the consolation bracket. “It was a tough weight class,” Parazoo observed. The freshman then wrestled back to the evening’s consolation crown match. Following an exciting 8-4 victory, Mastenbroek staked his claim to third place.

For the second year in a row, Scio’s Kyle Ring came home with a championship. Ring walked through the 140 pound bracket by pinning his opponents until the championship match. “He had a tough match in the finals,” Parazoo noted. Going up against BJ Wilson of Willamina, Ring had to overcome a frantic Bulldog crowd and Wilson’s late heroics to claim the 5-4 win. “Kyle did a good job for us.”

Jeff Summerlin joined Ring in the 140 pound weight class. After a first round bye, Summerlin lost his next match, dropping him into the consolation bracket. He got three more matches in, finishing on the victory stand in sixth place.

Joe Jantz was Scio’s lone entry at 145 pounds. Jantz won one of three matches before being ousted from the tournament. Cody White, at152 pounds, also made an early exit after dropping his only two matches.

At 160 pounds, Vince Eaton started strong, capturing his first match by an impressive 10-1 score. Eaton ran into trouble in the semifinals, dropping him to the consolation bracket where he wrestled back for fourth place. Teammate Mike Kennison also won his opening match before falling into the lower bracket where he finished off the podium.

Ross Peterson and Brock Sarbeck weighed in at 171 pounds for the Loggers with both making it onto the victory stand. For Sarbeck, a first round bye and a second round pin moved him into the semifinals. Peterson’s championship run ended in the second round. Once in the consolation bracket, Peterson received a pair of byes before taking to the mat against his teammate. Sarbeck won the battle of the Loggers and went on to capture third place. Peterson rebounded to finish in fifth place.

At 189 pounds, Scio’s Travis Parazoo recorded pins in each of his matches to claim the title that eluded him last year when he finished third. “Travis dominated his weight class,” the coach said.

“We’re wrestling pretty well,” Parazoo said. He added that the team is turning the corner quickly this season but they still had things they are looking to accomplish. “We’re looking to turn it up.” Scio is at the Assic Classic in Redmond this weekend.

From March 2007 Scio News

Parazoo takes reins

by Kay M Roth

“Logger football is going to be sitting at number one again,” predicts new Scio Logger Head Coach Matt Parazoo. Hired at the August school board meeting, Parazoo is stepping into the shoes of his mentors. Under Mike Jones and Bob Dougherty before him, Parazoo learned the ropes of the double wing offense and the leadership skills that have allowed him to take the reins of the Scio Logger football program.

Parazoo comes to the job with good qualifications. “This is the only place I’ve ever coached,” he explained. A 1994 graduate of Scio High School, he has been a member of the Logger coaching staff for nine years, spending the last seven as the head coach of the junior varsity squad. During his tenure at the JV level, the Loggers had an outstanding record. “We had four total losses,” Parazoo declared.

Eight other former Loggers will join the new head coach. Returning from last season’s staff are Jaime Ortiz and Dave Stover. Joining them will be JR Traeger, Hank McDonald, Brian Childress, Casey Childress, Jim Mask and Craig Hayes. At press time, Coach Parazoo had not yet decided on who would be assigned what task. He’s excited about the staff and the quality of coaching they will bring to the Loggers program.

When Mike Jones opted to step down after two seasons, Parazoo wasn’t sure if he wanted to apply for the position. With a young family at home, work and coaching the Scio Logger wrestling program, Parazoo hesitated before applying. “I decided it was a once in a lifetime opportunity,” he stated. Due to the fact that the two sports overlap, Parazoo will rely on his coaching staff to help him give his best to both sports. “I’m confident with my coaching staff helping.”

Parazoo doesn’t expect to make too many changes to the very successful system the Loggers have run since Dougherty implemented the double wing in 1993. “Fans will still see ‘run it down your throat football,’” Parazoo promised, adding fans will also see the Loggers take to the air more than they’ve seen in recent years.

“We have a very, very talented team,” Coach Parazoo explained. Admitting the Loggers won’t have the blazing speed with no Joe Jones in the backfield, the 2004-05 Loggers will put some good solid athletes on the field. “We’ll make up for it,” he said about the lack of lightning speed, adding, “We’ve got a veteran line coming back.” Indeed, the line graduated only one senior.

As for the new coach’s predictions for the top spots in the Tri River, he was quick to declare the Loggers would definitely be there. A change in the playoff system this season will see three teams from each league head to post season play. He added Santiam and Colton to the mix, stating that Kennedy and Regis, both contenders last season, lost a large number of players. “They’re always a class ball team,” he said of Regis, the team his Loggers will face the second game of the season.

The annual Logger football camp will be held August 9-13 at Newcomb Stadium. High school practices are set to begin on Monday, August 16.

Coach Parazoo is excited about the upcoming season and believes the community is too. “I hope they will stand behind the program 100%,” he said. Scio, known as a football community, traditionally packs both home and away games and Parazoo doesn’t want to see that change. “No matter who’s in the driver’s seat, Scio football will go on.”

May 2007 Scio News

Bottom falls out for Loggers, Kennedy 11, Scio 2

by Kay M Roth

In what was thought of as a battle of the Titans of the Tri-River Conference elite, ended up anything but when, on Friday, May 4, the Trojans of John F. Kennedy High School came to town. When the dust had settled, the Loggers were on the short end of the 11-2 score.

Ryan Hood-Taylor got the start on the mound and worked six innings in the loss. The senior’s pitching record fell to 6-3 on the season. Eight runs scored during Hood-Taylor’s time on the hill, five of which were earned. The senior gave up seven hits and walked one Trojan. Despite getting the loss, he also struck out a season high 12 Kennedy batters.

Kory Mikkelsen came in and pitched the final inning of the game. He gave up a pair of hits, three walks and hit one batter with an errant pitch. The senior also gave up three earned runs and struck out three Trojans in relief.

The first three innings of the game were scoreless as neither team could get much going on offense. After recording the first out in the top of the fourth inning, the wheels fell off the Loggers’ defense. Two singles, a passed ball, a Logger error and a fielder’s choice added up to five Trojan runs, putting the Loggers in a position they had not been in very often this season.

While the Scio defense struggled, the Logger offense didn’t have much success either. Scio tallied only four hits on the day. One, by senior first baseman Josh Summerlin, combined by an earlier single by Joe Jantz came in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jantz came in to score the first Logger run of the game on Summerlin’s single. Unfortunately for the Logger faithful that run would be one of only two Scio would score on the day.

Kennedy took full advantage of the Loggers’ woes throughout the contest. The Trojans scored in the final three innings of the game to put the game away.

The Loggers could manage only one more scoring rally for the game and, like the earlier one, was very short lived. Jantz came home on a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the sixth inning for Scio’s only other score of the game.

Jantz was the one offensive bright spot for Scio during the game. The junior went 2 for 3 to lead the Loggers at the plate. While his teammates struggled at the plate, Jantz was the lone Scio player to tally two hits on the afternoon. Summerlin and Garrett Lanz accounted for the Loggers other two hits. Jantz was also the only Logger to score for Scio. Garrett Lanz, Jayson Jones-Mask and Hood-Taylor each received free passes on base. Jones-Mask worked the Kennedy pitcher for a pair of base on balls. He also had one of the two stolen bases recorded by the Loggers. Summerlin had the other one.

The Loggers fell to 13-4 in the Tri-River Conference race. They are 16-6 overall this spring.

From January 2008 Philomath Bulletin

Philomath Mat Club three-peats

By Kay M Roth

The Philomath Mat Club traveled to Harrisburg on Saturday, January 26 for the district meet, coming home with yet another district trophy. “With great enthusiasm, I am happy to report that the Philomath Braves are the 2008 Valley League District Champions!” declared Head Coach Mark Woosley. “This is our third year in a row to accomplish this honor,” he said, adding an exuberant, “Wow!” Harrsburg finished second while Churchill was third in the 13 team tournament.

Zach Leonard and Braydon Calder each brought home individual district championships. Second place finishers were Dakota Benson, Nathan Lawrence, Levi Penter, and Matt Trask. Brian Dexter and Zach Trask took third in their division, while Patrick Arnold, Mikael Hill and Riley Watkins landed in fourth place. Fifth place Philomath finishers were Carson Calder, Derek Stucki and Trevor Rose. Ted Vaughn finished sixth.

In addition to the great finishes by the Braves, Coach Woosley was paid a huge compliment by the head official of the tournament. He praised the club and their families and fans for their “sportsmanship and positive energy.” Woosley was extremely grateful for the comment. “This is something I am very proud of.” Woosley said Jim Stouder, the Philomath Mat Club’s founder, “built the program on these qualities and we are all happy to follow his lead.”

The team race was a tight one between the top three teams. Philomath, third heading into the medal round, pulled off the comeback to claim the team title. Philomath scored 247 points, to Harrisburg’s 244 and Churchill’s 224 points. Cottage Grove finished a close fourth. Twenty three young wrestlers competed for Philomath. “They all did a great job for the Braves,” Woosley declared.

Coach Woosley was very proud of the team’s accomplishments, noting the successes wouldn’t have been possible without the great assistants who volunteered their time this season. “Thank you to all of the volunteer coaching staff.” James Kohn, Chris Leonard, Roy Morris, Malcolm Rose and Jim Stouder assisted Woosley throughout the season.

From December 2008 Philomath Bulletin

Boys go 1-2 in short week

By Kay M Roth

The Philomath Bulletin

In a wild few days of basketball, the Philomath Warriors sandwiched one win between two losses in the early stages of the 2008-09 season. After beginning the season with a big win, the Warriors made a huge charge in the second half only to drop the close 53-50 game to Pleasant Hill. As time expired, the Warriors launched a three pointer that failed to find its mark.

Luke Whiteman led the Warriors with 18 points and 10 boards. Dan Haynes chipped in ten points and nine rebounds in the loss. Head Coach Blake Ecker said the team just didn’t seem to have the energy they needed early on to stay with Pleasant Hill. He liked the fact that they worked to make a come back but added that the team shouldn’t have gotten so far behind.

On Saturday, December 6, the Warriors traveled to Molalla for a contest against the Indians. While we know Philomath notched a win, we were unable to obtain more information prior to going to press.

On Monday, the Warriors could not get the ball to fall from the outside in their 35-24 loss to visiting Phoenix. The loss dropped the Warriors non-league record to two wins and two losses.

Philomath struggled all evening to get the ball into the hoop, scoring less than ten points in each of the four quarters. In the second period, the Warriors could only muster four points, with three of them coming on a long three pointer by Luke Knudson.

The Pirates’ zone defense spelled doom for the Warriors despite the fact that the team spends practices working against the zone. Against Phoenix, the Warriors learned that practicing against it and playing against it are not the same.

Coach Ecker noted that early misses from the perimeter seemed to affect his players’ confidence. He said the players began over thinking things, which caused them to struggle with their shooting. Whiteman and Haynes led the team with eight points each. Knudson added five.

The only Junior Varsity scores available at press time were versus Pleasant Hill. The Warrior JV team lost a low scoring 37-26 game to Pleasant Hill. Philomath’s freshman team also lost, coming up on the short end of the 44-38 score.

From October 2010 Scio News

Little Loggers looking good

by Kay M Roth

While the Scio High School Varsity Loggers football team is taking the state by storm, there is another Scio Logger team that is taking their counterparts by storm, too. Sponsored by Santiam Builders, the Scio Youth Club's third and fourth grade flag football team is currently undefeated and the players are having the time of their young lives. This is the lone Scio flag football team playing this fall. The team plays teams from throughout the mid valley.

SHS alum Vince Eaton is the team's coach. The former Logger is thrilled to be able to coach kids in a program that he himself was in as a young boy at Centennial Elementary. “I like being about to give something back,” he said as the team awaited their turn for team photos on the Centennial play field last weekend. Eaton played football for Scio from the time he was in third grade until he graduated from SHS in 2007 where he was a three sport athlete.

Going into last weekend's game, the team had already chalked up a pair of wins in two games. Eaton is not only pleased with the record, he's pleased with how well the team of 15 boys has taken to the game. “It's fun watching them learn the game,” the proud coach said. While the team plays eight man instead of 11 man football, like every other Logger team, this one also plays the double wing T offense. “Well, it's a version of the double wing T,” Eaton explained, adding that he had to be somewhat creative due to fewer players on the field. They also play a defense similar to their high school heroes. “We play a 4-3-1 defense,” the coach said of his team's defensive scheme.

Eaton had not intended to coach but when his young nephew Korben Dezurney, a member of the team, called and asked him, Eaton was hooked. “I couldn't say no.” While his schedule- Eaton is nearing the end of his apprenticeship- wasn't conducive to such a commitment, Eaton jumped in anyway. He felt it was the right thing to do despite the hardships. “With my schedule, we only practice twice a week.” The lack of practice time has not diminished the team's desire to perform well and please their coach.

“These are really good kids,” he said as some of the boys push the blocking sled across the field. “They know how to play as a team already.” Soon, more boys join in. “See what I mean?” Eaton lets them work off some of their energy before calling them over to him. Without a hesitation, they all gather to listen to their coach's instructions.

“They really listen well,” Eaton said as the team lines up for warm ups. He said the players are very quick to respond to changes he makes during games. He smiles as each boy begins their pregame rituals. “They are doing extremely well. I'm proud of each and every one of them.

December 2010 Scio News

Loggers get send off to Hillsboro

By Kay M Roth

Approximately 100 people gathered Saturday afternoon outside Newcomb Stadium to give the Scio Loggers a send off as they headed to Hillsboro’s Liberty High School for the Class 2A State Championship game. The crowd was decked out in orange and black to wish the Loggers good luck on their return trip to the title game. Scio was riding a 27 game winning streak entering the game.

The event, which spread by word of mouth, was low key, with fans mingling with the players and coaching staff prior to the arrival of the team’s bus. Several parents took the opportunity to get in an extra hug or two and to give their sons a little more encouragement.

The cheerleaders arrived shortly before the team bus, bringing with them black star and orange and black balloons filled with helium. The girls moved throughout the crowd, passing out balloons to all who wanted them.

Once the bus arrived, the players began loading, many smiling broadly and waving at fans. Head Coach Kyle Braa exited the weight room and moved through the fans, thanking people for coming, shaking hands with several of them and looking very relaxed.

Beth Meyer, a Scio alum, was just one of those in the crowd. Decked out in her orange and black, Meyer couldn’t stop smiling. “This is just great,” she said of the Loggers second run at a state title. When asked if she thought they could take it again this year, Meyer grinned even wider. “Yep.”

She wasn’t the only one full of confidence. “They’ll do it,” said Doug Parazoo. He and his wife, Monique couldn’t wait to get to Hillsboro for the game. “It’ll be a good one.”

With the gear finally loaded in the luggage compartments of the bus and in the back of the coaches van, it was nearing time to start the trip. The coaches said their goodbyes to their family before getting settled for the ride north.

“We sit in the same spots,” said assistant coach Casey Childress. It seems superstitions are part of the Logger mystique this year.

The coaching staff told the players early in the year that they would not shave as long as the Loggers kept winning. Keeping their promise, the entire staff wore bushy beards as they strode the sidelines of every game this season.

Sara Tibbs, another Scio grad, moved to one side of the bus searching for her brother, James, a member of the team. Smiling broadly, Tibbs said she was very excited to have the chance to go to the game. “I’m so excited to go to my brother’s game!” Camera in hand, she tapped on the glass to get her brother’s attention then began snapping photos of him and his teammates.

With the players loaded on the bus and the coaches in the van, it was time for the Loggers to head for the game. As the bus pulled away, people began releasing their balloons, filling the sky with the orange and black of Scio.

From December 2012 Scio News

Loggers celebrate seniors with victory, league title

by Kay M Roth

The Scio Loggers celebrated senior night at Newcomb Stadium in grand fashion with a big 45-12 victory over the visiting Blanchet Cavaliers. The win gave them their first PacWest League title and propels them into the Class 3A state playoffs. According to the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA), this will make Scio's first ever appearance in the Class 3A playoffs. The Loggers have made the state playoffs 16 times since 1979, winning back to back Class 2A titles in 2009 and 2010.

It only took the Loggers three plays to light up the scoreboard, thanks to the great work of an offensive line that would open holes all night long. Hunter Reger carried all three times, the last one for a 49 yard blast up the middle to pay dirt. A.J. Holmberg caught Brady Smith's pass for two, giving the Loggers an early 8-0 with 10:52 left in the opening quarter.

The Loggers kept the pressure on the Blanchet offense, forcing them to punt after a trio of short gains, giving Scio the ball back for the second time in the quarter. Daniel Harper excited the Scio fans when he swept to the outside for a 40 yard gain before being taken down. Mixing things up, Nathan Jones got the call and took the ball in from 18 yards for another Logger score. The conversion failed but Scio had a quick 14-0 lead with just over six minutes left in the opening period.

Scio went for a bit of razzle dazzle on the ensuing kickoff when Ben Jones pooched the ball to the Logger side of the field. Nathan Jones streaked down the field and before Blanchet knew what hit them, the speedy Logger covered the ball, giving possession back to Scio. Harper added 30 yards to his night on a pair of runs before Jones again took it to the house, this time from 11 yards out. The conversion had Reger's name on it as he crossed the goal line to give Scio a commanding 22-0 with five minutes left in the opening quarter.

Richard Silveira, who would have his name announced several times throughout the evening, flew in for the tackle, holding Blanchet to a single yard gain. Scio's defense, known to fans as the Black Sea, proved their worth again, stopping the Cavs momentum. On third and seven, James Tibbs and Josh Parazoo combined to stop the Blanchet qb from gaining any ground to force another Blanchet punt.

With 11 seconds left in the quarter, Smith connected with Harper on a long pass play, marching toward the goal line. Scio kept moving as the second quarter started. Harper cut back across the field and just left everyone in his wake on his way to 20 yard score. Much to the Scio fans delight, Reger kicked the extra point, pushing the Loggers' lead to 29-0 with 11:32 left in the half.

Blanchet got some momentum of their own but still could not convert when they needed to. The Loggers got possession on another punt but gave the ball back on a rare turnover. With less than 50 seconds in the half, the Cavs pushed across the goal line but missed the conversion, giving Scio a 29-6 lead. Scio coughed up the ball again but Blanchet could not convert before intermission.

Blanchet got the ball to start the second half and put together a five minute drive that took them on a 65 yard journey to draw within two touchdowns. The conversion failed so the Logger lead was 29-12 with just over seven minutes in the third.

Scio responded with a long, time consuming drive of their own in response to the Cavs push. The Loggers ended up with a long third and 12 when Harper broke a long run that was called back on a penalty. Scio ended up with a fourth and two but behind his big offensive line, Harper bulled his way for a Logger first down. The big play was a slick 40 yard pass play from Smith to Harper. With under four minutes to go in the third, Nathan Jones added two more points to give Scio the 37-12 lead.

The Parazoo brothers- Justin and Josh- both had their names called when each made great stops, forcing Blanchet into another fourth down situation. Scio put together another long drive, this one not nearly as time consuming. Two plays into the drive, Smith connected with Nathan Jones on a 66 yard pass play. Jones, with most of the field in front of him, only had to worry about keeping the pig skin safe because the closest players to him were his own teammates. The senior ran it in for the two points to close out the scoring and giving the Loggers the 45-12 victory.

Scio did have one more chance to score but lost the ball on their third turnover of the night. The tough Logger defense dug in and worked their magic on the Cavaliers' offense, stopping the final Blanchet drive of the night when the visitors could not convert on fourth down. Scio had one more chance to score when Harper scampered 53 yards before the Loggers ran out the clock to claim the win.

A trio of seniors led the Loggers on offense. Harper finished with 174 yards and two touchdowns while Nathan Jones had 120 yards. He also had a pair of scores. Reger added 118 yards. The Logger big line limited Blanchet on both sides of the ball to help secure the win.

Following the game, Head Coach Jim Mask reflected on the highlights and the low lights. “You played some of your best football tonight and you played some of your worst football,” Mask told the team. He reminded them that they needed to take care of business.

“This group of seniors is special. They've been together since they were in sixth grade,” Mask said of his 14 seniors. “They play hard.”

Mask said he knew the Loggers would be able to compete at the 3A level but that it has been tougher, “game in and game out.” Because of tougher competition, the younger players aren't getting as much varsity playing time as they have in the past. Overall, Mask said he was very proud of the team. “I can't say enough about these guys.”

Speaking of the uncharacteristic Logger turnovers, Mask said he thought the team simply lost focus. He also gave Blanchet credit for playing the Loggers tough. “They battled back and didn't quit.”

“I'm proud of how hard our kids played.” Mask was happy to have so many of the players get into the action. “We had a freshman step in and play the last two games and do great.”

The Loggers travel to Creswell for their final regular season game before starting the playoffs in two weeks. Scio doesn't know who they will play in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs but Mask said it will be a home game for the Loggers, adding they might need to find a different field if the Scio field is unplayable.