Pete Porter
Pee’s Pot-Shots
Former Sports Editor
The New Era
All Hail Sweet Home!
The football Huskies are on course to follow the 1987 Class 3A state champions. The above-mentioned group swept the top four Oregonian newspaper football honors.
Sweet Home shut out Ontario, 35-0 for the 3A grid title 16 seasons ago. Vince Barrett gained “Offensive Player of the Year” honors. Dustin Nichol captured “Defensive Player of the Year” honors. Rod Rumrey was named Class 3A “Coach of the Year.”
The Huskies also head eight players on the 3A all-state team: four on offense and four on defense. Those players included Vince Barrett, Matt Redden, Rich Burch, Vern Malone, Rob Porter, Dustin Nichol and John Land.
Lonnie Keenon played quarterback on this team. He was named to the Oregonian’s second all-state team at the signal calling spot.
This was Coach Rumrey’s final year coaching at Sweet Home. He accepted the head coaching position at 4A North Medford High where his team later won a 4A state title.
Rob Younger, Rumrey’s top assistant, took over the coaching position and the Huskies haven’t missed a beat.
It was a wonderful ride. I was thrilled to be associated with the program and the 1987 team as sports editor of The New Era.
It was great to see Younger named “Co-capital Coach of the Year” and his son, David, as “Assistant Coach of the Year” for the conference. Both are great individuals whom I regard as my special friends.
At age 74, neither my wife Ruth nor I drive at night very often. We live about a mile from our church, Albany’s First Assembly of God, which was attend regularly. Rob’s dad also attends our church and keeps me informed about the latest Husky news. Mr. Younger is very, very proud of his son and grandson. Great people.
Despite some key injuries, the senior-led team keeps winning. An outstanding job by all concerned.
After nearly nine years in retirement, I still regard the 16 years I worked for Dave Cooper and Alex Paul as the highlight of my life.
My love for sports remains high.
Go Huskies!
Pete Porter, 2488 S.E. 23rd, Albany, Oregon 97321