Wayne Spinney
For The New Era
The practice field is not the only place Logger football has been happening recently. Head Coach Jesse Garcia, his staff and players have spent the past three months working with more than two dozen local merchants and businesses.
Town wide generosity has helped the Loggers over the first hurdle of becoming a genuine National Nineman Football League franchise. In fact, some players have been fully subsidized by merchants in this pay-to-play league.
“The financial support merchants have given us has allowed me to order our helmets, shoulder pads and uniforms,” said Garcia. “Because we have such a generous community my players are excited to see that some goals are already being realized.”
The high-tech uniform features bright maroon jerseys and helmets, silver pants and two-tone socks. Helmets and licensed gear will sport a muscular woodsman carrying an axe in one hand and a football in the other.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the interest everyone has shown toward our first season,” said Garcia.
Depending upon likely school committee approval, the Loggers will claim Husky Field as their “house” in less than 40 days.
“This league is really committed to partnering with small communities and also to high quality football,” said Garcia. “Everyone senses that commitment and we’re counting on being able to play at Husky Field.”
The NNFL will support eight teams right now: Veneta, Springfield and two Eugene teams in the McKenzie Division to the south, with Albany, Sweet Home, Stayton and Salem in the Willamette Division to the north.
Garcia is excited with how things are coming together on and off the field and feels that he is halfway to the teams financial goals. Team merchandise with the Loggers logo is now available online. Season tickets are currently being sold and discount cards, that are valuable at regional businesses, can be bought as well. The website: http://www.eastlinnloggers.com is up and running for Loggers fans already.
Football followers will soon see that full-contact, full-pads, iron man football is alive and well in Sweet Home on Saturday afternoons. A final schedule is still in the offing and Channel 16 in Eugene is committed to following the Loggers throughout the season. An All-League Jamboree is scheduled for Churchill High School in Eugene on April 10th.
Garcia told his players after practice last Saturday that he was excited about where they were both mentally and physically.
“It’s time to finally play some football,” he said.
He clearly echoed the fact that everyone is impatiently chomping at the bit and ready to finally bring spring football to Sweet Home.