Editor’s Note: Pete Porter was Sports and Religion Editor of The New Era for 16 years, until he retired in 1995. He wrote a popular weekly column called Pete’s Pot-Shots that focused on area athletes. He lives in Albany and he and his wife, Ruth, enjoy traveling and writing about family history.
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After viewing the Oregonian’s Class 3A All-State football team in the December 28 issue, suddenly the sports writing “itch” came upon this former writer.
First, I thought I’d call Sweet Home head coach Rob Younger to congratulate him on Brandon Martin’s selection as the Class 3A Defensive Player of the Year.
It brought back pleasant memories of 1987, Rod Rumrey’s final season in Sweet Home, when Vince Barrett and Dustin Nichol were named the Oregonian’s Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year for Class 3A football. Rumrey was named the 3A football Coach of the Year.
Rumrey left Sweet Home that state championship season to become the head coach at Class 4A North Medford in the Southern Oregon conference.
His assistant, Rob Younger, has kept up the winning tradition, producing outstanding teams, year after year since then.
I was fortunate as sports editor of The New Era for 16 wonderful years, to go along for the ride. Now retired for almost 10 years, those were some of the most happy and exciting years of my life.
At 75, still living in Albany, I don’t attend football games like I used to, but Rob Younger’s father attends Albany’s First Assembly of God church and keeps me informed.
Recently, Mr. Younger said, “Pete, we had such a wonderful, wonderful season.” He is very proud of his son, Rob, and his grandson, David, an assistant coach.
Sweet Home reached the state playoffs and advanced to the semi-finals before losing.
Younger’s Huskies placed running back Travis Smith, guard Jesse Aitken, and tackle Chis Kelley on the first offensive team while Martin, lineman Kyle Jense and punter Heath Belknap were named to the first defensive team.
Sweet Home received some second, third and honorable mention recognition too.
Rob Younger was named the Capital Conference Coach of the Year.
I used to call Rob early in the morning for late game thoughts before we would go to press. I decided to write this instead and let Rob sleep in. He deserves it for keeping the winning football tradition alive in Sweet Home.