Wayne Spinney
For The New Era
After playing three consecutive games on the road the East Linn Logger homecoming was spoiled by a pre-game downpour and a first half thumping administered by the visiting Santiam Stallions. The first year Stallions, led by quarterback Derek Vester and Santiam High School football coach Vic Lease at middle linebacker, stormed to a twenty point halftime lead and never looked back en route to blanking the Loggers 30-0 on Saturday afternoon at Husky Field.
Jesse Garcia Jr. led the out manned Loggers after returning from an injury that forced him out of last weeks game in Monroe. Garcia caught two passes for forty eight yards on offense and also intercepted a pass from his free safety position on defense.
Defensively the Loggers were led by Craig Bergevin with eleven solo stops, two assisted tackles and one pass defense. Dustin Clingenpeel was right behind him with eight solo and seven assisted stops while Justin Poole had six solo tackles and a half dozen assists. Ryan Harp also had an interception that snuffed a potential Stallion scoring drive.
“At this point I can say that my team is still playing with all their heart and soul,? said Head coach Jesse Garcia Sr. of his troops. ?I truly have a great bunch of guys who don’t know how to quit. They have a love of the game and even though we’ve been on a losing streak my guys have enjoyed playing in front of family and friends.?
Despite inclement conditions a nice crowd was on hand for the re-match between the first year Willamette Division foes. Their dedicated fans saw the home standing Loggers sputter as they were only able to gain ninety three yards in total offense. Frank Whitton was 6 for 20 in the passing column but threw five interceptions and was sacked twice. Ross Almason again lead Logger running backs by averaging a little over three yards per carry. Despite being shut out the feeling was still very upbeat in the Loggers? locker room after the game.
?We have had personal victories that nobody can take away from us. They have been the kind of things that don’t show up on stats or in newspapers but still mean just as much to us,? said first year coach Garcia of the circumstances. ?I believe every man on our team understands that this is a building year and what we have built is rock solid!”
The Loggers will take the Memorial Day weekend off, as will the rest of the NNFL. They will return to the gridiron on June 5 by taking on the North Valley Hunters in Jefferson at 7 p.m.