Gazette-Times Reporter

While Corvallis and Crescent Valley may not be the biggest bullies on the Mid-Willamette Conference block, the Spartans and Raiders remain significant players in boys soccer.

Woodburn, which reached the 5A state semifinals and won the inaugural MWC championship, is the bully everyone is chasing.

But it’s easy to figure Corvallis and CV to be top contenders to knock the Bulldogs off that throne as the 2007 season unfolds.

“I think that we should challenge for the playoffs every year,” CV coach Casey Fries said. “We have a good enough pedigree in Corvallis to be in the playoffs every year.

“We’ve got a good enough club base in the area to give us an advantage over other areas in the league.”

New Corvallis coach John Callahan, who has been with the program for more than 15 years, concurs.

“I think always the class of the conference is sorting ourselves, Woodburn and CV,” Callahan said. “And West Albany has a pretty solid team. Those four will be key for us.”

Woodburn, Corvallis, CV and WA made the playoffs last season, though only Woodburn made a run through the 5A bracket.

That could change this year, as the Spartans and Raiders both return experienced lineups.

In Class 4A, Philomath was the surprise champion of the Val-Co League, finishing ahead of preseason favorite Central. The Warriors finished 11-2-2 after losing to Gladstone in a second-round playoff game.

In Class 3A, Santiam Christian finished third in its district, then marched to the state semifinals before falling to Catlin Gable.

All four area programs benefit from the strong youth programs Fries mentioned. They also benefitted from the the expansion to a six-classification structure the Oregon School Activities Association adopted in 2006.

While many talented seniors departed, the youth programs and classification remain as sparks for continued success in 2007.

Corvallis

After finishing second in the MWC in ’06, the Spartans fell at Mountain View in their playoff opener 3-2 in overtime.

Three first-team all-conference players departed, but Callahan, who graduated from CHS in 1987 and was the junior varsity coach in the past, has plenty of talent returning.

His adjustment to coaching the varsity will be eased by the returnees.

“The speed of play is a bit greater,” Callahan said of the change. “For me, as a JV coach, it was always to help guys understand the game and develop a love of it and learn how to play the game. As the varsity coach, it’s more about wins and losses.”

Seven starters are back from a 7-6-2 team and Callahan believes this year’s version of the Spartans may be quicker on the pitch than last season’s.

Among the returnees are Mitch Duncombe, a second-team all-MWC defender and second-team midfielder Ben Madrigal.

Ivan Sanchez has taken over the goal-keeping duties for Wade Penner, who is now with the Washington State football team.

“He’s one of the technically best goal keepers I’ve ever seen,” Callahan said. “He can boot the ball a mile.”

Junior Ian Shute is serving as the Spartans’ kicker and punter in football in addition to playing soccer, though he is currently dealing with an injury.

“The thing for me is to go out, work hard and get better,” Callahan said. “We have a long tradition of success, let’s just continue the success and continue what the tradition has been at CHS.”

Crescent Valley

A young team went 10-5-1 last season and this year and next should be banner seasons. Fries has seven starters and 14 letterwinners back, including senior Nick Lorenz, who was a first-team all-conference player in 2006. Other seniors returning include Sam Pape, Rhys Morgan and Aaron Grossberg.

Even the junior class is loaded with veterans, as Fries played a number of them as freshmen in 2005.

“I think we’ll be pretty solid across the board,” Fries said.

Senior Sean Turner and sophomore Tyler Lueddert are vying to replace goalie Jake Hamar.

That doesn’t change the expectations any for the Raiders, though. They tied with Corvallis for second behind Woodburn last season, losing the playoff seed on a coin flip.

“As a group we have high expectations of each other,” Fries said. “The trainings are excellent. There’s good team spirit and commitment. I can’t emphasis the amount of work they’ve already put into this season.”