The Dream Season

After loosing in the quarter-finals of the OSAA 5A High School Soccer Championships in 2006, the fourteen seniors on the 2007 Glencoe Crimson Tide team knew this had to be "the season." The side rolled through the regular season undefeated with a 14-0-1 record. And during the playoffs, Glencoe scored twelve goals for with only one against in three games to land a spot in the state championship final against returning finalist Bend High School.

Coach Tom Stephens knew this year's team was special. The staff and the players often referred to atmosphere on the team as a family. The school had never made it to the state finals and Stephens wanted it so bad...for his players...for his seniors. After falling behind 0-1 early in the second half, the Tide actually became energized and began backing Bend up against its own goal. A goal off a corner kick by Nolan Dempster to equalize was followed by a driving far post shot by Wil Hiles beating the keeper with eight minutes remaining to push Glencoe ahead 2-1. The final whistle at the end of regulation set off an emotional celebration as players and fans cherished the special moments of winning the school's first state championship title.

It was a special season...it was a special team....it was a family celebration.

Also view a photo video honoring Glencoe's 2007 OSAA 5A High School Soccer Championship season on OregonSportsPhotos.com.

Fall Season Winds Down

At the beginning of the Fall high school sports season in Oregon, the weather is warm and wearing jeans and a t-shirt can even be over-dressed at times. At the end of the season, it's three layers of clothing, gloves and cups of hot tea. I covered the OSAA Cross Country Championships at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon for four Pamplin Media Group newspapers. The day was a mix of cold and crisp in the morning and warm and sunny in the afternoon; a testament to the mix of weather experienced during the Fall in Oregon.

The Jesuit High School (Beaverton, OR) girls kept their string of championships running as they took home their sixth straight 6A first place trophy. The Jesuit boys took second seating to the kings of the 6A boys harriers, their rivals Central Catholic (Portland, OR) who won their third consecutive title. Other schools I was covering in the 3A, 4A and 5A divisions had great individual accomplishments, but team results were not honored with hardware.