Vikings Get Ranked
The Siuslaw Vikings are starting the football season with statewide recognition. The team is ranked No. 5 in the OSAAtoday preseason coaches’ poll, with defending champion Burns at No. 1. The Vikings’ Week 2 opponent and home opener, North Valley, is ranked No. 7 — the same team that ended Siuslaw’s playoff run last year. Week 3 foe Cascade Christian comes in at No. 2. The Vikings kick off their season Friday, September 5th, on the road at former 4A rival Marshfield. Siuslaw returns a strong core of starters, including all-state standouts Will Johnson and Jacob Mann.
Ems Outlast Aquasox
The Eugene Emeralds edged the Everett AquaSox 5-4 in a thriller Tuesday night. It was a pitcher’s duel early, with no score through five innings. Nate Furman broke the silence in the 6th with a solo homer, and Eugene added another run in the 7th. Everett answered with a three-run shot in the bottom of the inning to take the lead. But the Ems rallied in the 9th as Parks Harber tied it with a home run, and Jean Carlos Sio followed with a two-run blast for his first of the season. Eugene’s defense held in the bottom half to secure the win. The Emeralds improve to 39-16 in the second half, lowering their magic number to four.
