The South Wasco County High Redsides have been one of the most dominating teams in OSAA Class 1A six-man football for the past two years, reaching the state semifinals in 2022 and the quarterfinals last season.
The Redsides, guided by sixth-year Coach Mike Waine and assistant Coach Michael Carter, took second place in the nine-team Special District 1 League standings in 2023 and won a state playoff game.
“Things are looking pretty good so far, particularly with an offense that will be a little different style this year,” said Waine. “We don’t have a big, powerful running back like we had last year in Joey Holloway (5-foot-11, 210 pound).”
The Redsides started practice with 12 of their 14 players from last year’s successful squad returning this year. There are five seniors including quarterback/defensive end Storm McCoy, running back/defensive back Gavin Hagen, and offensive/defensive lineman Coy Shirley. Junior fullback/linebacker George Barnett will also be a two-way starter.
“I think we’ll be dialed in soon after we knock all the rust off and then we’ll be able to put some points on the scoreboard and we’ll be a pretty good team. George and Storm will be key playmakers for us offensively,” Waine said. “The team morale is up real high; the kids are excited to be back at practice and it’s going to be one of those years where we’ll surprise a lot of our opponents by playing a different style of football than they’re used to seeing us play.”
South Wasco begins its nine-game regular season schedule with a 1 p.m. Friday nonleague road matchup in Southern Oregon versus Powers. “I think our season opener is going to be a matchup between two top eight-ranked teams,” said Waine. “They [Cruisers] are a little bigger and they’re going to be a little stronger, but it will be a good way for us to start the season.”
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