THE DALLES — The Dalles High Riverhawks advanced to the OSAA Class 4A boys soccer state playoffs for a third straight year in 2024 and they’re expecting to continue their postseason streak this season, as well.
The Riverhawks started practice Aug. 19 with high expectations that they can again be a contender for the Tri-Valley Conference title in 2025. The Riverhawks took second place in the TVC last year with a 7-3 league mark (12-4 overall). The Riverhawks won a Nov. 4, 2024, first-round home game, 4-1, over Marist Catholic but lost, 2-1, in the quarterfinals to eventual state champion Henley.
The Riverhawks (7-3 TVC, 12-4 overall in 2024), guided by fifth-year Coach Jesus Granados and assistant Matt Dallman, took second place in the TVC behind Crook County (8-1-1 TVC, 13-2-2). Crook County moved up to Class 5A this year, which leaves the TVC with five teams.
“I think that based on the players returning from last year and the talent that we know that we have, we’ll absolutely be expecting to have another successful season,” said Dallman. “We have a solid core group of players coming back this year and our defense is very good again, too. We have multiple players at all positions who are good enough to be starters. What’s also exciting is that we have numerous players who are capable of scoring goals.”
The Riverhawks lost a talented group of six seniors from a year ago, including their leading scorer, Hulises Najera. Back are junior midfielder Ivan Santana (second leading scorer in 2024) and junior forward David McCracken.
“There is no way to replace Hulises and there’s nobody on this year’s team that can have as much of an impact that he had for us,” said Dallman. “We’re not looking to replace him. We have lots of good, solid team players who are definitely capable of playing high-quality soccer and that’s what we’re most excited about.”
The Riverhawks will be led defensively by their goalkeeping duo of senior Marcos Meza and junior Leonarda Casillas. Last year, The Dalles had the No. 5-ranked offense (3.18 goals per game average) out of 32 Class 4A squads.
The Dalles begins a 15-game schedule with a nonleague matchup Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. versus the North Marion High Huskies (15-3 in 2024) at the Wahtonka Campus soccer field in The Dalles. The Huskies reached the state championship game last year, losing 3-2 to Henley. The Riverhawks begin their eight-game TVC schedule Sept. 25 at home versus the Madras High White Buffaloes (6-2-2 TVC, 10-5-2 in 2024).
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