It's finally here.
The start to the 2010 high school season, meaning football, volleyball, soccer and cross country all kick off their seasons.
Everyone seems to be interested in Canby football, of course, with a new coach, new quarterback and a new system. The big questions seem to be how the Cougars transition.
Things got off to a rough start, literally, when Canby fell behind 20-0 in the first quarter before it had a chance to get going.
Here are the recaps:
My recap,
Football - Jesuit 34, Canby 14: Cougars fall behind early, lose season opener
Canby lost its season opener, 34-14, to preseason favorite and top-ranked Jesuit on Friday night at Jesuit High School. It was the Cougars’ first season-opening loss since 2004.
“We came out slow,” senior wingback Brandon Harms said. “Jesuit’s a tough team to play first. A lot of our guys are playing their first time on varsity. We just didn’t adjust to their speed and our poor first quarter really killed us. They scored 20 and we ended up losing by 20.”
Jerry Ullmer, The Oregonian,
Crusaders put pedal to metal early, stop Canby 34-14
In the end, the first quarter was too much for Canby to overcome. It spoiled the coaching debut of Mike Vaught, who assisted for 18 seasons before replacing the retired Mike Doty.
"We came out just a little bit flat. I don't think we were mentally prepared," senior halfback Adam Bell said. "Jesuit is a great team. Later in the season, I definitely think we'll be ready to play with them."
Lake Oswego is the defending TRL champion, and the Lakers are no doubt ready for the challenge with Canby being their season opener on Oct. 1. They realize what Canby has accomplished over the years, and know they make the TRL that much tougher with the subtraction of Rex Putnam and Milwaukie.
Lake Oswego plays Canby just one week after it hosts Jesuit.
Matthew Sherman, Lake Oswego Review,
Road to TRL title still goes through LO
Game to Watch
Lake Oswego at Canby
Friday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m.
This could turn out to be the biggest league game Lake Oswego has faced in years. On paper, Canby comes back to the Three Rivers League and instantly becomes the Lakers’ biggest obstacle to winning another league title.
Lake Oswego will travel to Canby which has traditionally been one of the tougher venues to play in the state. Canby is 40-12 over its past four seasons, winning at least a share of the Pacific Conference all four of those years. The Cougars are led by first-year head coach Mike Vaught who previously served as Canby’s defensive coordinator for 14 years.
The Lakers will be coming off another brutal preseason schedule including back-to-back games against arguably the best team in the state of Washington and Oregon respectively.
Volleyball will be another sport ot keep an eye on. Canby completely dominated the Pacific Conference in recent years, winning three straight league championships en route to a 33-match winning streak in league play.
The Cougars now move into a much tougher Three Rivers League with powerhouse West Linn, and solid programs everywhere else, including Clackamas, Oregon City, Lakeridge and Lake Oswego.
The coaches in the TRL have taken notice with Canby's incoming.
John Denny, Clackamas Review,
TRL will be a dogfight
“It’s going to be a challenging league,” said West Linn coach Carl Neuburger. “All of the positions will be hard fought.
“The target on our backs is still the same [for the teams returning to the TRL]. And we’ve added Canby, which is used to winning….
“Canby’s been perpetual league champion in their league, and they’re huge. I think they only lost one significant player. They’re the real deal.”
“The league’s going to be real tough,” said Oregon City coach Syd Yamasaki. “With Canby in there, it’s going to be a dogfight every night.”
And finally, if you were looking for the fall sports preview section, it came in this week's edition inside the Canby Herald.
Here are the links to the following:
Canby football:
Preparing for new life, same expectations
Canby volleyball:
Canby looks to take one more big step
Canby boys soccer:
Attitude change biggest key for Cougars in ‘10
Canby girls soccer:
Canby enters with high aspirations in ‘10
Canby cross country:
Canby seeks new respect in new league
North Marion football:
Team effort to define Huskies' success
North Marion volleyball:
First-year coach in for long haul with North Marion
North Marion boys soccer:
North Marion seeks 3rd straight playoff berth behind experience
North Marion girls soccer:
Expectations high for up-and-coming Huskies
