Vikings hope to ride seniors to another title


Vikings head coach Sam Johnson has been filling in as line coach with the retirement of long-time assistant Gerald Fleming.

The defending 3A state champion Siuslaw Vikings football team opened fall practice Monday, featuring another strong senior class.

This year's senior class includes the thunder-and-lightning backfield of Ian Sissel (6-foot, 225) and speedster Hunter Petterson (5-7, 150).

It also includes skill players Noah Dotson (6-0, 180 tight end), Jimmy Allen (6-2, 170 wide receiver) and Odin Smith (5-11, 170 running back).

On the line there are John Rose (6-5, 225), Julian Loftis (6-1, 250), Victor Ayala (5-10, 170), Kevin Holloway (5-10, 170) qnd Desmond Anderson (6-2, 180).

Last season's title team also had a strong senior class.

Siuslaw opens its season at home against long-time rival Newport at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2.

VIKINGS 2022 ROSTER
Tentative, from OSAA website (revised 8./15/2022)
Freshmen (7)
     Eddie Osorio, OL/DL, 6-0, 180
     Asher Borgnino, WR/DB, 6-1, 160
  2 Jordan Pitcher, WR/DB, 6-0, 160
  4 Micah Blankenship, QB/DB, 5-8, 150
  5 Will Johnson, QB/DB, 5-9, 150
50 Jake Mann, OL/DL, 6-1, 210
51 Colin Barnett, OL/DL, 6-2, 200
Sophomores (9)
  6 Max Reynolds, RB/LB, 5-10, 160
12 Ryan Klampe, WR/DB, 6-0, 160
21 Chaz Edblom, WR/DB, 6-1, 160
25 Gabe DeLeon, WR/LB, 6-0, 160
27 Joel Sissel, RB/LB, 5-8, 160
58 Kenden Huff, OL/DL, 5-9, 160
60 Ricardo Martinez, OL/DL, 5-9, 160
61 Deegan Smith, OL/DL, 5-10, 180
71 Dane Circle, OL/DL, 6-0, 230
Juniors (5)
14 Dayne Muller, TE/LB, 6-1, 200
15 Tate Bottensek, WR/DB, 5-9, 150
23 Talin Loomis, WR/DB, 5-8, 150
52 Cort Waggoner, OL/DL, 6-0, 220
57 Billie Massey, OL/DL, 6-1, 200
Seniors (11)
  3 Noah Dotson, TE/LB, 6-0, 180
  7 Ian Sissel, RB/LB, 6-0, 225
11 Hunter Petterson, RB/DB, 5-7, 150
19 Jimmy Allen, WR/DB, 6-2, 170
22 Odin Smith, RB/DB, 5-11, 170
53 Dezmond Anderson, OL/DL, 6-2, 180
54 Victor Ayala, OL/LB, 5-10, 170
55 Kevin Holloway, OL/DL, 5-10, 170
56 Julian Loftis, OL/DL, 6-1, 250
75 John Rose, OL/DL, 6-5, 225

GRADUATED SENIORS (11)
Rhys Fleming, Camp Lacouture, Isaac Garza, Braydon Thornton, Beau Erickson, Isaac Mattson, James Smith, Joe Slaughter, Henry Rankin, John Corser, Deegan Smith

VIKINGS 2022 SCHEDULE
(Last year's result)
Friday, Sept 2 — Newport, 7 p.m., nonleague (did not play)
Friday, Sept. 9 — Kennedy (Mt. Angel), 7 p.m., nonleague (did not play)
Friday, Sept. 16 — at La Pine, 7 p.m. (won 34-26 in league in Florence, 28-26 in state semifinals at Cottage Grove) 
Friday, Sept. 23 — Harrisburg, 7 p.m. (did not play)
Friday, Sept. 30 — at Creswell, 7 p.m. (did not play)
Friday, Oct. 7 — Elmira, 7 p.m. (did not play)
Friday, Oct. 14 — at North Marion (Aurora), 7 p.m., nonleague (did not play)
Friday, Oct. 21 — Sisters, 7 p.m. (won 50-0 at Bend)
Friday, Oct. 28 — at Pleasant Hill, 7 p.m. (won 66-19 in Florence)