It came as no surprise last Friday that when the "attaboys" were passed out after the football game in Newport, two of the recipients were girls.

As in senior Anna Petras and junior Eyza Abbas Carrasco, both new to the Florence area in July and both important members of the Siuslaw High School football program.

It certainly wasn't out of character for either senior Scott Gordon, who issued the attaboy in the afterglow of a season-opening victory, or any of his Vikings teammates.

"Anna and Eyza are new to our family, and they are out at practice pretty often," Gordon said. "They get us water, and have to go a long way. They get our owies. They always fix us up."

The master-of-ceremonies of the afterglow, head coach Tim Dodson, agreed, introducing the girls to the gathered crowd.

"They are new to our school," Dodson said of his two student trainers. "So this is new to them."

Anna and Eyza appreciated the opportunity to return the compliments.

"We are new, and you all have been so friendly and welcoming," Eyza said. "You are the most polite and well-mannered boys we've ever been around, hands down."

It was a sentiment shared by Anna, who has been Eyza's stepsister and best friend the past 10 years. Anna is a native Oregonian, born in Salem, while Eyza is from Honduras, moving to the States when she was 6.

"We love being with you guys," Anna said. "Even if we're just filling up water, you guys show that you appreciate it."

Their duties are specific and important. Keep the players hydrated, and watch for any signs of injuries or concussions.

"We're responsible for cleaning them up and getting them back out there," Anna said after a recent practice.

Both young ladies plan to continue serving as student trainers through the school year.

For Eyza, it's a prudent use of her free time.

"I want to be an athletic trainer some day," she said.

Attaboy, Eyza.

As for Anna, she's looking at attending Lane Community College for a couple of years, then the University of Oregon.

And she, too, knows what she wants to be.

"A veterinarian," she said.

Attaboy, Anna.