Vikings trio does a number on record book


Siuslaw seniors Beau Erickson, Camp Lacouture and Braydon Thornton have etched their names in Vikings football history.

Erickson threw, Lacouture ran and Thornton received at record paces as the Vikings won the state 3A title with a 12-0 record.

The numbers, released Friday by coach Sam Johnson, and put into perspective by Siuslaw football historian Don Hunt:

  • Erickson completed 137 of 208 passes for 2,620 yards and 26 touchdowns, with just 6 interceptions. 
    Hunt: Erickson shatters single-season passing  yardage record. Old mark was 2,195 yards by Elijah Blankenship in 2019. His 26 touchdown passes ranks second to Gabe Haberly, who had 27 in 2003. Also, Erickson's single-season completion percentage of .659 ranks second, behind Jake Mitchell (.677 in 2007).
  • Lacouture rushed for 1,607 yards and 18 TDs.
    Hunt:  Lacouture's 1,607 yards rushing ranks second to Sonny Tupua, who ran for 1,675 yards in 2011. Lacouture finishes just in front of Tristan Hartzell (1,605 yards in 1995). Lacouture's 18 rushing TDs in a single season are tied for fifth, behind Tupua (24 in 2011), Guy Mamac (23 in 1998), Tristan Hartzell (22 in 1995) and Wayne Jackson (20 in 1973). Scott Parker ran for 18 TDs in 1981.
  • Thornton had 1,570 receiving yards and 20 TD receptions.
    Hunt:  Thornton's 1,507 yards receiving breaks his own record of 1,279 yards in 2019, and his 18 TD receptions breaks the old mark of 16, set by Collin Cram-Watkins in 2003. Thornton registered 2,786 yards receiving in the 2019 and 2021 fall seasons combined, which puts him well ahead of career leader Jared Kreil (2,096 yards in 2002-2004). You would need to add Thornton's 2021 six-game spring receiving stats to get the accurate number of career yards. He would obviously be well over 3,000 yards. (Johnson says add 652 for a total of 3,438.)

As shining members of a stellar senior class, they will be hard to replace.

"They will definitely be missed," Hunt said.

RING OUT THE SEASON

The Vikings' fund drive for championship rings continues with a Dutch Bros. Coffee benefit Monday.

Dutch Bros. will donate $1 for every drink sold that day to the cause.

Big Dog Donuts and Deli is selling a dozen cake donuts — plain, maple or chocolate — for $10 from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Vikings rings fundraiser. Preorder on messenger. Cash only.

As of Saturday morning, the team had raised $7,475 toward their fundraiser goal of $10,000, according to its fundraiser page, https://www.myteamworks.org/siuslawfootballstatechampionshiprings