Central Oregonian

Eagle/Loggers struggle through season

Coaches are upbeat about the future despite team going 0-6 in league play

Lon Austin

November 19, 2012

The Mitchell/Spray Eagle/Logger football team struggled through a disappointing season, finishing with a 2-6 record.

The squad was 0-6 in the High Desert League, and was routed in each of their league contests. Still the team's coaches are optimistic about the future.

"I think, more than anything, this was a transitional season," said co-head coach Tim Foster. "In 2011, we finished with seven healthy players and only two local Mitchell boys. This year, our numbers were up and attitudes were pretty good."

The Eagle/Loggers started the season with a dominating win over Portland Lutheran. However, once the league season began, Mitchell/Spray was unable to move the ball consistently. The team lost their first four league contests by a combined 256 to 26 score. As the season wore on, the team suffered several key injuries, making it more difficult to compete.

The team rebounded to take a 48-0 win over an equally-depleted Burnt River squad before dropping their final two contests.

"Injuries and personal issues took their toll in the last two games," Foster said. "Those were games we should have been competitive in, but that's the way it goes sometimes. Overall, the kids played hard and learned a lot."

In spite of the difficult season, Foster was quick to point out that there were several bright spots in the program.

Senior Toby Lindquist was named to the all-league squad as the first team punter and as an honorable mention fullback.

"Lindquist was a surprise after sitting out his junior year," Foster said. "He's a fire plug. We sorely missed his energy and toughness after he went down with a knee injury."

Sophomore Brett Domenighini was also recognized by the league, earning honorable mention recognition as a defensive back.

"More than anything his leadership and dependability kept our defense together," Foster said. "I?could always count on Domenighini to be in the right spot and make the right play."

The team was also given the league sportsmanship award for the second consecutive year.

"It shows that teams recognized how hard our kids played regardless of the score," Foster said.

Mitchell/Spray loses just four seniors to graduation. Of those, Foster said that Lindquist and all-purpose player Trent Nicol will be the most missed.

"Nicol was one of our hardest working kids," he said. "He was one of those kids that bought into the program and started to say what I was going to say before I got the chance. Teams need those kinds of leaders to be successful. He wasn't the biggest or fastest kid around, but he always gave 100 percent."

Although the seniors will be missed, Foster pointed out that the team has an outstanding sophomore class.

Five sophomores played key roles on the team this year, including Domenighini at both tailback and defensive back.

Also returning are quarterback Dylon Tankersley, wide receiver Tino Espinoza, running back Jeremy Lanoue, and center Willy Helms.

All four players also started on defense for the Eagle/Loggers.

With such a solid nucleus of players back for the next two years, Foster believes that the team will be more competitive down the road.

"Those kids make the future look much brighter," Foster said.