Vernonia High School - Memolog Yearbook (Vernonia, OR)

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Football Comes Close We started the season by beating Clatskanie in a game that showed great promise in things to come. We were trailing early in the game and came back to win. The seasoned veterans played very well as did the younger players. Coach Mel Nice stated, “When things were going well we were an excellent team. The three losses were a combination of lack of execution when needed, but most of all, lack of confidence in our abilities. We were a better team than the three losses indicate. Our mental toughness could have been better at times.” “I hope the graduating seniors rest in the fact that they were champions three years ago and the juniors will plan to be champions next year,” continued the coach. Coach Nice, with his assistant Terry Nimz, led the team smoothly. With only four returning seniors and another who came out for his first season, they had a lot of green players. The seniors included Most Valuable Player Award winner Brad Gardner, Steve Grady, Joe Richardson, Thorgen Brown, and Jerry Budge. Brad and Steve, along with junior Dave Kleinman, led the powerful running game the Loggers have traditionally had. Joe anchored one end of the defensive line with Grady on the other. Jerry was the glue that held together a rather inexperienced offensive line. Thorgen was out for his first year and was the teams kick off man. By the end of the year he had won a starting assignment in the defensive backfield. i Clatskanie US 21 THEM 12 Gaston 51 7 Corbett 2 24 Knappa 24 18 P.C. 51 7 Lutheran 18 m Warrenton 0 6 St. Paul 6 26 3 20 Varsity Football