Spartans led by air attack
By Clinton Vining
Publisher, The Sun
The Spartans will rely heavily on their air attack this fall on Sheridan’s quest to return to the playoffs, a feat they accomplished last year for the first time in 15 years.
Do what you do best, says eight-year head coach Brice Ingram.
Returning all but one of their varsity receivers and their all-conference quarterback should make the Spartans one of the best passing teams in the West Valley League.
Third-year starter, senior QB Brock Ingram threw for 2,300 yards and 27 touchdowns last fall, leading Sheridan to finish the season with a 6-4 record and its first playoff appearance in a decade and a half.
The Spartans lost to Santiam Christian 40-6 in the first round of the 3A playoffs, but they got a post-season taste.
“Now they’ve been there and if we can get back then they’ll know its more about the game,” said Coach Ingram.
Sheridan lost high-energy receiver Patrick Mitchell to graduation, but the rest of the receiving crew is back. They are seniors Tre Hale-Edmerson,
Henry von Euen, Jake Denton, Brenden Bittner and sophomore Joey Hertel.
Beau Bradford, Dallas Chrisman and Kyle Whelchel will be Ingram’s go-to-guys in the backfield.
Ethan Byers and Chris Haskell will anchor the Spartans’ offensive line.
On the other side of the ball, Haskell will step off the line to play linebacker and the smaller, scrappy von Euen will step up to the line to play defensive line. His coach says he can bench 300 pounds, so don’t underestimate his size. Whelchel, who’s been playing rugby all summer in McMinnville, will play defensive end. Brandon Paholio will also play an important role on defense.
The returning state champs, Amity, and Dayton and Willamina will be the teams to beat this year, said Coach Ingram.
“We’ve got to win two of the three to make it (to the playoffs),” he said.
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