By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

MOUNT ANGEL, Ore.–  Kennedy’s Owen Bruner wasn’t pleased with how his junior season ended when he broke his collarbone in the 2A State Championship Game against Coquille last Fall, but he made up for it in his first game back for the Trojans.  Going for two receiving touchdowns on two catches and 52 yards while rushing for 14 yards on a carry in Kennedy’s 52-8 victory over Stanfield.

“It kind of pissed me off that I didn’t get to finish the game and that was a big game, they needed me.  Just translating that into this year, just fueling the fire and go,” Bruner described entering this year.  “Just getting the ball and helping the team is the best.  It was a big game, we got a totally new offense and a totally new team…just coming out and doing this in this game is huge.”

Will Schaecher showed off his strength running the ball, going seven carries for 87 yards, Charlie Beyer went 67 yards on four carries and a touchdown as the Trojans led 25-0 after one quarter that saw Kennedy’s defense collect two safeties that turned into a 44-0 halftime lead in their season and home-opener.  For the seniors this season like Bruner, Schaecher and Beyer, they’re just picking up where the seniors from year’s past as they embark their final season as Trojans.

“It’s big time. Like other seniors, they left a lot of marks, so just finishing off good,” Schaecher said.  “(Sisulaw) will be a tough team, so we just got to do everything right and go out there and execute.”

Working on the little things like cleaning up the penalties and polishing up the finer things will be huge going into their first road trip of the year to the coast on September 9 with they play Sisulaw.   The Vikings jumped out to a 20-0 lead in their 44-7 victory over Newport as the two teams entering their clash before going into both squads’ respective league openers in two weeks.

“We just got to work on not holding, keeping our temper back so we don’t have those penalties because that could change the tone of the game,” Bruner said.

Kickoff is slated for 7pm in Florence.  The Trojans return home to open league play September 16 against Jefferson before traveling to Dayton September 23.  The Pirates defeated Yamhill-Carlton 48-13 Friday in Dayton.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald