North Medford

ANDY ATKINSON / MAIL TRIBUNE

North Medford senior Bryce Dyer, right, returns as a two-way starter and top playmaker. North sets sights on SWC title

With key playmakers and veteran linemen, Black Tornado has tools to shine under Chin

By Kris Henry

Mail Tribune

North Medford will take on a different look this season under first-year head coach Nathan Chin but, in many ways, the song remains the same for the Black Tornado.

A preseason favorite to be Southern Oregon’s top Class 6A team this past spring, North Medford will carry a similar role entering the 2021 fall campaign after being picked in a preseason coaches poll to claim the Southwest Conference title when all is said and done.

It’s a position that Chin and company don’t shy away from, with the coach stating that his team “without a doubt” plans on challenging for the title this fall.

And for good reason.

North Medford returns a pair of college-level playmakers in senior receiver Bryce Dyer and sophomore tight end AJ Pugliano, who already holds an offer from Oregon, and a bevy of road graders in the trenches that would make any opposing coach envious.

“I’m super excited,” Chin said of taking over the North program after Steve Turner retired in May following three seasons at the helm. “I think the challenge is awesome and I think the potential here is endless. I just can’t wait to get these kids through training camp and really progress and get better these next few weeks.”

While Dyer and Pugliano expect to be the marquee players this season for North, it all starts with an offensive line that returns three starters and a fourth who saw considerable time in the spring.

Seniors Jacob Johnson (5-10, 220) and Erick Santacruz (6-2, 250), junior David Fuiava (6-2, 300) and sophomore Terrell Kim (6-3, 320) anchor the front line and complement each other extremely well.

“Those kids are all big, strong kids,” said Chin. “We’re going to look a little different offensively but they’ve done a great job of grasping onto everything. They’re all one year older and they’ve got one more year of experience and it’s definitely a good group for us to rely upon.”

SEE NORTH, 7

Southwest Conference

North Medford South Medford Grants Pass Conference Roundup

Midwestern League

2 3 4 5

8 9 10 11

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Phoenix

Skyline Conference

Conference Roundup

Far West League

Cascade Christian St. Mary’s League Roundup 16 17

20 21 22

1A District 3

Prospect / Butte Falls 24

Miscellaneous

Coaches Polls Broadcast Info Past Champions Season Schedule 14 19 26 27

HEAD COACH

Nathan Chin (first year)

GENERAL INFORMATION

ASSISTANTS: Josh Dykes (offensive coordinator), Jim Bosworth (co-defensive coordinator with Nate), Doug Elam (quarterbacks), Johnny Vaigafa (offensive line), Jered Gail (tight ends), Masi Tunoa (defensive line), Curtis Stout (secondary), Mike Olson (receivers), Dan Hamlin (JV head coach/offensive coordinator), Will Salade (JV defensive coordinator), Michael Rucker (JV/freshman line), Dan Smalley (freshman head coach), Dave Pettersen (freshman defensive coordinator). 2020-21 OVERALL RECORD: 4-2.

PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: First.

2019 RESULTS Chin

NORTH MEDFORD OPPONENTS 45 .................................. McNary 6 62 ................................ Jefferson 30 47 ....................................Bend 19 38 ............................ Mountain View 7 27 ................................. Sheldon 28 34 .............................. Grants Pass 27 54 ................................. Roseburg 7 33 ................................... Aloha 35 52 ........................... South Medford 21 State Playoffs 55 ............................ Reynolds 49 (OT) 35 ................................. Tualatin 50 2020-21 RESULTS NORTH MEDFORD OPPONENTS 27 .............................. Grants Pass 20 28 ................................. Tualatin 41 25 ...................................Crater 18 35 ................................. Roseburg 0 34 ........................... South Medford 35 48 ................................. Sheldon 16 RETURNING STARTERS

OFFENSE (5): Receiver Bryce Dyer (6-5, 200, sr.), lineman Jacob Johnson (5-10, 220, sr.), lineman David Fuiava (6-2, 300, jr.), lineman Terrell Kim (6-3, 320, so.), tight end AJ Pugliano (6-4, 220, so.).

DEFENSE (2): Lineman Brandon Dominquez (6-2, 250, sr.), safety Bryce Dyer.

OTHER NOTABLES

Lineman Erick Santacruz (6-2, 250, sr.), quarterback Mason Warren (5-11, 210, sr.), quarterback Ty Carpenter (6-0, 155, jr.), running back/defensive back Ty Pugliano (5-10, 185, jr.), running back/linebacker Kilohana Wailehua (5-11, 180, jr.), running back/ linebacker Hudson Greisen (6-1, 185, jr.), receiver/ defensive back Alex Angulo (5-6, 170, jr.), receiver/ defensive back Koda Passey (6-0, 190, sr.), receiver/ defensive back Aidan Becksted (6-0, 180, jr.), tight end/defensive lineman Kellen Thomey (6-1, 205, jr.), receiver/defensive back Caleb Yonker (6-0, 165, sr.), tight end/linebacker Stephen Seus (6-1, 185, sr.), lineman Connor Trinca (6-0, 240, so.), lineman Kyler Steel (5-11, 270, sr.), lineman Conner McDougall (5-9, 220, sr.), lineman O’Shea Miller (6-5, 255, sr.), lineman Adam Burkett (6-2, 220, sr.), lineman Easton Abbott (6-3, 200, jr.), running back/linebacker Atreaue Roe (5-11, 170, sr.), receiver/defensive back Isaac Chavez (6-0, 155, jr.), receiver/defensive back Isaiah Chavez (6-0, 155, jr.).

2021 SCHEDULE

Sept. 3 .......................DEL NORTE, 7 p.m. Sept. 10 .....................at West Linn, 7 p.m. Sept. 17 ..................... SHERWOOD, 7 p.m. Sept. 24 ....................... at Liberty, 7 p.m. Oct. 1 ............................ BEND, 7 p.m. Oct. 8 ....................... at Roseburg, 7 p.m. Oct. 15 ....................... at Sheldon, 7 p.m. Oct. 22 .................... GRANTS PASS, 7 p.m. Oct. 29 ................. SOUTH MEDFORD, 7 p.m.

Design By Danny Penza

Sports Contacts

Sports: 541-776-4480 Kris Henry: 541-776-4488 Danny Penza: 541-776-4469 Will Denner: 541-776-4479 Warren Blenkush: 541-776-4492 Email: sports@rosebudmedia.com Web: mailtribune.com/sports