Tractor pull a family tradition
Andrew Christiansen
Reporter
Saying he had the “disease,” Jim Scott didn’t sound like tractor pulling was something he enjoyed. It sounded more like something he was hooked on and couldn’t shake. Apparently the “disease” is a genetic one, as Jim caught the disease from his dad, Joe and passed it on to his two sons, Austin and Jason.
Joe Scott moved to Goldendale three years ago after a career at Boeing. He brought his tractors with him. Last weekend Joe and Jim and Jason and Austin competed with tractors owned by Joe and Jim in a two-day competition held at Joe Sellers’ track along Hanging Rock Road. Joe and Austin each won. They also put on the closest battle of the event, which might have been expected since they were using the same tractor. Nonetheless, driver skill and strategy are factors in the sport.
Austin, age 15, competed against Joe and Jerry Engman in the 5,000 pound class. Both of the Scotts had full pulls in the first round. In round two, with the hook-up raised a few inches to dig the sled in deeper, Joe made a run of 139.3 feet. Austin took his turn with a different strategy than Grandpa. “I gave it a little more gas through the soft spot and let off when it went hard again and I slowed when it started to shake,” said Austin. The result was a run of 152.4 feet for the win.
The second day produced different results. Engman had a run of 180.5. Joe Scott ran off to 197.7, but the kid did it again, nipping Grandpa by inches with a 197.8 foot run.
Austin and Jason are Jim’s sons. Jason is 25, living in Spanaway and was competing in his first pull. He isn’t as hooked as Austin, figuring he would compete again at next year’s Goldendale pull. Jim and Austin live in Enumclaw. Austin competed his first time in the State championship last year.
The event was the ninth annual tractor pull. It is not the ESPN version for hot rods. These were vintage tractors that are required to travel under 5 mph by rules. The Goldendale Guys and Gals Tractor Club and the Goldendale Motor Sports Association sponsored the event.
Seven all-league players return to Timberwolves
Andrew Chistiansen
Reporter
Anticipation is building up for another season of Timberwolf football after a strong 7-3 record in 2009 and the fourth straight year in post-season play, but players will need to step up to fill some key positions.
The biggest gap is at running back where Torey Spaulding-Jimenez literally had an unfortunate break during summer football camp at Whitworth College. The senior suffered his second broken leg in two years, the first coming during the 2008-09 wrestling season. Spaulding-Jimenez was the leading rusher on last year’s team, scoring 11 touchdowns and averaging 13.2 yards per carry for 985 yards. He was selected by the league to second team running back and honorable mention kick return. Spaulding-Jimenez also tied for the team lead in interceptions with two. His play and leadership will be missed. Among the candidates with experience from last year are Braydon Ross and Kurt Wilkins. Wilkins, however, might be more valuable to the team as a lineman due to his size, strength and smarts, says head coach Don Strother. That decision has not been made. Wilkins rushed for 207 yards on 33 carries last year. Another likely candidate at running back is sophomore Wade Gaston. A player who might fit in the backfield or as a receiver is Isaac Messenger who has size and speed to play any position on the field.
There are seven all-league players returning, including Tyrell Cronin, the league’s number one quarterback. He will have his top two receivers returning, J.D. Moss the leading receiver with 30 catches and a 15.7 yard per catch average with six touchdowns, was a first team all-league receiver. Strother says Moss was probably the hardest worker through the off-season. On the other side is Anthony Dobson, honorable mention receiver who was second on the team with 20 catches for 16.1 yards per catch. Dobson was also second team all-league as a defensive back and first team punter. Strother says Dobson continues to get stronger and faster. The team has two other weapons in the passing game, second team all-league tight end Zane MacRae and a versatile Jose Briseno. MacRae was little used in the passing game, catching defenders by surprise on two catches for 34 yards. Look for more throws to the big junior who will flex outside in some formations, says Strother. Briseno will challenge Cronin for the quarterback job as Strother has an “all positions are open” philosophy to pre-season ball. Briseno is quick and experienced at quarterback. In fact he was odds on favorite for the position last year, but he got a late start and there was no dislodging a red-hot Cronin. Briseno could be used as a sprint out option type of quarterback or as a running back or slotback. One way or another, he will be on the field as the team needs to utilize his athleticism on offense, says Strother.
There are also holes in the defensive backfield with the graduation of Cody Herin and Justin Garrigus and at linebacker and the offensive line where Aaron Cochran was all-state lineman and honorable mention all-state linebacker. Among the candidates at defensive back positions are Dobson, Dalton Jaekel, Riley Ross, Kaden Milliren and Gaston. The offensive line is experienced with Reed Lindhe, Jose Casimiro, and Blake Lesko all selected to all-league teams on offense and defense. Strother says “Lindhe and Casimiro are stronger and their athleticism really stood out at camp.” Lesko is described by Strother as “strong and explosive. Not one of the biggest linemen, but one of the fastest and someone we need on the line.”
A freshman who will likely see playing time is Ben Cochran, who has size and athleticism. He also is a hard worker. Strother says he, like Moss hasn’t missed a day in the weight room this summer.
There will be new faces on the sidelines this year with Jeff Beauchamp taking over line duties and the defensive coordinator job left vacant with the retirement of Doyle Payne. Beauchamp is a faculty member at GHS. Also new to the coaching staff is Brock Warrener, a former Timberwolf who will be helping with the defensive backs and receivers. Warrener is a recent graduate of W.S.U. The rest of the coaching staff are an experienced Mike Lindhe on the defensive and offensive line and Brad Bellamy at running backs and linebackers. Rich Bartkowski is in his second year as receivers and defensive back coach.
The team opens at home with their cross-county opponent, Columbia High School of White Salmon, on Sept. 3. A win would tie the modern day series at four games each. Goldendale won last year 29-22.
Call for volleyball
Volleyball players should be getting their physicals and paperwork completed this week, as practice is rapidly approaching for both Goldendale High School and Middle School teams.
High School - paperwork due in the office by Aug. 20. Call 773-5846 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. with questions. First practice for high school volleyball is Aug. 23, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Middle School - paperwork is due in the office no later than Aug. 23. First practice for middle school volleyball is Aug. 24, at 8:30 a.m. in the middle school gym. |
