Wednesday night’s celebration of the Hermiston Bulldogs’ state football championship was so much fun that everyone in attendance decided to make it an annual event.
Dennis Barnett, representing the Hermiston Linebacker Club, challenged the players, coaches and parents to build on this season’s success and he also issued them a warning:
“We are now the hunted,” he said. “People will be shooting for us.”
(FESTIVAL OF TREES SET FOR THIS WEEKEND)
Hermiston High School’s purple gym was packed Wednesday night as the community came together to honor the 2014 Bulldogs’ football team that brought home the school’s first-ever state football championship when they defeated Silverton, 34-12, last Saturday in the 5A title game in Hillsboro.
“It was pretty awesome to be in Hillsboro Stadium and see 2,500 to 3,000 Hermiston residents out there,” said Hermiston Mayor Dave Drotzmann.
Hermiston head coach Mark Hodges said the championship trophy belonged to all of Hermiston.
“This is a win for the entire community,” he said. “The players were just representatives of your vision and your dream.”
Ginny Holthus of the Hermiston Sports Boosters said school administrators and supporters realized more than a decade ago that some changes would have to be made in order for the football team to compete at the highest level. With the support of community donations, the school added a state-of-the-art weight room, worked with Good Shepherd Medical Center to provide the team with a trainer, and through grants and local donations, built a state-of-the-art stadium, as well as added additional assistant coaches.
Holthus thanked the players for making the community proud.
“This community thanks you from the bottom of our hearts for bringing this trophy home and bringing it home with class,” she said.
KOHU’s Erick Olson, who serves as the Bulldogs’ play-by-play announcer, provided the statistical highlights of what he called “one of the most prolific offense in Hermiston history,” and the “best defense in the state.”
“There’s never been a more prolific quarterback in the history of Hermiston High School,” Olson said. For his career at HHS, Knutz threw for 7,401 yards and 80 touchdowns.
Olson also made mention of several players, including Carson Morter, who led all 5A and 6A teams with 16 touchdown receptions; running back Cory Adams, who had the third-best season in HHS history with 1,072 yards and 11 touchdowns; and junior back Sam Colbray, who tallied more than 900 yards on the ground and 18 touchdowns.
Olson noted the defense totaled 18 interceptions on the season, 69 pass deflections, 122 quarterback hurries, and 41 sacks. Olson pointed out that in the semi-final game against Liberty, the Hermiston defense held them to minus 11 yards rushing. Olson highlighted the play of several defensive standouts including Trey Neal and his 113 tackles and 13 sacks; Morter’s team-high eight interceptions; Ethan Snow’s 15 pass deflections; Landon Gammell’s 10 sacks; and Luis Medina’s 75 tackles and nine and a half sacks.
Like others, Olson challenged the team to build upon their success.
“This is just a moment,” he said. “Make this an annual event instead of a one-year thing.”
Senior players Knutz and Dylan Caldwell thanked the fans for their support throughout the season.
“Without you guys, we definitely would not be where we are today,” Knutz said.
Caldwell made special mention of the Barnett family and Gammell family for looking out for the team. He, too, also made note of fan support, both at home and on the road.
“We really did have a crowd for every game,” he said. ”We couldn’t have done it without you guys.”
More Stories from Northeast Oregon Now:
County to Recount Measure 92 Ballots
