Waldport Irish in Hunt for Win After Loss to Santiam

Waldport’s Elijah Nunez looks to slip past Santiam defenders at the Irish’s first home game on Sept. 12. The 0-2 Irish are aiming to hand the Kennedy Trojans their first loss of the season this Friday in Waldport. (Photo by Larry Coonrod)

By Larry Coonrod 

WALDPORT—Small in size-big in heart aptly describes this year’s Irish football team. 

Waldport didn’t give up a single point in the first half of its Sept. 12 home game against the Santiam Wolverines. In the second half, the Irish held Santiam to one touchdown in the third quarter and one in fourth, blocking one extra point attempt to finish 0-13.

Head Coach Colt Reece said the team made a marked improvement over its season opening 0-21 loss at Nestucca, where officials called the game at halftime after a blown fuse box left the field without lights.
Aster Nestucca the team focused on improving the offensive and defensive lines. 

“The guys picked it up and blocked solid for through the entire game,” Reece said. “We’ve still got some little tiny mistakes that are allowing them to go into the end zone. We fix those mistakes and we’ll shut that down.”

Injury Plagued 

Reece said most of the team played with injuries when they faced the Wolverines.

“We don’t have anyone to substitute out, so everybody that is on the field has to step and up and play, and they did,” he said. “They played tremendous ball. I was extremely happy and excited for them.”

Elijah Nunez made an impressive 45 yard carry on one play. 
 
“We definitely had some kids step up,” Reece said. “Dakota Wagner really stepped as running back.”
At Home Friday

The Irish have their sights set on bringing down the 2-0 Kennedy Trojans at home on Sept. 19. 

“They’re a big team, but we’ll take them on,” Reece said.

As a chill settled over the coast Monday afternoon, Waldport hit the field to prepare for the showdown.
 
“We need to shut down some of the little mistakes on defense and that stop them from scoring and fine tune our offensive strategy, and that will get us to put the score in,” Reece said.

Contact Reporter Larry Coonrod by emailing editor@lincolncountydispatch.com