John L. Braese
The state tournament is currently in full swing for boys’ soccer with a handful of squads still on the fields vying for a state title.
However, for 16 teams in the 3A/2A/1A division, playing for a state title was not the reasoning for all those practices and bus rides. These teams make up the 3A/2A/1A Special District 7, a gathering of players with no chance for a state title but playing the game solely for the love of the sport.
The 3A/2A/1A Special District 7 season ends with a district championship played between the top two teams. The district is allocated no chances to enter the state tournament. Comprised of 14 1A schools combined with two 2A teams, the squads play only within their league, sometimes with teams comprised of both boys and girls.
“We saw a need for a district of smaller teams wanting just the opportunity to play,” said Peter Weber, executive director of the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA). “Each year, we offer them the opportunity to switch districts into one that has state playoff berths if they choose.”
Weber explained it was important to the OSAA smaller teams have the opportunity to play the sport. Only four 1A teams in the state play in the other leagues, taking the field against the larger 2A and 3A teams.
“It is important that student athletes wanting to play soccer have the opportunity even in the small schools,” said Weber.
As the season concluded this year, Grand View Christian Academy took the unofficial “official” championship with a 6-0 win over Trout Lake/Glenwood.
For the Mustangs, Rowen Huff and Sawyer Dean picked up first team honors for the season while Saul VenDeHey, Alex Dean and Jayden Huskey were named to second team. Trout Lake/Glenwood coach Timmy Waller was named Coach of the Year while Ezra Sharp received honorable mention.
