This article sponsored by Jamieson Produce and Y-1 Farms.
Jamieson Produce is an onion packing shed located in Vale, Oregon that packs and ships onions across the United States 12 months of the year. It has been in operation for nearly 40 years and currently employees about 50 people. Over the years our business has grown and to date we pack and ship over 100 million pounds of onions each year. We appreciate the quality onions our growers provide and the hard work our employees do every day. Jamieson Produce is owned by Doug and Terrie Maag and managed by Jeff Stubbs.
Y-1 Farms is located in Jamieson, Oregon and is owned by Doug and Terrie Maag and Corey and Mandi Maag. Various row crops such as onions, sugar beets, silage corn, alfalfa, and wheat are grown on nearly 2000 acres. The feed crops are used to provide feed for the feedlot they operate. Up to 12,000 head of cattle can be fed at Y-1 Farms. Y-1 Farms was established in 1985 but the Maag Family was farming before that. Doug farmed with his father, Warner Maag, for several years prior before purchasing his own farm. Y-1 Farms employs about 20 full-time employees to assist in operating the farm. We are extremely grateful for our employees and the hard work they provide.
John L. Braese
Saturday will see eastern Oregon teams in mass in state football semifinal action.
3A
#9 North Valley versus #4 Vale at Summit High School, 1 pm
North Valley pulled up the upset over #1 Siuslaw last week to advance to Summit High School, the Loggers first time in the final four since 1986. The victory avenged a Sept 13 close loss to Siuslaw early in the season. Cascade Christian, a team Vale downed to start the season, beat North Valley handily on Oct. 25, 41-6.
After seeing losses in quarterfinal action the past two years, Vale enters the semifinals undefeated. The Viking defense allowed only 68 points in the regular season. Last week’s game versus Taft saw Vale give up 24 points, the largest point total this year.
Fans should not expect to see an air attack in this semifinal matchup as both teams look to run the ball and eat up the clock. The key to the game will be the ability of North Valley to stop Kase Schaffeld.
#11 Burns versus #2 Banks at Summit High School, 4:30 pm
After winning the 4A state title in 2018, Banks is back in the semifinals for the fourth time in five years. On their way to a runner-up finish last season, Banks took care of Burns in the first round.
Burns has pitched five shutouts this year and took Vale to overtime before taking a loss. The Hilanders are allowing only 8.7 points a game and league co-player of the year Jack Wright is fully capable of putting points on the board.
All of eastern Oregon is praying for a Vale/Burns championship matchup.
2A
#5 St. Paul versus #1 Heppner at Caldera High School, 2 pm
It is fitting that Heppner is ranked first and takes the field for the 35th and final season under coach Greg Grant. Grant takes the sidelines for the final year looking for his fourth state title after winning in 1992, 2015 and 2019. Like St. Paul, Heppner has not seen a loss this season with defense leading the way allowing only 76 points during the regular season.
1A teams around the state were not unhappy to see St. Paul move up this season to the 2A ranks. This game marks the seventh consecutive season St. Paul has played in the semifinals.
1A 8-Man
#4 Crane versus #1 Adrian at Eastern Oregon University, 4:30 pm
Crane is looking to return to the state title game after falling to Lost River last season. Coach Matt Hawley will be looking for the Mustangs to play a complete game. After playing to a 14-14 halftime score earlier this season, Crane fell apart in the second half in Adrian with the Lopes rolling to a win.
The Antelopes are the lone team in the 1A ranks holding opponents to less than 100 points on the season with Adrian allowing only 84 points the entire year. The Lopes have yet to be tested this year.
1A 6-Man
#5 South Wasco County versus #1 Powers ar Cottage Grove High School, 1 pm
These same two teams opened the season way back in August with Powers taking the win. The Redsides other two losses for the year come with two defeats at the hand of second seeded Harper, once during the regular season and again in a league playoff.
South Wasco County has allowed 249 points during the regular season and are being asked to stop a Powers team that has scored 531 points.
#6 Prairie City/Burnt River versus #2Harper at Eastern Oregon University, 1 pm
The Panthers are back in the semifinals after a loss to Joseph in the semifinals last season. Although both teams play in the Special District 1, Prairie City/Burnt River and the Hornets did not meet during the regular season with the Panthers taking losses this season to the Redsides and Joseph. The Panthers can place points on the board, scoring 466 points this season.
Harper takes the field with a perfect 9-0 record and has rolled this season with three shutouts and every game but one finishing under the “mercy rule”. The Hornet defense has shut down opponents all year, allowing only 45 points. Harper will be looking for some revenge as Prairie City/Burnt River bounced the Hornets out of the playoffs last year.
As in the 3A bracket, eastern Oregon is praying for an all-eastern Oregon championship game.
