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Page Updated: Friday, November 27, 2009 2:04 PM PST

Treats and Feats

Reedsport cheerleaders hold letters and other certificates during an award dessert last Friday at Reedsport Junior/Senior High School.

By Alex Powers, Staff Writer

Reedsport High School athletics ushered out its fall season last Friday during an annual awards dessert.

An audience of more than 100 looked on as several students were recognized as all-league athletes.

The Braves volleyball and cross country teams will lose several departing seniors while the football squad essentially faces a rebuilding year.

Volleyball

The Lady Braves were 7-13-3 overall this year, 4-10 in league play.

Seniors Renee Roché and Stephanie Clardy played their final season with an otherwise young team.

“They were fun to work with,” said coach James Hixenbaugh.

Hixenbaugh said the team recently learned that Clardy played at least part of the season on a broken foot.

Eden Huebner, a sophomore middle hitter and middle blocker, broke her wrist but was recognized as an all-league middle hitter.

Huebner said she is not daunted by the team’s record this season.

“We knew it was going to be a rough year,” she said. “I think we will be growing next year.”

She said Braves volleyball should have a strong season next year.

“We can only go up from here,” Huebner said.

But first Reedsport will need more confidence when in press position, she said.

“We need to stick it out and play all the way through ... what’s rough, and come out with a win,” she said.

Football

Coach Shane Nelson isn’t intimidated either, though Reedsport football faces what almost amounts to a rebuilding year.

Kole Freestone, Derrik Shore, Cory Christoffersen, Ismael Osorio and Keeland McDuffy each wrapped up their high school football careers.

“I’m going to miss all of them. They all gave something,” Nelson said.

Christoffersen was voted first-team all-league wide receiver and second-team all-league defensive back. Osorio took first-team defensive line and Keeland was second-team defensive back with an honorable mention as running back. Freestone and junior Ricky Schlitz each took an honorable mention as all-league linebackers.

“I was a little surprised,” said Keeland, who also received an honorable mention last year as an all-league running back.

“If I could have done anything different really, it’d really just be the record. We weren’t too successful,” Keeland said.

The Braves went 0-7 in league play, beating the Oakland Oakers and 3A Waldport Fightin’ Irish in pre-season play.

“But I wouldn’t have chosen any other kids to play with,” Keeland said of his teammates.

“We lose a lot of starters ... but there are some great kids out there,” Nelson said.

He said he will count on bigger tryouts next season.

Cross country

Braves cross country will say goodbye to veteran Duncan Law and 12th-grade newcomers Tyeler Olesson and Riley Johnson.

Junior Alan Roy could become a serious contender for league or state titles next year after just missing a place at District Finals this year.

Caitlyn Reilley, also a junior, ran just a handful of races in her beginning season, but placed ninth out of 41 runners at District Finals.

The remaining runners all will be upper classmen next year, but coach LaRee Thornton plans on several recruitment campaigns next summer, she said.