Black Tornado alumni honored at OSU

Medford trio among those on feted OSU team
Liberty Bowl team of '62 enters school, state halls of fame

When Terry Baker orchestrated one of the biggest plays in Oregon State football history, three Beavers who were Medford High alums had varying vantage points.

The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback scooted an NCAA-record 99 yards for the only score in the 1962 Liberty Bowl, giving the Beavers a 6-0 victory over Villanova at frigid Municipal Stadium in Philadelphia.

Dan Sieg, a sophomore halfback and defensive back from Medford, was on the field and escorted Baker to the end zone.

Al Funston, another sophomore Black Tornado product, was part of three-man rotation at right guard and saw the play from the sideline.

Jim Funston, a fifth-year senior from Medford and the starting left tackle, had suffered a hip pointer very early in the game and was in the locker room getting a shot of Novocaine. He heard cheers from what was a sparse crowd.

"I only hoped it was good," he says.

Read the full story by Jim Trower at MailTribune.com - 9/21/12

Setting the Tone

Evan Hisey's all-out efforts giving North a boost on both sides of the ball.

Playing time can be an issue for any athlete but that's certainly not the case this year for North Medford senior Evan Hisey, who is part of a weekly tug-of-war between the Black Tornado's offensive and defensive coaches — each equally in need of his services.

As a tailback, North Medford doesn't have anyone who can duplicate the speed and physicality he brings to the table. The same goes when Hisey switches over to middle linebacker, where the Tornado's options are even more scarce due to the overall youth and inexperience on the 2012 roster.

Read the full story by Kris Henry - Mail Tribune - September 13, 2012

Tornado comes up short against McKay

SALEM — North Medford failed to pull off another fourth-quarter comeback and suffered a 36-30 nonconference road loss to the McKay Royal Scots Friday.

Juan Ochoa capped a big night with a 2-yard touchdown run with 12 seconds remaining to provide McKay with it's second straight victory to open season.

In its opener last Friday, the Black Tornado scored 16 points in the final period to rally for a 16-15 victory over McNary.

Against McKay, North scored 15 unanswered points to knot the score 30-all on 12-yard pass from quarterback Troy Fowler to Nick Janakes with 3:33 remaining in the game. Kolby Talbert's interception at the Scots' 35 set up the tying score.

Full Story @ Mailtribune.com

MT - Stirring Comback

8/31/12
In essence, North Medford junior Preston Chachere had been practicing for his moment in the spotlight since he started kicking the football in seventh grade.

The only problem? Chachere had never attempted a field goal — much less an extra-point kick — in a game situation until Friday night's season opener at Spiegelberg Stadium.

With the game against McNary hinging on Chachere's right leg as he lined up a 39-yard effort with 10.2 seconds to play, the moment certainly wasn't lost on the 5-foot-11, 170-pounder.

Click to read the full story at MailTribune.com

MT - NM Looks To Turn The Corner

Few question the uphill climb North Medford is faced with as part of a daunting Southwest Conference landscape, but that challenge has also served as a rallying point for the Black Tornado.

No winning seasons since 2005, very little varsity experience and an almost entirely new coaching staff "… none of that matters for North Medford as much as simply taking a step forward, and then maybe another and so on.

Click for full story at MailTribune.com

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