KLAMATH FALLS, Ore – The Henley Hornets 7-0(4-0) are gearing up for the 31st South Side Series with the Mazama Vikings 7-0(4-0). These undefeated teams are the top-ranked teams in the 4A Class with the Viks ranked first, and Henley at number two.
Not only is this a clash of two of the state’s best teams, but it is also a battle between two rivals that share a town and school district. The South Side Series has been a yearly tradition in the Klamath Basin since 1998 when Mazama joined the Skyline Conference. Including the four matchups previous to the ’98 season, Henley holds the all-time series lead at 16-14, however, the Vikings have won five straight matchups including a playoff bout in 2017 which Mazama took 50-0.
“Guys don’t ever look at the Mazama game and fear it, they embrace it,” said senior Quarterback Shaw Stork. “I am excited about this Friday because I think this year we all are just so ready to have this wonderful opportunity.”
Henley enters Friday night’s contest after a road win at Marshfield 29-15. Stork and the Henley offense turned the ball over three times last week. As the Hornets enter this week against Mazama, they know that winning the turnover battle is a massive key to success.
“A key to victory is taking care of the football offensively and taking the football away defensively,” said coach Alex Stork. “Winning first down, but even more than that is taking care of the football.”
Henley had three turnovers last year against the Vikings and lost 41-14. Mazama also won the time of possession battle, holding the football for 25:39 to Henley’s 20:15. The Viks ran 38 more plays than the Hornets in 2021. These numbers are a result of the ground-and-pound offensive style of Mazama with the triple-option out of the backfield.
“I’ve not seen a ton of change in Mazama in the past eight years. From the time I was in middle school and little leagues to now, it’s always been the same veer option and running up the middle,” said Henley senior Matthew McCoy. “This year they have a really talented running back but I think we can stop him. I think our interior linebackers, our outside contain, and our line up front all know what we need to do and I think we have what it takes to win.”
McCoy is talking about Mazama senior Trevor Anderson. Anderson has carried the ball 71 times this season for 845 yards and nine touchdowns. Henley will also have to worry about junior quarterback Tyson Van Gastel out of the backfield who has rushed for 378 yards and nine touchdowns. Van Gastel can also throw the rock, totaling 297 yards and eight scores with a 53% completion percentage. Mazama does this behind an offensive line with an average weight of 285lbs.
“They really get off the ball and re-establish the line of scrimmage and they have always done a great job at that,” said coach Stork. “They are a great blocking team, a great tackling team, and they are going to be fundamentally sound. We have to match that with our own performance.”
The #2 Hornets clash with the #1 Mazama Vikings on Friday night at 7:00 pm. Watch the game for free right here.
