It was a rough outing for Woodburn football in 2023.
The Bulldogs finished at the bottom of the standings in a grueling Mid-Willamette Conference, which featured six of the top-15 teams in the state rankings. In its first year back in Class 5A, it seemed like everything that could have gone wrong for Woodburn did.
Thrust into arguably the toughest conference in the classification, injuries plagued the season, resulting in freshmen starting on the offensive line and a forfeit in one of the final four games of the year.
There was a lot of losing. But those losses won’t be in vain. The scars from last season aren’t a reminder of a woeful campaign, but evidence of a resilience and grit that will carry Woodburn forward this year.
“The game is a lot more fun when you win games,” head coach Robert Kassebaum said. “The players responded and learned through that experience. … Once we faced that last year, I don’t think they feel like we’re going to face anything more tough.”
Woodburn finished 1-8 overall last season, down six wins from the previous year in Class 4A. This season, the Bulldogs are joining a newly-formed Special District 2, featuring old league foes Silverton, McKay and Central, along with newcomers Canby and defending state champions Wilsonville.
A smaller league — although perhaps just as difficult as before — means Woodburn will actually face some non-league opponents this season, unlike last year. And the team can’t wait for that first kickoff.
“I think we're more prepared (than last year),” offensive lineman and former all-leaguer Sergio Bravo said. “I think a lot of the guys are tougher. They want to hit. They're ready to hit. And Week 1 against Ridgeview, I think everyone's ready.”
Bravo, along with quarterback Cruz Veliz, are the lone all-league returners. The title isn’t one taken lightly, as the two set the tone at practice and ensure a fiery atmosphere.
“The level of respect (between us) is very high,” Bravo said. “Earlier (on Thursday), we got a little chippy in practice, but it went straight back to respect after like 20 minutes or so. It’s just a lot of respect, especially being team captains both of us our senior year.”
That intensity is needed within the Bulldogs. Bravo is assertive and boisterous during practice, a demeanor Kassebaum wants adopted by the entire unit.
“Football is a tough game, and sometimes you need to be able to show a little bit of roughness and toughness,” Kassebaum said. “We need that from him, and we need a little bit of that to rub off on some of the other guys.”
The role of captain clearly suits Bravo well, likely because he’s looked forward to it for years.
“I want the younger guys to look up to me, because as a freshman I know I looked up to (Santiago Manzo),” Bravo said. “He was an all-leaguer for us as well and I looked up to him. … I hope I can bring that full circle.”
Other key returners for the Bulldogs include seniors Daniel Basargin and Justin Chapman. The pair provide a nice sense of continuity to Woodburn's linebacker corps and are part of a larger senior class that exhibits a leadership applauded by Kassebaum.
“We’ve all kind of come up together,” Chapman said. “And we’ve had the same coaching staff in some areas. It’s a heartfelt moment to have them with us for our final year.”
The two echo Bravo’s sentiment on the state of the team, as the Bulldogs appear wholly committed to rise out of the ashes from last season and capture their third winning season in four years.
“Everyone’s showing up ready to work, and ready to get better, and learn their positions and ask questions,” Basargin said. “I think everyone is hungry — hungry for more yards, more touchdowns, more everything.”
“People are just looking to make sure (a season like last year) never happens again,” Chapman added. “Get in there and show them we’re different.”
Woodburn opens its season against Ridgeview at home on Friday, Aug. 30.
Comments / 0