Welcome to our 2023 high school football previews! We’ll be giving you a look at several local teams leading up to the start of the season. Today’s feature is the Mazama Vikings. Don’t forget to check out our Henley Hornets and Klamath Union Pelicans previews too.
At a glance
Head coach: Vic Lease (11th season, 78-20 overall)
Classification: 4A
League: Special District 4
2022 record: 10-1 (6-0 SD4)
Playoffs: State quarterfinals (lost to Scappoose 28-27)
Returning starters: 5 offensive, 3 defensive
State championships: 1* (2020)
*Mazama won the 4A first place game organized by a committee of league representatives to crown a champion for the delayed and shortened 2020 season. The game was not sponsored by the OSAA and the OSAA does not recognize it as a state championship.
Season outlook
Vic Lease isn’t too keen on redemption narratives.
“I’m not that kind of guy,” Lease said.
Even so, the Mazama head coach acknowledges that his team’s stunning quarterfinal loss to No. 8 seed Scappoose in the 2022 playoffs “is definitely a motivating factor” as they prepare for this season.
“We didn’t do things the right way at the end of the year last year, and that was looking past and not focusing on our opponent,” Lease said. “Our motto this year is going to be ‘1-0 every week’…that week’s gone, next week comes up, and we’re not looking ahead.”
The Vikings earned the No. 1 seed in last year’s playoffs after finishing the regular season 9-0 (including a win by forfeit over Ashland) and outscoring their opponents 358-109. They cruised past No. 16 seed Seaside in the first round to set up the game against Scappoose.
The teams met on a Saturday afternoon at Mazama. The night before, No. 5 seed Estacada had beaten No. 4 seed Henley in another quarterfinal matchup. Mazama had played their closest game of the year in their season opener at Estacada, winning 26-14, and Lease said anticipation of a rematch caused his team to lose focus.
“We were looking past our opponent to Estacada…staff and players alike,” Lease said. “And Scappoose came and got us.”
The Indians scored with 1:04 remaining to tie the game at 21. They scored again on their first possession in overtime. Mazama answered and tried to end the game with a two-point conversion, but Scappoose got the stop.
Despite having what was shaping up to be a dream season cut brutally short, Lease chooses to focus on what that team did achieve: a ninth straight conference title and sixth quarterfinals appearance in the last eight playoffs. It was also the third 10-win season in program history.
“I’m proud of those boys from last year,” Lease said. “Believe me, there’s…20-some other teams that wish they would have been in the second round of the state playoffs.”
Turning the page to this season, it may look like the Vikings will have a hard time sustaining their run of success; they lost 14 starters to graduation, including five all-state players.
Lease isn’t perturbed, though.
“We have great football players here…we have good talent waiting for their opportunity,” Lease said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that we’re going to have those kids step up and fill those shoes.”
Illustrating Lease’s point, there’s a laundry list of players he considers poised for a breakout season, but none more than senior quarterback Tyson Van Gastel, who was named honorable mention all-state after scoring 16 rushing touchdowns last year.
“He is the best quarterback that I’ve coached in my system, hands down,” Lease said. “This is his year, and he knows that.”
Lease also points to three seniors who will play pivotal roles on both the offensive and defensive lines: Ryan Murdock, Armando Galindo, and Zach Atmadinata, the latter two having earned all-state honors at OL in 2022.
“Those three…are going to flat get after it,” Lease said. “Those guys are going to be tough.”
One new face in the starting lineup has already grabbed the attention of his coaches and teammates: junior linebacker Jack Kaefring, who was named captain alongside Van Gastel and Galindo. That’s a rare honor for a junior, Lease said.
“He’s just an animal,” Lease said. “He’s just going to have an outstanding year.”
“He’s looking really good,” Van Gastel said. “He’s confident…he’s a really strong kid and he should do good things for us this year.”
Mazama’s senior captains share their coach’s views on what went wrong in the playoffs and what needs to happen to avoid a similar end to this season.
“To be frank, it was a lack of discipline last year,” Galindo said. “[This year] it all falls back to discipline…that’s all it is, just discipline and wanting to get better.”
“We want to keep the energy high, keep moving through practice…and focus on our jobs and do what we need to do,” Van Gastel said.
For his part, Lease’s objectives for the season are the same as always.
“We have three goals every year,” Lease said. “The first one is to win the Canal Bowl. The second one is to be…conference champs, and the third one is to be state champs, in that order. When we do those three things, we’ve had an outstanding year. If we do two of those things, we’ve had a good year, and I’m proud of that year.”
Lease knows that his team is widely expected to have at least a “good year” every year–regardless of roster turnover–and he’s confident that they’ll do so in 2023.
“I already feel good about this group, and I know we’re going to be winners,” Lease said.
To hear more from Vic Lease, Tyson Van Gastel and Armando Galindo, check out the extended interview highlights on our YouTube page!
Players to watch
Tyson Van Gastel, QB/DB, senior
- Earned all-state honors at quarterback (honorable mention) and defensive back (honorable mention) in 2022
- Scored 16 rushing touchdowns, most of any 4A quarterback (tied for fifth overall)
- Named captain for 2023
- Has improved his passing significantly in the offseason
- Placed fourth in the 195 pound weight class at the 2023 OSAA 4A Wrestling State Championships
Armando Galindo, OL/DL, senior
- Earned all-state honors at offensive line (second team) in 2022
- Named captain for 2023
- Listed at 6’3, 265 pounds
- Placed third in the 285 pound weight class at the 2023 OSAA 4A Wrestling State Championships
- Also runs track
Jack Kaefring, OL/LB, junior
- Named captain for 2023
- Will play the MLB spot previously occupied by Trevor Anderson (now at Linfield)
Zach Atmadinata, OL/DL, senior
- Earned all-state honors at offensive line (honorable mention) in 2022
- Listed at 5’11, 255 pounds
Ryan Murdock, OL/DL, senior
- Listed at 6’3, 285 pounds
Gunner Mahon, RB/DB, senior
- Did not play in 2022 after suffering an injury in preseason
- Expected to be a lockdown cornerback
- Also runs track
Juan Rodriguez, RB/DB, senior
- Well-regarded for his speed
- Also runs track
Seth McLane, RB/LB, senior
- Returning starter at OLB
Kai Hunt, WR/DB, junior
- Expected to be a game changer at X receiver
Ryan Hayden, TE/LB, junior
- Listed at 6’4, 215 pounds
- Proficient blocker and receiver
Bodie Norlock, FB/DL, senior
- Listed at 5’10, 205 pounds
Triston Leach, RB/LB, senior
- Listed at 6’1, 215 pounds
Devyn Lobdell, RB/DB, junior
- Well-regarded for his hands…proficient runner and blocker
Schedule
All games at 7 p.m.
* denotes non-league games
*Sept. 1 vs Estacada
*Sept. 8 @ Eagle Point
*Sept. 15 @ Marist Catholic
Sept. 22 vs North Bend
Sept. 29 @ Ashland
Oct. 6 @ Hidden Valley
Oct. 13 vs Klamath Union
Oct. 20 vs Henley
Oct. 27 @ Marshfield