Tigers season kicks off Sept. 5

The Clatskanie Tigers varsity football team returns for the 2025 season with what Coach Sean Gorley describes as a “pretty good group” of returning players. “Russel Carver, Luke Andreasen, Ayden Blackshire, Daylon Gutierez would be my core group of seniors,” said Gorley. “I have a couple more that I’m hoping will be here, but I don’t know for sure. A couple of juniors that could make a difference this year are Brett James and Gunner Engen. Also, last year‘s freshmen Will Van Voorst and Sam Belgarde played considerable minutes for us, and I expect great things this year from them. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen any transfers coming in, but [there are] definitely some kids from last year that I think are gonna have huge impacts.” Having played quarterback last year, Gutierez, according to Gorley, is now transitioning to his more natural position from quarterback to receiver. Van Voorst finished last season as a quarterback and, according to Gorley, has “made huge improvements” over the last year. “I see him being a big part of our offense this year,” said Gorley. “Lucas Andreason was an all-league running back for us last year and looks to have a big year as well. Russel Carver was our leading tackler last year and helps lead the defense.”

Noting the Tigers’ strong points entering the 2025 season, Gorley said, “I think the strength of our team would lie in our skill positions. We have a lot of returners and are pretty deep at the skill positions, but our offensive and defensive line are pretty new. We lost two seniors off our starting offensive line from last year, which [are] big spots to have to replace. The other big question for us, I feel, is ‘Who’s gonna step up as our true leaders?’ We lost a lot of leadership from last year‘s senior class, and I’m curious to see who’s gonna be the guys that step up that lead the team.”

Looking ahead in the schedule, Gorley feels every week will be a pivotal one this season. “I think the league is pretty even for talent throughout, but big games for sure are gonna be Knappa, Rainier and Nestucca,” said Gorley. “Rainier moved down this year into our league, so that adds back our natural rival for sure. That’s how we start league [play] this year.”

Having lost Tim Warren, who had served as the school’s head coach for years before becoming his “top assistant,” Gorley is looking to Chase Baker and Tim Van Voorst to lead the team’s defense this year on the coaching side. Clatskanie’s first game this season will be Friday, Sept. 5 at Regis, and the team’s first home game will be Friday, Sept. 12 against Stanfield at 7 p.m.