By Jeremy McDonald
jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
NEWBERG, Ore.– St. Paul’s Diego Medina knew the trust that Head Coach Tony Smith put onto him and his teammates with less than thirty seconds left in the 2A State Semi-finals against Heppner back on Saturday.
They had rallied back from 12-6 down and were on the verge of taking the lead, which they did with 20 seconds remaining following Medina’s touchdown run.
“It was big, I just want to give thanks to my coach for giving me the opportunity and the belief to, he believes in me to score that big touchdown in a big game. I thank him for that and I want to thank my linemen too for blocking for me, let us run our offense,” Medina said.
A senior, Medina has been an important piece to the Buckaroo rushing attack this season, closing in to that 1,000-yard mark with 898 yards on the year with 15 touchdowns to his name on the year. To be able to represent this community of St. Paul, to give back to them and represent that great town, it means a lot to Medina as he and the Buckaroos look to break their 14-year drought and bring home a State Title.
Bring it home to a community that has done so much for them.
“It means a lot honestly, especially how much they do for us. All the buses, all the meals, all the time spent for us, it means a lot to hopefully give back to the community. It’s been a while, it’s been 14 years since we’ve won…so I hope this year we’re able to punch it in and bring one home for the community,” said Medina.
Saturday will have St. Paul play Oakland at Cottage Grove at 1pm and the Oakers have a similar style of play to Heppner, which will test the Bucks to come out as strongly as they can to bring home St. Paul’s first State Football Title since 2010 and first-ever at the 2A-level.
“Oakland is also going to be physical, it all kind of depends how we come out and start the game. I feel like we just got to keep working, working and working and play a whole four quarter game and don’t give up,” said Medina.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
