Just like the MWL schedule breakdown I did a few days ago, here's one for the SWC. In parentheses are the opponent's classification, conference, 2007 playoff performance, and overall 2007 record.

Grants Pass

8/29 Hood River Valley Eagles (6A Mt. Hood; 2-7). The Cavemen scheduled a glorified walk-through for an opening game, playing a HRV program that won two games a year ago; one being against a poor 5A program. GP will have no problem here.

9/5 @ Centennial Eagles (6A Mt. Hood; 6A First Round; 8-3). Things get a bit more interesting Week 1, as the schedule calls for a road trip to Centennial, a quality program out of the Mt. Hood Conference. They lost to Sprague by a field goal in the playoffs and will make the 6A postseason again.

9/12 Oregon City Pioneers (6A Three Rivers; 6A First Round; 5-6). GP beat OC 37-0 in Week 2 last season, so I’m sure the Cavemen are well aware of the Pioneers. They might not shut them out again, but I’d expect a sizeable Grants Pass win.

9/19 @ Marshfield Pirates (5A Midwestern; 4-6). GP beat Marshfield 34-2 in Coos Bay in 2007, and Marshfield is looking at another long season. Should be a feast before a bye week takes GP out of action until the league opener.

Outlook: There’s no reason Grants Pass shouldn’t be 4-0 heading into SWC play. No reason at all. Centennial and Oregon City are decent, but shouldn’t be in GP’s class. The trick will be for GP to stay above water the whole season, and not go 1-4 down the stretch.

North Medford

9/5 Reynolds Raiders (6A Mt. Hood; 3-6). The Raiders aren’t expected to contend for a playoff berth in the Mt. Hood Conference, but might hold a small advantage in that this will be the Black Tornado’s opener and Reynolds will have a game under their belt (South Salem on 8/29). Practice speed is one thing, but game speed is another altogether. Still, one has to expect a North Medford win.

9/12 @ Willamette Wolverines (5A Midwestern; 5A Quarterfinals; 10-2). Last year, I think Willamette wins this by 7-14 points, but Willamette has some rebuilding to do and I think North Medford will be a little better than their ’07 selves. 6A supremacy continues. Still, Willamette returns a quality quarterback and one of the best running backs in the state regardless of classification (Craig Loper).

9/19 McMinnville Grizzlies (6A Pacific; 2-7). The Grizz were blown out more often than not last season, and tripping to Medford isn’t a great place to try to right that ship. This shouldn’t be much of a challenge.

9/26 Crater Comets (5A Southern Sky; 5A Quarterfinals; 7-5). This is the highlight of North Medford’s non-league schedule for me; Crater is one of my favorite 5A teams going into 2008, one capable of venturing far into the playoffs. They won five of their final six games of 2007, losing in the quarterfinals to eventual champion West Albany. They beat a MWL champion Thurston team along the way. This should be an interesting game.

Outlook: That said, I expect North Medford to win and go 4-0 with this schedule. Ironically, the 5A schools on the schedule are both superior to the 6A ones, but that’s life, I suppose. I’m wondering why North Medford didn’t schedule a game on 8/29 and using 9/26 as their bye week; immediately after the Crater game, they play South Eugene, South Medford, Sheldon, and Grants Pass in consecutive weeks. That’s brutal. A bye week before that onslaught might have been wise.

Roseburg

8/29 @ Gresham Gophers (6A Mt. Hood; 6A First Round; 4-6). The Gophers made the 6A playoffs last year despite a losing league record. Of interest: has Roseburg found a replacement at QB to take to the air again, or will they go back to their traditional ground game? I guess we’ll find out early enough.

9/5 McNary Celtics (6A Central Valley; 5-5). McNary started 2007 4-0 before losing five of their final six games once Central Valley play got rolling. This is a winnable game for Roseburg; a 2-0 start is likely.

9/12 @ Beaverton Beavers (6A Metro; 6A First Round; 5-5). Beaverton has fallen from grace somewhat, once competing amongst the elite around the turn of the century but since regressing. They should, however, be pretty good this year – this certainly makes for Roseburg’s first legitimate challenge.

9/19 @ Aloha Warriors (6A Metro; 4-5). Aloha went winless in the Metro last year, after starting 4-0 behind a weak non-league schedule. It’ll be a long road trip, but Roseburg should roll.

9/26 Forest Grove Vikings (6A Pacific; 6A First Round; 5-5). FG almost knocked off the Mt. Hood #1 seed (David Douglas) in overtime in last year’s playoffs, but came up just short. Roseburg should enjoy the home game, given the three long trips they’ve been forced to take in the first month of the season.

Outlook: A decent schedule, heavy on road games. I’m going to say Roseburg goes 4-1; although 5-0 or even 3-2 wouldn’t shock me. Roseburg has some things to figure out, but there’s not a powerhouse on the docket, so a promising start is likely.

Sheldon

8/29 @ Churchill Lancers (5A Midwestern; 5A Second Round; 6-5). The Irish carry a seven game win streak in the series, dating back to 2001. Churchill is long on athletes, and held Sheldon’s high-octane attack to 21 points last year (Sheldon won 21-0), but Sheldon hasn’t lost to a MWL school since 2000 and isn’t likely to lose one here.

9/6 Skyline (WA) Spartans (Les Schwab Kickoff Classic @ PGE Park). This perennial Washington powerhouse comes down I-5 to face Oregon’s best team over the last seven years. What more could you ask for? This should be an amazing game. Both are long on D-1A talent. Note: This one is played on 9/6, not 9/5.

9/12 @ Redmond Panthers (6A Central Valley; 6A Second Round; 8-4). Sheldon’s second big showdown in six days again comes away from home against a strong team from the Central Valley. Redmond is talented and will be pumped. Could be a trap game.

9/19 Southridge Skyhawks (6A Metro; 6A First Round; 6-4). Sheldon’s first home game of the 2008 season comes against the Skyhawks, a quality program that shouldn’t be overlooked. Not that you need to tell Sheldon’s coaching staff that, they’ve built their dynasty by never overlooking anybody.

Outlook: A great schedule as Sheldon begins its title defense. The Skyline game should be brilliant, and Redmond and Southridge should be able to challenge the Irish enough to prep them for the brutal SWC. With only one non-league home game and only two SWC home games, expect Sheldon to pack more fans into Churchill’s stadium than Lancer fans.

South Eugene

9/5 Gresham Gophers (6A Mt. Hood; 6A First Round; 4-6). South Eugene doesn’t play during Zero Week, whereas Gresham has a showdown with Roseburg. That could play a role, but I think the Axemen are too talented.

9/12 @ Franklin Quakers (6A PIL; 3-6). The Axemen trip up to Franklin Week 2, but should make the drive back down 1-5 2-0. Franklin isn’t a player in the PIL.

9/19 Thurston Colts (5A Midwestern; 5A Second Round; 5-5). Thurston won the last meeting, a 10-7 affair back in 2005. Taking a two-year break in the series after decades of consecutive annual meetings, I’m glad this game is back. They’ve had some classics in their day. Thurston looks to be the class of the MWL, so expect another good one.

9/26 @ Willamette Wolverines (5A Midwestern; 5A Quarterfinals; 10-2). A short drive to Bethel concludes SE’s non-league schedule, as this former MWL rivalry is renewed as well. South is 4-0 against the MWL since the 2006 reclassification; 2-0 against both Churchill and North Eugene.

Outlook: Not overly strong, which might not be a good thing for a team looking to get back to the playoffs. Both 5A schools on the schedule are better than the 6A ones. Nothing against Thurston or Willamette, but I think a 6A playoff-caliber opponent would have made sense – something to prepare them for the SWC. We’ll see how that plays out. Also, it’s unfortunate that SE plays two MWL schools but North Eugene isn’t one of them. These two are archrivals. Why not play? This might actually be on North, given the awful schedule they put together.

South Medford

8/29 West Salem Titans (6A Central Valley; 6A Semifinals; 10-2). Wow, what a way to start. West Salem is a powerhouse, making it all the way to the 6A final four. They should be a player again, even with graduation taking its toll.

9/5 @ Evergreen (WA) Plainsmen. I officially know nothing about the Plainsmen of Evergreen. I’m sorry. I’ve failed miserably.

9/12 Sprague Olympians (6A Central Valley; 6A Second Round; 6-6). Sprague had a late rally to reach the second round of the playoffs, and hope to take the momentum into this season. Whether they do or not remains to be seen, but given that South hosts this one I’m not sure it matters.

9/19 @ Foothill (CA) Cougars. I officially know nothing about the Cougars of Foothill. I’m sorry again. What’s with all the road trips, Panthers? (Ed. note: Foothill is in Palo Cedro, east of Redding. The Cougars are the defending California Norther Division Champions, and are 23-1 over the last 2 seasons.)

9/26 @ Lincoln Cardinals (6A PIL; 6A Quarterfinals; 6-6). Lincoln never made sense last year, winning some huge games and losing some headscratchers. Who knows if they’ll find consistency in 2008? I sure don’t. For whatever that’s worth. But they did get better as the season went on, and hope to carry the momentum into 2008.

Outlook: Wow. Are we no longer in a gas crisis or something? Trips to Washington, California, and Portland highlight a busy September. Quality 6A playoff contenders are the home games. I think I would have scheduled a bye week in there somewhere, but that’s just me. Predicting South Medford’s W/L record is kind of irrelevant here, because I can’t say the first thing about Evergreen or Foothill. The Panthers are aiming at a SWC and state championship, and they’ll certainly be well tested come playoff time. One has to wonder, though, with all these road trips – plus a road trip to Eugene in SWC play, plus the playoffs – will South Medford get burnt out at any point?

Where to be on Friday Nights?

8/29 West Salem at South Medford is the game of the night, without question. South Medford is primed for a big season, but West Salem will give them all they can handle. An excellent way to kick-off the season.

9/5 I’m going to cheat this week – catch Gresham at South Eugene to see the Axemen kick-off their season. Then DVR the Washington/Oregon game on 9/6, take the two hour trip up PGE, and watch Skyline vs. Sheldon. The best high school programs Washington and Oregon have to offer in a battle royale – why would you miss this?

9/12 Two of Oregon’s traditional powers meet when Roseburg travels to Beaverton. Though neither is as dominant as they once were, both are aiming for playoff berths and we’ll get a good chance to see if Roseburg has had any luck finding a new QB.

9/19 Sheldon’s home opener comes late this year, but even outside of the championship festivities, Southridge @ Sheldon should be a great game. The Irish lost badly to Westview at home last year before they got rolling; can Southridge catch them off guard? Probably not, but it should be a good game.

9/26 The Panthers should be road warriors by now, but they’re also potentially road exhausted by now. South Medford @ Lincoln will be SM’s third long road trip in the first month of the season, and Lincoln will jump all over anybody if they don’t bring their A game.

Zero Week kicks off in 49 days!