|
Blogs -
MWL/SWC Blog
|
|
Written by DRH
|
|
Wednesday, 16 September 2009 11:59 Hits: 225 |
#2 Thurston Colts (2-0) @ North Salem Vikings (0-1)
Since 2000: Thurston, 1-0. Streak: Thurston, 1. Last Meeting: Thurston 50, North Salem 7 (2008)
What We Know: Thurston has come out of the gates hot, extending their regular season win streak to 13 games. They’re averaging 45 points a game, down only a bit from last year’s 47 PPG. They’ve done so against a pair of MWC teams likely to make the playoffs. North Salem, meanwhile, dropped their opener to Newberg, 33-14. Their regular season streak is at 14 games – losses, that is.
The Game: Thurston dominated last year’s match-up at the Farm, winning 50-7. Though this game will require an hour’s drive up I-5 for the Colts, I just don’t think they have much to worry about this week. A 14 game losing streak is bad enough, but the smallest margin of victory posted over NS in that streak has been 18. These games really aren’t close.
Thurston 40, North Salem 13
Churchill Lancers (1-1) @ Dallas (0-1)
Since 2000: Churchill, 2-0. Streak: Churchill, 2. Last Meeting: Churchill 49, Dallas 14 (2008)
What We Know: Churchill rebounded from a season-opening Sheldon drubbing by dominating Summit at home 28-6. They looked every bit the dominating defensive unit I thought they’d be. Smart, fundamental football + big hits will take you a long way. Dallas had a bye week last Friday, and are still smarting from their 28-27 overtime loss at Springfield in the opener when they decided to go for the win and attempt a two point conversion, which the Millers stuffed.
The Game: Churchill’s trifecta of quarterbacks should continue to move the ball and find standout WRs Sam Graham and Brandon Determan. I don’t see Churchill’s defense giving up too much. Dallas may prove to be better than they were last year, but these Lancers are for real. I’d work on narrowing down that QB rotation, though; I’m not even a fan of a two quarterback rotation, let alone a three man show. It’s one thing to succeed against Summit or Dallas, but I don’t know if you want to be risking deflating your own rhythm and momentum in the second half of a tight game in Coos Bay or at the Farm.
Churchill 27, Dallas 10
Marshfield Pirates (1-1) @ Ashland Grizzlies (1-1)
Since 2000: Tied, 2-2. Streak: Marshfield, 1. Last Meeting: Marshfield 33, Ashland 28 (2008)
What We Know: Well, we know that both of these schools have struggled with their 4A-heavy early schedules. Marshfield needed overtime to beat North Bend at home, and they lost big to 4A favorite Marist, also at home. Ashland beat Henley 22-14 in Ashland in their opener, and lost to Phoenix 22-21 on the road last week. So I guess, against four 4A schools, we know that Marshfield and Ashland are batting .500. Marshfield is struggling mightily in the trenches.
The Game: This is the 4th meeting in the last 4 years for these two, so they should be familiar with each other. The home team has won every time, although the last two have been very close. Pirate QB Kyle Tedder had a great game last year against the Grizz, although the ’08 Pirates were much more explosive than their ’09 counterparts have thus shown. New Ashland QB Jake Scarminach has been accurate in the early going, and has also made some plays with his feet. I think the Grizz D will cause some fits for the Pirates, and the home field advantage seals the deal.
Ashland 20, Marshfield 14
North Bend Bulldogs (0-2) @ North Eugene Highlanders (1-0)
Since 2000: North Bend, 2-1. Streak: North Bend, 1. Last Meeting: North Bend 35, North Eugene 14 (2008)
What We Know: North Eugene matched their ’08 win total right out of the gates, taking to the road and beating Crook County 29-13. Star RB Michael Bibbee had 172 yards rushing, junior QB Jackson Landgreen was 5/5 for 70 yards and a TD, and fellow junior QB Dylan Lubonski was 3/9 for 46 yards and a TD himself (a 35 yarder to Landgreen). All’s well that starts well for the Highlanders, and now they get a crack at former league rival North Bend. The Bulldogs lost 20-13 in OT to Marshfield in their opener, and lost 16-13 to Newport last weekend. This will be NB’s third straight road game (and they travel again, to Phoenix, next week).
The Game: With Bibbee heading a punishing ground game (NE had 243 yards total on the ground, running for 6.4 yards per carry) and a pair of young QBs providing just enough aerial support to keep defenses honest, I think NE will continue their strong start against the road weary Bulldogs. NE beats NB for the first time since 2001, North Bend’s last season in the 4A MWL.
North Eugene 24, North Bend 13
#1 Marist Spartans (2-0) @ Springfield Millers (1-1)
Since 2000: Springfield, 1-0. Streak: Springfield, 1. Last Meeting: Springfield 34, Marist 33 (2008)
What We Know: We know Marist is very, very good. A week after throttling Central 49-22, Marist tripped to Coos Bay and beat up on Marshfield 45-18. “What if Marist’s injured senior QB is too hurt to play?” you ask. Ah, good question. It just so happens Tevin Cheever, who was injured last week at Marshfield, missed last year’s game against Springfield with an injury suffered, ironically, against Marshfield the week before. So who stepped up? Sophomore QB Logan Silver, who went 22/37 for 345 yards and 4 TDs on the Millers. Now a junior, Silver will again take the snaps under center if Cheever can’t go. Silver went 6/13 for 97 yards and a TD last week, coming in during the 1st quarter. Marist RB Sam Graham helped picked up the load, running for 4 TDs. We know Springfield has shown grit in the face of their epic rebuilding job – they survived OT with Dallas in the opener, stuffing a 2-point attempt at the goal line to start the season 0-1. They took a 2 touchdown lead at Silverton last week, but couldn’t hold off a late Fox rally, getting a punt blocked and returned for a TD with 16 seconds left.
The Game: Last year’s 34-33 OT win, ironically ending on a failed 2-point attempt by Marist, was one of 2008’s best games regardless of reclassification. Marist has gotten even better this year, looking like the easy favorites to win state at the 4A level. They have a proven back-up option at QB that shouldn’t have the Spartan faithful worried. Springfield, meanwhile, has been up-and-down; most expected as much given the youth up and down the roster. The Millers have scored a little more than I thought they might initially (28 PPG), but the defense needs work (29.5 PPG given up). That Miller D will be put through their toughest test of the season against Marist.
Marist 38, Springfield 21
Willamette Wolverines (0-2) @ North Medford Black Tornado (1-0)
Since 2000: Tied, 1-1. Streak: Willamette, 1. Last Meeting: Willamette 10, North Medford 7 (2008)
What We Know: Willamette has got to be kicking themselves over how ’09 has started out: they let a 20-0 second half lead slip away in the opener at South Albany, and they coughed up six turnovers in a 7-point home loss to Klamath Union last weekend. One or two bounces of the ball turn out different each game, and Will-Hi might be 2-0; but that’s how the cookie crumbles. North Medford dominated Reynolds 35-0 on the road in their opener. NM had 4 sacks, and allowed only seven Reynolds 1st downs – five of those coming after NM had subbed out most of its defense in the 4th Q. NM QB Brian Reese was 14/20 for 307 yards.
The Game: I’d be a little worried if I were a Wolverine. Last Friday saw a more vintage North Medford, a team loaded with athletes on defense to force the tempo. Will-Hi upset NM 10-7 last year in Bethel in one of the season’s biggest shockers, but I think North Medford returns the favor – and then some – at home this Friday.
North Medford 34, Willamette 10
Last Week: 5-1.
Season Total: 9-2.
ALSO!
#1 Sheldon (2-0) marches on after destroying #3 Central Catholic at Ludwig, 49-13. They host Redmond this week, in a game who’s final score I really don’t want to think about. Could this be Sheldon’s third championship season in eight seasons? South Eugene has won a game! SOUTH EUGENE HAS WON A GAME! Ahead 20-13 over Gresham when a transformer blew in the 2nd quarter, the Axemen were awarded the win Monday by virtue of an OSAA ruling. That that, Gophers. The Axemen take their 1-0 record into a home game versus Franklin this Friday, who are 1-1 after beating Marshall and losing to Milwaukee. Marist was talked about above. Cottage Grove is 0-2 and giving up epic amounts of yards and points on defense (58 and 49 points given up, to Banks and Astoria). They travel to Cascade this Friday, who are 1-1, also with a loss to Astoria.
|
|
MWL/SWC Blog 
