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MWL/SWC Blog
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Written by DRH
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Wednesday, 14 October 2009 14:13 Hits: 160 |
League play is in full force for the first time this season. Six teams, three games. And it looks like a mudbowl at some of the venues, based on weather reports.
Springfield Millers (2-4, 1-0) @ #4 Thurston Colts (4-1, 1-0)
Since 2000: Thurston, 9-0. Streak: Thurston, 18. Last Meeting: Thurston 41, Springfield 0 (2008)
What We Know: The Colts bounced back from a nightmare performance against South Eugene by dropping 68 points at Willamette last Thursday. Senior QB Chance Hendrickson is putting up the best numbers in 5A: 88/140 (63%), 1296 yards, 15 TDs, 2 INTs. The Colt running game has a pair of RBs putting up identical stats: Senior Michael Livingston has 35 carries for 283 yards (8.1 YPC), junior Tyler Johnson has 37 carries for 285 yards (7.7 YPC). Five different Colts have caught over 100 yards worth of balls in the passing game, led by senior Andrew Woody (20 rec, 374 yards), senior Kyle Wright (17 rec, 260 yards), and senior Jordan Loos (18 rec, 238 yards). The defensive numbers are a little skewed because Thurston hasn’t played their varsity for a full four quarters this year, but the secondary has felt the effects of losing both All State cornerbacks from last year.
Springfield has been competitive in all but two games, big losses to a pair of #1s. 4A #1 Marist won 55-6 at Silke Field in week two, and 5A #1 Sherwood also won at Silke 56-7 last Friday. The Millers have won a pair of nailbiters against Dallas and North Eugene (both at Silke), but lost 24-7 at Ashland and lost a heartbreaking 32-28 on a special teams miscue in week one up at Silverton. Junior QB Levi Green has been leading the show. He’s an accurate passer (65/114, 57%) who hasn’t made any mistakes (6-1 TD to INT ratio). Senior RB Alex Camarena has been very successful on the ground, rushing 37 times for 331 yards (9.0 YPC). Junior Thomas Spikes is the top reserve, with 168 yards on 45 carries. The Miller WR corps has been solid, and all-around productive; 8 Millers have caught at least 50 yards worth of balls, and another has 5 catches for 46 yards. The defense is giving up 35 PPG, but if you take out the games where they were clearly overmatched against the #1s, that number comes down to 24 PPG.
The Game: Unfortunately for the Millers, Thurston’s offense is just as good as both Sherwood and Marist, so the five touchdowns given up per game stat is more apt to apply. Last year, departed QB Tym Pearson did the bulk of the damage – 233 yards passing with 3 TDs, 243 yards rushing with 3 TDs – to the Miller D, but if Thurston has proven anything in ’09 it’s that gawdy offensive production is not something they lack. I have a hard time seeing Springfield holding Thurston under 40 points, especially away from Silke Field. Springfield is balanced on offense, but they have been kept to 7 points or fewer three times already. While Thurston’s D isn’t Sherwood good, it’s better than the numbers would indicate.
Thurston 46, Springfield 14
Willamette Wolverines (1-5, 0-1) @ Churchill Lancers (5-1, 1-0)
Since 2000: Willamette, 5-4. Streak: Churchill, 1. Last Meeting: Churchill 33, Willamette 22 (2008)
What We Know: Churchill has three quarterbacks with at least 37 pass attempts this year, a luxury of depth at the position most MWL teams can only dream of. Senior Cody Kloehn is the leader of the pack, completing 42/71 passes (59%) for 463 yards, 4 TDs, and 1 INT. Junior Spencer Savelich was next, going 35/64 (55%) for 309 yards, 2 TDs, and 4 INTs. Then there’s junior Derek Godfrey, 21/37 (57%), 4 TDs, 1 INT. The Lancers have four kids over 100 yards rushing on the season, most in the MWL. They’re led by sophomore Aaron Ingram, who’s rushed for 421 yards on 55 carries (7.7 YPC). Junior RB Nick Bell has 199 yards on 46 carries (4.3 YPC), Savelich has 127 yards on 28 rushes (4.5 YPC), and senior WR Sam Graham has 106 yards on 11 carries (9.6 YPC). Graham also leads the Lancers in receiving, with 386 yards on 33 catches. He teams with junior Brandon Determan (26 rec, 312 yards) to form one of the most devastating WR duos in the state. Senior Daniel Weyers and senior TE Brynnan Hyland are also over 100 yards receiving. Churchill’s D has been dominant since a season-opening loss to 6A #1 Sheldon; since beginning their five game win streak, the Lancers have given up just 10.2 PPG.
Injuries have forced Will-Hi to scramble some at QB; senior Zero Week starter Dylan Geyer is 69/140 (49%) for 779 yards, 7 TDs, and 11 INTs. He’s been in and out, subbed at times by senior Jacob Hughes (20/38, 53%, 2 TDs, 2 INTs). Senior RB Raphael Hidalgo is one of the MWL’s best. He’s already topped 500 yards rushing (556, on 96 carries, to be exact), filling in admirably for departed star Craig Loper, who is now on the University of Oregon’s scout team. He has almost four times as many carries as any other Wolverine tailback, but junior Skylar Mohr (24 carries, 123 yards) and sophomore Jordan Visarraga (25 carries, 109 yards) do spell him from time to time. Big 6-3 WR Taylor Woodke, a senior, leads the MWL in receiving with 534 yards on 44 receptions, complete with 6 TDs. Three other Wolverines have topped 100 yards, but it’s no question that Woodke is the star of the group. Outside of giving up 68 to Thurston, Willamette’s D has bounced back some from last year’s disasterous finish in MWL play. After giving up 42 PPG in 5 league games last year, Will-Hi was sitting at 22 PPG given up prior to the Thurston game, many opponent scores coming by virtue of a Willamette offensive turnover. But that league opener against the Colts sure didn’t look good.
The Game: Outside of the Thurston game, Willamette has been a play or two removed from either outright winning or making things really interesting in every game they’ve played. They’re much better than their 1-5 record might indicate. That said, Churchill is undeniably hot right now – winners of 5 straight – and their defense has given up just 6 points in two home games this season. Churchill’s QB depth might come into play again this week. Kloehn was injured and forced to leave last week’s win in Coos Bay, and Savelich came in for the relief win (down 20-0, no less). I’m not sure what Kloehn’s status for this Friday is, but at least the Lancer faithful can rest easy knowing they have ample depth at the position. A swarming defense and a balanced offense should be too much for Willamette to overcome.
Churchill 35, Willamette 10
North Eugene Highlanders (3-2, 0-1) @ Marshfield Pirates (3-3, 0-1)
Since 2000: Marshfield, 9-0. Streak: Marshfield, 16. Last Meeting: Marshfield 49, North Eugene 14 (2008)
What We Know: Marshfield senior QB Kyle Tedder is this year’s top dual-threat weapon in the MWL. His passing numbers are superb (71/112, 63%, 986 yards, 10 TD, 2 INT), and he even doubles as Marshfield’s leading rusher (531 yards on 76 carries, good for 7.0 YPC average). His 16 total touchdowns has him tied with Thurston’s Chance Hendrickson for most in the MWL. Junior FB Jordan Mulkey has gotten the bulk of the carries when Tedder hands off (48 carries, 156 yards), though junior RB Ryan Scoville (25 carries, 129 yards) has proven to be more effective. Tedder spreads the ball out as well as anyone – tall 6-4 senior Joey Morgan leads the team with 271 yards receiving, senior Chris Krajcir has 269, Scoville 237, and senior Calen Cooper 163. Marshfield’s defense has been good outside of a game against 4A #1 Marist.
North Eugene’s offense revolves around senior RB Michael Bibbee, a bruising tailback/LB who has already committed to play next season at Oregon State. The line in front of him isn’t great, but that hasn’t stopped Bibbee from running for 993 yards on 104 carries (9.6 YPC) and 7 TDs. He’s been nothing short of unstoppable in NE’s first five games. Junior QB Dylan Lubonski (44/82, 54%, 556 yards, 7 TD, 5 INT) balances out the offense, and gives aerial support to keep opposing defenses from keying on Bibbee. Junior WR Alex Wilson is small (5-6, 150) but has twice the number of catches (20) and yards (232 yards) and scores (4) as any other WR on the team. NE’s defense started off the season well enough, but failed to provide an answer for Parkrose, who scored 42 points in a losing effort. The 45-42 NE win came behind season high in points for both schools.
The Game: NE is one of the feel good stories of the season, posting a winning record into league play after going 1-9 last year. They’re 2-1 on the road, their only blemish a last-second loss at Silke Field. Marshfield, meanwhile, is 1-2 at home, their only win over 4A North Bend in overtime. Do you smell upset? Not quite. I think the Pirates will have a whale of time corralling Bibbee, but I just don’t see NE having the horses on defense to keep up with Tedder and the Pirate offense.
Marshfield 30, North Eugene 21
Last Week: 4-0
Season Total: 25-6
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