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MWL/SWC Blog
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Written by DRH
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Wednesday, 09 September 2009 16:30 Hits: 335 |
Summit Storm (0-1) @ Churchill Lancers (0-1)
Since 2000: Churchill, 1-0. Streak: Churchill, 1. Last Meeting: Churchill 35, Summit 21 (2008)
QB Eric Knapp and WR Blake Determan sparked the Lancer O last year at Summit, bouncing back from a rough opener against Sheldon. This year, a stable of capable looking Churchill QBs will get the opportunity to connect with WR Sam Graham to spark the Lancers and bounce back from a rough opener against Sheldon.
Three different Lancer QBs played against the Irish, but they all managed to find Graham downfield (9 catches). Methinks Summit, who came up short (28-26) at home against Mazama last Friday, will have trouble containing the Lancers talent on offense. And Churchill’s defense, which I pegged as one of the top units in the MWL prior to the season, should be on full display.
Churchill 35, Summit 13
Marist Spartans (1-0) @ Marshfield Pirates (1-0)
Since 2000: Marist, 2-0. Streak: Marist, 2. Last Meeting: Marist 27, Marshfield 25 (2008)
Marist swept Marshfield in a home/home in 2007-08, but Marshfield gets another crack at the annual 4A contenders this week. Both meetings were close games – a 6 point Marist win in Coos Bay in ’07, and a 2 point win at Marist in ’08. What to expect this time around?
Marist blew the doors off of Central last Friday, another top 4A program with a quarterback that has committed to Boise State. One 49-22 Marist stomping later, though, and the divide between Marist and the rest of 4A might have widened just a little bit more.
Marshfield struggled with their 4A opponent during Zero Week, beating archrival North Bend at home in OT. QB Kyle Tedder accounted for all 3 Pirate TDs, be it through the air or on the ground. Marshfield’s rebuilt line and WRs didn’t allow the offense to look as explosive as I had envisioned, but the season is young.
Based on last week, I think Marist makes it 3-for-3 in their seemingly annual meetings with Marshfield. Playing in Coos Bay is never easy, but the Spartans look as strong as they have in any of their recent state championship seasons. They’ll be tough to beat. Can Marshfield get it done at home? Absolutely. But I think Marist is the more talented team.
Marist 31, Marshfield 24
North Eugene Highlanders (0-0-) @ Crook County Cowboys (0-1)
Since 2000: Crook County, 0-3. Streak: Crook County, 3. Last Meeting: Crook County 14, North Eugene 7 (2008)
I’ve changed my mind a bit since last week, when I erroneously thought this game was played during zero week. Given CCC’s 28-6 loss at Liberty, I think NE has a real chance in this one. The trip is long, and the Highlanders have plenty of questions, but this might be one of North’s best chances at a win and I think they take it. Call it blind MWL homerism if you will.
North Eugene 20, Crook County 14
Springfield Millers (1-0) @ Silverton Foxes (1-0)
Since 2000: Springfield, 1-0. Streak: Springfield, 1. Last Meeting: Springfield 35, Silverton 28 (2008)
Springfield held off a furious Fox rally at Silke Field last year, squeaking out a close victory that helped Springfield along to their most single-season wins (6) since 1967 (8-2). Where the Millers failed to make the playoffs, however, Silverton secured the MWC #4 seed and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.
Springfield barely edged out Dallas last Friday, scoring a TD in their OT possession and stuffed a Dallas 2-point conversion after the Dragons answered with a touchdown of their own. The game ended at 28-27 Springfield. Silverton beat St. Helens 23-6 in their home opener.
While I think Springfield will make great strides as the season progresses, I don’t think they’ll beat Silverton on the road. It’ll be the first varsity road game for much of Springfield’s roster, and the Foxes are looking for their third straight playoff appearance. They’re by no means an easy out, and the young Millers will have their hands full.
Silverton 33, Springfield 21
South Albany Rebels (1-0) @ Thurston Colts (1-0)
Since 2000: Thurston, 1-0. Streak: Thurston, 1. Last Meeting: Thurston 47, South Albany 12
Thurston picked up last Friday where they left off in 2008, scoring points in bunches, throwing for a lot of yards, and putting playmakers all over the field. South Albany also picked up where they left off in ’08: just win, baby, in any way possible.
New Colt QB Chance Hendrickson threw for 399 yards and 4 TDs in this first career start, showing superb accuracy (19 of 26) and great touch on his deep balls. The latter should prove disconcerting for the Rebel faithful: Tym Pearson connected on several long passes last year at SA, guiding the Colts to a 47-0 lead by the 4th quarter before the coaches called off the dogs.
South Albany trailed Willamette 20-0 in the second half of their home opener last Friday, but mounted a furious rally and came back with three unanswered touchdowns to steal a 21-20 win.
The speed disparity will again be the determining factor, I think. I credit SA for having a gutsy never-say-die attitude, but Thurston returns a lot of the skill position players that torched the SA defense a year ago, and Hendrickson showed against Corvallis that he’s able to get them the football. Thurston’s defense is also stacked up front, and should have more success stopping SA’s ground-based attack than they did consistently halting Corvallis’ aerial game.
Thurston 42, South Albany 14
Klamath Union Pelicans (1-0) @ Willamette Wolverines (0-1)
Since 2000: Willamette, 2-0. Streak: Willamette, 2. Last Meeting: Willamette 22, Klamath Union 21 (2008)
Will-Hi has beaten KU in each of the last two years, last season in dramatic fashion down at KU. KU went on to forge a three-way tie for the SSC championship, and lost to Thurston in the 2nd round of the playoffs. Willamette, of course, started out 5-0, before dropping 4 of their 5 MWL games.
Willamette stormed out to a 20-0 lead at South Albany last Friday, but watched SA score 21 unanswered in the second half to steal the win away. KU beat up 4A North Valley, who last year won the Skyline Conference and reached the 4A quarters.
I think some home cooking will do Will-Hi well in this one; I think the Wolverines make it three for three against the Pels. KU is a very good team, but Willamette rarely loses non-league home games in Bethel. I think they’ve got some atonement to do for last week. But KU can score, and they can score in bunches; it should be a good test for Willamette’s defense, which was much maligned in ’08.
Willamette 28, Klamath Union 24
Last Week: 4-1
Season Total: 4-1
ALSO!
Wow! Sheldon (1-0) comes out of their shellacking of Churchill and hosts Central Catholic, who won at Lake Oswego 20-12 during Zero Week. Can you say “Game of the Week”? This is an obvious choice for KEZI’s new weekly televised game, which is designed to air the area’s best game each Friday night. Easy choice… South Eugene will be looking to break their 14 game losing streak. They haven’t won since beating Churchill 34-17 on 9/21/07. They’ve got a road trip to Gresham, which lost to fellow SWC member Roseburg 38-17. No small feat. Gresham beat the Axemen 14-10 in Eugene to open up ’08. Marist pummeled Central 49-22 during Zero Week, and looks like the runaway favorite to claim their 4th state championship in the last 7th years. I talked about their game with Marshfield above.
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