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Archrivals to meet again By JOE ZAVALA Ashland Daily Tidings Logan Bishop is fairly new to the big game phenomenon that is Ashland-Roseburg football. But Ashland's senior quarterback, fresh off his third varsity start, seems quite comfortable playing a significant role when one of Oregon's longest and more storied rivalries resumes Friday night at Phillips Field. "This is a huge game," said Bishop following Wednesday's practice. "It's a big start to our season. This game kind of determines the rest of our season - if we go to the playoffs. It's big. We gotta start now." He's right. While a loss Friday night won't eliminate Ashland from the playoff hunt, it will strike a major blow to the Grizzlies' postseason hopes. Ashland is 2-1 overall, but last week's Southern Oregon Conference-opening blowout loss at the hands of third-ranked North Medford put the Grizzlies between a rock and a hard place. A loss to the Indians will make Ashland 0-2 in league play heading into Grants Pass, a team that trounced Ashland 34-6 a year ago. Grizz first-year coach David Coldiron, in incurable optimist, says the game is important for Ashland, but quickly added that it wouldn't be the end of the Grizzlies' playoff drive if they lost. "If we don't beat Roseburg, the door's still open for us to go to the playoffs," he said, "but if we beat Roseburg, we're kind of in the driver's seat. Instead of on the outside looking in, we're inside and everybody else's looking at us. So, obviously it's big in that sense. We would love to be in the driver's seat if we could." To get there, the Grizzlies will have to contain Roseburg's suddenly expanding offense, which has been racking up 177.8 yards per game on the ground. The Indians and 33rd-year head coach Thurman Bell have been running the veer-option offense forever, but have expanded their 'O' this season to include fly sweeps, I-formations and single-back sets, Coldiron said. That will put added pressure on Grizz defense, which is giving up 197.3 yards per game on the ground and 309 yards per game overall. The Roseburg offense is led by the league's top rusher, Austin Shoptaw, who's gained 493 yards on just 56 carries for a whopping average of 8.8 yards per rush. Bishop isn't worried. "We've been watching film and that's a big confidence builder," Bishop said, "because we've noticed a lot of habits they have that aren't beneficial to their team that we can take advantage of. If we don't make mistakes, I think we can be successful during this game." That's a big if. The Grizzlies were tops in the conference in turnover ratio before last week's four-interception debacle. Roseburg, on the other hand, took over the top spot in that critical category. The Indians (3-1 overall, 1-0 SOC) returned four interceptions for touchdowns in their 50-22 win over Eagle Point last week and have a plus-10 turnover ratio. When the Grizzlies go on offense, they will be doing so against the lowest-rated defense in the conference. The Indians have given up 346.3 yards per game - 191.8 rushing and 154.5 passing. Bishop believes the Grizzlies can take advantage of that, but he'll be leading an offense hamstrung by injuries and two absences. Ashland leading receiver David Morris, who's second in the conference in receptions (15) and fourth in receiving yards (189), will be held out after suffering his second concussion in two years last week. Ashland also will start the game without deep threat Steve Jorgensen, who leads the conference in receiving yards (268), and up-and-coming sophomore Aaron San Nicholas because both will miss two practices this week to attend a wedding in Arizona. "They'll be here for the game, but we as coaches can't start them because they're missing practices," Coldiron said. Starting in their places, says Coldiron, will probably be junior Brady Case (5-foot-8, 126 pounds) and sophomore Josh Cornelius (6-foot-2, 175). "They're big kids, they're great kids and they've been here during the summer," Coldiron said. "They know what to do and we think they're the kind of kids that can make plays." It will be Bishop's responsibility to get them the ball, however, which he's been doing a good job of so far. Bishop has completed 31 of 63 passes for 481 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions while leading a Grizz offense that has gained 249 yards per game - 62 on the ground and 187 through the air. He plans to add one more dimension to Ashland's offense Friday night, one he hopes will help the Grizzlies avoid the sacks that have led to his minus-53 yards rushing. "I'm trying to get more of a scrambling game," he said. "I've been staying in the pocket and I've been working on that, I've been doing a good job, but I think a little scrambling game would (help)." While Ashland's first-year field general isn't shy about taking the initiative on offense, he also is quick to point out that it's the Grizz defense that will likely decide the game. "If we stop their running game, it's a guaranteed victory," he said, "because we've watched them pass and I'm not impressed. "Yeah, I think we can. It's who wants it more and that's what we're trying to establish more. That's really what (determines) who wins the game." LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -