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--> --> Oct. 24: Grizz trying to focus on Crater By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings The Ashland High football team fully expects to play Roseburg on the last day of the regular season for a shot at a playoff berth that seemed like a pipe dream just seven days ago. But first, the Grizzlies must deal with the Crater Comets, who can ruin Ashland's season Friday night with a win at Phillips Field. "I think it's a little scary," Ashland coach Jim Nagel admitted, "and I think that's why I haven't sensed more intensity in practice so far. That could be a big mistake." Crater limps in riding the kind of streak nightmares are made of - having lost 23 of its last 25 games, including 11 of its last 12 Southern Oregon Conference contests. Ashland, on the other hand, is coming off its biggest win of the season both emotionally and statistically - a 47-20 thrashing of Eagle Point which promptly placed the Grizzlies right back in the middle of a three-team race for the SOC's fourth and final playoff spot. Ashland, Roseburg and Eagle Point are tied for fourth place in the conference standings at 2-3, but the schedule over the last two weeks heavily favors Ashland and Roseburg. The Grizzlies and Indians play Crater and Klamath Union (1-6 overall, 0-5 SOC), respectively, then finish against each other, while Eagle Point still must play North Medford (7-0, 5-0) and Grants Pass (5-2, 4-1). If Ashland and Roseburg both win Friday, and Eagle Point falls to North Medford, the Ashland-Roseburg season finale would be for that last playoff berth. "So often all the marbles come down to us beating Roseburg or vice versa, so it's going to be deja vu," Nagel said. Crater has struggled under first-year coach Rich Cable and his run-dominated Wing-T offense. The Comets rank dead last in the SOC in both total offense (231.4 yards per game) and scoring offense (12.9 points per game). They've also had a hard time stopping teams and are giving up 347 yards and 30.8 points per game. Leading Crater is senior running back Mike Pelia, who ranks second in the SOC in rushing yards (596) thanks to a healthy 6.8 yards-per-rush average. Though Pelia has put together a big season, Nagel seems more concerned with stopping Crater receiver Andrew Norum. Norum, a 6-4, 195-pound senior, uses his size well and put together a big game against Ashland's undersized secondary last year. "We'll hope that whatever corner is matched up with (Norum) will be able to do a good job," Nagel said. Two quarterbacks have taken the bulk of the snaps for Crater - Nick Rose and Gary Gomes. Rose has completed 35 of 64 passes for 380 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, while Gomes has completed just 11 of 36 passes for 126 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Though Crater has had a hard time getting into the end zone, facing Ashland's struggling defense may be just what the Comets need to get back on track. The Grizz D has allowed 2,674 yards this season, including a whopping 1,765 (on 265 carries) on the ground - worst in the SOC in both categories. Nagel said that defense will be tested against Crater's relentless rushing attack. "Actually, they've got some guys that are hard runners," Nagel said. "They don't have the breakaway speed, but they run hard and they're quite capable of picking up four or five yards per carry." The game is Ashland's final regular season home game. To play at home again, the Grizzlies must make the playoffs then beat the No. 1 team out of the Mt. Hood Conference (possibly eighth-ranked Central Catholic) on the road in the first round, Nov. 8 or Nov. 9. The 32-team 4A playoff bracket concludes Dec. 7 with the state championship game. Nagel was careful not to sound overly optimistic when asked about his team's postseason potential. "I think we've gotten a little bit better every week," he said, "and that's a good sign, and it just depends on who we face in the playoffs." Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing