Document text
- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels September 30, 2004 Grizzlies hunt for SOC upset By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings Two storied prep football programs will butt heads yet again Friday night, but this time Ashland and Roseburg enter the game in positions foreign to this rivalry. Both the Grizzlies and Indians lost their Southern Oregon Conference openers last Friday and will be looking to avoid the dreaded 0-2 start. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Roseburg's Finlay Field. Last week, while the Grizzlies (1-2) were being throttled 49-14 by top-ranked North Medford, Roseburg (2-2) was busy surrendering a 21-7 lead on its way to a 41-34 road loss to Eagle Point. Despite the upset, the Indians proved that their offense is a threat to score on every possession and is perhaps more balanced than in year's past. Roseburg has always prided itself on powerful running games built around huge offensive linemen. This season, the Indians have added a passing attack as well. Tribe quarterback Brett Stephens completed 9 of 18 passes for 181 yards and four touchdowns against the Eagles. Roseburg also got 124 rushing yards out of tailback Jimmy Zhu. Ashland head coach Dave Coldiron said keeping that potent offense off the field will greatly increase the Grizzlies' chances of success. "Obviously, we need to play keep-away from their offense," Coldiron said. "We need to move the ball, we need to havesustained drives and keep putting them on the attack. If we can get the ball in the end zone and we can keep the ball away from them, then they're going to have to play a lot quicker. If we give them a short field and we don't threaten with points ourselves - then they're going to use their running game and their play action game and just wear [us] down." In order for the Grizzlies to keep the Roseburg offense off the field, they'll probably have to rely heavily on their strength: the passing game. Ashland has gained 882 yards of total offense, and 691 of those have come through the air. Junior quarterback Sam Littleton continues to show promise and has a receiving corps at his disposal that's loaded with both speed (Steve Jorgensen and Aaron San Nicholas) and power (Jeff Skinner and Josh Cornelius). Littleton has completed 47 of 88 passes (53 percent). All six of his touchdown passes have gone to Jorgensen (three) and Skinner (three). Both have the ability to go deep, as they proved against North, when Skinner caught a 65-yard touchdown pass and Jorgensen a 64-yarder. Last week, Eagle Point quarterback Jered McClellan burned Roseburg's secondary late, which proved to be the difference. Coldiron hopes the Grizzlies can do the same Friday. "(Eagle Point) moves the ball with the pass, and obviously we move the ball with the pass," he said. Ashland's running game is a different story. The Grizzlies have 191 yards on 59 carries, an average of just 3.2 yards per rush. That includes Jason Coburn's 55-yard run against Cleveland. If that trend continues Friday, Ashland's best chance to control the game is to score early and force the Indians to leave their comfort zone. "I'd really like to see us do that," Coldiron said. "When we've gotten off to a fast start since I've been here, we've been able to finish the deal." Added Coldiron: "I've heard a lot about the storied games and it would be nice to be a part of it. And it would be even better to get a win up there." Grizzly notes: Ashland defensive tackle Collin McGinnis has swelling in his knee and will not play against Roseburg. Coldiron said Jason LeFever will start in McGinnis' place Friday. LeFever, a junior, will also start at offensive tackle. Coldiron said McGinnis could return for next week's game against Grants Pass. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams