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Panthers brace for powerful Roseburg Mail Tribune / Drew Fleming South Medford's Ryan Heil will be a key factor for the Panther offense when South takes on Roseburg Friday night in a crucial SOC contest at Spiegelberg Stadium. By Don Hunt Few would argue that the South Medford High football team has cleared some big hurdles this season. The Panthers are 5-0 for the first time since 1994, they've climbed into the state rankings and several of their skill position players statistically rank among the state's best. Now comes the midseason acid test: a date with No. 2-ranked Roseburg. The two teams collide Friday night at 7:30 at Spiegelberg Stadium. "Our kids have never been in this kind of atmosphere before and it's going to be interesting to see how we respond to such a big game and a big crowd," South Medford coach Bill Singler says. "But I think our guys look at it as an opportunity to beat one of the best programs in the state. "Our juniors and seniors have had a lot of success over the years and they're going into the game thinking they can win." Roseburg has won six Southern Oregon Conference championships and four state titles under veteran coach Thurman Bell, and the current batch of Indians looks poised for another title run. Not only are the Indians 4-0, but they own a 47-0 victory over North Medford and they led No. 7-ranked Sheldon of Eugene in the fourth period when that game was suspended due to a lightning storm. Roseburg's big question mark in the preseason was quarterback, but senior Adam Hazel has emerged as a legitimate passing threat and junior Asa Yraguen has come off the bench to energize the Indians' veer option attack. Hazel, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound senior, has been red-hot the past two weeks, completing 21 of 29 passes for 360 yards and six touchdowns in lopsided victories over Crater and Eagle Point. "If teams want to put seven or eight players in the box then we're going to throw," Bell says. "Adam has improved a ton since last season. He's really matured." Yraguen, a 5-9, 160-pound junior, is the No. 9 rusher in the SOC with 247 yards and three touchdowns, and he's averaging a whopping 13.7 yards per carry. "He's very quick, and he's the same speed running sideways or straight-ahead," Bell says of Yraguen. "He's a nice weapon to bring off the bench." The Indians also have the SOC's No. 2 rusher in Rod Cope (592 yards, five TDs) and they've got one of the state's top recruits in 6-8, 245-pound tight end/defensive end Joe Newton, who's been dominant on both sides of the ball. Newton has caught three TD passes the past two games and he's part of a smallish - by Roseburg standards - but quick defensive line that includes tackles Caleb Wafer (6-1, 205) and James Metcalf (6-2, 230) and end Luke Swanson (6-3, 200). The foursome has put constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks and has helped to hold opposing rushing attacks to just 69 yards per game, tops in the SOC. But South Medford's offense presents some challenges the Indians haven't faced this season - namely a skill position bunch that would give any defensive coordinator nightmares. The Panthers' offense hinges around junior quarterback Boomer Marshall, who has completed 75 of 110 passes (68.2 percent) for 1,209 yards, 15 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Junior tailback Andres Reed leads the SOC in rushing with 729 yards and 10 touchdowns, and senior wide receiver Ryan Heil paces the conference in receiving with 23 catches for 553 yards. Heil's 11 touchdowns lead the state's receivers. "They're very difficult to defend - no one has done it yet," Bell says. "They've got so many kids who can hurt you, but Heil's the one who really scares you because of his ability to make the big play. We may have to put three guys on him." South Medford is averaging 453 yards and 43.4 points per game, and has scored at least 36 points in all five of its outings. A win by the Panthers would put them in decent position to win their first SOC title in 10 years, but Singler knows there are big games ahead. "This is the biggest game we've had at South since I've been here, but this isn't a make-or-break game for either team," Singler says. "The loser could still end up with a piece of the league title, and the winner really isn't guaranteed anything just yet." Except for some major bragging rights. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.