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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 27, 2005 North braces for versatile Roseburg No. 7 Roseburg boasts a defense that has yielded just 16 points in four conference games By Don Hunt Mail Tribune Here’s a formula for winning football games: solid running attack, capable passing scheme, stingy defense and a punter/field-goal kicker who’s among the best in state history. Seventh-ranked Roseburg will have all those assets in its favor — along with the home field — when it plays host to North Medford Friday at Finlay Field. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. The Black Tornado, which has won three straight games since a stunning loss to Ashland on Sept. 22, could throw a big monkey wrench into the Southern Oregon Conference title picture if it can upset the Indians. But coach Rod Rumrey knows it will take a near-perfect effort. "They’re a team that capitalizes on their opponent’s mistakes," says Rumrey, whose team is 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the SOC. "And that means we can’t afford to turn the ball over, commit a bunch of penalties, miss blocks and that sort of thing. Advertisement "We need to play a clean game." Last season, veteran Roseburg coach Thurman Bell went away from his rough-and-tumble running game to take advantage of star quarterback Brett Stephens, who passed for more than 1,700 yards and 22 touchdowns. But the team didn’t carry its usual swagger and lost in the second round of the state playoffs. Even though Stephens is back for his senior season, the Indians (6-1, 4-0 SOC) have returned to their ornery ways. They’re pounding the ball on the ground to the tune of 206 yards per game — best in the SOC. Tailback Jimmy Zhu (716 yards, four touchdowns) and fullback David Russell (395 yards, 10 touchdowns) rank third and eighth, respectively, on the SOC rushing list. "We’ve got the two good backs and we lost all our receivers from last season," says Bell. "It made sense to go back to the running game and a more physical style of play." What made it even more practical was a big and physical line, led by 295-pound tackles Morgan Heard and Ryan Caddock. Stephens is averaging only 108 yards passing compared to 173 last season, but he’s still managed to throw six touchdown passes and run for two more scores. Roseburg has won five straight since a 21-18 loss to fifth-ranked Clackamas on Sept. 9. What makes the Indians all the more formidable is a defense that has allowed just 16 points in four SOC games. "We’ve got some quick guys on defense who really fly to the football," says Bell, who singled out 5-foot-11, 189-pound junior end John Forrester and 6-1, 171-pound senior linebacker Kyle Dever. The Roseburg ‘D’ also benefits from the booming punts and kickoffs of Kyle Loomis, who is headed to Oregon State on a football scholarship. Loomis is averaging more than 40 yards per punt and has booted eight field goals. He also routinely kicks the ball out of the end zone on kickoffs. "That kid (Loomis) can put you in bad field position the whole game," says Rumrey. "When they kick off, it’s pretty much automatic that you’re going to be starting from your own 20-yard line. "In a close game, field position can mean a lot." North Medford has spent extra practice time this week on its own kicking game, says Rumrey, which has been substandard much of this season. Beyond that, the Tornado must establish a productive running game of its own with senior tailback Ryan Folsom, whose 795 rushing yards rank second in the SOC. Folsom also has a league-leading 14 touchdowns. Rumrey also wants North Medford to counteract Roseburg’s aggressive approach. "It’s going to be a physical game," he says. "We need to go up there and match their intensity." If recent history is a guide, the game won’t be close. Roseburg romped to a 55-34 win last year at Spiegelberg Stadium and a 47-0 victory in 2001. North Medford bagged lopsided victories in 2000 (31-0), 2002 (49-6) and 2003 (34-14). The road team has won four of the past six games. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail North braces for versatile Roseburg ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Cheap Website Hosting Discount Hotel Reservations Online Pharmacy Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans High End Computers Online Casino News Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Online Casino Fundraisers Advertisement s