Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 14, 2006 Axemen bottle up Panthers South Eugene rolls to a 23-0 lead en route to its third victory over South Medford in four meetings between the schools By KEVIN GOFF Mail Tribune View Photo Album There were no style points for South Eugene Friday night. But in the rough-and-tumble Southwest Conference, the Axemen were happy to leave Spiegelberg Stadium with their first league win. Getting a gritty effort from its defense and a strong all-around game from quarterback Logan Beal, short-handed South Eugene methodically picked apart an equally banged up South Medford squad for a 30-13 victory. The Axemen (5-1, 1-1 SWC), who dropped a gut-wrenching, 20-17 decision in overtime to Grants Pass last Friday, led 23-0, then held off a brief South Medford spurt late in the fourth quarter. "We wanted to forget last week and show people that we are still a powerhouse," said Beal, who completed 16 of 32 passes for 184 yards, carried 11 times for 37 yards and had an interception on defense. Advertisement South Eugene was without the services of standout tailback Josh Tobar and lost fellow senior Pat O'Dell, a middle linebacker, to a dislocated elbow midway through the first quarter. Tobar sat out with a tweaked hamstring but should be ready for next week's game against Roseburg. O'Dell may miss the remainder of the season. "We came in a little banged up," said Axemen coach Chris Miller, "and we'll leave needing a lot of ice bags. "The O'Dell injury was tough. He's the heart and soul of our defense." The Panthers (3-3, 0-2 SWC) have their own injury problems. Already missing starting quarterback Ben Weaver and senior lineman Marshall Adrian, South Medford lost running back Mike Nieto and lineman Jon Maiers to injury during Friday's contest. "We have some inexperience and a quarterback (A.J. Palazzolo) learning on the run," said Panther coach Bill Singler. "And we have some injuries that are starting to take their toll. Hey, nobody's going to feel sorry for us." Yet the Panthers managed to find their footing behind Palazzolo and sophomore running back Patrick Thibeault. With 9:22 left to play and facing a 23-0 deficit, South Medford used 33- and 26-yard bursts from Thibeault to move down to the South Eugene 3-yard line. Fullback Alex Morales busted in from 2 yards out on second down and Conner Egan's point-after kick was good to trim the Axemen lead to 23-7. On the ensuing kickoff, E.J. Singler pounced on Carlos Alvarez's perfectly placed onside kick to give South Medford more life with 8:13 to go. Palazzolo quickly went to work with two 13-yard completions to Mitch Singler that moved the ball to the 14. On the next play, Thibeault appeared to be stacked up after 3 yards, but he twisted away and scampered the remaining 11 yards to pay dirt. "Basically, we were just upset that we were down so much," said Palazzolo, who was 14 of 27 for 168 yards. "We finally decided to play." South Eugene, however, answered with a backbreaking, seven-play drive that ended with a 36-yard TD pass from Beal to Nate Sullivan. "We asked our team to finish," said Bill Singler. "Our team doesn't quit. We battled back and made them sweat a little." "I wish we would have played like that at the beginning," added Palazzolo. South Eugene took the Spiegelberg Stadium crowd out of the game early with a dominating first period. The Axemen used a 15-play drive that spanned 69 yards in just under seven minutes that ended with Sky Wilgus, Tobar's replacement, scooting in for a score from 7 yards untouched. The Panthers went three-and-out on their opening possession. "Maybe that drive took a little air out of our sails," said coach Singler. "I thought we'd come out ready. Obviously, we weren't." South Eugene capitalized on a South Medford fumble late in the second quarter. Beal's keeper from 5 yards out put the Axemen ahead 14-0 at the half. The first drive of the third quarter ended in disaster for the Panthers. Facing fourth down from its own 20, South Medford sent the snap over punter E.J. Singler's head and out of the end zone for a safety and a 16-0 South Eugene lead. Seven minutes later, Beal pushed across another TD from a yard out to cap a 48-yard possession. But the Panthers wouldn't go down quietly. "We had a chance to really put them away," said Miller. "They kept hanging around and we made some mistakes that gave them life. "Give South Medford credit though. They battled back towards the end." Dan O'Brien led the Axemen with six catches for 107 yards. Sullivan had five grabs for 42 yards and Wilgus led the ground game with 90 yards on 15 carries. South Eugene's conference-leading defense limited the Panthers to 253 total yards, nearly 100 yards below South Medford's average. Thibeault finished with 77 yards rushing on nine carries — most of those coming in the second half — and Trevor Davenport led the Panthers in receiving with 60 yards on four catches, while Mitch Singler added 49 yards on five grabs. Reach reporter Kevin Goff at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com