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CLEAR Temp: 50 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Thursday, November 21, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend October 11, 2002 Raiders hoping for another mismatch against Lights By KRIS HENRY Mail Tribune ASHLAND — What Saturday’s contest between seventh-ranked Southern Oregon and Montana State-Northern (1-4) may lack in drama at Havre, Mont., it almost certainly stands to make up for in subplots. The Raiders (3-1) have outscored the Lights 97-27 the past two seasons, amassing 897 yards of total offense against a program in its fourth season of resurrection following a 28-year absence. On paper, the noon affair has "mismatch" written all over it. "They’re a powerhouse," Lights coach Walt Currie says of SOU. "Last year, I thought they were the best football team we played, and we even played Idaho State. "We’ve kind of been up and down and a little beat up this year, so we haven’t been playing as good as I was hoping. Hopefully we can get things going and at least make the trip worthwhile for (the Raiders)." Key among Currie’s concerns is third-year starting quarterback Brandon Kerkes, who has had his share of ups and downs since converting from wide receiver. Kerkes passed for 2,086 yards and 11 touchdowns last season and currently ranks fourth among Frontier Conference quarterbacks with 855 yards on 83-for-173 passing. The most telling numbers, however, are how Kerkes has fared the past two seasons against the Raiders. The junior right-hander tossed six interceptions in 2000 and added another last season in a 138-yard, 12-for-27 performance. "I know what he’s done in the past," says SOU coach Jeff Olson, "but he’s been a very competitive kid and is a heck of an athlete." The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder is also coming off a loss to Montana-Western in which he was just 7-of-19 for 134 yards with interceptions on four consecutive first-half drives. The Lights used three quarterbacks in that game, with Kerkes sitting out the second half. "We might mix it up a little bit again with Brandon and our two younger kids (junior Chris Hess and freshman Mitch Wilkins)," says Currie. "We got a chance to look at those younger kids when we tried to get a little better chemistry last week, and they responded with 20 points. They deserve another chance to see what they can do." Currie says his plan is for Kerkes to start, with game momentum and turnovers determining his next plan of action. The weather report Saturday calls for temperatures in the 30s and 40s with a chance of snow showers. "Us and Montana and snow just seems to go together," laughs Olson, alluding to last year’s quarterfinal loss to Carroll College of Helena, Mont., during an unlikely snowstorm in Ashland. Saturday’s game also marks the end of four straight games on the road to the tune of 5,592 miles. SOU hasn’t played at home since its season-opener on Sept. 7. "Four weeks of being on the road is getting a little old," says SOU quarterback Dan Woodward. Taking pressure off whomever the Lights put at quarterback will be running backs Ryan Utterback and Bill Templer, who rank seventh and eighth, respectively, in the Frontier Conference for rushing. Utterback has 192 yards and one touchdown on 44 carries, while Templer has carried 38 times for 137 yards and four touchdowns. Templer is also a double threat out of the backfield as the Lights’ leading receiver with 23 catches for 177 yards. "They’ve got some skill players that can certainly create problems," says Olson. "They like to spread the ball around, and this is a team that’s going to force you to be disciplined." The Raiders will most likely be without star tailback Dusty McGrorty, who sustained a sprained knee against Rocky Mountain last Saturday. Olson says the junior will travel with the team, but will only be used in an emergency. Taking over for McGrorty will be first-year tailbacks Brandon White and Caleb Krantz. White played sparingly in SOU’s season-opener against Humboldt State, and both saw action in the second half of last week’s win over Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont. "They’re both going to get plenty of opportunities on Saturday," says Olson. "We’re not going to change our approach because Dusty may not play. We’re going to come in and do what we do best." If history is any foreteller, SOU has had considerable success replacing starters out due to injury. "The thing about our team," says Woodward, "there’s always somebody chomping at the bit to get their shot. Every guy who gets in there wants to make an impression." Woodward is also well aware that the struggling Lights will be hoping to make an impression on the Raiders, who refuse to look past Montana State-Northern on a schedule that has 17th-ranked Azusa Pacific in Ashland on Oct. 19. "You can never underestimate a team at this level," says the junior. "They’re as dangerous as any team we’ll face this year." Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search M Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. 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