Document text
61 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, September 19, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 4, 2004 South opens season with upset over Tigard By TIM PYLE for the Mail Tribune TIGARD — Bill Singler knows he’s established a good football program on Medford’s south side. Friday night, his Panthers made believers of the rest of the state. Starting the season with a bang, South Medford strode into No. 1-ranked Tigard’s den and shrugged off a 14-0 deficit within the opening 2:18 on its way to a 24-21 overtime win over the defending Class 4A state champions. "It wasn’t a shock to win," said Singler, the Panthers’ seventh-year head coach. "What was kind of a shock was the way we won." Senior Noah Brennan’s 31-yard overtime field goal was what ultimately won it, but what Singler spoke of was South’s toughness. Advertisement "Tigard’s a very physical team," he said. "And we played a pretty physical game." Seemingly outmanned in the trenches, South more than held its own along the lines of scrimmage against the talented Tigers. The Panthers finished with a 116-60 edge in rushing yards and dominated time of possession. After Tigard exploded for 14 points in the opening minutes, South’s defense held the Tigers scoreless until 4:06 remained in the fourth quarter. What’s more, the Panthers played the field position game throughout the second half, chewing up the yardage that was available before repeatedly pinning Tigard deep with junior Tommy George’s punts. "We’ve never played like that in the past," Singler said. "But now, we have confidence in our defense." Offensively, South made its comeback by churning out tough yards. Senior quarterback Jon Weaver repeatedly found positive yards in difficult situations, scrambling for 25 yards and scoring twice on keepers against the Tigers’ vaunted defense. He also completed 17 of 28 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown, although he was intercepted three times. "I can mix it up with those guys a little bit," Weaver said of his repeated escapes against the Tigard defense, led by all-state linebacker Mark Lucas. "I can’t give (the offensive line) enough credit." Weaver’s 18-yard fade to junior tailback Ryan Odell cut the Tigers’ advantage to 14-7 at 7:54 of the second quarter. The pass capped a 13-play, 60-yard drive that ate up 6:13. The Panthers pulled even 1:04 before halftime, as Weaver snuck in from 1 yard out. South used good field position to go 47 yards in nine plays and 3:52 on that march. Weaver’s 2-yard TD with 9:55 left in the fourth quarter made it 21-14, Panthers. Sophomore sensation Kyle Singler’s interception set up South at Tigard’s 23-yard line to lead to that score. The Tigers struck back after senior defensive lineman David Lucas recovered Weaver’s botched snap with 5:16 remaining. Senior tailback Daylan Phillips sped in from seven yards away to complete a 44-yard, four-play drive and make it 21-all with 4:06 left. In the Kansas-plan overtime, Tigard had possession first and advanced as far as the Panthers’ 5-yard line. But on fourth down, Luke Glenn’s 22-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right under a heavy rush from South junior Rick Imhausen. The Panthers promptly moved from the 25 to the Tigers’ 14, then let Brennan do his thing on third-and-10. "I knew that as soon as we lined up, it was going in," said Brennan, a rare sight as a 6-foot-3, 235-pound kicker/lineman. Tigers head coach Frank Geske said the difference was South made fewer mistakes, both mental and physical. "It was a great season opener," Geske said. "The team that played with more polish won." Lewis threw for 209 yards, including scores of 20 and 34 yards to senior wideout Jaleel Kindell in the opening minutes. Junior receiver Gunnar Cederberg hauled in seven catches for 118 yards. The Panthers — who were without senior tailback Logan Boyd at all and senior receiver Dan Chancler for most of the way because of injuries — benefited from a gutsy performance by Odell. He accumulated 63 yards rushing on 16 carries and 58 more yards on seven receptions. Kyle Singler, the 6-6 receiver/free safety, snagged five passes for 47 yards. "They really didn’t want to get beat deep," Weaver said. "So we just took the underneath stuff that was there." After Brennan’s game-winner sailed through the uprights, Bill Singler shouted "Talk about resiliency" from his press-box vantage point. He was due more than a little celebration after his Panthers became the early talk of Oregon’s 2004 prep football season. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities