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Fifth-ranked Raiders set to face rival Go after their eighth win against Western Oregon By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN ASHLAND -- With a berth in the NAIA national football playoffs apparently secure, fifth-ranked Southern Oregon will close its regular season Saturday with a battle for pride and state bragging rights against rival Western Oregon. Game time is 3 p.m. at McArthur Field in Monmouth. The Raiders (7-1) believe they locked up a berth in the national playoffs with a 20-14 win over Humboldt State last Saturday at Raider Stadium. In order to be eligible for the playoffs, an NAIA independent team, such as Southern Oregon, must win at least six of nine games and be ranked in the top 16 in the national poll. "Even then, it's not for sure," says Olson. "But we think we're in, and we would like our eighth win to get us ready for the playoffs." SOU Athletic Director Monty Cartwright confirmed he has made a bid for the Raiders to host a first-round playoff game. Playoff selections will be made Sunday afternoon. The Raiders will play Western Oregon without injured tailback Griff Yates, who is recovering from a dislocated left wrist that required surgery last week. The win over Humboldt State wasn't a classic victory. But the Raiders proved they can beat a quality opponent without Yates, which was significant, says coach Jeff Olson. It's uncertain whether Yates will play again for the Raiders. "It ended up being a very serious injury, and the surgery was more serious than expected," says Olson. "It will probably be casted next week, but it will be painful. Whether Griff can play again will depend on how much pain he can tolerate." Yates, who also has a shoulder injury, has rushed for 4,559 career yards and scored 60 touchdowns. This season, he's ranked third in the nation in rushing yards per game (154.6) and second in scoring (14.6 points) per game. He has 22 career 100-yard rushing performances. In Yates' absence, former South Medford High running back Chris Robins is expected to start at tailback. Fullback Aaron Rudishauser, who rushed for 176 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown against Humboldt State, is expected to again carry the load. Western Oregon (4-5), which also owns a win over Humboldt State (41-32), will try to avenge a 56-35 pounding by the Raiders last season. Western Oregon would like to end SOU's two-game winning streak over the Wolves and make amends for the humiliating home loss last year, when the Raiders apparently chanted "our house" as they left the field. SOU is primed for the rivalry game, Olson says. The Raiders are calling the game the `Mini Civil War." "It's been a heated rivalry," says Olson. "They (the Wolves) have done their part to make it that way. I'd rather show up and try to take care of our eighth win instead of getting involved in the emotion of the game. But we probably won't have any choice." Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.