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Could it get better than this? North vs. Roseburg By DON HUNT Preferably, it's a game that would be played later in the season, when a conference championship was truly on the line. But bringing together two of the state's elite football teams isn't a bad idea at any time of year. It will happen Friday night in Roseburg, when the No. 4-ranked Indians play host to No. 2 North Medford in the Southern Oregon Conference opener for both teams. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Finlay Field. In other SOC openers Friday, Ashland (1-1) travels to South Medford (2-0), Crater (0-2) journeys to Grants Pass (2-0) and Eagle Point (1-1) ventures to Klamath Union (1-1). Roseburg and North Medford were picked to go 1-2, respectively, in a preseason poll of the coaches and neither team has done anything to damage their reputations in the preseason. Roseburg was ahead of then No. 2-ranked Sheldon, 22-21, last Friday when the game was suspended by lightning. The Indians opened the season with an easier-than-it-looks 34-27 win over Bend. North Medford has rolled to victories over Mountain View (42-7) and Bend (44-12). "You don't have to motivate your kids for this game - they know the importance," says John Beck, North Medford's first-year head coach. "We've had our best practices of the year this week." The Black Tornado stunned the Indians, 31-0, last season and went on to win its first 13 games before losing to Jesuit, 38-28, in the Class 4A state championship game. Roseburg coach Thurman Bell insists his team isn't out for revenge - any type of win will do. "We're not making that (revenge) an issue," Bell says. "It wasn't like they poured it on. They beat us fair and square, and now we'll see what happens this time around." With seven starters back on both offense and defense, the Indians are the more-experienced team. They've got a veteran backfield led by tailback Rod Cope and fullback Matt Manser, a strong line headed by 6-foot-2, 230-pound James Metcalf and 6-4, 315-pound Willie Kingry, and one of the most highly recruited players in the state in 6-8, 240-pound tight end Joe Newton. They've also got something they didn't have last season - good production at quarterback. Bell has been going with a pair of signal-callers, passing specialist Adam Hazel and option whiz Asa Yraguen. Hazel has thrown for 165 yards and three touchdowns in the Indians' two games, while Yraguen has rushed for 109 yards and one score on just nine carries. The speedy Yraguen sparked a third-period touchdown drive against Sheldon with a couple of big runs. His 16-yard TD run put Roseburg ahead, 22-21, before the game was stopped. "He (Yraguen) is like having another running back - he's very dangerous," Beck says of the 5-9, 160-pound junior. "He gives them a dimension they didn't have last season." If Yraguen gives Roseburg a different look, North Medford's entire offense has been altered since the teams last met. The Tornado has gone from a power attack that often featured two tight ends and two running backs to a spread formation that has four wide receivers, one running back and no tight ends. North Medford's newfangled look is producing 431 yards and 43 points per game, and junior quarterback Brett Timmerman seems tailor-made for the offense. Timmerman has completed 25 of 33 passes - a 75 percent completion ratio - for 373 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. "What they (North Medford) run is very similar to what Sheldon runs, except North has a better running game," Bell says. "We've got our hands full." Bell knows the best anecdote to such a scheme is for his team to control the ball and the clock with its veer-option attack. The Indians are the bigger team up front and have been known to wear down their opponents in the fourth quarter. "We're hoping our quickness comes into play," Beck says. "They're going to get their share of yardage. The question is, how many, and can we be good tacklers and swarm to the ball." Outside linebacker Alan Borelli, who had two sacks and an excellent all-around performance against Bend, sparks a Tornado defense that leads the SOC in fewest yards (144.5) and points (9.5) allowed. CRATER AT GRANTS PASS - Grants Pass has romped past South Eugene (34-19) and Mountain View (30-0) and isn't likely to slow down against Crater in its SOC opener. Quarterback Tom Cohen has gotten off to a near-flawless start for the Cavemen, completing 28 of 40 passes for 483 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. He's the No. 1-ranked passer in the SOC. "His greatest strength is his composure," Grants Pass coach Jeff Weiss says of his senior signal-caller. "He's very composed in the pocket and he throws a nice ball." Middle linebacker Dan Eubank had a breakout game against Mountain View. He had 10 tackles, blocked a punt, recovered a fumble and caused another. Crater's Dan Casey is the sixth-leading rusher in the SOC with 153 yards, but the Comets are averaging just 204 yards per game, worst in the SOC. EAGLE POINT AT KLAMATH UNION - Klamath Union quarterback Jeff Mortenson was Mr. Efficiency last Friday against Summit. He completed four passes for 97 yards, and each toss went for a touchdown in the 49-2 victory. Eagle Point defeated Summit the previous week, 42-7, before losing to Benson 38-21 last Saturday. The Eagles nipped the Pelicans, 21-20, last season and another close game appears likely. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.