Document text
Indians take to air to thump Eagles By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN The Roseburg High football machine rolled through Eagle Point's defense with a new look Friday night. Coach Thurman Bell's Indians, who have been known for their smashmouth, ball-control running game over many successful years, strutted offensive balance and an explosive passing game in ravaging the Eagles, 49-7, at Eagle Stadium. The third-ranked Indians (5-1) exploded for 482 yards -- 284 on the ground and 198 through the air -- in posting their fifth straight Southern Oregon Conference win in impressive style. "Maybe I'm getting old," said Bell of his high-powered and well-conceived passing game that is engineered by senior quarterback Kevin Linderman. "Maybe that's why we're throwing more. I don't know. "I argue with my offensive coordinator more on the phone, but it (the passing game) is working," said Bell, laughing. Linderman completed 8 of 12 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver Nick Pappas caught three passes for 111 yards and touchdowns covering 20 and 67 yards, and 6-foot-7 sophomore tight end Joe Newton snagged three passes for 52 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown reception from Linderman in the third quarter as the Indians took a 28-7 lead. "Our quarterback (Linderman) threw the ball very well and we have two nice targets there as receivers," said Bell. "Pappas is our fastest guy on offense. We moved him from tailback to receiver because I had to get him on the field." Junior tailback Conway Bixby rushed 16 times for 138 yards to keep the Indians' offense balanced. "Sometimes, the passing game sets up the running game and then the running game sets up the passing game," said Bell. "I don't care which way it goes, just so it happens. "But when they put eight guys in the box (near the defensive front), we have to throw," said Bell. "And we will. I have the quarterback and the receivers to do it. I have confidence in them." The Eagles (2-4, 2-3 SOC) played the Indians competitively through most of the first half and had opportunities to take the lead at the break. But Eagle Point wasted two consecutive penetrations inside the Roseburg 5-yard line in the second quarter without scoring. The Eagles had a fourth-down-and-goal at the Roseburg 2-yard line and they tried a fake field goal play. Quarterback Nick Rouhier faked the kick and ran toward right end but was smothered for a loss at the 10. After a one-handed interception by Eagle Point defensive end Nick Newmann, the Eagles had another chance to punch in their first touchdown from 5 yards away. But Rouhier was sacked and thrown hard to the turf by two onrushing Roseburg defenders for a 5-yard loss. He fumbled and Joe Ridley of the Indians recovered. EP lost more than a chance for a TD on the play. Rouhier suffered an apparent broken collarbone and is likely out for the season. "We won't know his status until (today) when he gets X-rays," Eagle Point coach Mike Johnston said. "We're hoping it might not be broken or just be a minor break." "We hurt ourselves early with mistakes," said Eagle Point senior center Joe Kleker. "We could have been ahead 21-20 at halftime. "And it hurt to lose Nick (Rouhier)," said Kleker. "Some of our guys were shocked when he got hurt." Junior Ben Scott filled in for Rouhier the rest of the game and hit 4 of 13 passes for 41 yards. "I felt bad when I saw Rouhier go down," said Bell. "It's a shame. He's a darn good quarterback. "I didn't know he could throw as well as he does. I was watching him in the pregame warmups and I said we're in trouble. "Eagle Point outplayed us in the first half. They came out and played hard. They weren't intimidated at all." Eagle Point drove 74 yards for its only touchdown, a 3-yard run by Andy Jacoby. The big play of the drive was a 43-yard gallop by tailback Evan Pogue. Pogue, a 175-pound senior, rushed for 136 yards on 20 carries. "I don't think I've seen a running back rush for that many yards against Roseburg," said Johnston. "Evan ran really hard. He's a tough back." Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.