Document text
OVERCAST Temp: 70 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Saturday, October 4, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection 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 Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend October 2, 2003 Lower stakes don’t lessen the rivalry Even in midseason, Black and Blue Game has the makings of another classic By DON HUNT Mail Tribune For the last two years, the Black and Blue Game has been played on the final night of the regular season with the Southern Oregon Conference championship on the line. More than 9,000 fans packed Spiegelberg Stadium for both games, with North Medford winning a 31-28 thriller in 2001 and South Medford claiming an equally scintillating 45-41 victory in 2002. Advertisement The scenario is a bit different in 2003 as the two teams square off in midseason instead of at the end. But Friday’s 7 p.m. matchup between the Panthers and the Black Tornado still has appeal. North Medford is 4-1 overall, 2-0 in the SOC and ranked fifth in the Class 4A state poll, with its only loss coming to top-ranked Lake Oswego on Sept. 12. South is 2-2 overall, with its losses coming to second-ranked Canby and Service, Alaska, but the Panthers are 1-0 in the SOC. Who’s to say Friday’s game won’t decide the conference title for the third straight year? "I think it’s another great matchup," South Medford coach Bill Singler says. "It may not have quite the magnitude of last year’s game or the year before, but we’re the defending champions and they’re the league favorite this year. "That’s a pretty big deal right there." South Medford lost all of its marquee skill-position players from last season to graduation, and it took another big hit two weeks ago when starting quarterback Ryan Fiegi went down with a broken collarbone. If that weren’t enough, starting wide receiver Dan Chancler broke his collarbone during last Friday’s 30-20 loss to Service, and Singler disclosed Wednesday that starting two-way tackle Noah Brennan is suffering from — you guessed it — a broken collarbone. Brennan suffered his injury in the Panthers’ season-opening 34-21 loss to Canby on Sept. 5, but the break wasn’t detected until this week. "Injuries are the X-factor for us," Singler says. "The good part is, our program now has depth, and it’s time for some of our younger kids to step up." The one who will be in the spotlight Friday is junior quarterback Jon Weaver, who got his first start against Service and responded by completing 18 of 31 passes for 251 yards, one touchdown and one interception. What impressed Singler more than Weaver’s statistics was the way he stood up to a fierce pass rush that sacked him six times and knocked him down on numerous other occasions. "He got knocked around probably more than any quarterback of ours the last three years," Singler says. "But he made some good throws under duress." Weaver also came up just inches shy of a first down when he scrambled upfield on a fourth-and-14 play late in the game with the Panthers trailing 28- 20. "If he makes the first down, we might tie the game and send it to overtime," Singler says. "Jon’s performance was huge, and I think it got him ready for what he’s going to see against North." The key to Friday’s game, however, will likely be up front. North Medford, led by 6-foot-3, 278-pound senior David Faaeteete and 6-2, 262-pound junior Lorenzo Arenas, has an undisputed edge in the trenches. Faaeteete and Arenas both play guard on offense and tackle on defense, and they — along with linebackers Rob Folsom, Brian Jimenez, Russ Vandell and Ryan Weisz — anchor a defense that is allowing just 91 yards per game rushing and 2.7 yards per rushing attempt. "Our offensive and defensive lines have got to respond this week, or we could be in for a long night," Singler says. "We can’t allow them to run the ball down our throat, and we can’t allow them to tee off on our quarterback." Faaeteete, who is headed to Oregon on a football scholarship and is considered the top high school lineman in the state, hasn’t forgotten last year’s game when South Medford quarterback Boomer Marshall threw for a school-record 448 yards and five touchdowns. "I’ve still got a bitter taste in my mouth," Faaeteete says. "Every time I get overconfident, I watch the film of that game. "My plan is to go out and play my best game ever." The Tornado hasn’t fully hit its stride offensively this season, but it has been handcuffed the past two weeks in blowout wins over Ashland and Crater. North Medford’s first-team offense ran only 29 plays against Crater, heading for the sideline when it was up 42-7 just a couple minutes into the third period. "We wanted to work on our passing game, but it got out of hand early, and then we couldn’t," North Medford coach John Beck says. Tornado quarterback Beau Hovland leads the SOC in passing yards with 697 along with six touchdowns, but he’s also thrown six interceptions. Folsom, a tailback on offense, ranks second in the SOC in rushing with 528 yards and six touchdowns. "What we’re looking for Friday is good execution on both sides of the ball," Beck says. "We haven’t put together a full game yet, and now would be a great time to do it." Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times