Tuesday, Sep. 07, 2004

Prep football returns tonight

By Jeff Morrow

Season openers for high school football couldn't have come at a better time this weekend.

"We are really tired of playing against the same color jersey," said Pasco coach Steve Graff.

Say no more, coach. You and your defending state 4A champions get to hit someone else tonight.

The Bulldogs open Big Nine Conference play against Southridge at 7:30 p.m. today at Edgar Brown Stadium in what should be the marquee game of the weekend.

Pasco is again expected to be one of the top teams in the state this season, with running backs Leon Jackson and Tony Coburn.

"Week 1 is always a good time to get good teams because they might be reading their press clippings," said Southridge coach Andy Troxel. "But Graff and (top assistant Dave) Spray always do a good job of keeping the kids in check."

Both coaches agree this game will come down to who wins in the trenches.

"We'll get to see how our quarterbacks (Shane Kelly and Steven Martinez) do," Graff said.

Troxel sounds confident in his talented but young squad.

"They don't have that Friday night experience," Troxel admitted. "You can't simulate the speed in practice. They'll have to adjust in the game. I expect them to perform."

The other Big Nine game in the Tri-Cities sends Eisenhower to Kennewick. The rest of the Big Nine has Kamiakin at Davis, Richland at Eastmont and Wenatchee at Moses Lake.

At 3 p.m. Saturday, Walla Walla plays Olympia in the Emerald City Kickoff Classic at Qwest Field in Seattle. Part of that event also includes three-time 3A defending champion Bellevue playing national powerhouse De La Salle of Concord, Calif., owners of a 151-game winning streak, at 8 p.m.

The big attraction Saturday in the Mid-Columbia is the Les Schwab Kickoff Classic at Lampson Stadium. It's a twinbill, with Othello playing Royal at 4 p.m., and Connell taking on Quincy at 7 p.m.

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