Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008

Southridge 'D' ready for GSL challenge

By Ben Reynolds, Herald staff writer

Ordinarily, Southridge would be favored heading into today's 4A first-round state playoff game against Central Valley at Lampson Stadium.

The Suns (10-0), after all, are the CBBN Columbia Division champions and ranked fifth in the state.

But this is not an ordinary year.

Just a week ago, the Greater Spokane League flexed its muscle, winning all eight games against CBBN opponents -- including three regional playoff wins.

One of those victories included Central Valley's 35-20 win over Cascade Division champion Richland at Fran Rish Stadium.

But it's safe to say, none of those CBBN teams have a defense as good as the Suns'.

Southridge is looking for a spot in the second round of the playoffs for a second straight season. Central Valley (9-1) is the co-GSL champion and in the state playoffs for the first time since 1997, when it won the state title.

The two teams square off today at 1 p.m. at Lampson Stadium.

The last time the teams met was in 2005, when Southridge beat Central Valley 38-16 in a regional game.

"We (the league) had a weak showing last week," said Suns coach Andy Troxel. "We (the Suns) just have to keep doing what we've been doing."

And that's playing a smothering defense that has left opposing offenses helpless at times.

The Suns are allowing just 156.7 yards of total offense and 10.3 points per game. Southridge's run defense has been staunch, giving up just 612 yards all season.

That unit will be tested today by Central Valley's Tyler Simmet, a slippery, spinning running back who rushed for 128 yards on 24 carries against the Bombers last week.

The Suns also will have to slow down quarterback Blake Bledsoe, who picked apart the Bombers with a variety of rollout passes.

"He's good on the run," Troxel said. "We just have to get some pressure on him."

The one flaw of the Suns has been their inconsistency on offense, evidenced last week in a 16-14 regional victory over Walla Walla.

The offense got off to a fast start this season, averaging 37.2 points in the first five games. But the Suns have averaged just 19.2 points per game in their last five.

Troxel says a lot of close games late in the season might not be such a bad thing.

"We're going in battle-tested," Troxel said.

Almira/Coulee-Hartline at Tri-Cities Prep

If Prep is going to make it to its first state championship game, it will definitely be able to say it earned its spot.

The first obstacle for TC Prep (8-1) is defending state champion ACH (7-3) in a 1B regional playoff game, a team the Jaguars beat 60-26 in Week 6.

"It's going to be a heck of a road," said Prep coach Dan Whitsett.

A win today likely would put the Jags on the road next week against Cusick (10-0), the No. 1-ranked team in the state.

In the first meeting against ACH, Prep had to rally from an early 18-6 deficit, a spot in which the Jaguars have seen themselves a lot this season.

Prep has trailed in five of its nine games, but has pulled through thanks to all-everything quarterback Will Hoppes.

The reigning state player of the year got Prep back on track last week in a 72-36 road win over Touchet, throwing for 639 yards -- a state record for passing yards in a single game -- and rushing for 117 more.

Hoppes has accounted for 58 touchdowns (14 rushing, 44 passing) in nine games.

"It's always nice to have some momentum going into the playoffs," Whitsett said.

Chelan at Royal

The defending 1A champion Knights (10-0) begin the road back to the title game at home against Chelan (7-2).

The Goats are led by running back Derrick Talley, who has close to 1,300 yards rushing and 25 touchdowns.

The Knights have played in the state title game three times since 2002, winning twice.

Colville at Othello

CWAC runner-up Othello (9-1) opens the playoffs with Colville (7-3) for a third straight season, splitting the previous two meetings. The Huskies won at home 27-21 last year en route to the semifinals.

Umatilla at Gold Beach

The Vikings (9-1) reached the second round of the Oregon 3A playoffs for the first time since 1991 by beatng Colton last week. Their reward -- a date with Gold Beach (10-1), the defending state champions who are led by quarterback Jeffrey Knox, the Sunset Conference Offensive MVP.