Steve Graff has been around the block a few times.
The Chiawana coach who led Pasco High School to three 4A state titles knows it's necessary to have a contingency plan in case an injury or two should befall his program.
The latest injury hit Graff with the force of an all-CBBN linebacker.
Jordan Downing, a four-year starter at middle linebacker and a 4A all-state running back in 2010, is likely lost for the season after suffering a spiral fracture of his right fibula during a 38-9 win over Moses Lake on Friday.
"You can't replace the guy. He's a great film watcher," Graff said Tuesday while Downing leaned on a pair of crutches while the team practiced. "Honestly, it hurts us more defensively. He's our boss."
Alex Weber and Grady Graff will keep their spots at outside linebacker while as many as three players -- seniors Caleb Huisingh, Colton Jones and Josue Cuevas -- will rotate in the middle.
The likely replacement at running back is sophomore Terro Bell, who has averaged 4.7 yards and scored three touchdowns on 71 carries. But Graff said he'll have some help in the backfield from junior Absalon Hernandez and senior Miquiyah Zamora.
"We had stuff for (Miquiyah) last year out of the Wildcat formation, but we never used it," Graff said.
Graff had already prepared himself for the likely instance that Downing is done for the season. Downing has some hope, however, for one possible outcome that could see him back on the field in time for the playoffs.
After an initial prognosis included surgery that would keep Downing out for the season and most of basketball season, too, Downing learned Tuesday that surgery would not be necessary.
"It's all going to be how good I heal," Downing said. "It's pretty hard to walk right now. I'm looking at a hard cast for at least a month. But there is some chance of it healing in time for either the (CBBN-GSL) crossover or the first round of the playoffs.
"But there would have to be some rehab. I'm just trying to stay optimistic."
The injury comes at a critical time for the fifth-ranked Riverhawks, who are fighting for their second consecutive league title. Plus, they're facing a key CBBN 4A test at 7:30 p.m. today when Davis visits Edgar Brown Stadium.
The Pirates feature the top passing offense in the league, led by quarterback Deion Wright (124-for-197, 2,062 yards, 25 TDs, 3 INTs). Three of the top nine receivers in the league belong to Davis in David Trimble (36-593, 7 TDs), Cooper Kupp (34-574, 11) and Chris Chapman (24-471, 4).
"They've got a really good group of athletes, and they're coming off a tough loss to Eisenhower," Graff said. "I think we'll play for Jordan. But on the defensive side we can't give up the big play. We can't let (Wright) go deep."
Pirates coach Rick Clark doesn't expect anything less than an all-out effort from Chiawana.
"I told the kids at practice, 'We're finally going to play a football team,' " Clark said. "You know what they're going to do. Now you've got to stop them.
"They play a different coverage scheme -- a hard cover 2 -- and they're going to jam us. Their linebackers are young, but they're very disciplined in coverage."
Richland (4-2, 1-2) at Walla Walla (0-5, 0-3): The Bombers kept their postseason hopes alive with a big win at Wenatchee last week.
The same pressure is on this week at winless Wa-Hi, with a critical game against Eisenhower at Fran Rish in two weeks.
That gives the Bombers another game to get familiar with new sophomore QB Zack Whitby, who was 15-for-20 for 192 yards in his debut in a Richland jersey.
Wa-Hi, meanwhile, has been carried by Jonah Hoe, who accounts for more than half of the team's offense and, with 111 yards, would pass Downing as league rushing leader.
Moses Lake (0-6, 0-3) at Eisenhower (5-1, 2-1): The Chiefs' best shot at their first win is scoring early, hoping Ike still has a hangover from last week's monumental win over Davis, and then hanging on.
Pasco (0-6, 0-4) at Southridge (4-2, 3-1): Probably not the best week to be playing the Suns, coming off a 41-7 loss to Kamiakin and with rival Kennewick on the horizon.
CBBN 3A leading rusher Chris Haueter (694 yards, 6 TDs) is coming off back-to-back 43-yard games against Hanford and the Braves, so don't be surprised if the Suns look to feed their big-play back.
For the Bulldogs, they must take care of the ball and not allow any big plays on special teams to give their defense a chance. Pasco is middle of the pack in yards allowed (306 per game) but has given up the most points (200) in the CBBN 3A.
Eastmont (2-4, 2-2) at Hanford (2-4, 2-2): Eastmont has won its last two. Hanford has lost two in a row. Of course, the Falcons were playing Southridge and Kennewick, while the Wildcats had Pasco and West Valley.
This is a critical game with the teams tied for the league's fourth and final postseason berth and just two more league games after this week -- Hanford finishes at Kamiakin and Sunnyside, Eastmont at home against the same two teams.
Hanford is last in offense, Eastmont last in defense -- something has got to give, and usually it's the Wildcats' secondary, allowing a league-high 233 ypg in passing. Might be just what Falcons sophomore QB Austin Forsyth (3 TDs, 8 INTs) needs to get some momentum.
No. 10 Kennewick (5-1, 3-1) at West Valley (2-4, 1-3): With rival Southridge ahead, the Lions can't let up against a Rams team that played tough against Kamiakin (28-23 loss in Week 5).
Kennewick has had close games against Sunnyside and Hanford since losing to Kamiakin, and this week smells like more of the same. But with versatile running back/receiver/linebacker Devven Ramos back in the lineup (broken collarbone in season-opener) and dependable Grant Woods (914 all-purpose yards, 8 TDs), the Lions have more than enough weapons.
No. 4 Kamiakin (6-0, 4-0) at Sunnyside (2-4, 1-3): The Braves put big-time pressure on every quarterback they face. But the pressure will be on them to corral the Grizzlies' slippery signal caller, Eduardo Salmeron, who can turn a 5-yard scramble into a Disney Adventure Ride.
That said, Kamiakin's defense has more than fit the bill week in and week out, and the Braves have plenty of offense (203 points, tops in the league) to allow for the occasional score by the opposition.
