Wow, it almost happened again - in Southern Oregon

The drive to Southern Oregon (and a solid opponent) nearly bumped the Portland Monarchs into an unfamiliar position in the league standings - second.
Southern Oregon, even without starting quarterback Tory Snyder, led 10-0 before the Monarchs rallied to win 13-10 in a Pacific Football League game Saturday at Spiegelburg Stadium.
The Renegades, who were tied with the Monarchs for the Southern Division lead at 4-0, played with Brock Heaton at quarterback in place of Snyder, who missed the game having a bad case of a flu virus.
Portland blazed through last season on the way to its third straight Oregon Football League title with only one game having any drama: a 13-10 win at Umpqua Valley on South Umpqua High's mud-soaked field.
Even on the turf in Medford, the Monarchs struggled with the Renegades' defense, which had allowed just 19 points in league games to that point. A key pass-interference penalty helped the Monarchs' go-ahead drive and then their defense played a stellar second half.
If the teams win out and meet again in the Division title game, it would be at the Monarchs' home field in Silverton.
The league had a number of close games Saturday, including Klamath's win over the Portland Raiders, 14-13. The Crusaders had lost three games by a total of 10 points, so they were due.
The Monarchs-Renegades game can be viewed at the Renegades Ustream channel:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/southern-oregon-renegades-live

Renegades ready to end Monarchs reign?

The task of putting a chill into the Portland Monarchs falls on the Southern Oregon Renegades this weekend, but they've got the best possible set-up for that to happen - they're playing at home and they're getting more established on offense.
Portland won the last three Oregon Football League titles and were only dragged into a game with some drama once - at Umpqua Valley, where the Monarchs needed a late defensive score to win. That game was played out on a mud-covered field, something the Renegades won't have as a weapon when the teams meet at Spiegelberg Stadium in Medford.
But, the game is still in Medford.
Portland has traveled with more than 40 players to all of its road games, so players won't be a challenge. Southern Oregon's defense is the key to its chances for victory. The Renegades have given up just 19 points this season, and shut out the Portland Raiders last week. The Raiders scored a touchdown, but on an interception return.
Portland has given up just 27 points, but most of those were late in games that were decided well before.
If the Renegades can keep the Monarchs under wraps, then their offense will need to come through in way it hasn't so far. But, other than the interception return, the Renegades have improved dramatically from their opening-game disaster when they gave up nine turnovers in an overtime loss to the Clark County Vipers.
The Southern Oregon offense has piled up just 54 points in PFL play. The Monarchs are averaging 60 points per game.
Renegades quarterback Tory Snyder, though, is developing a knack for avoiding large losses while being sacked and is a strong runner. And, the Renegades have a stellar offensive line that has durable fullback Alvin Thornton behind it.
Does Southern Oregon have a chance?
In the league's other seven games, Springfield is at High Desert, Klamath plays at the Portland Raiders, the Rogue Warriors are at the Oregon Outlaws, Bellingham travels to Vancouver to play the Vipers, Kitsap County is at Grays Harbor, South Sound is at South King and Snohomish County plays at Yakima.

Renegades win 9-6 over Raiders, Monarchs next

Jason McGregor's field goal with 1.8 seconds remaining in the game boosted the Southern Oregon Renegades to a a hard-fought 9-6 win over the Portland Raiders Saturday at Putnam High School in Milwaukie.
McGregor kicked two other field goals and had two others blocked during the game, which the Renegades won by simply wearing down the Portland defense.
Southern Oregon had the ball for 12 minutes, 22 seconds of the fourth quarter and drove 23 yards from the Portland 37 to its 14 to set up the winning 31-yard field goal. Quarterback Tory Snyder hit Thomas Whiteaker with a key 18-yard completion and also ran twice for 15 yards to help the Renegades overcome a 10-yard penalty.
Portland failed to reach the end zone for the second straight week, scoring on an 90-yard interception return by Tirrell Thompson, who got the ball on lateral after Ruben Jones had made the original interception at the Portland 10. Portland had two defensive scores in a win over the Oregon Outlaws last week. The Raiders' offense has been outscored by its defense 20-6 in the last two weeks.
The Renegades improved to 4-0 in the Pacific Football League's Southern Division and play host to the defending GNFA champion Portland Monarchs Saturday in Medford. The Monarchs improved to 4-0 with a 49-12 win over the Oregon Outlaws Saturday.
Around the league, Clark County and Kitsap County both improved to 4-0 in the North. The Vipers won at South Sound 36-30, while the Bears beat Bellingham 59-6. Grays Harbor beat Snohomish County 28-25 and Yakima beat visiting South King 20-15.
In the South, the Rogue Warriors beat visiting High Desert 38-6, and Springfield beat Klamath 20-14 in overtime, making the Crusaders the tough-luck team of the year. After a 62-0 thrashing by the Monarchs in Week 1, Klamath has lost three straight by 10 total points, including the overtime loss Saturday.
Four teams: the Raiders, Warriors, Buzzards and Outlaws; are currently tied for third at 2-2 in the South. The top four teams qualify for the playoffs.

The flags of truth shown brightly Saturday

Wow, were there a lot of flags thrown at the Outlaws-Raiders game. There were a couple for holding, a couple for personal fouls, but mostly they were for the garden variety 5-yard kind. For sideline infractions, for 12 men on the field, for 12 men on the field, 12 players on the field, illegal substitution that led to ... 12 men on the field.
There were so many penalties, we were able to joke on the sideline with one of the refs after he'd thrown a flag - at the same time as two others for illegal procedure - that he should just leave the flag on the ground, there'd be another flag on the next play.
Both teams struggled on offense, big time. Despite losing 20-0, the Outlaws seemed to be capable of getting into the end zone except for the fumbles - returned for a score, and several interceptions - one returned for a score.
Late in the game, the Outlaws looked like they might score and at least beat the Raiders' offense, 7-6, but an interception cooled that.
Oregon's defense should keep it in the playoff hunt while quarterback Alex Ortiz, just a year out of high school and thrown into action due to an injury to starter Dayton Edwards gets used to the pace of adult football.
The Raiders have a big game this weekend with Southern Oregon, which also looks like a defense-dominated team.
Which offense will be able to go further without allowing a score?

This week's big game - Rogue at Springfield

Getting a big win over Klamath has the Rogue Warriors finally into the win column, while the Buzzards dropped to 0-2 with a tough loss at Southern Oregon, after an overtime loss to the Outlaws.
Looking at this week's schedule, the hosts of PFWeekly, Cliff and Charlie, came up with differing opinions on who's going to win this game. "Super Genius" Cliff believes the Warriors have solved their tackling problems and will win, while "Highland" Charlie is going with the Buzzards, putting his 3-0 record against SG on the line.
That's the game of the week.
Here's the schedule for Saturday:
Warriors at Buzzards
Oregon Outlaws at PDX Raiders
Monarchs at High Desert
Southern Oregon at Klamath
Clark County at Snohomish
Grays Harbor at South King
Kitsap County at South Sound
Yakima and Bellingham (in a battle of teams thirsting for victory)
Check in Monday at 8:30 for notes and opinions on these games, along with an interview with guest Kevin Hatfield.