Members of the Portland Raiders had a significant amount of fun talkin' up their chances for upending the Portland Monarchs' unbeaten season when the teams meet, July 9, at Rex Putnam High School in Milwaukie.
The Monarchs clobbered the Raiders 69-15 when the teams met April 30, but the Raiders have developed a solid defense that regularly scores and pumped that up during Monday's episode of Pacific Football Weekly.
Teams in the Pacific Football League have the weekend off before playing out the regular season, July 9.
Only one playoff berth remains in both the North and South Divisions.
PACIFIC FOOTBALL WEEKLY
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Discipline key to Bears-Mavs battle?
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| Linebacker Jesse "Captain Caveman" Cardenas has the Mavericks playing under control. |
The key area is penalties, and the Mavericks dominated that in their 42-32 win at Grays Harbor by having just one at a meaningless moment.
Kitsap County, meanwhile, got involved in what the published account of the game might be referred to as the "Antietam" of penalties during its 40-13 win over Clark County. The first half, according to the report, included 30 penalties, which caused the half to last two hours.
Grays Harbor actually had just a handful of penalties called by an officiating crew that just got cleared to move up to small college games, but those penalties came at key times. The first caused the Mavs to shun a punt on fourth-and-6, in favor of a run on fourth-and-1 on a drive that ended with a touchdown on play No. 13. Another penalty wiped out a recovered onsides kick. The Mavs rerturned the ensuing kickoff 70 yards for a score.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Mavericks pass key test at Grays Harbor, 42-32
By CLIFF PFENNING, oregonsports.com
Ryan Wright, filling in for John Loebbestael, threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more to lead the Mavericks to a 42-32 win over the Bearcats and virtually into the Pacific Football League playoffs.
Wright, who didn’t start the game at quarterback, completed 8 of 17 passes for 115 yards with just one interception. He threw two scoring passes to recent signee Tanner Goforth, who also returned a kickoff for a score.
The Mavericks improved to 4-2 in Northern Division games, while Grays Harbor dropped to 2-4, with all four of those losses by 10 points or less.
“We knew this would be a challenge coming in here without our quarterback,” Wright said. “But we’ve got athletes and we knew if we stuck with what we do best we could win.”
David Evans threw for a touchdown and ran for two others to lead the Bearcats.
Yakima plays at Northern Division leader Kitsap County and then closes the season at Clark County (5-1). The Mavericks need one win or a loss by South Sound (2-4) against Snohomish (1-5) or Grays Harbor to claim a playoff spot.
“The touchdown pass was huge for us because I’m mostly a running back,” Wright said. “That put a lot of pressure on them whenever I rolled out.”
Wright showed off his versatility at the start of the second half, driving the Mavericks 62 yards on four plays for a 21-10 lead. He ran once for 18 yards and completed all three of his passes, the third for 28 yards to Goforth. Following an interception, Wright drove the Mavs 49 yards on eight plays for a 28-10 lead. He hit John Muir with a 2-yard scoring pass to finish the drive with 5:56 left in the third quarter.
Yakima attempted just two more passes the remainder of the game.
The Mavericks collected three interceptions and a fumble recovery on defense.
Grays Harbor rallied throughout the game behind quarterback David Evans, scoring quickly several times. After the Mavericks went up 14-7 with 46 seconds left in the second quarter – a four-play drive off an interception, Evans got the Bearcats to the Yakima 35, where Jadon Crassino kicked a 52-yard field goal as the half expired.
The Bearcats were undone by penalties throughout the game, including an offsides call that wiped out a successful onsides kick. The most influential penalty might have been for offsides on a Yakima punt in the first quarter. The penalty turned fourth and 6 into fourth and one and the Mavs got a 2-yard run from Cardenas to earn first down at their own 32, which kept the 13-play drive going.
Yakima 0 14 14 14 - 42
Grays Harbor 7 3 0 22 - 32
GH – Jeremy Walker 43 pass from Alex Todak (Jadon Carassino kick)
Yak – Tanner Goforth 30 pass from Ryan Wright (Matt Poggie kick)
Yak – Wright 8 run (Poggie kick)
GH – FG 52 Carassino
Yak – Goforth 28 pass from Wright (Poggie kick)
Yak – Nick Muir 2 pass from Wright (Poggie kick)
GH – David Evans 1 run (Travis Tucker pass from Evans)
Yak – Goforth 70 kickoff return (Poggie kick)
GH – Evans 1 run (Carassino kick)
Yak – Wright 28 run (Poggie kick)
GH – Joseph Winther 5 pass from Evans (Carassino kick)
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Vipers move Thomas in at QB
Marvin Thomas is the answer for the Clark County Vipers this week.
With Kyle English done for the season, and Naamon Archer out for the weekend, the Vipers are turning to Thomas at quarterback for their key game Saturday against the Kitsap County Bears in a battle of unbeatens in the Northern Division of the Pacific Football League.
Thomas, who prepped at Evergreen High in Vancouver, has played in mop-up roles this season.
"He's got a lot of athletic skill and has played at a high level before," Clark County coach Reggie White said Wednesday. "He knows our offense. He's ready to do a good job for us."
Both teams are 5-0 in Northern Division play. Game time is set for 6 p.m. at Olympic High School in Bremerton, Wash.
English, who has played quarterback, running back and receiver, re-injured his left ACL in Saturday's 42-7 loss at home to Southern Oregon in which he and Archer combined to throw six interceptions.
The Vipers, though, were without key defensive lineman Marquise Cross and three-way threat Jason Pabillano, both of whom are set to play Saturday.
Pabillano, who has scored as a running back and kick returner and is a standout defensive back, missed the past two games with a high sprain of his right ankle.
White, who expects more than 30 players to travel with the team, said the loss of the team's top two quarterbacks shouldn't affect its morale.
"Everyone expects us to be the underdog, but we're okay with that," he said. "Saturday was a tough game, but it brought everyone together on what we need to do to be successful for the rest of the season."
Kitsap has been led throughout the season by running backs Edward Ash and Anthony Galloway, each of whom has scored seven touchdowns.
With Kyle English done for the season, and Naamon Archer out for the weekend, the Vipers are turning to Thomas at quarterback for their key game Saturday against the Kitsap County Bears in a battle of unbeatens in the Northern Division of the Pacific Football League.
Thomas, who prepped at Evergreen High in Vancouver, has played in mop-up roles this season.
"He's got a lot of athletic skill and has played at a high level before," Clark County coach Reggie White said Wednesday. "He knows our offense. He's ready to do a good job for us."
Both teams are 5-0 in Northern Division play. Game time is set for 6 p.m. at Olympic High School in Bremerton, Wash.
English, who has played quarterback, running back and receiver, re-injured his left ACL in Saturday's 42-7 loss at home to Southern Oregon in which he and Archer combined to throw six interceptions.
The Vipers, though, were without key defensive lineman Marquise Cross and three-way threat Jason Pabillano, both of whom are set to play Saturday.
Pabillano, who has scored as a running back and kick returner and is a standout defensive back, missed the past two games with a high sprain of his right ankle.
White, who expects more than 30 players to travel with the team, said the loss of the team's top two quarterbacks shouldn't affect its morale.
"Everyone expects us to be the underdog, but we're okay with that," he said. "Saturday was a tough game, but it brought everyone together on what we need to do to be successful for the rest of the season."
Kitsap has been led throughout the season by running backs Edward Ash and Anthony Galloway, each of whom has scored seven touchdowns.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Southern Oregon puts a twist on Vipers-Bears
VANCOUVER, Wash. - The Southern Oregon Renegades were a pretty good team with essentially back-up quarterbacks leading the way through the first half of the Pacific Football League season, but with Nate Ellis at the helm of their offense they might be the league's best team.
Ellis played for the first time this season and led the Renegades to a 42-7 win over Clark County Saturday at Kiggins Bowl, handing the Vipers their first loss of the season.
Ellis ran for two touchdowns, threw for two and struggled on only a handful of plays as the Renegades avenged an overtime loss in the Border War two months earlier. Southern Oregon had nine turnovers in the loss, but just two on Saturday. Instead, the 'Gades forced nine turnovers and turned two into touchdowns.
Southern Oregon improved to 6-1 overall, having lost only to the Portland Monarchs, the three-time defending champions of the Oregon Football League.
Both teams played without a number of key players. The Vipers played without defensive lineman Marquise Cross and two-way back Jason Pabillano, while the Renegades played without running back Alvin Thornton.
Clark County suffered a key injury when quarterback Kyle English suffered a recurring knee injury and might be lost for the season. The Vipers play at Kitsap County on Saturday in a battle for first place in the Northern Division and will likely be without English and No. 2 quarterback Naamon Archer, who has a scheduling conflict.
In addition to playing the Bears, the Vipers have a home game with the Yakima Mavericks, who've been on fire since losing to both the Vipers and Bears.
Ellis, who is hoping to locate a college scholarship in the fall, completed just seven of 20 passes, but one went for a 6-yard scoring pass to tight end Antoine Williams and only one was intercepted, helping the team avoid the numerous problems it had in the first meeting with the Vipers. Eliis finished with 32 yards on 11 carries.
John Jones and Bruce Franklin each picked off two passes for Southern Oregon. Jones returned one 63 yards for a touchdown that gave the Renegades a 14-lead with 7:30 left in the first quarter. Francis Sesepasara returned a fumble 5 yards for a score in the third quarter.
English and Archer struggled to complete passes throughout the evening, hitting just 10 of 30 attempts for 117 yards and one score: a 25-yard completion from Archer to Cody Gilbert that pulled the Vipers within 14-7. Of the six interceptions, none was more crucial than the fifth, when Jones stopped a Vipers drive at the Southern Oregon goal line and the score at 21-7. The Renegades promptly marched 77 yards on six plays with running back Andre Smith motoring 19 yards for the score and a 28-7 lead with 6:54 left in the third quarter.
Ellis played for the first time this season and led the Renegades to a 42-7 win over Clark County Saturday at Kiggins Bowl, handing the Vipers their first loss of the season.
Ellis ran for two touchdowns, threw for two and struggled on only a handful of plays as the Renegades avenged an overtime loss in the Border War two months earlier. Southern Oregon had nine turnovers in the loss, but just two on Saturday. Instead, the 'Gades forced nine turnovers and turned two into touchdowns.
Southern Oregon improved to 6-1 overall, having lost only to the Portland Monarchs, the three-time defending champions of the Oregon Football League.
Both teams played without a number of key players. The Vipers played without defensive lineman Marquise Cross and two-way back Jason Pabillano, while the Renegades played without running back Alvin Thornton.
Clark County suffered a key injury when quarterback Kyle English suffered a recurring knee injury and might be lost for the season. The Vipers play at Kitsap County on Saturday in a battle for first place in the Northern Division and will likely be without English and No. 2 quarterback Naamon Archer, who has a scheduling conflict.
In addition to playing the Bears, the Vipers have a home game with the Yakima Mavericks, who've been on fire since losing to both the Vipers and Bears.
Ellis, who is hoping to locate a college scholarship in the fall, completed just seven of 20 passes, but one went for a 6-yard scoring pass to tight end Antoine Williams and only one was intercepted, helping the team avoid the numerous problems it had in the first meeting with the Vipers. Eliis finished with 32 yards on 11 carries.
John Jones and Bruce Franklin each picked off two passes for Southern Oregon. Jones returned one 63 yards for a touchdown that gave the Renegades a 14-lead with 7:30 left in the first quarter. Francis Sesepasara returned a fumble 5 yards for a score in the third quarter.
English and Archer struggled to complete passes throughout the evening, hitting just 10 of 30 attempts for 117 yards and one score: a 25-yard completion from Archer to Cody Gilbert that pulled the Vipers within 14-7. Of the six interceptions, none was more crucial than the fifth, when Jones stopped a Vipers drive at the Southern Oregon goal line and the score at 21-7. The Renegades promptly marched 77 yards on six plays with running back Andre Smith motoring 19 yards for the score and a 28-7 lead with 6:54 left in the third quarter.
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