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.
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