Willamett vs North Eugene

Most MWL fans are assuming that Thurston, Marshfield and Willamette will win on this very important Friday. However, it's not even close to automatic in any of the games.

The Willamette - North Eugene game will get down to if Willamette can control turnovers and penalties versus if the Highlanders can break out Michael Bibbee for big yards and clock control.

Have you realized this about these 0-3 in league teams? They are not out of the playoffs yet! There's still the possibility of getting in a three way tie for third with a 2-3 record.

Willamette
QB Dylan Geyer has been solid in league, completing 53% of his passes and averaging 201 yards per game. His primary target is senior Taylor Woodke. Woodke is dominating the league in stats and spectacular catches. The best defense against a 'Taylor Made' catch is to have an opposing parent shoot the ball out of the air if it's headed toward Woodke. Other key receivers are juniors Cameron Koehler (15 yards per catch in league) and Brandon Haines. RB Rafael Hidalgo was back in action last week after missing a game and a half. He responded with 102 yards, and better yet, didn't have a cast on his arm, so ball control was much improved. Having Hidalgo back at full speed and without the cast could go a long way in helping the Wolverines control their turnovers. Hidalgo is better able to secure the ball and having Hidalgo at full strength will slow down the Highlander pass rush.

North Eugene
The Highlanders live by the run or die by the run. And why not? It's a hoot for fans to watch an entire defense stack up to stop RB Michael Bibbee and usually fail. Thurston became the first team this year to hold Bibbee under 123 yards. Not surprisingly, now that were into league games with playoff spots on the line, teams are much more focused on stopping North's run. North's game plan will have to account for opponents having 11 players key on Bibbee. While Bibbee gets the attention, the league's most underrated player, junior Alex Wilson, has been having quite the year running and receiving. He's taken the few carries he gets and averaged 50 yards a game, and caught half of North's completions for another 40 yards per game.

On D, LB's Bibbee and Kyle DeHaven lead the Highlander charge. Junior DB's Jackson Landgreen and Wilson are the most likely to catch whatever the linebackers don't catch.

Prediction
I've seen both teams at least twice. I'm going with Willamette. I believe Wolverine turnovers will decrease rapidly with Hidalgo playing with two good paws. With fewer Willamette turnovers, it will take a huge night by Bibbee or a breakout by Wilson for the Highlanders to win.