Springfield and Willamette were eliminated from their faint hopes of a playoff spot last week. So Friday night will be the last night of football for most seniors. With no playoff pressure, players can play just for the fun of the game. It'll be many of the senior's last blocks, passes, catches, runs and tackles.
For football fans, this will be an exciting game to watch. Both teams are quick, hit hard on D, and both teams air it out on O. Some of my favorite photos this year are of the Willamette D closing in on ball carriers like a pack of lean, vicious Wolverines. How fitting. The Millers are much the same way, I just didn't take my camera both Miller games I went to, or I would have a lot of similar photos of Millers closing in.
Springfield
Springfield has seen junior Qb Levi Green blossom this year. He's completing 57% of his passes in league and averaging 157 YPGame. Expect those numbers to improve next year with junior Jake Becker returning at receiver. Becker leads the team in catches and yardage in league games. Willamette will have to stop Becker and four other solid senior receivers: Nick Dillingham, Ellis McNaulty, Oliver Johnson, and Devonte Smith.
Senior running back Alex Camarena will try to break out after spending considerable time off the field during league play due to an injury. He played last week, but most of the heavy running load went to junior Thomas Spikes.
Springfield has several juniors on their O line. It would be great for the Millers if their line and juniors QB Green, WR Becker and RB Spikes could set up the seniors for a good offensive night and a season ending victory.
Willamette
Willamette senior Jake Hughes returned to the QB position last week. Dylan Geyer, who had been handling the QB chores while Hughes was out, caught a 45 yard TD pass. Nice reward for the QB work he put in. Rafael Hidalgo ran for his second straight 100+ yard game after being sidelined with an injury. Junior RB Skyler Moore has been rambling for over 7 YPCarry during league. I'm sure Coach Fritz would have liked to have had this trio on the field at the same time all year.
I've seen every team in the league at least twice and my vote for the most exciting O player of the year is receiver Taylor Woodke. His circus catches are 'Taylor Made' according to the Wolverine announcer. I think that's called 'hyperbole', but many of his catches are certainly highlight material. Woodke leads the league in catches and yardage by a mile. This is surprising as every opponent knows where the ball is going on third down. This guy knows how to find an open spot, and when he doesn't find an open spot, he outjumps and outfights his opponent. Wolverine opponents can't breathe a sigh of relief because Woodke will graduate. A pair of 6' 1" juniors, Cameron Koehler and Brandon Haines, will return. Springfield wont' have to wait til next year to worry about these two, they just have to wait til Friday.
On the D side of the ball, LB Danny Granillo leadsthe team in tackles with 57 so far. He's a 6/1", 210 pounder - and just a junior! Take time out from following the ball a few plays and watch Granillo, #58, and the other Willamette LB's.
Prediction
Willamette at full strength is tough to beat. With Hidalgo and Hughes healthy, the Wolverines get the nod. Even if Hughes gets sidelined, Geyer can step in and do the job. The Wolverines Achilles heel(s) have been turnovers and penalties. If the Wolverines go back to turning the ball over, the Millers could walk away with the win.
Sit back and enjoy this game. These teams are fast and hit hard. they both can air it out. If it isn't pouring, expect some fireworks.
Make comments or send corrections/updates to mwlnow@yahoo.com or just use the comment link below.
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