Playing for keeps
Payette hosts Weiser to kick off Snake River Valley Conference action in a homecoming affair
By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
scottf@argusobserver.com
Thursday, September 24, 2009 10:53 AM PDT
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| Argus Observer File photo The Payette Pirate defense has been the staple of the Pirates’ success in 2009.
This defensive force has only allowed 28 points in its first four games for an average of seven points per game.
Leading the team defensively is Garrett Grotheer, Tyler Kudar and Andrew Schimidt.
As a unit, the Black Thunder has made plenty of noise in 2009 with nine interceptions, six sacks and seven forced fumbles. Friday, the Black Thunder will take on a physical Weiser Wolverine team at 7 p.m. in the Snake River Valley Conference opener. |
Payette—One year ago, the Payette Pirates pulled off what was at that time, the biggest upset in the schools history by defeating the Weiser Wolverines, 20-19, for the first time in more than 30 years.
That win, vaulted the Pirates into the playoffs, but all that is just a memory now.
Or is it?
Friday, these same two teams will meet up again, and this time the stakes are even higher. It is the opening weekend in the Snake River Valley Conference and a chance for one of these two gridiron squads to make a case for their program and a shot a a SRV title.
Weiser comes into the game riding a 39-13 win over Orofino, while the Pirates are coming off a 40-0 drubbing of the New Plymouth Pilgrims
Payette (3-1) has to deal with the distraction of it being homecoming week, while Weiser (2-2) has to deal with the revenge factor and playing at Payette.
Could be the making for a great game.
Both Weiser head coach John Srholec and Payette head coach Troy Gleave believe Friday’s game will be a physically tough battle.
“After going 3-1 in our non-conference games, I would have to say our defense gets a grade of B,” Gleave said. “We have been playing some great defense so far this year.”
Gleave’s grade for his offense was not as generous, as he stated, it still needed to improve as he slapped a “C” grade on it.
“We have had a good week of practice despite the distractions of homecoming,” Gleave said. “The team has not really talked about last year’s win.”
Gleave added it’s been all business all week at practice.
“Weiser is a very good team,” he said. “They have a bunch of running backs that can run the ball, they have a quarterback that can throw the ball and they have a big receiver.”
Gleave said his team will have to line up on the ball and expect a very physical game.
“It should be a smash-mouth, knock-each-other-down, black-and-blue game. The last guy standing will be the team that wins,” Gleave said.
Keys to victory for Payette:
• Limit the turnovers.
• Defense can bend, but it cannot break — discipline.
The Wolverines come into the game seeking a little revenge after losing last year to the Pirates.
“Our goal is to come out and play well,” Srholec said. “We have been kind of like the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde team. We play hard, but we make too many mistakes.”
Last week, the Wolverines saw a huge improvement in the mental game against Orofino, and Srholec said his team has had a great week of practice.
“We are not talking about what happened last year,” Srholec said. “We are more concerned with what we are doing this year.”
Srholec said the Pirates present a lot of problems because they make big plays.
“They have two kids that can play quarterback pretty darn well, and they both can play the tight end position well,” Srholec said. “They are both big and fast, and Travis Blackwell is just so physical.”
Srholec added the Pirates’ running backs also pose a threat. One is a very physical back and the other possesses raw speed.
“With Damian Reynolds, any crease and he is gone,” Srholec said. “He has done it to just about everybody.”
Another area of concern for Srholec is all the different looks Payette will present to his defense.
“Our defense will have its hands full,” Srholec said. “Our biggest problem is going to be to lining up correctly. The second biggest problem is going to be playing. If they get us misaligned, they are gone.”
On offense, Weiser will have to contend with a solid Payette defensive line.
“Their D-front is probably one of the better defensive lines we have seen the SRV in a long time. They have two solid defensive ends, and their tackles are tremendous,” Srholec said.
“Their skilled positions on defense are underrated, and are very tough.”
The game plan for Weiser is to run its offense, make no mistakes and put some points on the board.
“We have some weapons as well, and it will depend on how we play,” Srholec said. “We will give them a game because we are going to play hard.”
Srholec said his team cannot afford to get into a track meet with Payette.
Keys to Victory for Weiser:
• Play hard
• Play smart
• No turnovers
• No big plays for Payette
“This is the biggest matchup of the week. Homedale is off and Fruitland is taking on a McCall team that is not quite at the caliber of the rest of the league,” Srholec said.
The game is slated to kick off at 7 p.m Friday in Payette.
