Tigers seek GOL title
Mac-Hi not set to offer much resistance

By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
scottf@argusobserver.com
Thursday, November 5, 2009 11:02 AM PST

Scott Ford | Argus Observer Ontario head coach Randy Waite (right) and Tiger quarterback Josh Mejia visit on the sidelines during a recent Ontario football game. Ontario is one win away from clinching the Greater Oregon League title and will have that opportunity Friday when it travels to Mac-Hi. Kick off is set for 8 p.m. local time.

Milton-Freewater—Chasing titles has been the goal of the Ontario Tigers all season. One of the titles they wanted to recapture was the Greater Oregon League title, and Friday, Ontario will have its shot at completing that quest as it plays a reeling Mac-Hi team. The Pioneers have struggled this season, to say the least. Offensively, Mac-Hi (2-6) has scored only 120 points in eight games, while giving up a generous 212 points.

Mac-Hi is coming off back-to-back losses, a 48-7 loss to Baker two weeks ago and a 41-13 drubbing by the La Grande Tigers last week. Ontario has not lost since Sept. 4, an overtime thriller to Pendleton, 15-7.

The Tigers have pounded many of their opponents this year to the tune of 280 points in eight games, or 35 points per game. Its defense has been rather stingy, only allowing 15 points this season.

The success of the Tigers has not gone unnoticed as they a have been slowly climbing in the polls. Currently, the Tigers are ranked sixth, behind top ranked Marist, Central, Douglas, Astoria and Banks.

Friday against the Pioneers, the Tigers will have to avoid playing to the level of Mac-Hi and remain focused on playing their game.

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The Tigers will face a Pioneer defense that jumps from the 4-3 to  the 3-4.

“The like to blitz a lot and they have some big linemen,” Ontario head coach Randy Waite said. “We will have to use our speed to our advantage.”

The Tigers offense has many weapons to choose from with Frank Lopez who averages 165 yards per game and 10 yards per carry, while, Matt Anthony has piled on 400 yards this season. Then there is the air-attack led by Josh Mejia, who has tossed eight touchdowns and thrown for 655 yards. Mejia completes 53 percent of his passes. Catching the majority of those balls is Nico Martinez with 20 receptions and three scores.

The Tigers have already secured the No. 1 seed from the GOL, which means they will get a bye in the first week of the 4A state playoffs. In week two, Ontario will host the winner of the Capitol League’s No. 3 team, which currently is Cascade (6-3), and the Cowapa League’s No. 2 team, which is Banks (7-1). But those could change depending on the outcome of this week’s games.

Banks takes on Yamhill-Carlton (1-8), and Cascade will host Illinois Valley (0-9).