Game 2: Linfield Vs. Southern Oregon Game Preview

This is a MUST win for Linfield. Absolutely gotta have it win for the ‘Cats. Yes, this is a non-DIII game but Linfield cannot afford to come out of the gates at 0-2 headed into NWC play. This team is far too talented to let that happen. However, Southern Oregon is not going to be an easy team to get over on. Granted the Raiders are 1-3 but could just as easily be 4-0 if not for a few breaks in each of their losses. So let’s get into our shtick with “know your foe” and Wildcat 11’s “keys to victory”

Know Your Foe (Thanks Wikipedia!)

Raiders – There are a few definitions of a “Raider” but Southern Oregon makes no bones (ha! a jolly rodger joke!) on the type of Raider mascot that SOU emulates. These Raiders are pretty much Pirates or people that commits robbery at sea. The core of the word is “Raid” which is a tactic that is used by the plunders to achieve one's goal of attacking the opponent’s commercial shipping rather than try to overtake the command of the sea via force of its naval fleet.

Raiders destroy supplies of the enemy instead of engaging the combatant themselves. When the raiders are at war, they break into places and plunder. Raiders or “Pirates” have been around as long as humans have used the seas for trade routes, however, the most glorified and popular of this despicable brand of thieves are the Raiders that terrorized the Caribbean during the 1560’s through the 1720’s.

Many of these “Raiders” came to the Caribbean after the end of the War of Spanish Succession. Most of the conflict arose over trade and colonization among the European powers of the time (English, Spain, Dutch, Portuguese, and the French).

Unlike the movies most pirates/raiders ate poorly, did not become wealthy, and died young. Even though pirates raided many ships, few, if any, buried their treasure, or booty. Often, the "treasure" that was stolen was food, water, alcohol, weapons, or clothing. Other things they stole were household items like bits of soap and gear like rope and anchors. For this reason, there was no need for the pirates to bury these goods.

Pretty much it sounded like the life of a Raider/Pirate sucked.

Wildcat11’s Key To Victory

-Win the Turnover Game.

When you have two teams that are matched up on paper a key swing point can and will be in the turnover department. Linfield not only has to limit theirs but the defense MUST makes some things happen beyond just trying to keep SOU out of the endzone. Last season, the Wildcat defense gift wrapped two Linfield touchdowns and the ‘Cats defense must have that same mindset.

-Run the football.

The SOU defensive front will be athletic and physical but the Wildcats have to be able to produce on the ground. Linfield quarterback Cole Franklin (Soph) is making his first start as a Wildcat and the offense cannot put Cole in a position where the game rests on his arm. The offense as a whole has to make the commitment to run the football. We need a way better effort from the WR corp in blocking on the edges and downfield. The success of Linfield’s run game is going to be a giant key for victory.

-Pressure on SOU’s Bryan Lee-Lauduski

The Wildcat defense faces a much different quarterback this weekend. Lee-Lauduski is a tradition pocket quarterback (i.e. he’s not super mobile). However the kid can really throw the ball. The ‘Cats will do their DB’s a major disservice by allowing him to step up in the pocket and get off clean passes. This job is up to the front 4 of Linfield’s defense. We have to pressure without bringing the house and leaving our backfield in a one-on-one situation. If we can consistently disrupt the SOU passing game in the pocket then the ‘Cats are going to be in good shape.

-Win on Special Teams

Linfield must be the better group on special teams. That means successful PAT’s, great coverage on kickoff and punts, catching all punts, and put the offense in good field position in returns. With Linfield’s offense facing a solid defense the special teams group for Linfield could play a major role.

-Play with Passion

Our ‘Cats don’t have to come out so hyped up that they blow their collective wad in the first series but as Linfield Coaches always say “be wound to the right tension. Not too tight but not too lose.” At HSU we were way too flat and I’m hopeful we don’t come out “too tight” for this game. The ‘Cats just have to focus on playing with contained passion, focus on doing their individual job well (No “S” on the chest), and believe the ‘Cat next to you is going to do the same.

Prediction

‘Cats by 7. This is going to be a bonfire battle. SOU is a wounded team and has to feel pissed that they’ve come up short the past three weeks. There is nothing more that the Raiders would like than to come up to Linfield and stuff the ‘Cats in their home opener. What Linfield needs to focus on is playing a complete 4 quarters of Linfield football. When SOU throws a preverbal punch the ‘Cats need to find the counter and land one on the SOU sweet spot. I can’t wait!