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‘It’s league play now. It’s go time.’

NHS football will open Pacific Conference play Thursday against nemesis Canby; teams share similar records and goals

• By: Frank Graham  
• Published: 10/6/2009 11:47:15 AM

   The Newberg Tigers go on the road Thursday to face Pacific Conference rivals Canby Cougars.
   Both sitting 3-1 this year, this game has all the makings of a stellar night of football. Canby, a perennial powerhouse in the conference, is ranked ninth in the state. They are coming off a last-second 27-24 victory Friday over No. 3-ranked Grant. Their only loss this season came on Sept. 25 when they lost 14-21 to Westview.
   Canby returned no starters on offense from last year’s team and rely on their 6-foot-4 quarterback, Josh Yoder, to lead their attack. They returned three starters on defense and have 21 players with varsity experience.
   Tiger coach Eric Carlson said Canby runs a variation of the Wing-T offense and has for years.
   “It’s an aggressive offense full of misdirection plays,” Carlson said. “And they mix in play-action passes.”
   Carlson said the key for the Tigers will be keeping the Cougars from getting yardage on first and second downs.
   “We need to be more physical and strong up front,” Carlson said.
   Carlson said Canby lost a great quarterback, Brian Widing, to graduation last year but found another one in Yoder.
   “It’s annoying,” Carlson said. “He just sort of burst on the scene.”
   Yoder runs the ball well, Carlson said, and is as good if not better than Widing.
   The Tigers had a bye last week. Carlson said the team worked on fundamentals and areas where his team needed to shore up. He said the preparation the team makes this week could make the difference in how well the Tigers perform Thursday night.
   “It’s league play now,” Carlson said. “It’s go time.”

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