Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 14, 1976)
Page I herniaii coacli eyes battle "I rate our defenses about equal and, I think, our offense is a, little more explosive and more versatile. ..but then, I didn't see Christman or Skow last week. I may be in for a big surprise," Lance Ballew, Sherman County Husky head mentor said Monday evening in a G-T interview. Ballew was cramming for Heppner Monday, trying to figure out how the Mustangs, termed the Columbia Basin Conference's Cardiac Kids by one newspaper, could have turned in such an impressive, 5-0 mark. "It's gonna be a real battle," Ballew said with a southern drawl. "Heppner's gonna be up. ..it's their home 1 ( i 1 Mike i Murray's coming; they're 5-0 and ready for a showdown with Umatilla next week. They'll be sky high and so will we. It's our last chance.. .our only chance, to beat Heppner and then you'll beat Umatilla, force a three way tie and go by Ausi points." You can bet John Sporseen and his Mustang gridders would like to spoil that little fantasy for Ballew. As far as Heppner is concerned, it's Sherman County Friday and Umatilla next week and Was co County the week after. One at a time. Sherman's record of 4-1 is an impressive one, despite the loss. The Husky league mark is 3-1, with their only defeat at No. 76 Dave Jones Jr. Heppner . F 676-9426 No. 77 Smith Sr. 248 lbs. Drugs the hands of that stubborn, lossless Viking squad from Umatilla. Sherman wins have been over Oregon Trail, 39-18; Pilot Rock, 57-0; and Riverside, 43-0. Their lone loss was to Umatilla at Moro, 18-0. Com bined scores show Sherman in front, 139-18. Ballew claims "overall bal ance" as the key to the Sherman success. With a chuckle, he acknowledges that the Huskies have more than one strong point. Ballew said the Huskies like to pass as well as run. Sherman usually runs a little more than they put the ball in the air, but with senior signal caller Paul Fritts completing ft' s S rPPMPI 159 lbs. Heppner Nor-Gas Serving Morrow, Gilliam, and Wheeler Counties Heppner 676-9450 Gardner's Mens Wear 68 per cent of his aerials, they like to go to the bombs. Fritts is 44 for 68 for 448 yards. That passing game is a definite asset, but Ballew looks with assuring eyes at a pair of sophomore backs, too. Kevin Caseberg has churned up 465 yards for a 6.1 average. Eric Calista has piled up 243 yards and a 5.1 average. Two of the reasons for the offense's success has been in the frames of Craig Colquitt and Bart Baunach, a pair of defenders that have haunted QBs all season. Baunach is a burly 200 pounder that likes his tackle spot. Colquitt, a little quicker with the same aggressiveness, weighs In at 185 pounds. No. 85 Jeff Cutsforth Sr. No. 80 Kindall Thomas Sr. 150 lbs. "They aren't as big as your guys," Ballew said. When told they were brothers, Bullew knew which ones. "One is 6-5 and weighs 250 and the other is 6-3 and weighs 225?" he asked. Yep, that's the Smith broth ers. Ballew, who scouted, at Weston-McEwen last week, said he was Impressed with number 20, Steve McLaughlin. Ballew called him a quick, good runner and also asked about Christman. Christman twisted both ankles In the last two games, but hopefully will be in full stride Friday. "You have to respect that average," Ballew said, noting Christman's near 30 yard per reception tally. Ballew was unaware that Skow was out with illness last week. With apprehension, he asked, "He'll unfortunately be back this week?" Sherman's head coach is optimistic to a degree this week. He knows it is a do or die situation for the Huskies and that Heppner would just love to skip into Umatilla with an unmarred season. "With a game like this, you can bet both teams will be putting out real hard." Ballew said. Week busy Homecoming week has been a busy and hectic one for Heppner High School students this week. Along with three days of organization and decorations, Thursday and Friday will be even heavier with activity. Thursday slated a boys pep assembly and powder puff football game between 1-1:30 p.m. today. A tug of war follows with a faculty pep assembly right after that. A pizza party and dance decorations will fallow at 6 p m. with cluss and organiza tion float decorations soon after. Friday, the day of the game, lists ample activities. It's blue and gold dresa up day, and students will be treated to a continental break fast and national school as sembly. Al 12:30 pm., a downtown pep assembly will get everyone Involved and the students' pep assembly will tart at 3 p.m. A parade at 4 p m., fea turing the band, cheerleaders and other active groups, will leave from the courthouse. The game ia set for I p m. at the Mustang grounds and the dance to follow will run from 10-1 am. Saturday will be a day of rest for all. Heppner 676-9210 Heppner 676-9150
