B4
2013 football preview
lake oswego review/west linn tidings
August 29, 2013
proved. If the team can avoid
the injury bug, which has hit
many of its key players in the
past few seasons, it could make
a huge leap forward this year.
The Pacers have already
dealt with a bit of adversity in
the preseason when volunteer
coach Michael Cole was arrest-
ed for allegedly assaulting
Royster during an altercation at
practice. Smythe was not at the
practice in question as he was
recovering from
surgery but he be-
lieves the incident
puts the team at a
crossroads.
“It’s an internal
thing (we’re) deal-
ing with and we’ll
get past it. A lot of
teams at every
level have skir-
mishes in practice
and there was a
disciplinary ac-
tion that’s been
followed. We have
two choices: We
can let it fragment
us or we can use it
to come together,”
Smythe said.
Lakeridge opens
the season on Fri-
day on the road
against Reynolds
and will face Cen-
tennial, North Sa-
lem and Lincoln in
non-league action.
The Three Riv-
ers League figures to be as
deep but also as wide open as it
has been in a number of years.
Lake Oswego still may be the
team to beat despite graduat-
ing 25 seniors, but Canby, Ore-
gon City, Clackamas and West
Linn all figure to be improved
from last season along with the
Pacers.
“The league is kind of like a
death march this year, but our
goal is to make the playoffs
without having to play in,”
Smythe said.
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O P E N 7 D AY S A WE E K
3
Recent Lakeridge
quarterbacks who
have suffered sea-
son-ending injuries.
It often comes with
the territory for run-
ning quarterbacks
but the Pacers have
experienced some
bad luck as well as
injuries over the
years to Robbie
Kool, Tommy Knecht
and Eric Dungey
have derailed sea-
sons at various
times. Dungey will
continue to be a ma-
jor part of the team’s
offense this year
both through the air
and on the ground. If
he can stay healthy,
the Pacers will be a
very difficult match-
up for most teams.
0
Plays that legendary
coach Tom Smythe
will be calling this
season. Smythe has
handed over the
reins to his offensive
coordinator this
year, relinquishing
those duties for one
of the first times in
his storied career.
Smythe’s style of of-
fense will remain
very much in tact,
however, as the Pac-
ers will still spread
the ball and force op-
ponents to defend
the entire field.
12
Number of non-
league victories that
Lakeridge has
racked up during the
past three seasons.
The Pacers have had
plenty of success
outside of the Three
Rivers League over
the past three years
but have won just
three league games
in that time. The
Pacers have had a
history of fast starts
and have been a
very difficult match-
up for teams who
aren’t as familiar
with their style of
play. That win total
also includes play-in
victories in each of
the past three sea-
sons which have al-
lowed the Pacers to
advance to the
32-team state tour-
nament.
By the
NUMBERS
Friday
Lakeridge at Reynolds 7 p.m.
Sept. 6
Centennial at Lakeridge 7 p.m.
Sept. 13
North Salem at Lakeridge 7 p.m.
Sept. 20
Lakeridge at Oregon City
7 p.m.
Sept. 27
Lakeridge at Clackamas 7 p.m.
Oct. 4
Lakeridge at Lincoln 7 p.m.
Oct. 10*
Canby at Lakeridge 7 p.m.
Oct. 18
Lake Oswego at Lakeridge 7 p.m.
Oct. 25
Lakeridge at West Linn 7 p.m.
*Denotes Thursday game.
SCHEDULE
H
ealth, health, health. Quite simply, if Lakeridge can avoid major injuries, the
Pacers could very well be one of the better teams in the league. Keeping players
off the trainer’s table is always easier said than done, however. Lakeridge has
dealt with season-ending injuries to its recent star quarterbacks, Robbie Kool,
Tommy Knecht and Eric Dungey.
Quarterbacks in Lakeridge’s system take more than their share of hits during the season
due to their proclivity to get out and run. Dungey will need to figure out a way to duck out of
trouble while still maintaining his effectiveness when he runs and the offensive line will
need to provide protection for him in the pocket.
Lakeridge’s offensive and defensive lines appear to be much improved this year but, as the
smallest 6A public school in the state, depth will always be an issue. Lakeridge also lost
standout receiver JR McLaughlin for the majority of last year with an injury. As always, the
Pacers are bursting with athleticism and offensive weapons. When the team is clicking and
at full strength, it should be able to score quickly and in bunches and, more likely than not,
Lakeridge will find itself in plenty of track meets this season.
Defensively the Pacers are still relatively undersized but if they can avoid getting gouged
by the run and adopt a “bend but don’t break” philosophy, the team should be able to rack up
victories.
Turnovers will also be a big factor this season. The Pacers need to avoid crucial mistakes
on offense to maximize the efficiency of the team’s biggest weapon and will need to be op-
portunistic on the other side of the ball, creating turnovers to put a stop to opposing drives.
Key to the
SEASON
■
From page B3
Threat:
Pacers will face an improved TRL
“We like our
starters and
there’s some
good young kids
behind them.
It’s as good of
depth there as
we’ve had.”
— Pacer coach Tom
Smythe on his team’s line
fILE PHOTO: vERN UyETAKE
Receiver Chase Clark looks to be a key target for quarterback Eric Dungey on what is expected to be another explosive and high-scoring offense.
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