A battle which may go a long way to determine who represents the Intermountain Conference in the State Playoffs is on the horizon as the #17 Bend Lava Bears (3-1) travel to Redmond to face the #18 Redmond Panthers (4-0) on Friday (Oct 3).
The Lava Bears are bringing a rugged ground game featuring Sr. RB Hunter McDonald (6-1/200), who scored 3 of the Lava Bear’s 4 TD’s against Pendleton last Friday (2-2), while running for 205 yards.
He is not shy about sharing credit for that performance with his offensive line, “Our line men really stepped up“.
On the defensive side of the ball, CB Christian Johnson played shut-down ball, earning a “Bear” last Friday, (the internal awards coach Matt Craven gives the players for an outstanding performance) as the Defensive Player of the Game.
LB/G Cade Foissett says the have their work cut out for them facing the Panthers, “It is just getting ready for that offense, it is an unorthodox offense for sure.”
http://youtu.be/LeP4zbnn4VQ
The Redmond Panthers are the only undefeated team in the IMC, boasting a 4-0 record, but because other teams have played a tougher non-conference schedule, #15 Summit (3-1), #16 Ridgeview (3-1) and Bend slightly outrank them in the OSAA rankings.
The Panthers are one of 6 teams left in 5A who do not have a loss on their record yet, along with Silverton, Hermiston, Ashland, Hillsboro and Parkrose.
Their high powered offense is tied with Molalla for most total points through the first 4 games with 228, averaging 55.2 points a game.
http://youtu.be/1zc5DcODIjI
Last week was their closest contest of the year, when they defeated Hood River Valley (1-3) 49-27. The week before theY blew out The Dalles (0-4) at home 61-0.
This game looks to be Redmond’s biggest challenge so far this year, and should be a good test for the Lava Bear’s defense.
WATCH Redmond vs. Bend with LIVE streaming videeo at PlayActionSportsMedia.com at 6:30pm.
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