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Register-Guard Game of the Week: Can winless Willamette football beat No. 4 Springfield?

edith noriega, eugene register-guard
·2 min read

Each week throughout the 2023 high school football season, The Register-Guard will highlight a local game of the week.

Week 7 features a Class 5A matchup with the Springfield Millers hosting the Willamette Wolverines at 7 p.m. Friday. The Millers sit in second in the Special District 2 standings at 5-1 overall and 3-1 in league play.

No. 4 OSAA-ranked Springfield is coming off a 21-8 win against Churchill. The Wolverines are in the hunt for their first win of the season at 0-6 overall and 0-4 in league play.

Here's what you need to know about Friday night's game.

Springfield quarterback Zach Sherman looks to pass as the No. 1 Springfield Millers host Thurston on Sept. 29 at Springfield High School.
Springfield quarterback Zach Sherman looks to pass as the No. 1 Springfield Millers host Thurston on Sept. 29 at Springfield High School.

Springfield continues to be a threat

Springfield head coach Frank Geske said he believes the Millers improved their run defense following the win against Churchill last week.

"Our running game is at a different level too when they start figuring things out like they did a little bit last week," Geske said. "Fewer unblocked guys by scheme means fewer hits on the line of scrimmage on Connor (Dye) and Zack (Sherman) and that's what started to show."

Springfield will be led by Sherman at quarterback and Dye at running back.

Willamette punter Travis Grantom tries to shed a tackler in a home game against the Reynolds Raiders Sept. 1.
Willamette punter Travis Grantom tries to shed a tackler in a home game against the Reynolds Raiders Sept. 1.

Willamette hungry for first win

Willamette head coach Kevin Leonard said a number of his players are dealing with flu symptoms and injuries ahead of Friday's game.

Despite that, the Wolverines have kept their spirits positive throughout the first six weeks of the season.

"I can tell you we're still a solid family that's trying and fighting with each other every week, and that's pretty much what I can ask from our team," Leonard said. "I asked them to play hard, play together and never quit."

Top Wolverines include Travis Grantom who Leonard said "averages 12 to 15 tackles per game" as well as a trio of quarterbacks.

"If we stay on the right track, continue playing together and continue working our butts off, I believe a win is going to come," Leonard said. "Friday night would be a great time for it to start."

Edith Noriega is a sports reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at ENoriega@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter at @Noriega_Edith.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: OSAA high school football: Willamette faces No. 4 Springfield