MEDFORD — It’s no surprise that the intensity has increased as the Roseburg Indians continue their undefeated run through the Southwest Conference this season.
The Tribe found itself tied with South Medford at halftime on Friday night at Spiegelberg Stadium, but Roseburg scored three times in the third quarter to pull ahead of the Panthers and held on for a 35-26 victory.
“We’re going to take a win down here. It’s been a while since we’ve had one down here,” said Roseburg coach Dave Heuberger. The win was Roseburg’s first against South Medford since 2010.
For a second consecutive week, Roseburg (7-0; 3-0 SWC) took an early lead, but had to fight of a fierce comeback attempt.
Colton Marsters capped off Roseburg’s opening drive with a four yard run to the end zone to give the Indians a 7-0 lead. Running back Knox Hubbard made it 14-0 with his first rushing touchdown later in the first quarter, but South Medford’s Carson Joe found paydirt before the opening period came to an end to get the Panthers within a score.
South Medford (1-6; 1-2 SWC) picked off Marsters to start the second quarter and set up the offense with a short field. Senior Brycen Guches scored the first of two rushing touchdowns to tie the game 14-14. Neither side managed to take the lead heading to the break.
“(We) haven’t seen a lot of adversity this year so 14-14 on the road, that’s adversity, and to see (the team) come out the way they did in the second half, I was pleased,” said Heuberger.
Roseburg started the second half with a pick of South’s back-up quarterback Colton Samis. The Panther’s usual starter, Deacon Edgar, was dressed for the game, but only saw the field as the holder on PATs.
The Indians turned the takeaway into points on a touchdown pass from Marsters to Logan Klopfenstein. Roseburg added two rushing touchdowns by Marsters to lead 35-14 heading to the fourth quarter.
The Panthers fought back to score twice in the fourth quarter, but the comeback effort fell short as time ran out.
“(Roseburg) had a really good third quarter and that was the difference in the game,” South Medford head coach Bill Singler said. “We had to play almost a perfect game to beat them and we didn’t.”
Marsters led Roseburg with 121 yards rushing and two touchdowns. He’s now seven yards away from reaching 1,000 for the season.
Sophomore Cayden Eckel ran for 118 yards in the first half before leaving the game with an ankle injury. He was replaced by Hubbard who had his biggest game of the season with 86 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns.
“He ran hard. He was a man on a mission. He threw us on his back there for a little bit,” Heuberger said about Hubbard’s performance. “He allowed us to control the ball for a little bit and get first downs.”
Samis ran for 71 yards on 12 carries and was 5-for-10 through the air for 89 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Roseburg outgained South Medford 403-263.
The Indians are now 7-0 for the first time since 2001. The Tribe will prepare to face Sheldon (6-1; 2-0 SWC) at 7 p.m. on Friday for the Southwest Conference championship at Finlay Field. The Irish stayed undefeated in conference play with a 37-35 win over North Medford.
“What a great evening that’s going to be of high school football,” said Heuberger. “Sheldon. Roseburg. For all the marbles. It’s our homecoming. It should be a fun night of high school football.”
Roseburg;14;0;21;0;—;35
S. Medford;7;7;0;12;—;26
First quarter
R — Marsters 4 run (Bartlett kick)
R — Hubbard 4 run (Bartlett kick)
S — Joe 7 run (Parker kick)
Second quarter
S — Guches 5 run (Parker kick)
Third quarter
R — Klopfenstein 14 pass from Marsters (Bartlett kick)
R — Hubbard 2 run (Bartlett kick)
R — Marsters 1 run (Bartlett kick)
Fourth quarter
S — Guches 4 run (Kick blocked)
S — Joe 24 pass from Samis (Try fail)
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1 Comment. Leave new
How exciting to see what Coach Heuberger has accomplished with these kids in the last few years. My youngest child graduated from Roseburg 5 years ago when my wife and I attended so many athletic events in support of our children and the school. It’s been quiet lately. But, it appears it is time again. We’ll be there next Friday. GO INDIANS!!!