For the week of October 2 - 8, 2002

Friday's Wood 
River game

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Wood River (1-3, 0-1) at 
Declo (3-1, 1-0 league)

 

Time—7:00 Thursday, Oct. 3. Place—Declo.

Significance—Second weekend of Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference (SCIC) games. Basically, Wood River’s defense hasn’t been able to stop Declo’s running offense in the last two meetings of the teams. Declo has been unbeatable in the Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference 3A ranks after moving up from 2A starting in 2000, going 10-0 in league the last two seasons and outscoring its SCIC foes 436-159. However, the 30 points scored by Wood River against Declo last year were the most points scored in one league game against Declo in the last two years. Seventh-year Hornet coach Kelly Kidd (45-15) has never had a losing season at Declo—winning eight games and making the state playoffs each of the last four years. But Preston has eliminated Declo from the 3A grid playoffs two years running. And Declo, which last endured a losing season in 1995, has never won a state football championship.

Last week—Two-time defending SCIC champion Declo started its 2002 league quest on the right foot with a 49-13 win at Filer. Declo is led by the running of senior Terry Darrington, who rushed for 141 yards in a season-opening 20-6 home win over South Fremont, and 6-2, 200-pound QB Jordan Bagwell. In a 65-0 home rout of American Falls, Declo rushed for 463 yards. But the Hornets also lost a bitter one, 21-14 at Burley.

Coach Blackman’s comments about Declo—"Declo is huge—big and physical. On offense they come right at you using Bagwell, now their fullback, about 80% of the time. He’s an athlete. We’ll have to solidify our defense. As far as our offense goes, we’ll keep on doing what’s working, but we’ve still got to be able to throw the ball."

Last year—Declo (350 rushing yards) chewed up huge hunks of running yardage to turn a close 21-14 game into a 41-14 runaway midway through the third quarter in the final game played on the old Phil Homer Field. Wood River hung in there and tallied the final two TDs to make the score a more respectable 41-30 in favor of Declo. Declo’s Terry Darrington rushed for 130 yards and QB Jordan Bagwell rushed for 69 yards and added 71 passing yards. For Wood River, Dylan Welcome (87 yards rushing) had a 73-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.

Two years ago—Declo (638 total yards) never punted and celebrated its Homecoming with a 56-14 romp over Wood River. The Hornets led 24-0 with only 11 minutes gone and ended up with 9 TDs and 441 rushing yards (8.7 per carry). Leading WR were RB Josh Alstrom (97 yards rushing), QB Cory Goicoechea (14-for-19, 164 yards) and WR Max Paisley (9 catches for 104 yards). But the Wolverines gained only 116 yards on the ground.

History—Declo’s victories in the last two games played between the schools improved the Hornet advantage to 9-5-1 in the grid series. Wood River last win was in 1987, when the host Wolverines outgained Declo 503-201 and won 21-6.

Games last week—Buhl (3-1, 1-0) won its third consecutive game 63-0 over visiting Gooding (0-4, 0-1). Gooding was shutout for the third straight game and Buhl improved its scoring average to 36.8 ppg.

Other SCIC games this week—On Thursday, Buhl entertains Filer, and Kimberly travels to Gooding.

 

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