The Battle for the Buttes

The anticipation has been building for months — since summer football camps and preseason practices to lopsided league victories this fall.

Tonight the wait is over. The Sutter vs. Wheatland game is finally here.

For years, the deeply rooted rivals have faced off with bragging rights being the wrapping paper for the true present of winning this matchup — the Butte View League title and a possible No. 1 playoff seed.

"This game means a lot to our program; to our community," Sutter coach Ryan Reynolds said. "You couldn't ask for a better scenario — two of the best teams in the area going head to head."

And for the last decade, it's been the Huskies who've celebrated — using their defeats of Wheatland as stepping stones to section titles and playoff runs.

The seniors of both teams were in third grade the last time the Pirates prevailed, when Wheatland's defense held strong to spoil Sutter's 1999 homecoming with a 28-12 victory.

So why is this one different? Why have extra bleachers been installed at Wheatland's John Sohrakoff Jr. Field in anticipation of an overflow crowd present for the 7:30 p.m. kickoff?

It's simple, this time around, the Pirates (8-1, 4-0 BVL) and Huskies (7-2, 4-0) are as closely matched as they've been in a long time. In Javier Lopez's seven years as Wheatland's head coach, he has never had a team better equipped to face the Huskies, he said.

"You're coming into the game with a great offense and a great defense," Lopez said. "It's just a great matchup."

One look at the stats will show just how good Wheatland's offense and Sutter's defense are. The Pirates habitually find the end zone and the Huskies habitually find themselves in their opponent's backfield.

Wheatland is averaging 42.3 points a game. Sutter is surrendering just 9.8 points.

To top the Huskies, the Pirates will need a strong performance from running back Derick Seward, who has 12 touchdowns as a reward for his BVL best 871 yards. The need for Seward, fellow tailback Lacarlis Moore and fullback Clint Johnson to perform is heightened by the loss of Pirates standout Vince Vetrone, who leads the team in touchdowns with 13 and is out after chipping a bone in his right foot.

"(Wheatland's) running attack is phenomenal; they're capable of breaking anytime," said Reynolds.

For Sutter, the chance to maintain the status quo of being on top will depend on how well its defense can stop the Pirates' attack. To accomplish that goal, Sutter will roll out with leaders like defensive end Austin Morehead (114 tackles) and linebacker Justin Taylor (86 tackles).

"I'll tell you what, our defense is very excited about getting an opportunity to play against these guys and show them what they're made of," Reynolds said.