Huskies on a mission

It's not easy attempting to go undefeated four straight years with a community, which holds the highest of expectations, peering down from the tall rigid bleachers of Gadberry Field at Sutter High.

However, this Huskies senior class is on pace, head coach Scott Turner has withstood the fans' scrutiny for 20 seasons and together they'll put it all on the line when they travel to Mesquite, Texas on Labor Day weekend.

Sutter will battle the Ferris High Yellow Jackets to open up its 2008 campaign on grounds where football is nearly a religion.

"I've been trying to get a game down in Texas for the past four years. That's just something I've always wanted to do," Turner said, "just to experience the whole 'Friday Night Lights' thing."

While the 'Friday Night Lights' experience is motivation enough for Turner and the Huskies, who will face Ferris Aug. 30 at 7 p.m., there's something else lingering in the back of every Husky fan's mind — a state title.

But Turner isn't thinking about that right now.

"The game certainly plays a part in (a state bid)," Turner said. "But it's not necessarily the reason why we're going down there."

Sutter's biggest challenge may actually be at home on Sept. 20 when they face 2007 California Interscholastic Federation Div. III state runner-up Central Catholic, which fell to St. Bonaventure in the title game last season, 35-21, and finished with a 15-1 record.

Sutter also will travel to Eugene, Ore. this year to face North Valley High on Sept. 27.

The Huskies traveled to Eugene last season, where they defeated Central High of Independence, Ore., 41-21, at Autzen Stadium.

And while Autzen — home to the University of Oregon Ducks and widely considered one of the top college athletic facilities in the nation — won't be topped by the Ferris High stadium in Mesquite — everything in Texas is bigger.

"You have to take an elevator three floors just to get to the press box there," Turner said about Yellow Jacket Stadium. "They have a jumbotron with instant replay. We played at Autzen, that's one thing, but for a high school, this place is something else."

Ferris went 7-4 last season. Wins over the Yellow Jackets and Central Catholic, along with their decorated recent seasons, would certainly go a long way to getting the Huskies consideration the North's representative in the Division III title game against the top Southern California team following the end of the season.

But Turner, who knows it will likely take a perfect season for a Northern Section team to get the state invitation, wants to remain focused on their upcoming preseason game for now.

"I went down to Ferris a month ago and checked it out. They have a lot of team speed," Turner said. "It's a big deal for those guys and for us."

Since 2001, Sutter has three section titles and finished second twice. The senior class went 12-0 on the junior varsity team and freshman team, before going 12-0 last season.

"There's quite a bit of pressure on the team (Sutter), but they have a chance at it," Turner said. "The stakes are higher and the preseason is a tough thing. The rivalry teams are going to be tough. Games against Wheatland and Gridley — those guys are tough."

Fundraising and a little help from an assistant coach were key in making the trip happen.

"We happened to have a guy on staff (Matt Nelson) who is from Texas, and he has a couple of friends who are coaches down there. One of them is a coach at Ferris," Turner said.