Indians welcome in Wildfires to open season

War Memorial Stadium will be decked out in orange and black tonight for the Marysville High Indians' 2010 opener, but the home faithful better not get used to it.

After tonight's game against Foresthill High, the Indians might as well change their mascot to 'Road Warriors.'

Cullen Meyer's squad hits the road for five straight games starting next week and won't be back in Marysville until Oct. 15, when they face off against bitter rival Lindhurst.

That makes tonight's inaugural game even more important according to Meyer. The fourth-year coach is 0-3 in season openers with the Indians.

"This is huge to get started on the right foot," Meyer said. "It would be nice to get off the schneid and get a win right off the bat."

Foresthill went 6-4 last season, but missed the school's first-ever postseason berth by one win. The Wildfires compete in Division VI of the Sac-Joaquin Section and have only played at the varsity level for six years.

Meyer said the Wildfires didn't scrimmage last week because several players are recovering from injuries.

The two teams exchanged game film last season and Meyer said Foresthill will operate primarily out of the pro set on offense.

Foresthill's biggest weapon is junior tailback Colton Rhone. As a sophomore in 2009, he averaged 100 yards per game on the ground and scored eight touchdowns.

"They're a smaller school, but I know they are going to be tough kids," Meyer said. "They're those scrappy, mountain kids that won't give up."

The Indians are hoping to bounce back from a 3-7 record last year after winning the school's first section championship in 2008.

All eyes will be on Marysville senior tailback Michael Barabin, who is playing for the first time since breaking his leg against Capital Christian last season. Barabin averaged 100 yards per game rushing last season and scored six times.

Meyer just wants to see his team make improvements every week and get out the early-season jitters tonight.

"You hope to just see improvements from the scrimmage," Meyer said. "Hopefully, we limit the missed assignments and mental breakdowns and ultimately win the game. It's a bonus if we can get all the kids some playing time."

In years past, non-league games provided schools with a tune-up for teams heading into the conference schedule, but to qualify for the playoffs this season, a team's total record is considered, not just league.

So although Meyer will be happy to see improvements, every game on the schedule counts toward a spot in the playoffs.

"Basically every game on the schedule is just as important as a (Golden Empire League) game," Meyer said.

And with road games at Wheatland and Sutter lying ahead in September, the Indians need all the momentum they can get.

"(Foresthill) is going to come in here ready to play," Meyer said. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.