IONE – The three-time defending state Class 1A champion Dufur Rangers find themselves in an unfamiliar role Friday evening – that of being the underdog as the number four team in the state coaches poll travels to Ione to meet the third-ranked Cardinals in one of the premier games of the season.

The Cardinals (3-0) have put 158 points on the scoreboard in three games on the strength of Andrew Rietmann’s rushing. The senior running back has rushed for 832 yards, averaging more than 13 yards a carry.

“This is the best start Andrew’s had,” Ione coach Dale Holland said. “We’ve always had another running back. Last year it was Brad Burright. This is his first year to be highlighted.”

The two teams had the opportunity to watch each other play earlier in the year at the Oregon 8-Man Classic held in Dufur, although both are pretty familiar with each other.

“They probably know everything about us and we probably know everything about them,” Holland said.

The Cardinals do know that in order to stop the Rangers, you have to stop Marshall Woods, a bruising 5-foot-9, 205-pound running back.

“He is tough,” Holland said of Woods. “He’s a big, strong player.”

Woods rushed for 169 yards and three touchdowns in Dufur’s 36-15 victory over Touchet, Wash., last week.

The Cardinals might have the personnel to slow Woods down, with a solid defensive front, anchored by Cayle Krebs, Cameron Krebs and Bill Gates. The Cardinals have allowed 88 points, many of which have come with the game already decided.

Holland believes the team that executes the best and plays solid, fundamental football will come out on top and the Cardinal players believe that team will be them.

“They’re feeling pretty good about the game,” Holland said.

In other Friday night games:

La Grande at Mac-Hi

The La Grande Tigers should enjoy returning to Class 3A after being manhandled by the Hermiston Bulldogs and the Pendleton Bucks the last two weeks, but will find the Pioneers a scrappy club fired up for their first home game of the season.

The Pioneers dropped a narrow decision to Enterprise in its first game, then were defeated 32-8 in Waitsburg, Wash., as the Cardinals rushed for more than 300 yards. Mac-Hi held Enterprise to minus yards rushing, so the play of the defensive front could be the difference in the contest.

The Tigers can move the ball on the ground, as evidenced by their 180 yards rushing in the loss to Hermiston.

Vale at Riverside

The Pirates may have surprised some people jumping out to a 2-1 record, although the Vikings may have turned a few heads themselves, out to a 3-0 start despite losing long-time coach Brice Gundlach to the Pendleton Bucks.

Riverside has had a tendency to play close games this year, winning its two games in overtime and losing 12-7 to Rainer.

The Pirates, which won just one game last year, have gotten solid play out of quarterback Brandon Beatty, Curtis Selez and Josh Kegler and will need more of the same to open conference play with a victory.

Weston-McEwen

at Pilot Rock

In this battle of 1-1 teams the difference may come down to turnovers. Pilot Rock committed five in its season-opening loss to Joseph then came back and played error-free ball in a 59-14 thumping of Union.

The TigerScots forced numerous turnovers by Elgin in their 31-6 victory over the Huskies and will look to do the same against the Rockets.

Rockets coach Troy Jerome has been pleased with the play of his linemen so far this season and they have the difficult task of containing Weston-McEwen’s Eric Delph, who has rushed for 281 yards in the TigerScots’ first two games.

Umatilla at Heppner

The Mustangs are sure to be in a foul mood following last week’s 49-0 loss to Amity. Heppner will look to return to its strong ground game, as the Mustangs rushed for more than 380 yards in their two victories to open the season.

The Vikings are looking for their first win of the season and will need a big game from quarterback Tony Villanueva Jr. to keep this one remotely close.

Turnovers proved costly to the Vikings last week, as Imbler scored seven touchdowns despite only gaining 297 total yards, thanks in part to a pair of fumbles and an interception.

Condon at Touchet, Wash.

The Blue Devils rebounded nicely from an opening-season setback to defeat Lyle, Wash., 56-18 last week behind David Bednar, who threw for a pair of touchdowns and ran for three more. Riley Anderson and Zack Lantis also scored two touchdowns apiece for Condon.

Touchet will need a big game from Whitney Burrowes, who helped his squad build a 15-14 halftime lead over Dufur last week, only to leave the game with muscle cramps in the third quarter. Dufur outscored Touchet 22-0 in the second half of the contest.

Arlington at Lyle, Wash.

Everyone agrees the Honkers are an improved team over a year ago and it has shown in both of their games this season. Arlington started the season with a solid 56-12 victory at Dayville and lost in the final minute against Cove, 20-14, last week.

Jeremy Rosenbalm, who rushed for 225 yards in the Honkers’ first game, was limited to 28 yards against the Leopards as he battled a groin injury throughout the contest. He did return a fumble 57 yards for a touchdown and had an 81-yard touchdown reception called back on a penalty, so a big performance isn’t out of the question.

Mike Sallee and Tyrel Proctor are also threats for the Honkers.