By STUART GROSKREUTZ
September 22, 2011

The Stillwater football team will try to bounce back from a lop-sided loss to Cretin-Derham Hall when it travels to Forest Lake for a Suburban East Conference game on Friday. The Rangers (1-2) were defeated by White Bear Lake 35-26 in Week 3. The Ponies (2-1) ran past Forest Lake 34-6 a year ago, but the Rangers are loaded with experienced players under first-year head coach Paul Kendrick. Stillwater has won two in a row against the Rangers and leads the all-time series 17-7 dating back to 1938.

"They have a very experienced team back from last year," Ponies coach Beau LaBore said. "They always play tough at home, too. This is a big week for them playing at home and it's a big week for us to bounce back from the Cretin game."

Forest Lake has scored points in bunches this season, including 53 during a season-opening victory over Park and the Rangers rank second in the conference with 686 passing yards in three games. Quarterback JT Jurasin leads the option attack while carrying 38 times for 316 yards (8.3 avg.) and four touchdowns. Only White Bear Lake (151) has thrown for fewer passing yards than Forest Lake (186) among conference teams, with Jurasin connecting on just 11 of 40 throws (27.5 percent). The Rangers bank on skill players such as versatile Tommy Tyson, one of the fastest players in the state who has racked up 118 yards and four touchdowns on 24 attempts (4.9 avg.). Jake LaNasa has carried just 14 times for 108 yards (7.7 avg.). Dan Johnson leads the Rangers with five catches for 80 yards (16.0 avg.). Tyson is a dangerous three-way player as he has also returned an interception for a touchdown and has a 78-yard kick-off return for a touchdown.

"They are very explosive on offense," LaBore said. "They've got an offensive line that gets a good push and they have a quarterback, wingback and fullback with exceptional speed. They're running a lot of option, both under center and out of shotgun, and they'll throw it. Tyson is one of the fastest 100-meter guys in the state and he is also a punt and kick returner so you can't make a mistake or he's going to make you pay."

Stillwater not only endured a deflating loss to the Raiders last week, but also watched quarterback Nate Ricci go down with a sprained ankle. The dual-threat junior, who ranks third in the conference with 509 all-purpose yards, is not expected to play this week and junior Aaron Romportl is expected to take the snaps. Romportl isn't as much a running threat as Ricci - few are - but he moves well and features a strong arm.

"We don't have the running back threat at quarterback, but he's got a stronger arm so there's some things that he does nicely that will benefit us," LaBore said.

The Ponies, who struggled on offense against Cretin-Derham Hall, feature running back Nick Anderson with 208 yards on 47 rushes (4.4 avg.). Top receiving threats for the Ponies include Joshua Weess with seven catches for 122 yards (17.4 avg.) and two touchdowns and Charlie Register with seven receptions for 99 yards (14.1 avg.) and two touchdowns.

Stillwater ranks fourth in the conference in total offense at 294.3 yards per game and is fifth while allowing 257 yards per game on defense. The Rangers, meanwhile, are averaging 290.7 yards per game on offense while giving up 391.7 yards on defense.

"Our guys have been exposed to what it takes to win a conference title two years in a row and they had to deal with a similar situation last year when they lost to Mounds View," LaBore said. "They knew they had to dwell on what didn't happen and what they can do about it. They have been outstanding in practice (this week) and worked really hard."