Injuries will impact California's offensive line tonight vs. So. Boone

California's Adrian Contreras (12) and Gabe Bailey (55) move in to tackle Hallsville's Cooper Crane during last Friday's game at Hallsville.

CALIFORNIA - The California Pintos are going to be facing a tough opponent in the Southern Boone Eagles this week.

Southern Boone (5-2), ranked No. 9 in Class 3 in this week's Missouri Media Rankings, is coming off a 56-17 loss last Friday at home against Blair Oaks, ranked No. 2 in Class 2.

California (0-7) is coming off of a 49-0 loss to Hallsville last week. The Pintos lost three offensive linemen to injuries during the game.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

California coach Mikel Gragg said it is still to be determined how the offensive line will look tonight.

"We will go through today's practice and see who comes out of practice and see where our starting line is after the injuries," Gragg said Wednesday.

Gragg said California is playing a lot of younger players and is trying to get them experience so they can get the ball out of the backfield quicker.

The Pintos will face a tough Southern Boone defense led by linebacker Brett Stanfield, who has 77 total tackles and 28 solo tackles, and linebacker Parker Boyce, who has 51 tackles and three tackles for a loss.

Defensive back Blake Dapkus leads the team with three interceptions.

Heading into the game, Gragg said Southern Boone runs the ball well out of their spread offense.

"They also do a pretty good job of throwing the ball when they need to," he said. "They are a really tough team, they are really well coached. They don't make a lot of mistakes and they don't turn the ball over."

Southern Boone's rushing game is led by Colby Phillips, who has 767 yards on 72 carries and 10 touchdowns. He has also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.

Quarterback Sam Stichnote has rushed for 573 yards and 10 touchdowns on 78 carries. At times, Stichnote plays running back or wide receiver.

When it comes to the passing game, Stichnote is 34-of-62 passing with 529 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions this year.

How the young players do will be a key to the game for the Pintos.

"For us, it will be our young guys playing well, stepping up in starting roles that they are not used to," Gragg said. "For our older guys that are still there, (it's their time) to step up into some leadership roles and really take direction this week."

Even with the younger players getting the starting roles, Gragg said the Pintos are not changing much on offense.

"Last week we had two young running backs available for us and moving into this week we are still in the same situation so it is not going to change a whole lot," he said. "Offensive line-wise, it is like we told them, 'This is our offense and this is going to be our offense so we are not going to try to change a whole lot.'"

On defense, Gragg said the Pintos are going to have to stop the run.

"If we can make them have to throw the football, it is a better matchup for us this week," he said. "We are going to focus on stopping their running game."