Whits’ Green Returns Qb Recovered From Illness, Could Start Vs. Simon Fraser

Whitworth College’s senior quarterback J.J. Green has been given medical clearance to play this week against Simon Fraser as the Pirates prepare for their homecoming game Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

Green missed the last two games because of mononucleosis, games Whitworth lost after a season-opening 21-17 road victory over Eastern Oregon State.

After Green went down, first-year freshman Josh Parbon assumed the starting role. In the two games without Green, the Pirates were outscored 63-17. Central Washington beat them 27-10 and Western Washington won 36-7.

Whitworth (2-2) is clearly in need of offense.

Green will have to wait until late today to find out what coach John Tully’s plans are.

“I’ve been getting repetitions as the starter this week,” Green said. “I feel good. I feel like I’m ready to play, but obviously I’m not the one who makes that decision.”

While Green’s return may be a blessing, the Pirates defense suffered a significant loss when starting sophomore nose tackle Terry Borders was carted off the field with a lower leg injury against Western last Saturday. Green will be out indefinitely.

As for Simon Fraser, the Clansmen (1-3) picked up their first win of the season last week with a 27-14 home victory over Puget Sound.

Junior quarterback Trevor Martin led the Clansmen by completing 21 of 33 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He also ran for a score.

Martin’s primary target was sophomore wide receiver Steve Hamer-Jackson, who caught both touchdown throws and had 10 receptions for 160 yards.

Whitworth won last year’s battle, also played at the Pine Bowl, by a score of 22-20.

Unbeatens play

In the Columbia Football Association game of the week, No. 1 Linfield (3-0) plays host to No. 4 Western Washington (3-0) at McMinnville, Ore., on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

Last week, Linfield rallied from a 17-14 fourth-quarter deficit against Eastern Oregon to earn a 35-17 road win. The Wildcats have come from behind in all three of their victories.

The last time the two teams met, Western won 21-2 at Linfield in a first-round national playoff game. Linfield won the 1994 regular-season meeting at Bellingham, 25-12.

, DataTimes