By Bruce Campbell, Staff Writer

Timberlake has a distinction that may be unique among high school football teams in the state.

The Tigers have not lost an opening game since Helena-Goltry and Jet-Nash consolidated to form the district at the start of the 1993 season.

Timberlake, 12-1 last season, will go for No. 17 in a row Friday when the Tigers host Alfalfa County rival Cherokee.

“We don’t say a lot about it, but we want to keep that streak,’’ said Timberlake coach Brian Severin. “We take a lot of pride in that.’’

Severin attributed the streak to the Tigers’ work ethic.

“They are always going to be in shape,’’ Severin said. “When you have an extra two or three weeks to prepare, it’s always going to help you out.’’

Timberlake beat Cherokee 72-22 a year ago but Severin said the Chiefs are much improved from last year. When Timberlake and Cherokee play, one throws out the record books anyway.

“It’s a rivalry game,’’ Severin said. “You don’t want to lose to somebody that close to you because you have to listen to it for a year.’’

Timberlake returns nine players with starting experience. The Tigers are ranked No. 2 in the polls.

“We’re going to take it one week at a time,’’ Severin said. “Our goal is to get better every week. We thought we were pretty good last year until we played (state champion) Shattuck (which beat the Tigers 38-8).’’

The Tigers have been challenged in the preseason with scrimmages against Class B state finalists Laverne and Garber.

Timberlake scored once against Laverne while allowing a touchdown. At a multi-team scrimmage at DCLA last week, Timberlake scored against Garber and didn’t allow a touchdown.

“I don’t know if (Garber coach) Mark (Harmon) had his starters in,’’ Severin said, “but I was pleased with how we did against both of them. I think one of those two will win Class B.’’

The defense showed improvement at DCLA, Severin said.

“We’re still a little rusty,’’ Severin said.

One player who didn’t need work on his conditioning was center-nose guard James Griffin, who spent his summer in basic training with the National Guard.

“He lost a few pounds, but not like I was afraid he might,’’ Severin said. “He can do the sprints with the best of them now. He came back in excellent shape.’’

Griffin gives the Tigers some quickness at nose guard. He solidifies the offensive line at center.

“We were able to move some people around and basically get everybody where we want them,’’ Severin said. “We’re ready to get started.’’

Logan Campbell, a fullback last season, has been move to guard. Gage Boehm is at the other guard.

Severin feels better about the Tigers’ depth in the offensive and defensive lines. That was his main concern in the preseason.

Campbell took the move with a positive attitude, Severin said.

“We’re trying to get our best eight players on the field,’’ he said. “When I talked to him about it, Logan was all for it because it was his best chance to play.’’

Campbell and senior Andrew Crane have stepped up at defensive end, Severin said.

Johnny Ketterman, who rushed for 1,160 yards last season, was back in the lineup Friday after missing the Laverne scrimmage because of sore legs.

Quarterback Jake Bowers, who passed for more than 1,500 yards and ran for more than 800 yards last season, has had a solid preseason, Severin said.

“I have no complaints there,’’ he said. “We need some work on our passing game but that takes longer to get down.’’

Fullback-linebacker Trevor Ross, who had 137 tackles as a junior, has stood out in the preseason.

Cornerbacks sophomore Stetson Buller and senior Austin Reuss have shown improvement.

Besides the rivalry and the opening-game winning streak, the Cherokee game will offer Timberlake a chance for some momentum before opening the District C-3 season with Medford Sept. 11.

“You have to be focused every week,’’ Severin said.