Marshfield is in just the second week of the Midwestern League season, but already the Pirates' backs are against the wall.

Willamette pays a visit to Pete Susick Stadium this week, the annual time when nearly all games are on Thursday because of a statewide inservice day on Friday.

The Pirates will try to bounce back from last week's 32-29 loss at Churchill in the league opener. Willamette, meanwhile, beat Springfield 21-17, rebounding from a 17-7 deficit.

Marshfield is facing not just the short week, but also the emotional strain of a death close to the program last week.

The Pirates learned moments before Friday's loss to Churchill of the death of Josh Messerle, a former player and cousin of current Marshfield player Will Messerle. Most of the team members attended Josh Messerle's memorial service on Tuesday and Wigle hopes the team has started the healing process from that emotional loss in time for this week's game.

“It's been a tough four or five days for the team emotionally,” Wigle said.

That is compounded by what is expected to be a tough challenge from Willamette, a team riding a three-game win streak.

“It's so important how we play because we're playing a team that's really improving and has some good people,” Wigle said. “They had to come back from being down 17-7 (to Springfield), so they have a lot of positive things going for them right now.”

Willamette also has good weapons, led by quarterback Travis Woodke and sophomore tailback Craig Loper. The Wolverines' line is anchored by Nich Torres, a 6-foot-5-inch, 295-pound player who is a talented lineman, Wigle said.

Throw in first-year head coach Dan Fritz, a veteran of the Willamette program and the Midwestern League, and Wigle expects a challenge.

“We're going to have our hands full,” he said.

The plus for the Pirates is the setting.

Having the contest at Pete Susick Stadium is a plus, especially “when you might be a little tired, both emotionally and physically,” Wigle said.

“The fact that we have three of our last four at home has got to be to our benefit.”

Marshfield easily could have entered Thursday's game 1-0 in league, but Churchill scored on a couple of plays off turnovers and also had a great performance from quarterback Andrew Schumacher down the stretch, when the Lancers were trying to run out the clock.

“Everything that could go wrong did,” Wigle said. “We got no pressure on (Schumacher). We knew going in we needed to. Probably part of the problem was we weren't emotional.”

Marshfield will focus this week on playing with emotion and energy and pressuring the Wolverines and Woodke.

“There's no doubt,” Wigle said. “We've got to.”

The Pirates also will try to build on the few positives they had against Churchill.

“We made some big plays in the ballgame,” Wigle said. “I think (defensive back) Shane Truman played very well. He made some good plays in the open field.”

Will Messerle had an interception for the Pirates.

“They're a pretty good football team,” Wigle said. “To play them 32-29, you've got to do some good things.”

Notes: Because the game is Thursday, Marshfield switched its weekly schedule, with a walkthrough and conditioning on Sunday and workouts in pads on Monday and Tuesday. The benefit of the short week is an extra break for the coaches and players this weekend. The team will watch film Thursday night after the game and then have the entire weekend off.