With a crucial 49-14 Midwestern League win over North Eugene last week, the Marshfield football team put itself squarely back in playoff contention. The next two weeks will determine if the Pirates can stay there.

In order to realistically remain in the postseason hunt, 1-1 Marshfield needs to run the table for two games straight, starting against Willamette at home on Friday.

“Fortunately with the win last week we got ourselves in a position, that we’re in the playoff hunt. When that happens you’ve got to play with energy,” said Marshfield coach Kent Wigle. “It’s a huge ballgame. It’s a huge game for us and for them.”

The Wolverines began the season with a 4-0 record and a No. 5 ranking in the state. Willamette dropped out of the top 10, though, after opening the Midwestern season by getting stomped 55-0 by No. 2 Thurston and losing 33-22 to No. 8 Churchill, two 2-0 teams atop the league. Marshfield lost to Churchill 24-12 to start the Midwestern season before topping the Highlanders last week.

Willamette brings a dangerous rushing offense that features senior tailback Craig Loper, a second-team all-Midwestern League selection from 2007. Rafael Hidalgo has also been tough on the ground for the Wolverines.

Marshfield has been burned badly by fast backs this season — Criss Bowen of Grants Pass had two touchdown runs of 50-plus yards and Jefferson’s Marlon Miles ran for 302 yards against the Pirates — and Wigle said to avoid a similar fate the team just has to react better and tackle, plain and simple.

“We need to pursue really well,” said Wigle. “You’ve got to have people there, they will make you miss some tackles.”

Willamette also has an experienced quarterback in returning starter Spencer Phillips, who missed last week’s loss to Churchill.

Marshfield has most of its players back, although running back/linebacker Chris Thomas and lineman Jordan Chaplin still are out with injuries.

Backup quarterback/defensive back Geoff VanPulliam is still hurting from a high ankle sprain, and running back/defensive back Talo Silver is suffering from a hip flexor injury. Wigle said he’ll decide on game day if both players are good to go.

The Pirates will stick to their usual mix of pass and run, which worked well last week against the Highlanders, as Marshfield racked up 442 yards of offense.

If Marshfield can take down Willamette, it would put the Pirates at 2-1 and still in the driver’s seat with Springfield at home looming Oct. 24. If Marshfield wins out before ending the regular season on the road at Thurston Oct. 31, it would likely be enough to nab the third Midwestern playoff spot. That all starts with Willamette on Friday, though.

“You need to play one week at a time,” cautioned Wigle. “There’s that old coaching philosophy that’s really true in this case.”