Photo by Mike Albright

You may want to get there early to grab a good seat for what looks like a battle for the Intermountain Conference, when the only two unbeaten IMC teams face off on Friday night at Summit High School at 7pm.

Summit, which started the season with a 42-14 loss at Class 6A Clackamas, has won four in a row and is 3-0 in IMC play. Bend is one of just four undefeated teams in all of Class 5A with a 5-0 record and is also 3-0 in the IMC.

The Storm have won the past three games, including a wild 17-14 game in 2013 that came down to the final play and ended in controversy. The last two games have not been close, with Summit pulling away. Bend had won the previous eight meetings before this streak and come in as one of the hottest teams in the state.

Some of the facts:
• Combined, they have beaten all the other IMC teams.
• Bend (211 points) is the second highest scoring Class 5A team behind Eagle Point (221).
• Summit is the 4th stingiest defense in 5A giving up 21.6 points per game.

Past Bend vs Summit Games
2015 – Summit 49, Bend 7
2014 – Summit 40, Bend 13
2013 – Summit 17, Bend 14
2012 – Bend 51, Summit 14
2011 – Bend 38, Summit 0
2010 – Bend 42, Summit 14
2009 – Bend 42, Summit 7
2008 – Bend 30, Summit 6
2007 – Bend 44, Summit 7
2006 – Bend 51, Summit 10
2005 – Bend 32, Summit 0
2004 – Summit 52, Bend 28

Summit’s Dawson Ruhl has emerged as candidate for state player of the year as a do it all running back who has even filled in at quarterback when the reigning Class 5A offensive player of the year John Bledsoe went down with an injury earlier this year. Bledsoe is back looks to cap off an impressive prep career before heading off to play football at Northern Arizona.

Bend is led offensively by one of the top running backs in 5A in Daniel Bazan. Quarterback Chase Lettenmaier and receiver Ryan Stanley have connected for over 300 yards and four of Lettenmaier’s nine touchdown passes.

Summit, which is ranked No. 1 in the latest OregonLive media poll in 2nd in the OSAA power rankings, just behind Wilsonville (5-0). Bend sits in 6th in the current power rankings.