Bits & Pieces-Pre Veteran’s Day Edition
Local Cross Country stars at state, North football stands alone, more
Welcome to an overdue edition of Bits and Pieces. This item is dedicated to other sports item with fewer quotes and details, but still worthwhile in terms of coverage.
Oregon Prep Cross Country Championships
This past weekend focused on Oregon’s prep cross country participants, as the best from across Oregon gathered at Lane Community College in Eugene for the annual championship run for all levels. The Salem-Keizer area has reason to be excited about the outcome—with an individual state champion on the boy’s side, and two underclassmen finishing in the top ten for the girls.
Jack Meier of West Salem nabbed the big trophy Saturday, leading the 6A field with a 15:23.7, nearly 37 seconds ahead of the second-place runner. Last year as a junior, Meier finished in fourth place. He has spent some of his running time in Idaho and California, competing against some of the nation’s top runners. Franklin High of Portland took home the first place 6A team trophy; West Salem finished sixth as a team.
On the girls’ side of the 6A competition, two sophomores from Salem finished in the top ten on Saturday. North Salem’ Nelida Dalgas finished in third in a time of 18:23.6 and Avery Meier, the sister of 6A boys champion Jack Meier, finished eighth for the Titans, with an official time of 18.35.1. The West Salem Titans were the highest team finisher from Salem, in 12th place. Jesuit won the girls team title, paced by junior Emma Bennett’s first place finish in 18:00.02.
Football in-game fight decision made
The Oregon School Activities Association has ruled in the playoff football that was suspended halfway through the second quarter due to potential fights breaking out on the field of play. The OSAA ruled that South Medford—which was leading 34-0 at the time—is the winner of the game involving SM and Jefferson of Portland.
With the issue settled, South Medford moves on to host North Salem in the Columbia Cup (consolation) bracket. The quarterfinal game between the Panthers and the Vikings is set to kickoff at 6:00 pm on Friday at Medford’s Spiegelberg Stadium.
One potential problem for South Medford is the fall-out from the squaring off of players against one another in the Jefferson game. Under high school football rules, any players improperly leaving or entering the field of play, are subject to suspension. School administrators are reviewing video to determine who violated the post-game protocols for fighting. That means South Medford may lose some players for the North Salem game due to improper contact or an attempt to make contact with Jefferson HS competitors last week. The investigation is ongoing. Stay tuned.
Lots of local prep football left-at the lower levels
The OSAA Football Championships continue this week, but without any Salem-Keizer teams still in the 6A hunt. South Salem, North Medford and Sheldon all lost in week one. At the 5A level, McKay is done after falling short in round one to Hillsboro. Only the previously mentioned North Salem Vikings remain in a bracket—competing for the Columbia Cup championship.
Other local teams still alive in their respective brackets are: Silverton, #2 at the 5A level, hosts Mid Willamette rival West Albany in the quarterfinals this coming Friday at 7:00 pm; #12 Cascade has reached the 4A quarterfinals with a resounding 32-8 win over fifth-rated Tillamook. The Cougars travel north this Friday to play fourth-rated Scappoose. Start time is 7:00 pm.
There are no mid-Valley teams still alive at the 3A level, but Gervais and Regis of Stayton are in the 2A quarterfinals.
#10 Gervais won its first playoff game since 1951 last Friday, downing Toledo 24-12. The Cougars travel south to Sutherlin High School to face Oakland—ranked second in the 2A bracket. That matchup is slated for 7:00 pm Friday—again, at Sutherlin High School.
#4 Regis of Stayton, still undefeated on the year—hosts #5 Heppner in their quarterfinal contest. That game begins Saturday at 1:00 pm at Regis HS.
At the 1A level, two local eight-man powers are in the upper level of the Eight Man championship bracket.
#8 Perrydale, east of Salem, takes a very long drive south—to top-seeded Lost River High School (south of Klamath Falls) for a Saturday game scheduled to kickoff at 12 noon.
Marion County’s own St. Paul High School—ranked fifth—has an elite eight game on the road—traveling out to State Highway 82 in Union County to face fourth-seed Imbler. That contest begins at 1:00 pm Saturday.
A lot of football to watch. If you have extra time, and enjoy the rugged landscape of Eastern Oregon—check out a 1A contest.
Worth a late mention
Future high school footballers normally play at younger ages to learn the game basics. One of those younger age alternatives is Salem-Keizer Middle School Football.
The championship bracket was played over the course of a week. Last Wednesday, the Title Contest was played Wednesday Night at McNary High in Keizer.
The winners—for a fourth straight year—were the Parrish Pioneers, Salem’s smallest Middle School. Parrish defeated Leslie, 22-6.
Parrish Coach Lenin Espitia says the feat is amazing for a school that is the smallest in the district, and has an even smaller practice field for the team.
Congrats to the Big Red Machine.
Go VIKS. Great Job Parrish Middle School Jr. Hi Football Champs. I have a pearl or two for you young student athlete Football players. In the mdi to late 1900's the Salem Middle Schools that feed into North Sale High School had some outstanding players and Middel School team championships, in all three major spots. The future for NS High School looked very bright. Unfortunately, a number of issues took root: Selflishness, Poor work ethics, not being coachable, not supportive of follow team members, not allowing leadership to lead, quitting and making poor choices that affected not just the individual athlete but the team as a hole. Do not let these same issues take root. Be coachable, work hard , do not blame others, be leaders, support each other, help each other make the right choices, respect your coaches and each other. Go Viks