Home and Away

Former South Salem footballer schedules games between Saxons and Liberty HS of Washington

Former South Salem football player Steve Valach was a second team all-league defensive back his senior year in 1983.  He later went on to play for Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, and was part of the Lutes’ 1987 National Championship Team under celebrated coach Frosty Westering.  He has since become a very successful football coach in his 23 years (and counting) at Liberty High School in Renton, Washington—a five-time King County 3A Coach of the year, who twice advanced his squad to the state championship game.

Liberty High School Football Coach Steve Valach

But there is one more thing Steve Valach wants to do before his storied football career comes to an end—and he finally has it on his calendar.  Valach has scheduled a home and away football matchup with South Salem High School.  South travels to Renton, Washington for a game on September third. Then Valach and the Patriot football team comes to South to open the 2023 season.

But why—with worrisome inflation and sky-high gasoline prices—would anybody want to travel more than 200 miles and spend thousands of dollars to play this match up?

In a word: nostalgia.

For Steve Valach, South Salem High School football was a defining period of his life.  In our interview, Valach went through a long list of former Saxon coaches who helped to shape his life, beginning of course, with head coach Dave Johnson. Although Johnson didn’t bring home a state title for the Saxons, he was an all-state player for the Saxons in 1963, and then went on to play for the Beavers at Oregon State University.  After coaching for a time at rival Lebanon High, Johnson returned to South and directed the Saxons to three consecutive state football semi-final appearances in 1981-82-83.  He then became the Saxons’ Athletic Director—and in 2015, was honored to have his jersey number (23) retired by the school.

But it wasn’t all those accolades that Valach remembers about Johnson.  True, Steve was part of the 1983 team—a fourth seed, no less—that advanced to the state semis that season.  But what he recalls even more was the culture of caring that Johnson cultivated during practices and on the sidelines at South Salem.

“I have such positive remembrances of my time with Dave Johnson (and his staff) at South,” recalls the 56-year-old Valach with a decided smile in his voice.  “They were all transformational coaches for kids.”

And they were transformational in the way they encouraged their players to be their best and to take advantage of their opportunities on the field.  Heady stuff for an impressionable teen.

And a big part of the Saxon experience: the home field itself.

“I loved the experience at Bennett Field… with no track, the fans are right on top of the action, and the home team has a big advantage.”

“It is a very unique environment.”

So unique that Steve took his sons to South one off-season to get on the field and take a photo or two in front of the Columbia Blue and Red scoreboard.

Bennett Field and Caldarazzo Stadium

Bennett Field—and Caldarazzo Stadium are unlike most football settings anywhere.  The stands are right on top of the field (as Valach mentioned), and South Salem High itself encircles the entire facility.  Replacing the traditional grass field with field turf (the second install completed this spring) did nothing to change the atmosphere.  The tight quarters make for an intimate setting, something Valach wants his Liberty team to experience.  And he is glad to work out all the details with current Saxon coach Scott Dufault—who played his high school ball at “hated rival,” Lebanon High.

Coaches Steve Valach (left) and Scott Dufault

“I am really excited for it.  I don’t know Scott very well, but if you aren’t about the right things, you won’t last very long… and he has been around for a long time,” says Valach.

“He (Dufault) is the right kind of guy to lead my alma mater.  It should be competitive between the two of us.”

South Salem is still in the process of raising funds for their road trip to Renton.  Costs are estimated at ten thousand dollars, and some deep pocket boosters have stepped forward to get the ball rolling.  But more financial support is needed.  Those wanting to help can simply go to this link and donate here. 

All proceeds raised will go to transportation, meals and lodging.  Valach says that classes will already be in session in Washington State, but that Liberty High will be making arrangements for both teams to spend time together after the game on that Saturday.

There should be some fun football being played to open the next two seasons for South Salem High. Good luck to the Saxons and the Liberty Patriots.