ROBIN HILL: Former Sprague High School football coach Robin Hill has gotten the upper hand in his long battle with cancer. His wife, Karen, reports that the immunotherapy (Car-T) appears to be initially successful after 30 days. Tumors have been shrinking and some are completely gone from his body.
“Robin is feeling better and stronger every day,” says Karen Hill.
“He is getting out and walking and we have even ventured out for a lunch or two.”
Hill began his initial fight against the cancer in his throat and mid-section in the fall of 2021, using conventional chemo therapy. The tumors shrank, but returned to their original size in the winter. In March, the new therapy’s battle against the so-called Double Hit Lymphoma began in Portland.
The next scan for Robin Hill will occur in 60 days. Lots of prayers coming your way, Coach.
SIMON THOMPSON: Former West Salem football and track standout Simon Thompson has returned to the state of Oregon to compete locally. Thompson had been at Utah State the last two years, but is now enrolled at Western Oregon, where he is listed as linebacker for the Wolves.
Thompson spent two seasons at Utah State, where he redshirted his freshman year and did not appear in any games for the Aggies his sophomore season.
In 2018, Thompson was a first team All-Mountain Valley Conference quarterback at West Salem, throwing for over 2400 yards and 30 touchdowns and just twelve interceptions, including a seven TD passing performance against Bend. Thompson was also a top track athlete, winning the 110 meter hurdles to help propel the Titans to the 2017 6A Boys Track and Field title.
AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL: The highest level of American Legion baseball—AAA Legion Baseball—begins its State Tournament this weekend at Roseburg’s storied Legion Field. The Withnell Dodgers of Salem—featuring players primarily from Sprague and South Salem High Schools—received an automatic bid and will open play at 4:00 pm on Saturday, July 23rd against a team to be determined. Other local teams still in the running for a tournament berth include Post 20—with players from Dallas, West Salem, McMinnville, and Central of Independence—and Post 58, which includes participants from Cascade High (Turner), Santiam High (Mill City), Silverton, and Stayton. Play-in games for those two teams are slated for Friday.
OREGON PREP FOOTBALL: Oregon’s high school football teams have a short break for the rest of July and the first half of August. The first practice day allowed by the OSAA is Monday, August 15. Many local teams will have summer camps beginning on that day. Jamborees featuring limited contact between schools can begin on August 25. The earliest date for games is Thursday, September 1. Locally, North Salem will travel to Roosevelt of Portland on that first day to open their schedule. Other Salem-Keizer 6A teams begin play on Friday, September 2. Five of Salem-Keizer’s High Schools (North Salem, McNary, Sprague, South Salem, West Salem) will be competing in a hybrid conference known as Special District One. The other five teams—Grants Pass, North Medford, Roseburg, Sheldon, and South Medford—round out the Special District list. Of note: the first round of the 5A and 6A playoffs will have to compete with Pac-12 football this year. Friday, November fourth—Oregon State travels to Washington for their league contest at 7:30 that night.