Ready, set... GO! Prep football is here.
Here is a preview of week one games involving Salem-Keizer schools
It has finally arrived—the start of the 2022 Oregon High School Football Season. The pandemic is in the rearview mirror, and both teams and coaches are ready to move forward. Here is a preview of opening games for Salem’s 5A and 6A teams:
North Salem at Roosevelt (Thur): Last season, North Salem opened the year with a 48-28 home win vs. the Roughriders and their versatile quarterback, Imarion Kelly. Kelly has graduated from Roosevelt, while the Vikings have back most of their skill players—including juniors TC Malamaleuna (QB) and Josiah Davis (RB), both a year older and wiser. If North can avoid injuries and maintain strong line play on both sides of the ball, they can start the season 1-0 again this year.
Lebanon at McKay: McKay is coming off a groundbreaking year under coach Brandis Piper—a 4-6 record and a 5A playoff appearance, where they lost to eventual state champion Silverton. The Scots only lost six seniors to graduation, and are looking to improve on last year’s success. Standing in their way are the Lebanon Warriors—coached by former North Salem defensive coordinator Troy Walker. Lebanon also finished with a 4-6 record last season, with a first-round playoff loss. The Warriors sport a monstrous-sized offensive and defensive front this season. McKay’s task is difficult and obvious: control the line of scrimmage to allow Scot running backs to break a big run or two and to keep the rush away from quarterback Kyrin Fuinaono. Should be an interesting chess match at McKay.
McNary at Lakeridge: McNary is young and developing under first year coach Connor Astley. Lakeridge also has plenty of holes to fill on both sides of the ball after losing 13 all-conference selections. But the Pacers do have lights-out receiver Joey Olsen, a 6-5 specimen who is considered one of the nation’s best at the position, after averaging 26 yards a catch as a sophomore last season. Can the Celtics—who made an impressive defensive showing at their jamboree--limit Olsen’s touches for Lakeridge? Can the Celts also generate some offense behind the direction of new quarterback Jackson Alt and the receiving corps led by Gage Smedema? Stay tuned.
West Salem at Sherwood: In last year’s 6A playoffs, Sherwood surged to a big early lead before the host Titans rallied late to make it close, before falling 35-27 to the Bowmen. Sherwood returns most of its players from 2021’s Cinderella team, while West Salem is looking to reload with a whole new cast of characters, including sophomore quarterback Kaiden Matiriano and transfer senior receiver Braiden Copeland. Ought to be an interesting contest on the road for West.
Sprague at Liberty: Both the Olys and the Falcons have some stars to replace, but they also have some key components to build upon this season. Liberty features offensive lineman of the year Ryan Berger, back for his senior year—while Sprague counters with the versatile Drew Rodriguez—a four-way all-conference honoree as a junior who has committed to play at Colorado State next fall. Both coaches have heaped praise on their teams for their work ethic and chemistry on and off the field. Sprague coach Jay Minyard says senior Will Hassoun and junior transfer Athan Palmateer will split time at quarterback for the Olympians. Could be quite the game at Liberty High School.
South Salem at Liberty (WA): The Saxons play Saturday in the Seattle area against a team coached by former Saxon player Steve Valach (read the story here). Liberty has been a perennial playoff powerhouse in Washington, while South Salem returns plenty of players from last year’s young playoff team. It might be quite the dog fight. NOTE: Liberty runs the rarely-seen and highly deceptive fly offense. South Salem’s coaching staff includes former Willamette University players who ran that same offense under former Willamette coach Mark Speckman.