The last week of 2023 regular season prep football
6A Special District One with some notable matchups ahead of the playoffs
Some teams have an eye on the post season already, while others are simply looking to end this 2023 Oregon prep football season on a positive note. Such is life when it comes to high school football everywhere. 6A Special District One (SD1) is no different. Here come brief overviews of the games and the potential impact each game has on their teams.
West Salem (4-4, 4-2 SD1) at Sheldon (6-2, 6-0 SD1)
Coming off a 42-0 shutout home win over North Salem, the West Salem Titans were on cloud nine. But as Coach Shawn Stanley has pointed out to his team, they still have another game that could change their playoff destination.
The Titans (ranked #20 in the OSAA power rankings) travel to Sheldon (ranked #9) where they have a legitimate chance of landing a championship bracket playoff berth with a win over the powerful Irish. Sheldon is already in the driver’s seat in the title game bracket as a top ten contender.
Both teams lost their first two games of the 2023 season—to two very good teams. West fell to Sherwood and Lake Oswego—two top ten 6A schools, while Sheldon lost to Hawaiian power Mililani, followed by top-ranked West Linn. Since then, Sheldon has won six in a row, while West has won 4 of 6. One of those losses was to unbeaten South Salem, who they led at halftime.
Obviously, matchups will be key in this game. Sheldon brings in senior QB Colby Parosa, who has thrown for over 700 yards, and rushed for better than 500 yards on the season. The gangly 6-4, 185 Parosa has only needed about a half of each ball game to put up his numbers—as the Irish defense has effectively shutdown the last six opponents.
West counters with Kaden Martirano, the 6-2, 200 pound signal-caller who continues to provide a similar run/pass skill set, recording 150 yards of run/pass in short work last week vs. North Salem. Obviously there are other matchups to analyze for each team—and blocking up front will also play a role in the outcome.
How the defenses stack up may be the best indicator of how this game will turn out. Sheldon and West both have big defensive fronts, and key defenders. Irish linebacker Mana Tuioti (6-0, 200) has been an absolute rock for his squad, while he has also spent a half as the offensive running back in most contests. West Salem has been a decidedly team-oriented defense all season, directed by veteran D-coordinator Damien Ramirez. The Titans spend most games smothering the ball with more than one defender in on the play.
Keys to the game are all about who’s team is playing better at this stage of the season. West Salem has come a long way from Labor Day weekend—but can the Titans overcome the strength of the Irish?
Could be an interesting contest on the barren turf at Sheldon High. Kickoff is at 7:00 pm.
North Salem (5-3, 3-3 SD1) at South Salem (8-0, 6-0 SD1)
The Mayor’s Trophy game this year will be held at South Salem’s Guido Caldarazzo Stadium, and playoff positioning is again a factor—just as it was last season at North’s Littlejohn Field.
South Salem is arguably the best team in Special District One—with an 8-0 overall record, and a 6-0 District record. The Saxons did have some dramatic victories during the year—a 45-44 squeaker at #21 Sunset—a game that required a comeback from two scores down with 6 ½ minutes left in the game, and a second half blow out to come back from a one touchdown deficit against West Salem in a 48-21 victory.
North Salem has stumbled in two of the last three games with losses- and with injuries playing a role in each of them. Do-everything receiver Pierce Walker broke his leg, while two other Vikings went down with game-ending injuries in a 29-22 loss at Grants Pass two weeks ago, and last week—all state candidate running back Jamahl Wilson sprained his ankle after just three plays, as West Salem took over in a decisive 42-0 victory.
If Wilson returns as anticipated, North Salem does have a fighting chance against the Saxons—who lost DB Parker Williams for the season to a knee injury in the West Salem game. But South, unlike last season, has yet to lose a game this season—and is looking to remain unbeaten in SD1 play with a big home victory.
The two teams provide a contrast offensively. North Salem has ridden the strong legs of Wilson and his backfield mates to their successful season, while at South—it is mostly about the pass.
Saxon QB Athan Palmateer has nearly 2500 yards passing so far this season with 26 touchdowns against just two interceptions. Palmateer is also the team leader in rushing—with over 500 yards on just 77 carries—and nine touchdowns.
The receiving corps is also impressive, led by Esteban Mendez and Eli Johnson—who have combined for nearly 1700 yards and 20 TDs.
The two teams have formidable defenses. North doesn’t have South’s depth, but the Vikings are aggressively impressive on D. Linebacker Jerrick Wangler is a tackling machine, while Micah Richter is equally impressive as an LB. Junior Enrike Aguilar Anaya is a quarterback nightmare on the defensive front, and sophomore DB Braxton Singleton is a shutdown defensive back with several interceptions to his credit, including a couple of pick-sixes.
For South, the defensive front is scary-good. Defensive ends Hatimu Letisi (6-1, 250) and Divine Ibe (6-3 240) are always a threat to sack the quarterback, and have worn down many an opposing offensive line. Junior Noah Scharer leds a collection of athletic linebackers, and 6-4 Senior Jacob Nemecek is also an interception machine, with a pick six or two to his credit. Both teams have other outstanding players not listed here who have been game changers during the season.
South hopes a win over North will be enough to keep them in the top eight of the power rankings—good for a home playoff game in the championship bracket. It has been interesting to note that some post-Friday adjustments have seen the Saxons dropped a spot later in the weekend. Currently three teams with records of 6-2 (Lake Oswego, Lakeridge, and Nelson) are ranked ahead of the undefeated Saxons. Something about tougher conferences involved there, but a tough sell to many people.
North could help their case for the title bracket with an impressive win over South—but no guarantees after the two recent losses. It would still help with the seeding in the (consolation) Columbia Cup bracket if the Vikings win. North was runner-up in that bracket last season.
Should be a lively game at South High, with kickoff at 7:00 pm.
South Medford (6-2, 4-2 SD1) vs. North Medford (6-2, 5-1 SD1)
The battle for Medford at Spiegelberg Stadium Friday is always entertaining. This year’s edition is reflected even in the OSAA power rankings, which has North Medford rated 14th, and South Medford, 15th. In their series, North Medford leads South 19-18 in the wins category. Last year, North shutout the Panthers 35-0. This season, both teams have lost decisively to Sheldon (North, 24-3; South, 27-0). The Panthers also fell to South Salem at Spiegelberg Stadium, 45-21.
North Medford has rounded into a very good football team this season. They lost their first game of the year to Tigard (ranked 11th) due to a flurry of turnovers. But a switch at quarterback helped the situation immensely, and actually bolstered the Black Tornado running game. Jeremiah Robbins—who began the year at QB—has been an effective running back—averaging 6.8 yards a carry (592 yards) while scoring nine touchdowns. Big Landon Meeker has four touchdowns with 395 yards rushing on 87 carries.
Sophomore Traeger Healy took over at QB in game two for North Medford, and has grown steadily under center. He has thrown for over 1600 yards on 124 of 178 passes, with 19 touchdowns and six interceptions. Tight end AJ Pugliano—who is lost for the rest of the season due to a knee injury—was his top receiver with 33 grabs for 422 yards and seven TDs. The Oregon-bound big man has also been quite a force on the defensive line. For now, WR Connor Cesaro will have to pick up the slack. He has 28 catches for 365 yards and three touchdowns. Also available is Nolan Kelly—who has grabbed 22 passes for 365 yards and four TDs.
For South Medford, 2023 was a season of offensive change—as Coach Bill Singler switched to a run-heavy offense to take advantage of his team’s talents. It has worked quite well.
Bridger Foss has generated the most yardage for SM—rushing for a team-leading 706 yards on 78 carries (9.1 average) and a team best seven touchdowns. Right behind him is senior Ryder Scheid, with 622 yards (6.0) and five TDs. Although he has been injured on and off this season, sophomore Kameron Rague has also been impressive, with 458 yards on 68 carries (6.9) and three touchdowns.
Quarterback Colby Schwartz also has seven rushing TDs—mostly near the goal line, while averaging 4.1 yards a carry. Passing is at a premium for the Panthers. Schwartz has thrown for 587 yards on 40 of 83 attempts—with five touchdowns against six interceptions.
As popular as football is in the Rogue Valley, expect a full house for this game. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm.
(THURS) Sprague (1-7, 1-5 SD1) at McNary (0-8, 0-6 SD1) 7:15 pm
This is a game that has significance, even if it has nothing to do with the post season. Sprague and McNary are teams with proud football traditions who have struggled to find victory most of the season. Sprague’s only win was on the road at Roseburg, away from the home fans—a 40-36 shoot out in late September. McNary had an winning opportunity to open the season, only to fall at home to McMinnville 26-19.
Sprague has had other chances during the year, but couldn’t sustain their offensive energy in some situations—something that Coach AJ Robinson and his staff have been patiently improving over the course of the season. Quarterback Dukkati Witherspoon has shown himself to be an able quarterback, and RB Kenya Johnson has been stronger on the ground than his 6-1, 195 pound frame might display at first glance. The two are part of the promise the team has as many members will return next year.
Coach Connor Astley’s decidedly young Celtic team has had to adjust since losing their senior quarterback—Gage Smedema—to injury a couple of weeks ago. Sophomore Aris Vasseur has improved rapidly since taking over at QB, and recently threw his first touchdown pass. There is also promise on the McNary side of the aisle.
The two teams clash on McNary’s Flescher Field Thursday night at 7:15 pm. Come out and watch the future of two schools’ football programs.
Roseburg (1-7, 0-6 SD1) at Grants Pass (2-6, 1-5 SD1) 7:00 pm
A game similar to the Sprague-McNary matchup is the Roseburg at Grants Pass game Friday night. Two teams that are young and developing with mixed results for the 2003 season.
Roseburg won its first game of the season at Beaverton, and has been searching for a win ever since. The Indians had Sprague where they wanted them early in the second half, but fell to the Olympians 40-36. Roseburg is a youthful team, directed by quarterback Owen Betea. Scoring has been at a premium for the Indians since their 50-point output at Beaverton. The team has averaged just 12 points a contest since then, while giving up an average of 39.6 points—an improvement from last season—when they yielded better than 50 point per game.
Grants Pass is also youthful, using a sophomore (Nathan Bassett) and a freshman (Jordan Rossetta) at quarterback at times. The defense has been mixed—as expected for a young squad. The team is scoring an average of 12 points a game, while yielding 34 points a contest. West Salem pummeled the Cavemen 49-14 in late September. However, GP also found a way to win after favored North Salem suffered a handful of injuries—holding on for a 29-22 victory—their best offensive performance of the season.
This could be an interesting match-up between two developing teams. Grants Pass always puts on a good show at their compact field. A game between two teams with a championship history.
Kickoff is at 7:00 pm.
(5A) West Albany (6-2) at McKay (6-2) 7:00 pm
In the Salem area, perhaps the best game of the night—as two teams chasing #2 Silverton heading to the post season in Mid Willamette Conference play square off at McKay.
The ten-rated West Albany Bulldogs, 49-28 losers last week to Silverton, come to Salem to face the McKay Royal Scots—victors last Friday over Corvallis, 30-20.
6-5 senior QB Lukas Hews directs the West Albany offense. He has thrown for over 1650 yards so far this season, completing 58 percent of his passes. He has 20 touchdowns on the year against just one interception. Hews is also the leading rusher for the Bulldogs, with 315 yards on 67 carries (4.7 average) and ten touchdowns. Justin Simmons and Jarron Huebner are the top receivers for WA. Simmons has 29 receptions for 575 yards (19.8 average) and seven touchdowns. Huebner has snagged 30 catches for 436 yards (14.5) and five TDs. Zack Ferguson has just 15 receptions on the season, but four of them are touchdowns.
McKay’s senior QB, Kyrin Fuimaono, has completed 69 percent of his passes on the year (118-170) for 1685 yards and 16 touchdowns against just two interceptions. All-league receiver Justic Anthony has 728 receiving yards on 38 receptions so far this season—with a team best seven touchdowns. Right behind Anthony are Lukes Dominguez (29 catches-449 yards, four TDs) and Gavin Aguero (32 catches-359 yards, five TDs).
Scots running back Joel Sanchez has rounded into a great rusher—with nearly one thousand yards (100 rushes-939 yards). He has also rushed for eight touchdowns.
The defenses will be tested on both sides. For McKay, junior linebackers Rodolfo Flores (38.5 tackles) and Jose Santana (35 tackles) lead the team in that category. Flores has three sacks for McKay and 3 tackles for loss (TFL), while Santana has 4 ½ TFLs. Sophomore defensive back Danavien Berry has recorded 32 ½ tackles, along with four pass break ups.
For West Albany, junior linebacker Kane Damon is the top tackler on the year, while senior Aiden Metzker is close behind. Metzker also leads his team with five interceptions on the year. When it comes to annoying the quarterback, senior defensive lineman Evan Lathrop is tops for the Bulldogs with three sacks on the season.
In Mid Willamette Conference play, both teams have lost to Silverton (McKay by a score of 50-14). The Scots’ first loss was to Dallas in week two, 36-18. West Albany fell in an upset to crosstown rival South Albany 20-14, in week six.
Scoring wise, West Albany is averaging 37.1 ppg, while giving up 21.0 points per contest. For McKay, the Scots are averaging 28.9 points per game, while they are yielding 22.5 points defensively each contest. Could be a wild game.
The fun begins at McKay High with a 7:00 pm kickoff.