Week Two Prep Football Previews
Thumbnail overviews of Special District 1 and Salem-Keizer games this week
Unless otherwise noted, all games presented are scheduled for Friday, September 8.
(0-1) McNary (lost to McMinnville 26-19) at (0-1) Beaverton (lost to Roseburg 50-18), THURSDAY
Both teams—McNary and Beaverton—are looking for their first win. McNary came close last Friday, falling at home to McMinnville, 26-19. Celtics quarterback Gage Smedema scored a pair of rushing touchdowns in the loss. Smedema also completed 13 of 21 passes for 144 yards.
The Beaverton Beavers won a single game last year, and to open the year, they fell to Roseburg—who was winless in 2022—by score of 50-18. The blowout included lots of time for the host Indians’ second teamers. The Beavers are obviously still looking for their footing.
McNary has an excellent opportunity for a win in Beaverton.. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm on Thursday. [Author error corrected to list Beaverton as the McNary opponent.]
(1-0) South Salem (beat Liberty 49-21) at (1-0) Sunset (beat Sandy 26-21)
South is coming off a dominating home victory over Washington power Liberty of Issaquah, Washington. New Saxons QB Athan Palmateer had a stellar performance with nearly 300 yards through the air with 81 percent (17-21) in completions and three TDs—one to Parker Williams, the other two to Eli Johnson, including a 65 yard bomb. The Saxon defense was also stellar, with multiple interceptions—including a 58 yard pick-six by Williams.
Sunset rallied to win on the road last week at Sandy, 26-21. Apollos quarterback Drew Nees brought his team back from a 21-7 deficit, completing 17 of 19 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 53 yards, using a combination of scrambling runs and on-the-run passes to post the 26-21win. Junior receiver Matt Lohman caught a 76-yard TD strike early in the game. Owen Scholes, a junior RB, scored the decisive touchdown for Sunset in the closing minutes on a five-yard run.
South will look to utilize the same, fast-paced Air Raid offensive tempo to keep the Apollos off kilter, while maintaining defensive integrity when Sunset looks to pick up the pace themselves. The Saxons hope to have the advantage with a large and mobile front on both sides of the ball.
The game begins at 7:00 pm Friday at Sunset High in Beaverton.
(1-0) Grants Pass (Beat Del Norte 20-6) at (0-1) Caldera (lost to Pendleton 27-20)
The Cavemen hope to build upon a solid first game on the road with a second “away contest” in Central Oregon against 5A Caldera of Bend.
The host Wolfpack lost a tight game on the road last week to Pendleton, 27-20.
Senior RB/LB Gage Blay hopes to inspire the rest of his young GP teammates in the Friday night game, which starts at 7:00 pm.
(1-0) Bend (Beat Lincoln 20-0) at (0-1) North Medford (lost to Tigard 27-7)
After a disastrously slow start in their opening loss to Tigard, the Black Tornado hope their home debut will be better than the five-turnover effort in that first contest. North Medford had 74 yards rushing and 111 passing in the loss, while the team limited Tigard to just 113 total yards officially.
5A Bend comes in with confidence after shutting out Lincoln of Portland, but will face a size disadvantage against the massive North Medford front lines.
The game begins at 7:00 pm at Medford’s Spiegelburg Stadium.
(1-0) South Medford (beat Mountainside 42-28) at (0-1) Del Norte (CA) (lost to GP 20-6)
The Panthers revamped offense with a run-heavy emphasis was a success in the week one opening win over Mountainside, where the South Medford O churned out better than 300 yards on the ground.
While this week is a road game, the Panthers appear to have the size and talent advantage over Del Norte, who lost their opener to a young Grants Pass squad.
The game in Northern California begins at 7:00 pm Friday.
(1-0) West Linn (beat Nelson 37-0) at (0-1) Sheldon (lost to Mililani, HI, 37-3)
Sheldon was stunned by a very fast and athletic Mililani, Hawaii team in their 37-3 opening game loss, while West Linn dismantled a younger Nelson team in week one by a decisive 37-0 count.
Last year, these two powerhouse teams battled in a tight one at West Linn, and then met again in the 6A title game. No reason to believe the two squads will have it any other way in 2023.
(0-1) West Salem (lost to Sherwood 34-21) at (1-0) Lake Oswego (beat Barlow 40-22)
A slow offensive start had West Salem playing catchup in their opening loss at home versus perennial playoff team Sherwood, and they hope for a better opening few series in playing another annual contender at Lake Oswego. Quarterback Kaden Martirano threw for 200 yards and also threw for an 11 yard TD to Cade Vandiver, who also had a fumble return for a touchdown for the Titans.
The Lakers overcame a slow start—trailing 16-7 early—to beat Barlow by three scores in week one. Lakers running back LaMarcus Bell had two TDs, including a first quarter 48 yard run. Lake O hopes to control the line of scrimmage early against a young, but athletic Titan front.
Kickoff at Lake Oswego is at 7:00 pm.
(1-0) Roseburg (beat Beaverton 50-18) at (0-1) Nelson (lost to West Linn 37-0)
The Indians—who were winless in 2022, got their opening win this season behind the strong legs of senior RB Cayden Eckel—who cruised to 130 yards rushing—including 109 yards and two TDs in the first half, as Roseburg trounced Beaverton in week one.
Nelson struggled to generate any offense in a 37-0 shutout loss to defending state champ West Linn. Last year’s Nelson-Roseburg game was canceled at halftime due to heavy forest fire smoke in the area.
Friday’s game in Clackamas County begins at 7:00 pm.
(0-1) Sprague (lost to Liberty 40-36) at (1-0) Lakeridge (beat Glencoe 21-0)
The Olympians fell at home last week to Liberty, despite 254 yards passing by Dukatti Witherspoon, and 123 receiving yards for Aiden Andresen.
Lakeridge posted a shutout win over Glencoe of Hillsboro in driving rain—paced by a 41 TD reception by all-state receiver Joey Olsen.
Sprague hopes expected improvements from week one to two in their new passing offense will pay dividends.
The game at Lakeridge High begins Friday at 7:00 pm.
(1-0) David Douglas (beat Aloha 12-7) at (1-0) North Salem (beat Roosevelt 35-6)
North Salem only needed a half to put away Roosevelt in week one—led by the three TD runs from transfer Jamahl Wilson, who dashed for 180 yards on just 12 carries. Sammy Davis and Pierce Walker also had TD rushes for the Vikings, who limited the Roughriders to a late score.
David Douglas pulled out a low scoring victory over Aloha in an opening contest between two teams still looking to advance beyond the bottom of their respective league standings.
North Salem’s second straight home game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm.
(0-1) Dallas (lost to Silverton 34-7) at (1-0) McKay (beat Lebanon 31-28)
McKay quarterback Kyrin Fuimaono threw for 289 yards on 25 of 38 passes with three touchdowns, and also added 69 yards rushing as the Scots rallied and then made a goal line stand late to stun host Lebanon 31-28 last Friday.
Dallas began the year against longtime rival Silverton, but were simply outgunned 34-7 at Silverton High last Friday.
The visiting Dragons hope for more production from their offense against an energetic McKay team. Kickoff for the contest at McKay is slated for 7:00 pm.