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South Medford travels to play No. 10 South Salem in conflict of unbeatens Friday
Just one native matchup in Week 4 pits undefeated Class 6A or 5A groups in opposition to each other, and fireworks are definitely anticipated when South Medford travels to play at Tenth-ranked South Salem on Friday night time.
The Saxons boast one of many state’s most prolific 6A offensive assaults behind senior quarterback Daschel Smith at simply over 41 factors per sport, whereas the Panthers have confirmed not too shabby in their very own proper by outscoring their opponents on common 39-9 to this point.
Within the battle for South/Central Soccer Convention playoff positioning, whichever group comes out on prime in Salem will get a particular leg up on the others. Each groups enter 3-0 total and 1-0 within the SCFC, with the Panthers not far off that No. 10 spot within the 6A coaches’ ballot.
“Now we have our palms full and we all know that,” stated South Medford head coach Invoice Singler. “Hopefully we’ll go up and play properly. Each groups are 3-0 and each groups have some state-caliber expertise. It is going to be one of many large video games of the week.”
In Friday’s different SCFC video games involving native groups, North Medford will play host to North Salem and Grants Go is host to West Salem.
In 5A motion, Crater performs at Thurston and Eagle Level is at North Eugene, whereas 4A Ashland will host Hidden Valley and the 3A ranks sees top-ranked Cascade Christian internet hosting Coquille in a battle of unbeatens, St. Mary’s is at Lakeview and Phoenix will host Douglas.
South Medford is coming off a stellar displaying from senior quarterback Deacon Edgar, who handed for 5 touchdowns and ran for an additional in final week’s 55-21 rout of McNary. Edgar wound up finishing 18 of 24 passes for 267 yards and ran for an additional 68 yards.
To date this season, Edgar has accomplished 42 of 55 passes for 627 yards with seven TDs and two interceptions.
The Panthers additionally loved a breakout efficiency from senior tight finish Ty Henry in opposition to the Celtics. Henry caught a pair of landing passes and completed with a team-high 83 yards on 4 catches to function a pleasant complement to all-state standout Andrew Walker.
On the season, Henry has caught seven passes for 125 yards and two TDs, whereas Walker leads the best way with 17 catches for 278 yards and three TDs.
Fellow senior Josh Phillips has additionally provided key efforts and takes six catches for 121 yards and two scores right into a showdown Friday that expects to see loads of aerial antics.
“Now we have a fairly honest group of receivers ourselves and so do they,” stated Singler. “I don’t know if it’s going to show right into a 7-on-7 sport — as a result of I don’t know if we need to get into that sort of shootout with them — but it surely has the potential to be that.”
Junior working again Ryder Scheid additionally appeared to get again on observe final week and leads South Medford with 202 yards dashing with two TDs on 37 carries.
It is going to be an all-hands-on-deck state of affairs, although, if the Panthers are to sluggish a Saxons squad that head coach Scott DuFault considers one in all his finest in 22 years on the helm.
All of it begins with Smith at QB, who handed for about 2,500 yards and 18 TDs final season and is already properly forward of that tempo to this point. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder wanted just one half of play to finish 21 of 24 passes for 281 yards and 5 TDs of his personal final week in opposition to GP, and likewise ran for a landing for good measure.
Smith has handed for 1,188 yards and 12 TDs to this point — enjoying into the fourth quarter in just one sport.
“He does an actual good job stepping up within the pocket and increasing performs,” stated Singler, “and he retains his imaginative and prescient down the sector and he’ll let it go.
“They’re huge open they usually assault you down the sector — he may throw it a minimal of 40 occasions — and do numerous no-huddle and issues like that. We’ll get a check within the secondary, there’s no query about that.”
South Salem’s Air Raid offense additionally advantages from a bunch of premier targets, the place DuFault stated his group can go seven-deep and never bat a watch.
Senior Tini Tinitali III (6-0, 195) led the 6A degree with 78 catches for simply over 1,000 yards final yr and second-leading receiver Esteban Mendez (5-6, 160) has additionally returned in prime kind. The Saxons additionally received a lift within the offseason with the addition of speedy switch Zach Wusstig from Jefferson, who is taken into account the quickest participant on the group.
South Salem typically goes five-wide with Braedy Vogt, Jaxon Watson, Parker Williams and Eli Johnson all within the combine. Vogt may shift into the backfield for draw performs or display passes, whereas Noah Scharer confirmed a pleasant burst from the backfield in opposition to the Cavemen for a Saxons group that doesn’t run the ball loads.
“It’s exhausting to simulate,” Singler stated of South Salem’s assault, “however one factor you’ve received to do is simply hold enjoying soccer. Generally you’ll get lulled into considering ‘I’ve carried out my job’ after which rapidly the ball is over your head.”
Defensively, the Saxons have confirmed to be fairly stout and switch over most of those self same ability gamers to restrict groups to 14 factors per sport.
“They offer you matches and are a big-time problem everywhere in the subject,” stated Singler.
Nonetheless, the Panthers coach is worked up about his group’s prospects Friday and past.
“I’m happy with them that they’ve gotten off to an excellent begin,” he stated. “Anytime you win a ballgame in soccer is an efficient factor, and we didn’t even win three video games final yr, so it’s good to see that. However our schedule is in entrance of us, there’s no query about that, and this might be a particular big problem.”
WEST SALEM AT GRANTS PASS: South Salem took Grants Go out of something it wished to generate final Saturday, holding the Cavemen (2-1, 0-1 SCFC) to 161 yards of complete offense behind 4 interceptions of QB Jace Blanchard and lockdown effort within the working sport.
West Salem (0-3, 0-1) didn’t fare a lot better in opposition to North Medford final week, so the matchup couldn’t be higher for groups which are looking for their first convention wins.
EAGLE POINT AT NORTH EUGENE: Eagle Level senior working again David Brown has shouldered a heavy load with out breaking stride to this point, working for 300 yards within the season opener after which 240 yards and three scores on 31 carries final week.
A type of touchdowns proved to be the game-winner after a 69-yard jaunt within the fourth quarter in opposition to Churchill, and the Eagles (2-1, 1-0 MWL) will look to construct on that in opposition to a Highlanders protection that has allowed 34 factors per sport.
CRATER AT THURSTON: No matchup within the Midwestern League has been as pivotal as this one over the previous couple of years, however this yr’s contest comes with two groups struggling to search out themselves slightly.
Thurston and Crater every are 1-2 total, however the Colts have the one MWL win between them after 5 turnovers doomed the Comets in Springfield every week in the past.
Crater has loved success within the working sport with senior Andrew Kelly, however consistency and total steadiness will should be the mainstay to fend off a Thurston cost led by senior working again/linebacker Vaun Halstead.
Thurston held North Eugene to 14 complete yards final week, with QB Noah Blair finishing 7 of 8 passes for 193 yards and two TDs.
HIDDEN VALLEY AT ASHLAND: Ashland sophomore QB Jojo Harrower handed for 289 yards and three touchdowns — two to senior working again Gavin White — in opposition to Henley final week however the Grizzlies, very similar to Crater every week earlier than, merely couldn’t match up with the Hornets’ expertise and firepower.
Ashland (1-2, 0-1 Massive Sky) boasts a bunch of receivers who ought to make issues tough for Hidden Valley (1-2, 0-1) in Aariq Shadoan, Crosby Lehnerz, Caden Negra and Marcelo Saturen.
The Mustangs are coming off a tricky 10-8 loss to Klamath Union that included a missed late subject objective try. Operating again Daniel Iwamizu is HV’s central determine on offense, with QB Austyn Klingler rising into his function as a first-time starter.
Have a narrative thought? Attain sports activities editor Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, khenry@rosebudmedia.com or through Twitter @Kris_Henry
Picture by Denise Baratta. South Medford’s Andrew Walker (9) celebrates after his first landing within the first quarter final Friday in opposition to McNary.
Ty Henry, South Medford soccer
Deacon Edgar, South Medford soccer
David Brown, Eagle Level soccer
Andrew Kelly, Crater soccer
Jojo Harrower, Ashland soccer