Game of the Week: South Salem looks to finish regular season undefeated
South Salem’s football team has a chance this Friday to do something special — finish an unbeaten regular season.
Standing in the Saxons’ way is North Salem, which has lost three of its past five while experiencing key injuries.
This year’s edition of the longtime rivalry is the Statesman Journal Game of the Week.
South Salem is 8-0 this season, 6-0 in Special District 1, and No. 7 in the OSAA Class 6A rankings.
The Saxons have scored 402 points this season, which is the most at the Class 6A level this season, averaging 50.2 points per game.
The driving force behind the offensive production has been South Salem senior quarterback Athan Palmateer, who has thrown for 2,437 yards, 26 touchdowns and two interceptions this season, as well as rushed for 504 yards and nine touchdowns.
“Finishing undefeated is one of our goals, and would be a great accomplishment for us. For what we want to do in the postseason, winning this final regular season game is extremely important,” Palmateer said. “All year we have focused on going 1-0 every week, and it’s the same deal this week as well. It’s important for us to execute on offense, and put points on the board. I still don’t think we have reached our full potential as a team yet, so this is a good opportunity for us to keep working and improving.”
On defense, the Saxons are allowing 16.7 points per game.
North Salem is scoring 33.3 points per game, and allowing 24.2 points.
The Vikings started this season 3-0, but have now lost three of their past five games, and are 5-3 overall, 3-3 in the league, and No. 28 in the 6A rankings.
“Yeah the injuries are tough, but on the bright side it gives our younger guys great varsity experience. We have a strong underclass team and this is the time for them step up and contribute and they have been,” North Salem senior quarterback TC Manumaleuna said. “North’s future is in great hands. With us seniors, we’ve been here before. Last year we were in the same position and we still had a good run in the Columbia Cup. Losing definitely takes a shot at our pride, but we need to rise above it.”
This week’s Mid-Valley football schedule
Thursday’s games
Sprague at McNary, 7 p.m.
Rainier at Kennedy, 7 p.m.
Blanchet Catholic at Gervais, 7 p.m.
Santiam at Regis, 7 p.m.
Friday’s games
North Salem at South Salem, 7 p.m. (KBZY)
West Salem at Sheldon, 7 p.m.
West Albany at McKay, 7 p.m. (KYKN)
Lebanon at Silverton, 7 p.m.
Dallas at Crescent Valley, 7 p.m.
Central at Woodburn, 7 p.m.
Stayton at Cascade, 7 p.m.
Newport at Salem Academy, 7 p.m.
Amity at Dayton, 7 p.m.
Scio at Jefferson, 7 p.m.
Sheridan at Willamina, 7 p.m.
Dufur at Perrydale, 7 p.m.
St. Paul at Pilot Rock/Ukiah, 7 p.m.
McKenzie at Falls City/Kings Valley Charter, 7 p.m.
Statesman Journal reporter Pete Martini covers college and high school sports. He can be reached at pmartini@StatesmanJournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Unbeaten South Salem football to face crosstown rival North Salem
