Game of the Week: Sprague football hosts Sheldon
Two games in, the AJ Robinson era for Sprague football has started well despite the two losses.
The Olympians began the season with a 40-36 loss to Liberty and 42-20 loss at Lakeridge, but they were competitive in both games.
Sprague will host Sheldon at 7 p.m. Friday in the Special District 1 opener for both schools, and that is the Statesman Journal Game of the Week.
“We’re really proud of our kids,” Robinson said. “We as a coaching staff are working to get them in the best positions. They’ve worked really hard and competed really well.”
Sheldon is 0-2 as well this season after blowout losses to Mililani, Hawaii (37-3) and defending OSAA Class 6A state champion West Linn (41-3)
Last season, Sheldon won Special District 1 with a 7-0 record and finished 12-1 overall as the state runner-up.
“I’m expecting a great challenge for us,” Robinson said. “Sheldon has been at the top of the state for a long time.”
Good offensive game, but some challenges
In last week’s loss at Lakeridge, the Olys played well offensively.
Kenya Johnson had 31 carries for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
Quarterback Dukatti Witherspoon threw for 179 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
“It was a close game for most of the game against Lakeridge,” Robinson said.
The coaching staff put the blame on itself for the opener loss against Libety.
“We as a staff didn’t put our kids in a good enough position in terms of what to not put into their bodies before games that can cause cramping and dehydration, and I know we weren’t the only team in the state to have that problem early on in the season,” Robinson said. “Kids have a lot of options for supplements and energy drinks, and they get bad information sometimes on what’s actually healthy for them.”
Sprague has been challenged so far, and the schedule won’t get any easier after Friday.
The Olympians’ remaining six games after this week are: at Roseburg, home against South Medford, at West Salem, at North Salem, home against South Salem, at McNary.
“There is no easy game in our league,” Robinson said. “That’s one of the things I like about this league, that you’re playing a good team every week.”
Statesman Journal high school football coverage
For high school football score updates of games across the Mid-Valley on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, go to StatesmanJournal.com.
On Saturday, check out Statesman Journal sports reporter Pete Martini’s five key takeaways from the third week of high school football.
This week’s Mid-Valley football schedule
Thursday’s game
Newport at Dayton, 7 p.m.
Regis at Gervais, 7 p.m.
Knappa at Sheridan, 7 p.m.
Friday’s games
Sheldon at Sprague, 7 p.m. (KBZY)
West Salem at North Medford, 7 p.m.
South Medford at McNary, 7:15 p.m.
North Salem at Roseburg, 7 p.m.
South Salem at Grants Pass, 7 p.m.
South Albany at McKay, 7 p.m. (KYKN)
Central at Silverton, 7 p.m.
Lebanon at Dallas, 7 p.m.
Woodburn at West Albany, 7 p.m.
Cascade at Sweet Home, 7 p.m.
Junction City at Stayton, 7 p.m.
Kennedy at Yamhill-Carlton, 7 p.m.
Santiam Christian at Salem Academy, 7 p.m.
Scio at Amity, 7 p.m.
Taft at Jefferson, 7 p.m.
Willamina at Blanchet, 7 p.m.
Santiam at Culver, 7 p.m.
Perrydale at Lyle/Wishram/Klickitat, 7 p.m.
Siletz Valley at Falls City/Kings Valley Charter, 7 p.m.
Saturday’s games
Stanfield at St. Paul, 2 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: Game of the Week: Sprague football hosts Sheldon
