5 takeaways from the first round of OSAA state playoff football

We’ve reached the OSAA football state playoffs.

Here are five takeaways from high school football's first week of postseason in the Salem area.

1: South Salem falls in 6A first round

The South Salem football team succumbed to a 48-6 loss to No. 8 Sherwood in the first round of the Class 6A state playoffs Friday night.

“This is why we do it,” South Salem head coach Scott Dufault said about the seniors. “We talk about football and the game, but it’s about relationships and helping these kids grow up. We had these kids when they were boys, and now they are young men. That’s really what it’s all about.”

While Mother Nature was at its full force, the absence of Saxons’ senior wide receiver Tini Tinitali III didn’t go unnoticed.

Saxons’ quarterback Daschel Smith, who was among the 13 seniors on roster, rushed a 2-yard touchdown, cutting Sherwood’s lead to 14-6 at halftime.

From there, the Saxons ran into a series of bad luck passes – one that Smith intended for senior wide receiver Jaxon Watson but bounced off of his hands and Sherwood recovered in the air, which eventually led to a third quarter touchdown.

Minutes later, Sherwood’s quarterback Kasen Covert rushed a 50-yard touchdown; extending the Bowmen’s lead to 28-6.

Sherwood had two a fumble recoveries, added another touchdown and a Pick 6 to complete the victory with minutes remaining in the game.

“I feel so lucky coaching them,” Dufault said.

The Saxons’ season comes to an end with an 8-2 overall record.

2: North Salem and Sprague advance in 6A Columbia Cup

The Vikings and Olympians advanced in the inaugural OSAA Class 6A Columbia Cup bracket on Friday night, making it to the quarterfinals.

North Salem earned a 34-14 road victory at Newberg to improve to 6-4 and secured its second consecutive winning season — they were 7-4 last season at the 5A level.

The Vikings advance to face Jefferson in another road game. With a victory, they would be in the semifinals against the winner of Clackamas and Liberty.

“It felt really good to get this win, we needed it as a team. This week of practice was like no other, the energy was higher then ever,” North Salem senior Josiah Davis said. “And it was like the rain that happened tonight was the same rain we got in practice. Never felt more prepared for a game. Now we’re just looking forward to Jefferson. Celebrate tonight, back on it Monday for film and ready to play another hard fought game.”

Sprague beat Sunset 30-14, and next will travel to Westview in the quarterfinals.

With a win, Sprague (6-4 overall) would advance to the semifinals to face the winner of Lakeridge and Oregon City.

3: Silverton, Dallas, Central reach 5A quarterfinals

The Mid-Valley will have three of the eight teams in next week’s Class 5A state quarterfinals, after Silverton, Central and Dallas won first-round games.

Defending state champion and No. 7 seed Silverton beat Springfield 42-18, and next will travel to face No. 2 Wilsonville.

The first-round victory ended a two-game losing streak for the Foxes.

“It feels great. We played a really great game as a team on both sides of the ball,” Silverton Senior Jackson Pfeifer said. “Can’t wait to play another week with my brothers.”

No. 8 seed Central beat Eagle Point 10-6, and next will travel to No. 1 Summit.

The Panthers have now won six games in a row.

“It was awesome to get the win. It was a tough battle, but we came out with the win,” Central senior Chase Nelson said. “We are all blessed to see another week, especially the seniors and we are gonna try and keep it going.”

No. 12 seed Dallas had a 29-20 upset victory at No. 5 Putnam.

For the Dragons, junior Zayvian Webster had 13 carries for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

4: Kennedy reaches 3A quarterfinals 

The Trojans beat Lakeview 43-0 to advance to the Class 3A state quarterfinals.

Kennedy next will host the winner of Siuslaw and Vale.

The Trojans are 10-0 this season and the No. 1 seed in the state playoffs.

This is Kennedy’s first season at 3A. They chose to play up a level to stay at 9-player football.

The Trojans last won a state championship in 2018 at the 2A level, when they beat Santiam 31-20.

5: Regis advances to 2A quarterfinals

The Rams beat Bandon/Pacific 14-2 to advance to the Class 2A state quarterfinals.

Regis next will face the winner of Monroe and Heppner.

The Rams improved to 9-1 this season, their first in 9-player football.

Regis will take a six-game winning streak into the quarterfinals.

The Rams, who are the No. 5 seed, last won a football state championship in 2016, when they beat Stanfield 53-14 in the title game.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: 5 takeaways from the first round of OSAA state playoff football