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West Salem’s shutout victory this past week over McKay gave the Titans the Central Valley Conference’s number one seed in next month’s OSAA 6A football playoffs and at least a share of the league title. But after that, the playoff picture in the CVC is as clear as mud. Redmond can lock up the number two seed with one win in its last two games against McKay or North Salem, and the Panthers have a better than “even money” chance to do that. But the three and four seeds are still wide open with a dizzying array of scenarios—and the very real possibility that those last two qualifying teams will enter the playoffs with no better than a .500 league record. McKay, Sprague, McNary and South Salem are all in the hunt for those last two slots. McKay’s goal is simple: beat Redmond on Friday or turn in their gear. The Scots—at 2 and 3—play a meaningless non-league encounter against West Linn to end the season. Sprague is 1-3, but has been playing better as of late—falling by 14 last week at Redmond. But the Olys have to win out against North Salem and South Salem to get in. McNary only needs one win against either South Salem or fourth-ranked West Salem to stay in the picture, and their best bet is at South Salem this coming Friday. The Celtic defense has been solid most of the year, but the offense has sputtered since the start of league play. If do-everything wide receiver Zack Brown is available for the Celts, their chances improve dramatically. South Salem has the most promising opportunities to advance with two winnable games: at home vs. McNary this week and at Sprague in their last conference contest on November second. The Saxons lost to playoff-bound Oregon City last week, but had their chances to score more than the three points they came away with. Coach Scott Dufault’s red zone offensive schemes—and execution by his team—will be the key. For the record, here's the playoff picture for the CVC: The number four seed gets to play at the number one seed from the powerful Metro League--either third-ranked Jesuit or second-ranked Westview, who play this week. The CVC's third seed will travel to the #2 team out of the Mount Hood Conference--perhaps the weakest league in the entire state. Right now, Central Catholic appears to be the opponent. The second seed will host a first round game against the Three Rivers League's number four seed--currently Clackamas. After top-ranked Lake Oswego, the Three Rivers is decidedly average. As the top seed, West Salem will get a week off before hosting a game on November 16. The Titans will face the the winner of Metro League #4 (Southridge or Beaverton) and Three Rivers #2 (West Linn or Oregon City). My money is on the Metro's fourth seed--not a walkover for West, but certainly very winnable on their home turf. CVC Notes The Sprague Olympians finally have some touchdown passes on the books this season. Quarterback Adam Kniffin recorded two TD strikes against Redmond after seven straight games without a throw for six points. McKay has yet another running back in the thousand yard club. Tony Gonzales has joined the ranks of numerous Scot rushers after compiling 114 yards in the loss to West Salem. His total stands at 1,073 yards. Jordan Jenkins of West Salem passed 900 yards rushing on the season in the same game. Cody Johnson continues to tear up the secondaries of CVC opponents. Last year’s CVC first team quarterback threw for 183 yards against Sprague Friday on 9 of 15 passes, with three TDs and two interceptions . For the year, Johnson now has 1621 yards and 17 touchdowns with just five interceptions. South Salem’s junior QB Jonathan Sigado now has 905 yards on the year after amassing 176 yards though the air against Oregon City. Mark Gilman can be contacted at mark@fullaccesssports.com
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