2007 CENTRAL VALLEY FOOTBALL PREVIEW

SOUTH SALEM
Coach: Scott DuFault, 8th year
2006: 3-7 (1-5 in CVC)

Hear Coach DuFault's comments

Its been a long five years since the South Salem Saxons have been to the state football playoffs.  But many coaches in the Central Valley Conference say this might finally be the year that South gets back to the big dance.

Saxon coach Scott Dufault is cautiously optimistic about his  young team’s chances, especially as they break in a new quarterback.

Dufault has unenviable task of trying to replace quarterback Doug Bloom, who threw for nearly 1800 yards and a dozen TDs in 2006.  Contending for the position are two juniors—last year’s back up, Joey Placek, and JV standout Jonathan Sigado.

South has some experienced linemen to protect the new QB.  Center Elizer Guevara (5-10 220 Jr.), guards Eric Spond (6-2 215 Sr.) and Michael Kim (5-9 240 Sr.), and tackles Ian Hansen (6-3 220 Sr.) and Michael Herbert (6-4 230 Jr.) provide size.   This year’s battle for tight end also involves some large contenders.  Reggie Johnson (6-2 180), Connor Roark (6-4 180), and Kameron Jacobson (6-0 175) are all competing for time at the position.

South’s single setback also has solid varsity credentials.  Junior Corey Bickler (5-11 190) moved into the starting role at midseason last year,  averaging nearly 5 yards a carry.

The passing game also includes some veterans.  Juniors Zach Dufault (5-9 160), Dominic David (5-10 170) and Blake Miller (6-3 175), and senior Ryan McGoldrick (6-1 170) combined for 110 catches last season at wide receiver.  Tight end/U-back Matt Box (5-11 205 Sr.) led the team with 46 receptions in 2006.

“Young, but experienced” is also a good way to describe the South defense.

Spond and Guerara bring  limited varsity playing time to the end and tackle spots on the d-line.  They will be joined by returning starters Rixson Ludwig (5-10 205) and Jay Rose (6-2 220 Sr.) at the tackle position.  Others vying for time include juniors Patrick Mason (6-2 185) and Patrick Meyers (5-10 205).

At  outside linebacker, Cox, Bickler and Jacobson should see plenty of action.  Inside, junior Javi Luna (6-0 195) returns as a starter.

In the secondary, Miller, David, and Miller will share time with senior Devon Decembre (5-9 150) and junior Craig Chamberlain (5-10 155).

South begins the season with pre season match ups against Roseburg and Reynolds, before facing North Salem at North September 21 to open the CVC season.

 

 

Get a complete CVC football schedule here