Football Week 9 Preview: Sheldon Looking Forward to “Four-Quarter Game”

Sheldon senior quarterback Kelsen Sperry has thrown 18 touchdowns with one interception this year. (Photo by Noreen Anderson)

Perhaps the biggest wild card in 6A football this season is No. 4 Sheldon.

The undefeated Irish (8-0, 7-0 Special District 1) are outscoring their opponents by 46.4 points per game – winning every game with the clock running – but have yet to face a team currently ranked in the top 10 of the OSAAtoday 6A Coaches Ranks Poll.

“I haven’t seen any of these teams,” said Sheldon, the first-year coach Tyler Martell said. “I think we can play with anyone, but it’s hard to say.”

Starting this week, however, the Irish will have a better idea of ​​where they stand. On Friday they play at visiting No. 6 for the district title Sprague (8-0, 7-0) in the regular season finale.

“Our stars played a four-quarter football game,” Martell said. “Our guys are just excited about the opportunity to play on the road against an 8-0 team. That’s what you sign up for, to play games like that.”

Sheldon and Sprague seemed to be on a collision course all season long. Judging by the results, the Irish seem to have the edge, especially considering how both teams have performed against each other Grant's Pass (5-3, 4-3) in the last two weeks.

On October 18, Sprague fell behind Grants Pass 28-7 before rallying for a 41-40 win. Last week, Sheldon made quick work of the Cavemen, 63-6.

Sheldon's offense has been in full swing for a month. The Irish have averaged 61.6 points over the last five games and operate with high efficiency behind the senior quarterback Kelsen Sperry.

Martell said the 6-foot, 195-pound Sperry, who was the JV quarterback last year, has made “incredible progress” this season. He thrived under the leadership of the former Irish head coach Marty Johnson and former star quarterback of Sheldon Jordan Johnson.

Sperry has completed 74 of 105 passes for 1,128 yards and 18 touchdowns with one interception, doing most of his damage in the first half of games.

“He just doesn’t force anything,” Martell said. “He made the right decision and got the ball where it needed to be. We have enough playmakers where he doesn't feel like he has to do too much. He’s a smart kid and he’s done this coaching and it translates.”

Sperry has a number of talented targets. Senior tight end Brody Thomas has a team-high five touchdown catches and is a senior receiver Kerek Kato And Rocco Graziano have four each.

“Last year we didn’t throw it around as much either,” Martell said. “Our receivers were inexperienced, and now these guys have all grown into themselves.”

Senior running back Mana Tuioti (5-11, 225), who signed as a linebacker for Boise State, rushed for 534 yards and 15 touchdowns. Tuioti, his brother Teitum plays linebacker at Oregon and sets the tone for the Irish on both sides of the ball.

“Mana is impressive in that he is our best player, but he also trains harder than anyone,” Martell said of Tuioti, who leads the team in tackles and has two interceptions. “Teitum was the same, just trained hard and had a lot of fun playing football.

“He’s just incredibly smart. He's able to make plays and understand scenarios, even if we didn't have the time to go through those scenarios in practice. He’s just a football spirit.”

Sheldon's defensive line was dominant among the seniors Luke Saraceno (seven bags) and Brody Borrevik at the tackle and Thomas at the end. The Irish have 24 sacks and are holding opponents to 150 yards per game, including 30 yards rushing.

“These guys all caused a lot of chaos,” Martell said. “You mix the defensive line with linebackers like Mana, and teams have a hard time getting past us.”

Sprague, who was inactive last week after beating Grant's pass, has a dynamic offense with an experienced quarterback Dukatti weather spoon (6-4, 210) and senior track Kenya Johnson (6-1, 200).

Weatherspoon has completed 71.5 percent of his passes for 1,739 yards and 17 touchdowns with six interceptions. Johnson rushed for a conference-leading 1,207 yards and 15 touchdowns and caught six scoring passes.

“The quarterback is big and has a big arm,” Martell said. “He has the ability to throw the ball all over the field. When the running back needed a play, they gave him the ball and he made a series of plays. He’ll be a handful.”

Sheldon has an X-factor in Graziano, who chose Oregon as a kicker. He has made all 54 of his extra point attempts this season and recently hit a 53-yard field goal with margin in practice.

The Irish won 50-13 at Sprague last year.

Other top matches in week 9:

Thursday

6A No. 9 Sherwood (6-2, 3-0 Pacific Conference) at Newberg (4-4, 3-0), 7 p.m.: Since losing to Newberg in the COVID-shortened season in spring 2021 — when the Tigers fell 4-0 in Pacific — Sherwood has won 21 straight conference games. Now the teams are fighting for the Pacific title.

Friday

6A No. 5 Lakeridge (7-1, 3-1 Three Rivers League) at 6A No. 1 Lake Oswego (8-0, 4-0), 7 p.m.: Lake Oswego can clinch the Three Rivers overall title by defeating the rival Pacers in the Battle of the Lake. However, if Lakeridge wins, the Pacers will share the title with Lake Oswego and possibly the No. 3 seed West Linnthat plays into it Oregon City on Friday.

Clackamas (6-2, 5-1 Mt. Hood Conference) at 6A No. 10 Nelson (6-2, 5-1), 7 p.m.: The rivalry game isn't just about bragging rights in Happy Valley, it could also determine who gets a spot in the 12-team 6A Open playoff round. Heading into the game, Clackamas is ranked No. 8 and Nelson is No. 11 in the OSAA 6A power rankings.

Glencoe (6-2, 6-0 5A SD1) at 5A No. 10 Hood River Valley (7-1, 5-1), 7 p.m.: Glencoe, which dropped from 6A this season, will need to revamp Hood River Valley to make a perfect run through Special District 1. But the Eagles can share the district title with the Crimson Tide with a win.

5A No. 9 Thurston (7-1, 6-1 Midwestern League) at 5A No. 8 Willamette (7-1, 6-1), 7 p.m.: The teams tied for second place behind No. 4 Churchillhave secured their spot in the 5A playoff round. Willamette, which made a dramatic turnaround from 0-9 last season, is looking to defeat the perennial league power Colts.

Molalla (4-4, 3-0 4A SD2) at Estacada (4-4, 3-0), 7 p.m.: After struggling in non-league play, the Indians and Rangers have found their footing and will compete for the district title. Molalla, which defeated Estacada 36-14 last year, has not won a league title since 2015.

4A No. 1 Marist Catholic (7-1, 4-0 Oregon West Conference) at 4A No. 5 Philomath (7-1, 3-1), 7 p.m.: Marist Catholic moved to the top of the OSAAtoday 4A Coaches Poll this week after defeating then-No. 1 cascade 47-0 last week. The Spartans can clinch the Oregon West title outright with a win, but the Warriors still have a chance at a share of the title.

4A No. 7 Mazama (5-3, 4-0 SD4) at 4A No. 2 Henley (7-1, 4-0), 7 p.m.: Emotions will be high as the South Side Series rivalry game will decide the championship title. Last year, Henley defeated Mazama 42-14, ending the Vikings' 27-game winning streak in the league en route to their first state championship in 41 years.

3A No. 5 Santiam Christian (7-1, 6-0 SD2) at 3A No. 7 Taft (7-1, 6-0), 7 p.m.: It's been a magical season for Taft, which finished 4-5 last season, and now the Tigers will play perennial contender Santiam Christian for the district title. Taft hasn't won a championship since 2003.

2A No. 2 Gervais (7-0, 2-0 SD2) at 2A No. 7 Colton (6-2, 2-0), 7 p.m.: The Gervais defense has five shutouts and has allowed 34 points all season, including 27 against points Salem Academy. Now, in the district title game, the Cougars must stop a Colton team that has averaged 54.0 points in its last five games.

2A No. 6 Lowell (6-2, 4-1 SD5) at 2A No. 9 Lost River (6-2, 4-1), 7 p.m.: If first place Culver takes care of business on the other hand Slidethen this game will determine the No. 2 automatic playoff spot for Special District 5. It faces last year's state champions, Lowell in 2A and Lost River in 1A-8.

2A No. 10 Enterprise (5-2, 4-1 SD6) at 2A No. 3 Heppner (8-0, 5-0), 7 p.m.: Heppner is playing his last year as a legendary coach Greg Grantcan complete a perfect regular season and district title with a win. But Enterprise, which suffered two consecutive losses to Culver and Stanfieldcan secure a share of the district title with a win against the Mustangs.

Saturday

1A-6 No. 4 Eddyville Charter (8-0, 5-0 SD2 North) vs. 1A-6 No. 2 Powers (8-0, 6-0 SD2 South) at Creswell, 6 p.m.: The top teams in the North and South divisions meet for a showdown. Eddyville is coming off a 13-12 non-league win over the defending state champions echo. The teams haven't played since the 2022 quarterfinals, when Powers rolled 59-6.