PAGE 6, MCNARY FALL SPORTS PREVIEW, SEPTEMBER 2015
Team parity keeps broadcasters guessing
Every year we ask KBZY broadcaster Mark Gilman and
Craig Spivey, now with CCTV, for their thoughts on the up-
coming season and this year is no different.
Both weighed in on their picks for the top of the league
and who they will be keeping an eye on this season.
Keizertimes: What do you think was the big take-away
from last year’s nine-team conference? A good thing? Bad
thing? Somewhere middling?
Mark Gilman: Overall, the nine team conference was a de-
cided success last year—in particular, West Albany brought a
good measure of competitiveness to the Salem-Keizer area
teams after being the big fi sh at the 5A level the previous
season. I expect more of the same in 2015, especially from
Forest Grove this season.
Craig Spivey: I really liked the make up of the Greater
Valley Conference. It allowed for a great team, West Albany,
to step up in class and they competed well. The nine team
conference also, in my opinion, is much better for scheduling.
It still allowed matchups with teams for around the state with
a much stronger base of conference games.
KT: On the team-level, what changes have you most ex-
cited or intrigued this year?
MG: I am curious to see if Forest Grove will be a team to
reckon with in the GVC. Their coach is anticipating the team
will compete for a league title.
CS: I don’t know that there is a team this year that does
not have some big questions going into the season. The stal-
warts, Sprague and West Salem, are young, North Salem has
some great athletes on offense, but depth is always a question.
McNary has a new approach with a new (old) coaching staff.
South Salem has probably the best athlete in the conference in
Gabe Matthews, but can they give him some more weapons?
If I had to choose, I am really curious to see how a Jeff
Auvenin-coached McNary team fares. Jeff is a disciplinar-
ian – not that Isaac Parker was not – but there is a different
intensity around the Celtic camp. McNary has some talented
seniors, but will rely heavily on newcomers that have not
been tested on Friday nights. So, I am curious as to how the
kids react to Jeff ’s style.
KT: What do you think the challenges will be for each
team?
MG: Forest Grove: Improving upon last season’s defen-
sive struggles to be a conference title contender. The Vikings
have to be able to contain the offenses of the top contenders
to be successful.
McKay: Building upon last season’s early success and the
loss of key players from a smaller player pool than most GVC
teams, the Scots are looking to pound the ball in their wing-
T offense.
McMinnville: Adjusting to a new coach and new offensive
system is never easy, but quarterback Wyatt Smith could make
the transition an easy one.
McNary: Rising to the occasion to fi ll the shoes of some
key playmakers, while adjusting to a new head coach is always
a challenge. Having a great turnout of players will help this
season.
North Salem: Improving upon last season while replacing
key players on both sides of the football is a way of life at
Family Time, Game Time,
Traeger ® Time!
WE PRICE MATCH!
New Traeger ®
Grills & Accessories
North Salem. Jeff Flood has plenty of speed in his offensive
backfi eld.
Sprague: Using the experience of a “young team” to
generate more wins in 2015 is Coach Jay Minyard’s chal-
lenge. Many players gained valuable experience as sopho-
mores last year.
South Salem: Trying to defend their GVC title with lots
of youth, especially on defense is never an easy task. But
Coach Scott Dufault has some potential stars in the making.
West Albany: Working to return to the state playoffs with-
out an experienced quarterback is tough, and the Bulldogs
were still looking at fi ve or six underclassmen in that position.
West Salem: Reloading after a very successful run last year
in the 6A playoffs has been a Titan tradition. Coach Shawn
Stanley is always optimistic, and with 190 players out for the
team, it is easy to see why.
CS: North Salem has two good quarterback candidates
and a bevy of running backs. But they have a brand new
offensive line. There is the potential to be explosive in Jeff
Flood’s version of the Wing-T, and unfortunately I think the
Vikings are going to need to score a lot of points to be com-
petitive.
South Salem has a very experienced offensive line and I
think one of the best quarterbacks in the state in Gabe Mat-
thews. But for the Saxon offense to fl y, they need more pro-
duction out of their passing game than a year ago. There is
good balance with running back Davis Carter, but can the
Saxons throw the ball?
Continued on Page 7
PROUD
CONTRIBUTOR
TO McNARY TURF PROJECT
Also carrying
The Big Green Egg ®
and Accessories
Seasonings,
BBQ sauces,
Marinades
Sales, Service, Parts
(503) 302-8489
3800 River Rd. N,
Suite 120, Keizer
Love – Peace – BBO Grease
LET’S GO CELTS!
3030 River Road N • 503.585.7551 • LesSchwab.com