The West Salem (Salem, OR) varsity football team will face Jesuit (Portland, OR) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 15 at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 Oregon High School Football Playoff Brackets: OSAA – 6A tournament..

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Oregon High School Football
Who: West Salem vs Jesuit
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM
Bracket: 2024 Oregon High School Football Playoff Brackets: OSAA – 6A
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Game preview: West Salem vs Jesuit

The high school football playoff season is in full swing, and one of the most anticipated matchups is set for Friday, November 15, as Jesuit (Portland, OR) takes on West Salem (Salem, OR) in a neutral site playoff game. Both teams have had strong seasons, and this clash promises to be a thrilling contest between two dynamic squads with different styles of play.

Jesuit: A Dominant Force with Balanced Scoring

Jesuit enters the matchup with a 9-2 overall record and a solid 4-1 mark in league play. Known for their balanced offensive attack, the Jesuit Crusaders average an impressive 39.1 points per game, including an average of 10.7 points per game in the first quarter alone. The Crusaders have proven to be a force to be reckoned with, both at home and away, holding a perfect 1-0 record in neutral-site games this season. Their overall team scoring averages show that they have the ability to put up big numbers, consistently finding the end zone in every quarter of their games.

Key Players for Jesuit:

• Luke Ortner leads the rushing attack with an average of 104.9 yards per game, showing his ability to control the ground game.
• Treynor Cleeland has been a standout in the passing game, averaging 184.8 yards per game.
• Joe Stimpson is the top receiver for Jesuit, averaging 62.9 receiving yards per game.

Jesuit’s offense is dangerous, and their ability to move the ball both through the air and on the ground makes them a well-rounded threat. With a strong defense that has limited opponents to just 216 points on the season, Jesuit looks poised to make a deep playoff run.

West Salem: Resilient but Unpredictable

West Salem, with a 7-4 record and a 4-4 mark in league play, enters the playoff game as the underdog but one that should not be underestimated. The Titans have proven themselves to be resilient, with their offense averaging 28.7 points per game, but they have struggled to consistently score throughout the game. They tend to start slower, averaging just 4.7 points in the first quarter, but they have shown a knack for putting up points in the second half.

Key Players for West Salem:

• Treynor Cleeland is also a dual threat for West Salem, accumulating 195.8 total yards per game across both rushing and passing.
• West Salem’s defense, which has allowed 291 points this season, will need to step up against the high-scoring Jesuit offense to have a chance at an upset.

The Titans come into this game with a 2-0 record against common opponents, including a strong win against Westview on November 8 (42-23). They’ve shown they can beat tough teams, but consistency will be key if they hope to advance past Jesuit in this playoff clash.

Key Statistics and Trends

• Jesuit has averaged 176.9 rushing yards per game and 174.6 passing yards per game, making them a very balanced offense. Their total offense averages 351.5 yards per game, while their defense has allowed just 216 points all season.
• West Salem, while strong in certain areas, has seen its offense struggle at times. Their rushing and passing games average fewer yards per game than Jesuit, but their 291 points allowed on defense are close to Jesuit’s defensive performance.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced off against Westview, and Jesuit holds a win with a 28-6 victory on October 4. West Salem also defeated Westview in their matchup (42-23), making this one of the few areas where both teams have some overlap. Jesuit’s 1-0 record against common opponents is slightly better than West Salem’s 2-0, but the Titans’ wins have been impressive, suggesting they are capable of playing at a high level when it counts.

The Bottom Line

This playoff game will come down to execution. Jesuit’s explosive offense and solid defense give them the edge, but West Salem has the potential to pull off an upset if they can improve their first-half performance and limit Jesuit’s scoring. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM on Friday, November 15, and fans can expect a high-energy game as both teams fight for a spot in the next round of the playoffs.

Jesuit may be the favorite, but West Salem will certainly give them a run for their money in what promises to be an exciting matchup. Keep an eye on this game—it’s sure to deliver some unforgettable football moments.