By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SALEM, Ore.–  With the 2015 regular season coming to an end, the Greater Valley Conference match-up between the OSAA 6A ninth-ranked West Salem Titans and the McKay Royal Scots features two teams on the opposite sides of the standings.

The Titans (5-3, 5-2 GVC) are sitting third in the conference, a game behind Sprague and two behind South Salem whereas the Royal Scots (1-7,1-6 GVC) lone 2015 win came from a 10-7 slugfest victory against McNary,

“This is maybe my favorite group ever in terms of their toughness, resiliency, and commitment to our program,” described West Salem Head Coach Shawn Stanley.  “They have been dealt blow after blow and they just keep battling and never quit.”

The Titans offense is averaging a shade over 39 points a game, but their defense is giving up over 29 points a game.

But, the biggest problem with West Salem will be their depth without six of their Top 8 players. however, Stanley knows that the margin of error is small against McKay.

“Without those players our margin of error is very small and McKay has our full attention,” said Stanley.  “They are well coached, tough and playing their last game of the year, we expect a battle.”

With it being Senior Night for 16 of the Scots football players, McKay’s head coach Brett Rhodes knows that consistency and containing the Titans special team unit.

“The expectations for us is to always play focused, discipline, fast, physical football and to represent the community in a positive way,” said Rhodes.  “West Salem is a good team and have got better each week and will be a fun challenge for our guys.”

Kickoff for the game is at 7:15pm with Senior Night festivities starting before kickoff.

Greater Valley Conference

TEAM      (Overall Record, GreaterValley Conference Record

South Salem (8-0,7-0 GVC)

Sprague (6-2, 6-1)

West Salem (5-3, 5-2)

McNary (4-4, 4-3)

Forest Grove (4-4, 3-4)

North Salem (3-5, 3-5)

McMinnville (3-5, 2-5)

McKay (1-7, 1-6)

West Albany (1-7, 1-6)

Jeremy McDonald is a professional sports journalist in the Salem/Portland area and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalist in Oregon with B.S. degrees from Southern Oregon University in Journalism (2011) and Health/PE (2013).  Got a story idea? Email him at jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com or on Twitter at @J_McDonald81!