By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SALEM, Ore.–  It was just another day at the office for South Salem’s Tyler Takemoto.

Out at McKay High School, going through Offensive Line and Defensive Line drills at the U.S. Bowl Try-Outs Sunday afternoon, Takemoto is wrapping up a hard-working preseason that featured camps like a Top 200 Camp in Texas.  All to improve entering his senior year for the Saxons.

“”I’ve gone to a couple of camps and I’ve gone out to Texas for a Top 200 Camp and I’ve been working towards getting the experience.  It’s been really big, I’ve been taking a lot of opportunities to get better for the next upcoming season,” Takemoto said.  “I got to take every opportunity that I can get, just putting in the work. 

Takemoto was an Honorable Mention Defensive Lineman in the Mountain Valley Conference as a junior in 2021 as South Salem reached the postseason for the first time since 2017.  The Saxons reached the second round in 2021 before falling to West Linn, the Lions reached the 6A State Semi-Final round last season.

But for Takemoto, it was a good experience and it had laid the foundation for what is expected to be a strong year this year for him and his South Salem teammates.

“Last year was really big because that was the first time we’ve got to playoffs in a couple of years and I felt like our program has taken a really big leap going into this year,” Takemoto said.  “For me personally (last year’s success) was a pretty big step up for me.”

With the goal to ball out as Takemoto points out, the Saxon senior defensive lineman is two weeks out from his last first practice of his prep career and five weeks away from his final first game of the year.  The Saxons will open the season September 3 at Liberty High School in Renton, Washington.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald