The 2026 high school football season is already generating excitement in the Salem‑Keizer corridor, where a handful of quarterbacks are being watched closely as they step into leadership roles.
Kellen Bowman, who topped Class 6A with 3,214 passing yards last year, continues to draw attention after setting a state single‑game record of 692 yards and 48 completions against Grants Pass, even though South Salem finished winless.
JT Girod, a Special District 3 honoree, threw for more than 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2025 while completing 60 percent of his passes, and he hopes to carry the momentum from a recent Class 5A baseball championship into the fall.
Rising talent across the district
Thomas Hess helped Dallas achieve a third‑place conference finish and a 5A state quarterfinal berth, and he averaged roughly 50 rushing yards per game, underscoring his dual‑threat capabilities.
Noah Hockett led St. Paul to a Class 2A state semifinal and a conference title, earning all‑state honorable mention, and his recent performance adds to the depth of talent in the region.
Madden Hughes, now at Cascade, was named to the Special District 2 first team after guiding Stayton to a 7‑3 record, while Taiki Kawamura contributed to Salem Academy’s 3‑5 campaign in a tough Class 3A district.
Quenton Lake has transferred to Silverton, bringing his experience from a 5‑5 North Salem season and a second‑team all‑conference nod, while Tevita Lata is battling for the starting quarterback spot at North Salem.
Jackson Olson, a 6‑foot‑3 senior at West Salem, is vying for the quarterback position after a JV start, and Ethan Wylam, who led Sprague’s junior varsity to an undefeated season, is also in the mix.
The OSAA has instituted two‑a‑day practices and full‑time preseason work as teams prepare, a shift that reflects the growing competitiveness and the opportunity for new players to step into the roles vacated by recently graduated state champions.