Sophomore Ginger Murnieks, a cross country runner, stands for a portrait at Sprague High School in Salem on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016.

Ginger Murnieks, Sprague cross country: The sophomore ran a personal record 17:42 to win Friday’s Meriwether National Cross Country Invite in Hillsboro. Her time is the No. 2 time in the state this season.

Brett Traeger.

Brett Traeger, Kennedy football: The senior quarterback was 10 of 16 passing for 243 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 18 yards and two touchdowns on three carries in Friday’s 48-15 win against Lost River.

Peter Mendazona.

Peter Mendazona, Central football: The junior quarterback was 16 of 23 passing of 294 yards and five touchdowns in Friday’s 35-28 win against South Albany.

Dane McKinney.

Dane McKinney, Sprague football: The senior running back/linebacker rushed for 49 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries, returned a fumble 55 yards for a touchdown and recorded three sacks in Friday’s 49-27 win against McMinnville.

Vote for your favorite by Thursday at noon at StatesmanJournal.com/aow.

South Salem junior Bridgette O’Connor

North Salem senior Alex Vasquez

West Salem senior Ahmed Muhumed

McNary senior Abigail Smith

South Salem senior Ellie Slama has been named the 2016 Oregon Junior Golf Player of the Year by Oregon Junior Golf and the Oregon Golf Association.

It was the second year in a row she was given the award.

The 17-year-old won the Peter Jacobsen Junior Challenge in June then won the 2016 PNGA Junior Girls Amateur.

In national competitions she placed seventh at the IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships and was 18th at the 2016 Girls’ Junior America’s Cup.

Junior Ellie Slama is nominated for an award in the Statesman Journal’s Mid-Valley Sports Awards to be held in June. Photographed at South Salem High School on Tuesday, May 24, 2016.

Coaching

Steve Miller has been hired as head baseball coach at Cascade, replacing Tim Ganfield, who has resigned.

Miller, a 1998 graduate of Cascade, has been the defensive coordinator for Cascade’s football team since 2014 and was an assistant coach for Cascade’s baseball team last season.

He formerly was the softball coach at Stayton.

Athletes of the week

Caley Hiebert, Kinsey Funk, Noah Tavera and Caleb Lounsbury were named the athletes of the week by the Salem Sports & Breakfast Club on Sept. 23.

Hiebert, a junior outside hitter for Sprague’s volleyball team, had 16 kills, three blocks and five digs at a tournament and nine kills and only one hitting error in a win against South Salem.

Funk, a senior forward for Sprague’s girls soccer team, came off an injury to score two goals and record an assist in the Olympians’ 5-4 win against Liberty.

Tavera, a senior quarterback for McKay, threw three touchdown passes in the Royal Scots’ 43-0 win against Forest Grove.

Lounsbury, a junior for Sprague’s boys soccer team, scored both of Sprague’s goals in a 2-2 tie with Benson.

In the club’s Sept. 16 meeting, McNary senior soccer defender Abigail Smith, South Salem junior outside hitter Bridette O’Connor, North Salem senior running back Alex Vasquez and West Salem senior cross country runner Ahmed Muhumed were honored as athletes of the week.

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler

McKay senior Noah Tavera

Sprague senior Kinsey Funk

Sprague junior Caley Hiebert

Sprague junior Caleb Lounsbury

The track and field speed of Brendan Van Voorhis is translating onto the gridiron.

McNary High School’s senior receiver had the kind of breakout performance people have been hoping he would in Friday’s 46-41 Greater Valley Conference win against McKay.

Van Voorhis caught eight passes for 275 yards and four touchdowns in the win.

His speed was never in doubt.

Van Voorhis has placed sixth at the Class 6A state track and field meet the past two seasons in the 400 meter dash, won the GVC district championship in the event last season, and was 10th in the state in the 200.

In addition to that, he has places of second, third, third and fifth in the state in the relays.

This is the rest of the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Mid-Valley weekly watch list:

Levi Nielsen, Silverton football: The sophomore quarterback was 17 for 34 passing for 219 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s 21-20 loss to Lebanon.

Spencer Plant, Sprague football: The junior quarterback was 18 for 23 passing for 256 yards and had two carries for 53 yards and a touchdown in Friday’s 49-27 win against McMinnville.

Tanner Earhart, Dallas football: The senior running back rushed for 231 yards and 30 carries and three touchdowns in Friday’s 51-18 win against Glencoe.

Harrison Broadus, South Salem football: The senior quarterback was 10 of 18 passing for 82 yards and a touchdown in Friday’s 52-10 loss to South Medford.

Khyler Beach, McKay football: The junior receiver caught eight passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s 46-41 loss to McNary.

Noah Whitaker, West Salem football: The junior running back rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s 51-0 win against Forest Grove.

Peter Mason, Central football: The senior receiver caught five passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s 35-28 win against South Albany.

Brendan Van Voorhis caught eight passes for 275 yards and four touchdowns against McKay.

A referee calls a touchdown for McNary.

The premier high school guard in the country will be playing at a gymnasium near you during the 2016-17 basketball season

South Salem’s Evina Westbrook is rated as the No. 1 girls high school guard in the country by ESPN.

South Salem’s Evina Westbrook is rated as the No. 1 guard in the country in the latest rankings by espnw100 for the 2017 recruiting class, and the No. 2 player overall.

Westbrook, a 6-foot senior, has narrowed her college choices to Oregon State, Maryland, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Tennessee and USC. The early signing period for high school basketball players to sign national letters of intent is Nov. 9.

Westbrook, who has helped lead South Salem to back-to-back 6A state championships, played on the USA Women’s U18 National Team that won a world championship this summer in Valdivia, Chile. She also won a second straight national championship playing for the Cal Stars in AAU.

ghorowitz@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6726 or Twitter.com/ghorowitz

When the football teams from Kennedy High School and Regis play every year, the stakes are greater than just the rivalry between the two near-by schools – Kennedy is in Mount Angel and Regis is in Stayton.

Usually state playoff seeds – and the league championship – hang in the balance.

Kennedy quarterback Brett Traeger (12) carries the ball and tucks in behind running back Jack Suing (84) in the first quarter of the season-opening game against Clatskanie on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, in Mt. Angel, Ore. The Kennedy Trojans defeated the Clatskanie Tigers 52 to 13.

But the OSAA’s change in allocating state playoff gives an easier path to the postseason for all the Tri-River teams this season.

If the season were to end today, all five Tri-River football teams would be in the state playoffs.

“I think it’s a great change,” Kennedy coach Joe Panuke said. “How we’re ranked right now there’s a chance everybody in our league would be in the playoffs.”

With the change, the top two teams in the five-team Tri-River – as well as all the other 2A leagues in the state – will get automatic state playoff berths.

The next four teams in the OSAA’s power rankings will get berths into the playoffs.

Kennedy (4-0) is No. 2, Santiam (4-0) is No. 7, St. Paul (3-1) is No. 8, Regis (2-2) is No. 9 and Central Linn (2-2) is No. 12.

Last season three teams from each league got state playoff berths and one team statewide got an automatic state playoff berth based on power rankings.

When Kennedy plays at Regis Friday night, it matches two teams that were in the state semifinals – Kennedy lost in the championship game to Heppner – a year ago.

And it matches two teams that were co-league champions last season.

“It may be a cliche, but like I tell our guys every week, last week when we played Lost River I said let’s be the best team we can be in week four,” Panuke said. “Let’s be the best team we can in week one of league.

“The league title is not won or lost in week one in league. Just play our best football. Go out there and play our tails off.”

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler

Lost River High School’s football team thought they had figured out how to stop Kennedy: Focus on stopping senior running back Bishop Mitchell.

Brett Traeger made them pay for that.

The 6-1, 185 pound senior quarterback was 10 of 16 passing for 243 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 18 yards and two touchdowns on three carries in the 48-15 win against Lost River at Summit.

“They really committed to shut down Bishop and we opened our passing game and Brett did great,” Kennedy coach Joe Panuke said.

Traeger was voted the athlete of the week by a poll of readers.

Traeger had a lot of success at defensive back as a junior and was first-team all-state, but was overlooked on offense.

Now he’s forcing teams to pay attention.

Kennedy (4-0) plays at Regis (2-2) Friday night in the Tri-River Conference opener.

Kennedy senior Brett Traeger (12) tackles Clatskanie freshman James Helman (25) in the season-opening game on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, in Mt. Angel, Ore. The Kennedy Trojans defeated the Clatskanie Tigers 52 to 13.

South Salem players runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016.

McMinnville 24, South Salem 12: The Saxons fall to 2-2 in the Greater Valley Conference and 2-3 overall with the loss.

South Salem next will play at North Salem at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

McNary Marc Baiza looks to head off North Salem’s Michael Bolen in the season opening-game on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, at North Salem High School. McNary won the match-up 38-35.

McNary 24, Forest Grove 0: The Celtics improve to 3-2 overall and in the Greater Valley Conference with the win.

McNary next will play at McMinnville at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

West Salem’s Jared Oliver looks for an opening as the Titans fall to Sheldon 35-8 in a non-league game on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016.

West Salem 56, North Salem 6: Jared Oliver passed for 149 yards and two touchdowns, and Noah Whitaker added 121 yards and two touchdowns on the ground for the Titans.

Anthony Zellner had a 32-yard punt return for a touchdown for West Salem.

With the victory, Greater Valley Conference-leading West Salem improves to 4-1 overall and 4-0 in the conference.

North Salem falls to 1-4 overall and in the GVC. The Vikings next will face South Salem at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

McKay’s Avori Miranda (30) tucks in the ball in a game against Forest Grove on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016. The McKay Royal Scots won the game 43-0.

West Albany 13, McKay 6: The Royal Scots fall to 1-4 overall and in the Greater Valley Conference with the loss.

McKay next will face Glencoe in a nonconference game at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

Sprague’s Alek Altringer runs the ball as Olys defeat the McMinnville Grizzlies 49-27 in Greater Valley Conference game on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, in McMinnville.

Sprague 53, Grants Pass 7: The Olympians improve to 4-1 overall with the nonconference win.

Sprague remains 3-1 in the Greater Valley Conference and will play at Forest Grove at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

Dallas’ Tanner Earhart (24) vaults over teammate Boe Bray (64) after colliding with Central’s Isaiah Abraham (22) at a game on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016, at Central High Schoo in Independence.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

McMinnville 24, South Salem 12: The Saxons fall to 2-2 in the Greater Valley Conference and 2-3 overall with the loss.

South Salem next will play at North Salem at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

McNary 24, Forest Grove 0: The Celtics improve to 3-2 overall and in the Greater Valley Conference with the win.

McNary next will play at McMinnville at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

West Salem 56, North Salem 6: Jared Oliver passed for 149 yards and two touchdowns, and Noah Whitaker added 121 yards and two touchdowns on the ground for the Titans.

Anthony Zellner had a 32-yard punt return for a touchdown for West Salem.

With the victory, Greater Valley Conference-leading West Salem improves to 4-1 overall and 4-0 in the conference.

North Salem falls to 1-4 overall and in the GVC. The Vikings next will face South Salem at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

West Albany 13, McKay 6: The Royal Scots fall to 1-4 overall and in the Greater Valley Conference with the loss.

McKay next will face Glencoe in a nonconference game at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

Sprague 53, Grants Pass 7: The Olympians improve to 4-1 overall with the nonconference win.

Sprague remains 3-1 in the Greater Valley Conference and will play at Forest Grove at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

Silverton 48, Crescent Valley 21: The Foxes improved to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in the Mid-Willamette Conference with the victory.

Silverton next will play at Corvallis at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

Woodburn 43, Crook County 18: The Bulldogs improve to 2-3 overall with the win.

Woodburn next will play at Estacada at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

North Marion 41, Yamhill-Carlton 33: The Huskies improved to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in the Oregon West Conference with the victory.

North Marion will have a bye next week since Philomath canceled its season. The Huskies next will play at Stayton at 7 p.m. Oct. 13.

Stayton 14, Cascade 12: The Eagles improve to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the Oregon West Conference with the victory, and Cascade falls to 2-3 and 1-1.

Stayton next will face Yamhill-Carlton at 7 p.m. Oct. 7. Cascade next will play at Newport at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

Dayton 41, Santiam Christian 14: The Pirates improve to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the West Valley League with the win.

Dayton next will face Sheridan at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

Santiam Christian falls to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the league with the loss. They next will face Cascade Christian at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

Amity 56, Sheridan 12: Amity improves to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the West Valley League with the win, and will face Taft next at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

With the loss, Sheridan falls to 1-4 overall and 0-3 in the league. They next will play at Dayton at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

Scio at Jefferson, late

Blanchet Catholic 51, Colton 0: Blanchet improves to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the PacWest Conference with the victory.

Blanchet next will play at Warrenton at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

Salem Academy 68, Chemawa 0: Salem Academy improves to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the PacWest Conference with the victory, and Chemawa falls to 0-3 and 0-2.

Salem Academy next will play at Gervais at 7 p.m. Oct. 7. Chemawa next will face Jefferson at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

Willamina 23, Gervais 16: Willamina improves to 2-3 overall with the victory. They are 0-2 in the West Valley League and will next play at Horizon Christian at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

Gervais falls to 2-3 overall. They are 1-1 in the PacWest and will face Salem Academy at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

Santiam 21, Central Linn 20: Santiam improves to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in the Tri-River Conference with the victory. They next will face St. Paul at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

Perrydale 69, South Wasco County 6: Perrydale improves to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the league with the win. They next will face Ione at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

Lowell 44, Falls City 20: Ryan Sinnett accounted for five touchdowns Friday to lead visiting Lowell.

Sinnett was 8-of-14 pasing for 281 yards, including a touchdown to Hayden Trimble. Sinnett also ran 13 times for 169 yards and four scores. Trimble finished with 101 receiving yards.

Jeremy Labrado had 173 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries for Perrydale. He also threw a touchdown to Reid Simmons.

West Salem’s volleyball team placed third in the Silver bracket at the Nike Tournament of Champions.

West Salem’s volleyball team placed third in the silver bracket in last weekend’s Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix, Ariz.

On Saturday the Titans beat Horizon of Arizona 25-22, 23-25, 15-13, were swept 25-10, 25-18 by Pope John Paul of Louisiana then beat Bishop’s School of California 25-20, 25-16 in the third-place match.

The Titans placed 19th out of the 96 teams from throughout the nation that played in the event.

West Salem is now 14-1 overall, is 10-0 in the Greater Valley Conference and is No. 2 in the OSAA’s power rankings.

Camps

Sprague’s boys and girls basketball programs will host their annual shooting clinics for boys and girls in grades 2 through 8 from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 11 at Sprague.

The clinic covers shooting, footwork, technique, position play, situational shooting and pressure shooting.

The clinic will be operated by Sprague’s coaching staff and players. The cost is $20.

To register go to http://olyathletics.com/hq/camps-and-clinics/ or contact coach B.J. Dobrkovsky at dobrkovsky_bryon@salkeiz.k12.or.us.

Hall of Fame

South Salem inducted its 2016 Saxon Hall of Fame class before Friday’s football game.

The class included Lee Watson (class of 1967), Adam Albrich (class of 1992), Kyle Carlson (class of 1996), Elliot Mueller (class of 1998), Joey August (class of 2005), Sari-Jane (Jenkins) August (class of 2005) and Mike Stortz (class of 1966).

Athletes of the week

Hannah Hersh, Ginger Murnieks, Brendan Van Voorhis and Stuart Aeschliman were chosen as athletes of the week by the Salem Sports & Breakfast Club on Sept. 30.

South Salem senior Hannah Hersh

Hersh, a senior outside defender and midfielder for South Salem’s girls soccer team, was credited with a save in a 0-0 tie with Forest Grove.

Sprague sophomore Ginger Murnieks

Murnieks, a sophomore for Sprague’s cross country team, has won the Northwest Classic and Meriwether Invitational and is ranked No. 2 in the state this season.

McNary senior Brendan Van Voorhies

Van Voorhis, a senior receiver for McNary’s football team, had eight catches for 275 yards and four touchdowns, returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and rushed for 44 yards on seven carries in the Celtics’ 46-41 win against McKay.

West Salem senior Stuart Aeschliman

Aeschliman, a senior forward for West Salem’s boys soccer team, scored three goals and had an assist against McNary and had two assists in a win last week against Lincoln.

When Josiah Gilbert came out to McNary High School’s football field this fall to battle it out for the starting quarterback position, people expected him to be a pro-style quarterback.

After all, as a strong-arm pitcher for the Celtics’ baseball, he was a first-team all-Greater Valley Conference player as a junior and is known as a college baseball prospect.

But since he’s come out to the football field, Gilbert also has become known for his prowess running the ball.

In Friday’s 24-0 win against Forest Grove he was 12 of 20 passing for 127 yards and a touchdown, but he also rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

This is the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Mid-Valley weekly watch list:

Noah Whitaker, West Salem football: The junior running back rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s 56-6 win against North Salem.

Jeremy Labrado, Falls City football: The junior quarterback ran for 173 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries in Friday’s 44-20 loss to Lowell.

Kyle Martz, South Salem football: The senior receiver caught four passes for 65 yards and a touchdown in Friday’s 24-14 loss to McMinnville.

Peter Mendazona, Central football: The junior quarterback was 18 for 26 passing for 189 yards and a touchdown in Friday’s 21-20 win against Dallas.

Bryce Piete, Regis football: The senior quarterback was 9 for 17 passing for 133 yards and rushed for 27 yards on five carries in Friday’s 15-7 win against Kennedy.

Tanner Earhart, Dallas football: The senior running back rushed for 182 yards and a touchdowns on 27 carries and recorded two tackles for loss, including one sack, in Friday’s 21-20 loss to Central.

Darren Buckley, Silverton football: The senior running back rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s 48-21 win against Crescent Valley.

McNary quarterback Josiah Gilbert celebrates a win over North Salem in the season opening-game on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, at North Salem High School. McNary won the match-up 38-35.

South Salem senior Parker Morris

Parker Morris, South Salem water polo: The senior scored four goals in Tuesday’s 13-9 win against West Salem and had four goals in Thursday’s 16-3 win against South Albany.

Sophomore basketball player Tristan Fergus at Dayton High School in Dayton, Ore., on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015.

Tristan Fergus, Dayton football: The junior quarterback was 14 for 19 passing for 202 yards and three touchdowns in Friday’s 41-14 win against Santiam Christian.

Regis’ Eric Gustin (center) slows down after crossing the finish line first in the boys 400 meter with a time of 50.67 at the Meet of Champions on Saturday, April 23, 2016, at McCulloch Stadium in Salem.

Eric Gustin, Regis football: The senior tight end rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown on six carries and caught one pass for 13 yards in Friday’s 15-7 win against Kennedy.

Sydney Brown for Salem Academy girls basketball

Sydney Brown, Salem Academy volleyball: The junior middle blocker had 14 kills in Thursday’s 3-0 win against Blanchet Catholic.

Vote for your favorite by noon Thursday at StatesmanJournal.com/aow.

Athlete of the week candidates

Parker Morris helps others often.

Whether it be as a teaching assistant with Children’s Educational Theatre, coaching water polo camps for Madrona Swim Club or scoring goals for South Salem’s water polo team, Morris makes an impact.

And now he’s doing more.

The senior scored four goals in a 13-9 win against West Salem and had four goals in a 16-3 win against South Albany.

He was chosen as the athlete of the week by a vote of readers.

Morris also is one of South Salem’s top distance swimmers on its swimming teams.

South Salem senior Parker Morris

Most punters are never noticed.

Even most professional football players who play one of the most specialized positons in sports can walk around in the towns in which they play and be passed on the street by the most ardent of fans like they’re invisible.

But people are recognizing Ryan Allen.

It’s what happens when a player like the 6-foot-2, 220 pound Allen plays for one of the most successful franchises in professional sports in the world – the New England Patriots – in a sports-mad geographical area, and he plays the game well.

Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots punter Ryan Allen (6) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

At 26 years old and in his fourth year in the NFL, the West Salem High School graduate has proved his worth to the Patriots, and the state of Massachusetts has grown in its appreciation for him.

He says he can still go to dinner at a restaurant with friends, but most times he will be noticed.

“It’s an honor, first and foremost, to be able to work for coach (Bill) Belichick and this organization,” Allen said. “Extending from that, it kind of leaks into the sports culture around this city and this state from year to year. To be kind of around public and for people to notice your team and your place of work, it’s crazy. That’s something you appreciate and cherish.

“I don’t get bugged. I’m not (Tom) Brady or anything like that, but it’s cool when people are like, ‘Great game this weekend.’ We do, we have a great following out there.”

In his fourth year with the Patriots since finishing his college career as the two-time Ray Guy Award-winning punter at Louisiana Tech, Allen has become a rock on special teams in Foxboro, Mass.

This season Allen has punted 19 times for 863 yards – an average of 45.4 yards per punt – and four have been returned for a total of 26 yards.

Allen was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after the Patriots’ 27-0 week three win against the Houston Texans.

In that game he punted seven times for 333 yards, with six inside the 20-yard line and none of those returned.

The Patriots’ previous four punters – Ken Walter, Josh Miller, Chris Hanson and Zoltan Mesko – each were with the team for three years.

Allen signed a three-year contract extension – worth $6.685 million according to ESPN – in July of 2015 that runs through the 2018 season.

Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots punter Ryan Allen (6) and long snapper Joe Cardona (49) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

But some of his predecessors had signed extensions, too.

That Allen is in his fourth year with the Patriots makes him the longest tenured punter for the team this century.

“This is a very production-driven business,” Allen said. “You’re only as good and worth what you’re producing, if you will. In that regards you can never be comfortable and complacent. I’m comfortable with where I’m at.

“You’ve got to always helping your team be successful on a weekly basis. If you don’t do that, eventually you’re going to be gone. You kind of take that with a grain of salt, if you will. I’m confident in where I’m at and in my position. At the same time, there’s always going to be someone coming for your job.”

Since Allen’s entry into the league as an undrafted free agent with the Patriots in 2013, he has already been at the pinnacle when New England won Super Bowl XLIX in 2015.

It seems almost inconceivable that in his first two years of high school at South Salem the only sport he played was basketball.

Yes, his background as a youth in soccer came in handy when he finally came out for football as a junior at South Salem.

But it wasn’t until his senior year at West Salem when he rose to prominence and took off on the path that took him to Oregon State, Louisiana Tech and eventually his current place in the world.

Sep 1, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA;New England Patriots punter Ryan Allen (6) punts the ball in the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

Allen’s life has changed significantly in the past few years since he joined the Patriots, and he’s grown up a lot.

“One word that kind of describes it is busy,” he said. “I still have my friends from home and from Salem, Oregon and from Portland. It does mean a lot to see them. Whenever I get the chance in our month off I go home.

“I try to do so, but it’s a lot of flying back and forth. I’ve got a girlfriend who works back in Portland. It’s sort of the long distance thing. That’s the only thing that’s kind of a struggle or a negative aspect of it. My family loves following the journey. There’s some things you got to sacrifice being far away from home.”

bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler

McKay’s Javi Cardenas (2) is taken down by Glencoe’s David Stadelman (6) in the first half of the Glencoe vs. McKay football game at McKay High School on Friday, Oct. 7, 2016.

Glencoe 13, McKay 6: The Royal Scots fall to 1-5 overall with the loss and remain 1-4 in the Greater Valley Conference.

McKay next will host South Salem at 7 p.m. Thursday.

West Salem’s Jared Oliver throws as the Titans defeat Sprague 36-29 in a Greater Valley Conference game on Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, at Sprague High School.

West Salem 37, West Albany 24: The Titans improved to 5-0 in the Greater Valley Conference and 5-1 overall with the victory.

West Salem next will host McMinnville at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Sprague’s Spencer Plant passes the ball as the Olys take on the McMinnville Grizzlies in Greater Valley Conference game on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, in McMinnville.

Sprague 62, Forest Grove 6: The Olympians improved to 4-1 in the Greater Valley Conference and 5-1 overall with the win.

Sprague next will host North Salem at 7 p.m. Thursday.