ROAD TESTED.

Byline: Steve Mims The Register-Guard

Sheldon has tested itself against a couple of the state's top 6A football teams and renewed some old rivalries, but now it is time for the conference season to begin.

The fifth-ranked Irish take a 51-game league winning streak into their Southwest Conference opener at South Medford on Friday after finishing the nonleague schedule with a 4-1 record. Sheldon has won six straight league titles dating back to its time in the Midwestern League.

"It is always a little change of atmosphere when league starts," Sheldon coach Marty Johnson said. "I felt like the kids had a look in their eye that they are ready to get to it. It is fun playing nonleague games, and you learn a lot. At the same time, they realize every win and loss now will be a huge deal in terms of our chance to make the playoffs."

Sheldon and No. 8 South Eugene (4-0) are two of three ranked SWC teams heading into conference play along with No. 6 Grants Pass (5-0). South Medford and Roseburg are both 2-2, and North Medford is 1-3.

"I think it's no surprise that all the teams are winning," South Eugene coach Travis Johnson said. "A couple teams have losses to good teams, and in my eyes, Sheldon is the team to beat until somebody beats them. I've seen film on Grants Pass and highlights on South Medford, North Medford, Roseburg and Sheldon, and they all look good. It's a meat-grinder. You take each week and don't get ahead of yourself and hope you stay healthy."

The SWC's 18 victories so far this season are tied with the Three Rivers League for the most among 6A leagues.

"It looks like a lot of balance," Marty Johnson said. "People were saying South Eugene might be down, but they look as strong as anyone. We knew Grants Pass had good kids coming back, and South Medford looks to be more improved than anyone. Roseburg will always be tough and North Medford went up and played Westview tough."

Sheldon was picked as the league favorite in a preseason coaches poll in the The Mail-Tribune newspaper in Medford, and the Irish are off to another strong start. Sheldon lost to second-ranked Westview, but defeated Tigard, Marist, Thurston and Churchill.

"I feel really good where we're at," senior running back Zach Todd said. "The whole preseason is about getting prepared for league, and we're ready."

Todd has been a playmaker, scoring 11 touchdowns. They have come on six runs, two receptions, two interception returns and one kickoff return.

"We kind of knew based upon last year and how hard he worked during track season and over the summer that he was going to have a chance to have a great senior year, and so far he has done the things we've asked him to," Marty Johnson said. "He certainly gives us a breakaway threat."

Sophomore quarterback Jordan Johnson has been an effective passer - he was a combined 31-for-35 for 324 yards against Marist and Churchill - and also has run for three scores. Johnson has a plethora of targets including Tyler Martell, Matt Carman, Curtis White, Anthony Yakovich and Tommy Stewart.

Sheldon's defense has given up an average of nine points per game during its current three-game winning streak. Linebacker Brandon Baker, lineman Andrew Roberts, and defensive backs Carman and Martell are all three-year starters.

"We had a lot of pieces coming back on defense," Johnson said. "We graduated some guys, but a bunch of our kids have played a lot."

The Irish open league play against South Medford, which has victories over Summit and Wilson to go with losses to Tualatin and Sunset.

South Eugene has some key transfers, including quarterback Dustin Haines and running back Boseko Lokombo, who have helped the Axemen got off to a quick start.

"With all the new kids, I feel like we are clicking, and the kids are believing more and more in their coaching staff and themselves," Travis Johnson said. "That is your initial worry as a coaching staff: Will the kids buy in?

"The more successful they are, the more their confidence grows with each other."

South Eugene has victories over Sunset, North Salem, North Eugene and Churchill.

South Eugene was picked to finish last in The Mail-Tribune coaches poll, but that was before an undefeated start. The Axemen finished tied for fourth in league last year at 2-3 and all three losses were in overtime.

"From the standpoint of where we may stand in the state and league, last year was big because we found out we could play with those teams," Travis Johnson said. "The kids have built on that and now that it is our second year in league, we know we can play with them, and that has helped our overall confidence."

The Axemen have had injuries and suspensions early in the year, but Johnson said his team should be at full strength for its Friday opener at Grants Pass.

Haines has become a threat to run and pass at quarterback, and Lokombo rushed for 210 yards in a win over Churchill to give the Axemen a strong 1-2 combination in the backfield along with Nate Sullivan.

Transfer Justin Goode adds to a strong group of receivers that includes Abe Lapite and Alex Coleman.

"I feel fortunate to be 4-0, and all that credit goes to the kids," Travis Johnson said. "They have taken to the challenge, and we use a lot of motivation from people kind of underestimating you.

"You're in control of what happens, and the best way to get respect is to earn it. We have played four good teams and we were able to come out undefeated, and that is what we wanted to do."

Grants Pass is also undefeated with victories over Redmond, Thurston, Oregon City, Marshfield and Forest Grove.

Roseburg and North Medford also play Friday night.