South Salem Football Reclaimed the Mayor's Cup

The South Salem team defeated North Salem 51-35 in the 70th rendition of the city rivalry.

Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Football

South Salem Football Reclaimed the Mayor's Cup

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South Salem defeated North Salem 51-35 to reclaim the Mayor's Cup on October 2, 2026. The victory marks a significant turnaround for a team that finished the previous season winless.

Why it matters

The win solidifies an undefeated 5-0 start to the 2026 season for South Salem. Players maintained their commitment to the program despite a difficult 2025 season where they finished with a 0-9 record.

Quarterback Kellen Bowman completed 31 of 37 passes for 455 yards and 7 touchdowns. Teammate Benjamin Greer hauled in 15 catches for 258 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The players

Kellen Bowman

He is the starting quarterback for the South Salem football team who led the offense in the victory.

Benjamin Greer

He is a standout receiver for South Salem who recorded 258 yards in the rivalry game.

Samuel Johnson

He is a key wide receiver for the South Salem team who contributed 108 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.

The details

South Salem utilized a five-wide formation to exploit the defense, resulting in four games with 50 or more points this season. The squad reached this performance level by focusing on increased strength and gaining critical veteran experience.

South Salem finished the 2025 season with an 0-9 record.
The 70th annual Mayor's Cup game took place on October 2, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The victory significantly improves South Salem's standing as they maintain an undefeated 5-0 record early in the 2026 season. This reversal from their 0-9 finish in 2025 alters the competitive balance within the local high school league.

The high-scoring offense led by Kellen Bowman has now produced four games with at least 50 points, signaling a reliable trend for fantasy or tracking performance. This win guarantees South Salem secures the Mayor's Cup for the current 2026 season cycle.

The takeaway

Commitment to team development can rapidly transform a program that previously struggled with a winless season. Players often find that consistent off-season strength training and game-day experience are the primary catalysts for sustained success.