Most quarterbacks wouldn't be interested in setting a record for interceptions.

But, then, Siuslaw senior Preston Mitchell isn't most quarterbacks. He's also a defensive back with four interceptions in three games, just three shy of the school record of seven shared by Cody Weeks (1999) and Dylan Alameda (2011).

Mitchell had two picks, a pair of rushing touchdowns and a TD pass Friday as the Vikings ran their record to 3-0 with a 35-13 victory over Hidden Valley in Grants Pass.

Tuesday, Mitchell was named Coast Radio's Athlete of the Week.

"Preston's a great kid, and he comes from a great family, a family of great leaders," Siuslaw coach Tim Dodson said. "He's really following in the footsteps. The expectation is there, so he's meeting the expectation, which is awesome. Really awesome."

Mitchell worked his magic on both sides of the ball. At quarterback, he rushed 14 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns and he passed for 107 yards and a score.

"Offensively, we were able to establish the run game, and that got things going for us," Mitchell said. "I was able to break free a few times because they were keying on (running backs) Kenny (Thrall) and Caleb (Cawson)."

The Vikings' backs also helped carry the load, Thrall bulling for 86 yards and a TD and Cawson slashing for 42 yards and a score.

Siuslaw finished with 40 rushes for 239 yards and four TDs against the host Mustangs, who entered the game 2-0 and ranked No. 4 among 4A schools by the Oregon School Activities Association.

The Vikings have now gone three games without fumbling the ball away once. Their one turnover was an interception by Mitchell in a 29-6 victory over Pleasant Hill in Week 2.

The offensive line of Robert Fleming, Dylan Jennings, Michael Larson, Michael Mason and Sean Rojas has been solid in providing holes to run for Thrall, Cawson, Mitchell and Nick Steinman while providing time for Mitchell to launch the occasional pass.

"I've got a great center in Michael Larson," Mitchell said. "He's not the biggest kid (at 5-foot-8, 160 pounds), but he has one of the biggest hearts I know, and he works super hard."

Mitchell and Larson have been near-flawless in three games in the center-quarterback exchange.

"All across the line we have super-hard workers," Mitchell said. "We're getting better and better every week.

"Mike (Mason) and Dylan (Jennings) are obviously doing a great job. Sean (Rojas) has filled in for Kainan (Lane), who's been hurt, and he's picked it up real fast. And Robert (Fleming) just gets better and better every week."

Through three games that line has allowed Mitchell to rush for 291 yards and four TDs while passing for 292 yards and three TDs, one in each game.

Friday's completions included his longest scoring pass of the year, a 61-yarder to 6-foot-4, 205-pound senior tight end Reese Siegel with under five minutes left in the game. Siegel received honorable mention honors for Athlete of the Week.

"Reese made a sweet catch, and he's got those long strides," Mitchell said. "Once he gets going, he's pretty fast."

Mitchell's primary target has been senior Scott Gordon, who was the Coast Radio Athlete of the Week after grabbing eight balls for 65 yards and a TD in the season opener, a 24-6 victory over Newport.

Another developing target is sophomore wideout Evan Teter.

"Evan's got great hands, and he knows more of what he's doing now," Mitchell said. "He's confident in what he's doing, and he's going to be tough."

Maybe as tough as his senior teammate, the one chasing the school record for interceptions.

"I guess I'm on a good track for the record," Mitchell said.

For now, his thoughts are solely on Friday's Far West League opponent, the South Umpqua Lancers, who the Vikings host at 7 p.m. at Hans Petersen Field.

"It's going to be a great game," Mitchell said. "It will be fun to match up against them. I think we match up pretty well."

And that's whether he's directing a promising a scoring drive, or perhaps stopping one, with another timely interception.