The Siuslaw Vikings football team opens defense of its Class 3A state title Sept. 2 with a home game against long-time coast rival Newport.

Kickoff for the nonleague game at Hans Petersen Memorial Field is 7 p.m.

Some of the schedule's finer points:

— Six of the nine games are against schools the Vikings did not play last season — Newport, Bandon, Harrisburg (game cancelled), Creswell, Elmira and North Marion.

— The game at Bandon will be Siuslaw's introduction to 9-man football. (The junior varsity game the following Monday at Siuslaw also will be 9-man.)

— There are NO open dates on the schedule, often a challenge when in a league has an odd number of teams.

— The Vikings' first year in the 3A Mountain Valley Conference will include three league home games (Harrisburg, Elmira, Sisters) and three league road games (La Pine, Creswell, Pleasant Hill).

— Six teams were a combined 5-45 last season — Newport (1-8), Harrisburg (1-7), Elmira (2-8), North Marion (0-8), Sisters (1-6) and Pleasant Hill (0-8).

— The other three teams were a combined 20-12 — Bandon (8-4), La Pine (7-4) and Creswell (5-4).

The Vikings finished 12-0 last season under coach Sam Johnson, whose 21 wins in three seasons ranks third on the school's all-time list behind Len Lutero and Tim Dodson.

First practice is Monday, Aug. 14.

2022 opponents:
Newport (9/2) — Head coach: Dan Schaffeld. 2021 record: 1-8 overall, 0-4 in 4A Oregon West Conference. Vs. Siuslaw: did not play
at Bandon (9-man) — Head coach: Jordan Sammons. 2021 record: 8-4 overall, 4-2 in 2A Special District 4. Vs. Siuslaw: did not play
at La Pine (9/16) — Head coach: Bo DeForest. 2021 record: 7-4 overall, 4-1 in 3A Special District 2 North. Vs. Siuslaw: lost twice to Vikings, both games in Florence, 34-26 during regular season and 28-26 in 3A state semifinals.
Harrisburg (9/23) — Head coach: Chase Beach. 2021 record: 1-7 overall playing as an independent. Vs. Siuslaw: game cancelled.
at Creswell (9/30) — Head coach: Scott Worsham. 2021 record: 5-4 overall, 3-3 in 2A Special District 3. Vs. Siuslaw: did not play.
Elmira (10/7) — Head coach: Justin Peeler. 2021 record: 2-8 overall, 1-3 in 4A Sky-Em League. Vs. Siuslaw: did not play
at North Marion (10/14) — Head coach: Michael Bicknell. 2021 record: 0-8 overall, 0-5 in 4A Special District 2. Vs. Siuslaw: did not play.
Sisters (10/21) — Head coach: Clayton Hall. 2021 record: 1-6 overall, 1-4 in 3A Special District 2 North. Vs. Siuslaw: lost 50-0 to Vikings in a game played at Caldera High School in Bend because of nearby fires.
at Pleasant Hill (10/28) — Head coach: Joel Smith. 2021 record: 0-8 overall, 0-5 in 3A Special District 2 North. Vs. Siuslaw: lost to Vikings 66-19 in game played in Florence, featuring state-record 7 touchdown receptions by Braydon Thornton.

2022 SIUSLAW FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Varsity
Friday, Sept 2 — Newport, 7 p.m., nonleague
Friday, Sept. 9 — at Bandon (9-man), 7 p.m.,  nonleague
Friday, Sept. 16 — at La Pine, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 23 — Harrisburg, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 30 — at Creswell, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 7 — Elmira, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 14 — at North Marion (Aurora), 7 p.m., nonleague
Friday, Oct. 21 — Sisters, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 28 — at Pleasant Hill, 7 p.m.
Junior varsity
Thursday, Sept. 1 — at Newport, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 12 — Bandon (9-man), 5:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 19 — La Pine, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 26 — at Harrisburg, 5 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 3 — Creswell, 5 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 10 — at Elmira, 7 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 17 — Marshfield, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 24 — at Sisters, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 31 — Pleasant Hill, 5:30 p.m.