By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore.– The last calendar year has really shaped Christian Newton into the Defensive Back that he is today entering his senior year.
Last Summer, the then-incoming junior for West Salem was part of the Team Alpha 7-on-7 program that allowed him to go up against some high-quality opponents entering last Fall. The season even saw Newton bridge that success into regular season. It helped him against some of the toughest receivers in the 6A Special District 1 conference with the likes of Willamette, Grants Pass, South Medford and so on.
Eventually he slowly made a name for himself late in the season. Taking advantage of his length and his explosiveness to aid him on defense.
“Playing those juggernaut teams, playing against better players and playing in the offseason, playing 7-on-7 and playing different competition and being able to level up your skill and you just play more confidently,” said Newton.
And now, entering his senior season, he’s hoping for a breakout season with West Salem. For the first time since his sophomore year, and second time in his High School career, he’ll be playing on both sides of the ball. Playing Defensive Back and Wide Receiver as West Salem prepares for the upcoming season ahead.
“I definitely have the endurance to do it, I’ve done it in past years. Junior year and freshman year were my only years that I didn’t play both ways, every other year I played both ways. It’s going to be pretty easy for me. At the start, it was a little tiring but we’ll get there,” starts Newton.
With 29 seniors who graduated from last year’s squad, Newton knows the importance for someone like him in his position to come in and lead the program as one of the seniors this year.
“The older guys helping the younger guys, just giving them your knowledge and what you know. And the same for the young guys helping out the older guys, the older guys don’t know everything so the younger guys can help them out. Just that leadership route, just showing the younger guys how to do things. All my years, I’ve had someone there. Last year there was Evan (Wusstig), Tommy Kenney, people in your position group that can really help you out and teach you more,” said Newton.
West Salem will kick off the season August 28 with a jamboree at Newberg with their first game of the year on September 4 against Sheldon at home.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
