One of the most dominant Juniors in the state of Oregon is back and even better in 2011. Fresh off a 2010 state title Bryson Sullivan (6-4 250 TE/DE Jr.) is a leader on both sides of the football, and part of one of the best junior classes Oregon has seen in recent years ( Thomas Tyner 6-1 210 RB Jr, Brayden Kearsley 6-5 270 OL/DL Jr, and Michael Kluge 5-10 280 OL/DL Jr.).
Last season was a rarity. Not only did Aloha pull off a cinderella type story, but they did it with four sophomores playing a significant role. Tyner was the first sophomore in state history to be named Oregon Player of the Year, and he is one of the top players in the country. Kearsley is a BYU Commit and is ranked #4 Overall for the 2013′ class, while Kluge is a walking bulldozer that has broken a variety of bench press records.
Sullivan is a two way threat that earned all league honors on both sides of the ball in 2010. Recently against Grant Sullivan went down with a knee injury and the Warriors have haven’t recovered. Up 20-10 against the Generals Sullivan went down after previously picking up a fumble and returning it for a touchdown. After he left the game the Warriors made mistake after mistake and were outscored 41-7 from that point on. Sullivan earned player of the week honors even with the injury, but lost the game 51-27 marking the first loss for Aloha in 14 games.
Sullivan is ranked the top tight end in the state by NEI and went into the game tied for the 6A lead in sacks from his defensive end position. He is pushing 6 foot 5 and is extremely athletic. Sullivan said prior to the Grant loss, ” I think we have the talent to beat anybody but we have to show up every week, no one is going to just roll over for us”.
Bryson expects to be out for up to 2 more weeks while highly regarded defensive back Sheldon Prince (5-10 175 DB Sr) also went down in the Grant game, and will be lost for at least another month.
Sullivan is ranked in the Top 10 for the class of 2013′ and his absence is huge. Many would consider him the most valuable kid on the roster due to his abilities and leadership on both sides of the ball. When asked about the injury Sullivan said, ” I have been told not to rush it, but I’m a competitor and I will be back on the field soon”. Against Grant he caught 3 balls for 43 yards from QB Cory Sinner early. His hands are phenomenal for a big man and defensively he may be the best junior D end in the state.
You are not going to find a harder worker or a kid that takes his football more seriously. He blew up the highly touted Barton 7 on 7 events last spring dropping one pass in 7 weeks. He is an unquestioned Divison one talent and the Warriors will not be the same until his return.
