This year’s Tigard Tigers team is looking as dominant as ever in this young 2011 season. Thru 4 games the Tigers are averaging 48.7 PPG on offense while boasting an overall 4-0 record (2-0) in Pacific Conference play. Big non-conference wins versus Southridge (49-41) and Grant (49-24) have the Tigers sitting at #5 in our NEI 6A poll while also being ranked #2 overall in the OSAA’s new 6A RPI Rankings. Legendary Oregon high school football Coach Craig Ruecker is in his third year at Tigard and seems to have this program back on top after the departure of Coach Frank Geske in 2004. Arguably the most storied rivalry in the state is renewed as the main event when the Tualatin Timberwolves (3-1) visit Tigard High School next week on Oct. 7th. In 1992 Tualatin High School opened, forcing a split in the community between the two schools thus creating this epic rivalry.
Unselfish play and first class sportsmanship is something that Coach Ruecker demands of his student-athletes and it shines through the way the Tigers compete. The Tigard offense is lead by the state’s top rushing attack, a three-headed monster of junior tailback’s that have the ability to wear down defenses. Benny Wick (479 Yards, 8 TD’s, 119 YPG), Zach Floyd (268 Yards, 6 TD’s, 10.0 per carry) and speedster Kaz Greene (140 Yards, 2 TD’s, 10.0 per carry) have been nothing short of spectacular this season. Each back possesses unique abilities that compliment one another and drives opposing defensive coordinators crazy. The Tigers run game is powered up-front by returning starter seniors Jeremy Moore (6-1, 260), Issac Schimmels (5-11, 230) and Jarrad Schulte (6-1, 250). Jeremy Moore is one of the states top lineman, in his junior season Jeremy was a first-team offensive tackle and a second-team defensive end.
The Tigard Tigers go quarterback by committee by utilizing senior Niko Freni and junior Sam Stelk (6-5, 240). This strategy has proven to be successful cause the offense has not missed a beat. Explosive senior 2-way starters Brandon Wick (6-0, 175) and Sean McGetrick (6-2, 175) lead the wide receiver core as well as playing the safety spots on defense. Tigard’s stout 4-4 defense is lead by three returning starters at linebacker, seniors Chad Colson (6-0, 200), Jesse Wantland (6-0, 220) and Benny Wick at OLB.
With a win next week versus hated rival Tualatin, the Tigers have a good chance to enter the post-season undefeated. The success of this program is a direct correlation between a great community of families and a phenomenal Tigard Youth Football program. Winning ways and first class play take center stage as the Tigers look to bring a state championship in football back to Tigard, OR.This was last done 8 years ago by a team that I played wide receiver for – the 2003 4A State Champion Tigard Tigers (13-1). Best of luck on the rest of the season guys.
