Over the season we have been tracking the conference favorites for player of the year honors. Here we have the best of the best and a breakdown of who might win the State Player of the year award on Offense and Defense. The NEI Player of the Year Award will go to the kid who’s most valuable to their particular team. We would like any input or feedback as to who should be higher on the list or who we missed all together. 6A will be followed by 5A tomorrow, thanks so much
Jordan Johnson-NEI
*6A-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES
1.Steven Long 5-7 170 Sr. RB Lake Oswego.. 1328 yds rushing, 22 Td’s, 7.5 ypc- Has been off the charts good earning a D1 scholarship from PSU and helping LO to an 8-0 record..They have beaten the best teams in the region (Skyline, C.Catholic, Jesuit, West Linn) and it has yet to be close. An absolute game changer that refuses to go down.
2.Dillon Miller 6-0 185 Sr. QB Sheldon.. 146/211, 2196 yds passing 69.2 com pct, 25 tds/3 ints, 274.5 ypc- The returning conference player of the year has dominated every opponent and played only a half in most games do to blowouts. They are ranked #1 the state, #70 in the country and he has cut his (Int) total down from 17 a year ago to 3. Ranked the top QB in the state by NEI. Sheldon leads the state in points scored.
3.Thomas Tyner 6-1 210 Jr RB Aloha.. 929 yds, 10 Tds, 9.8 ypc..3 rec, 121 rec yds- Lets just be real, he is the best player in the Northwest but has been injured. The returning Oregon Offensive Player of the Year was the first sophomore to ever win the award and he could do it again with a successful run in the playoffs. He has only been able to play in half of the games, but has dominated. Last week he broke off Beaverton for 5 Td’s on 8 carries. Enough said.
4.Blake Dutton 6-2 190 Sr. SB Lakeridge.. 35carr /313 rush yds/6 Tds, 45rec/882yds /13Tds, 590 kick/punt return yards, 22 total Tds- The human highlight film that is Blake Dutton got his first offer from E.Washington this week as reported first by NEI. There isn’t much he hasn’t done as the kid can do it all. He has broken some of former NFL vet JJ Birden’s all time school records.
5.Connor Strahm 6-1 210 Jr SB Sheldon.. 42 rec/841 rec yds, 12 total Tds, 20.2 ypc, 105.1 ypg- He is the best athlete on the Sheldon roster and he has only played a half in most of the games, like many on the Irish. His ability to run and break tackles after the catch is unmatched and he is the highest ranked underclassmen in the state not named Thomas Tyner.
6.Jack Singler 6-3 175 Sr QB South Medford.. 28Tds/2Ints 70.2 com pct. 123/175, 238.6 ypg- Incredible season thus far as he has more then lived up to the hype. His Td to Int ratio has been remarkable and the Panthers are 8-0 and ranked #3 in the state going into the conference championship this Friday. Made the biggest jump from any player last season.
7.Matt Retzlaff 5-11 195 Sr WR South Medford.. 42 rec/833 yds/15 total tds, 19.83 ypc, 104.1- This kid is everywhere. He is a returning 1st team all league kid on defense where he is a player of the year candidate as well. The outcome of the Southern Conference Championship will go a long way in determining who gets what awards. Sheldon @ south Medford will tell a lot.
8.Stevie Coury 5-11 165 Sr WR Lake Oswego.. 38 rec/849 rec yds, 22.3 ypc, 10 Tds- Right now leading all 6a receivers in multiple categories.. His 4 Touchdowns against Jesuit were just a snap shot of what he is capable of. Coury runs some of the best routes in the Northwest and may be one of the best “small” receivers in the country. Some school will get a steal.
9.Alex Matthews 6-3 205 Sr. QB Lake Oswego.. 1487 pass yards, 69.5 com pct, 15Tds/1 Int- Matthews has been your ultimate game management guy, as Long’s 22 Tds have taken away from some of his stats..That said Matthews has been phenomenal highlighted by his 6 Td performance on ESPN over Jesuit. Lake O sits at #2 in the state and #69 nationally. Very impressive kid.
10.AJ Glass 6-1 195 Jr RB Jesuit.. 1219 rush yards, 7.0 ypc, 13 Tds- Glass has done a remarkable job running hard behind a massive line. He has had multiple 200+ yard performances and has shown how hard he is to bring down. He has an extremely strong core that allows him to break tackles on the regular.
10.Devauntae Hoffman 5-7 180 Jr RB Gresham.. 970 rush yds, 11.3 ypc, 15 Tds- His yards per carry are ridiculous, but you also have to take into account that he plays in the Mt Hood. He is currently the Offensive Player of the Year favorite in the Mt Hood helping to carry the Gophers to a 6-2 record. He is also an outstanding Punt returner that can shake and bake with the best of them
6A-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES
1.Sam McCaskill 6-3 240 Sr. DE Sheldon.. 8.5 tack per game, 6 sacks, 2 fr’s, 1 caused fumble- Broke the all time school record for sacks as a junior, multiple D1 offers (Montana, PSU)..Has been a force coming off the end and is one of the current state leaders in sacks. The Irish are allowing the fewest points in the state.
2.Dawson Housley 6-2 215 Sr LB Sheldon.. 8.9 tack per game, 2 sacks, 2 fum rec, 2caused fumbles, 1 td, 2 blk punts- One of the hardest hitters in the Northwest. Has complete disregard for his body. Lead the state in tackles a year ago. Multiple D1 offers (PSU, Weber St) and is a phenomenal leader on and off the field. They have allowed the fewest points in the state.
3.Dallin Leavitt 5-11 200 Jr SS Central Catholic.. 6.8 tpg, 5 Ints, 1 pd, 1 caused, 5 Tds- The BYU commit is the real deal. He is tied with Retzlaff for 2nd statewide in interceptions (5) and also has taken punts and Int’s to the house this season. Leavitt is the leader of a secondary that is one of the most high profile in the region
4.Alex Balducci 6-5 280 Sr DL Central Catholic.. 5.6 tpg, 5 sacks, 2 caused fumbles- Oregon commit that is one of the better lineman in the country and is having a magnificent season. He is currently one of the state leaders in sacks and has helped the CC D create a significant push up front on every play. Ranked the #2 overall recruit in the state for 2012′ (NEI).
5.Sean Byrne 6-2 230 Sr LB West Linn.. 106 Total Tackles, 29 tack for loss, 3 sacks- Byrne is leading the state in tackles and tackles for loss and has multiple D1 offers (Air Force, PSU). He and Housley are considered two of the top hitters in the region. Currently the favorite for Conference Player of the Year on D. Team is currently (6-2)
6.Matt Retzlaff 5-11 195 Sr SS South Medford.. 5 Ints, 2 pass deflections- What can’t this kid do? He was a first team all league athlete on D as a junior and is a player of the year candidate on offense as well. He is currently tied for 2nd in Int’s at the 6a level with 5. He is a potential D1aa safety.
7.Zach Walen 6-3 195 Sr LB Lake Oswego.. 55 total tackles, 6 sacks, 2 Ints, and 1 Td..Is having a monster year leading the (8-0) Lakers. Another kid with NFL genes that has a ridiculous upside. He is able to patrol his side of the field better then most due to his length. Conference Player of the Year candidate.
8.Mitch Lomax 6-4 230 Jr LB Lake Oswego.. Just an incredible linebacker that has the size and speed to change games. He is ranked the #1 junior backer in the state (NEI) and is only getting better. Multiple kids on LO’s roster with NFL genes, this being another one. Conference Player of the Year candidate.
9.Evan Colorito 6-4 215 Jr DE Beaverton.. 7 sacks, 6 Tack per game, 2 caused fumbles, 2 fum rec- The current state leader in sacks, plays with his hair on fire and has NFL genes. Plays for a sub par team otherwise he would be a viable candidate for State POY. Currently the Conference favorite for POY.
10.Brady Watts 6-1 215 Sr LB Tualatin.. He is currently a conference favorite for player of the year on both sides of the ball. He helped lead the T Wolves to last years state title game and is one of the top linebackers in the state. Good size kid that can move.
