There are big things happening in Tigard. It is one of the best run football programs top to bottom in the Northwest. The youth programs are always top notch and the community support is outstanding. The school has produced some some NFL and Division one talent, but that’s not whats most important. Its the ideal place to raise a family and play some ball.
Every once and awhile a special kid comes up through the ranks and you hear his name from an early age. That would be consistent with junior running back Benny Wick (5-9 185 RB/LB). He was the kid that could run around you or over you starting at a young age, so it became a household name around the Tigard Football Circle. It just so happens his brother, Brandon Wick (6-0 180 Sr WR/DB), has had a monster year on both sides of the ball and is considered one of Oregon’s most under recruited athletes.
Tigard is currently ranked #3 in the State by NEI and are (10-0) going into the rematch with #10 Southridge on Friday. It will be one of the most intriguing games of the year as the Skyhawks are loaded with talent and are looking for a big W after a 49-41 loss in the season opener.
Benny Wick is just extremely talented. He has rushed for 898 yards and 12 Tds in an offense where four running backs could be most teams #1 (Zach Floyd Jr, Kaz Greene Jr, Manu Rasmussen So). He started as a sophomore on defense and looks to have the “it” factor that most people lack. He earned first team all league honors at linebacker and second team all league honors at running back. Its ridiculous that he ended up a second team back as he’s most likely the best overall player in the entire conference.
The younger wick is not a big kid, but he has special athletic ability. He scored 2 more Tds and rushed for 146 yards, while Brandon Wick had 2 touchdown receptions himself in the Tigers route of Sprague last week.
Brandon has had a breakout season earning first team all league honors on defense and second team honors on offense. He is an outstanding track athlete that was part of the Tigers 4 x 100 team that placed at state last season. He has accumulated over 500 yards of offense and 6 Td’s averaging over 34 yards a catch. His two 25 yard receptions helped bury Sprague 56-21 last Friday. He currently sits with a 3.93 accumulative GPA with Benny sporting a 3.8. High end academic institutions would love to have kids like these, so we could very well see Ivy league schools reaching out.
Brandon says “Its the closest team I’ve ever been around, the seniors and juniors treat each other with respect and we play as one”. The Tigers are undefeated and looking to make a run at a title. Their senior dominated line combined with unprecedented young perimeter talent is scary. They sit behind Sheldon and Lake O who are both ranked nationally. That said they are very good, but are in for a dogfight against a very talented Southridge group that won the Metro League Title.
We wish the Wicks’s continued success, and will hear a great deal from both as the Tigers attempt to move on. It should be an exciting Friday night!
