(AJ Woodin 5-11 185 Jr. QB Will have some big shoes to fill, but the tools to do it) |
There are very few communities within Oregon that are better to raise a family and play ball at then Southridge. The Murrayhill community in Beaverton is fresh off a Metro League title lead by one of the state’s top returning QB’s in Reza Aleaziz (6-4 220 Sr. QB). Just recently Aleaziz accepted a full ride scholarship offer from the Oregon Ducks to play baseball which has made headlines on multiple levels.
Aleaziz was returning after a first team all league season that saw him win games over the likes of Jesuit and Aloha on his way to the conference championship. He’s a three sport athlete that just happens to be the best at most everything that he does. That said, he is not playing football this season.
Weighing his options carefully and carrying a heavy heart Reza made the decision to for go his senior season of football, taking the necessary precautions to make sure he can stay healthy for baseball. Aleaziz says, ” it wasn’t an easy decision but it was something that I think was best for me moving forward”.
In doing this the #6 ranked Southridge Skyhawks will look to junior QB AJ Woodin (5-11 185 Jr. QB) to a lead a very talented group of athletes into 2012. Woodin doesn’t have much varsity experience, but he is a Barton product and has absolutely dominated the competition growing up. His 36 Td passes to 4 Int’s last year on JV puts into perspective what he is capable of, and what type of potential is there.
You are not going to find a kid that works harder and there is absolutely no lip service attached to that statement. Woodin has earned everything that has now been thrust upon him, and now its his time to go perform at the highest level. There will be growing pains and a learning curve that every young athlete has to go through, but AJ thrives under pressure and will battle regardless of the situation.
AJ says, ” Ive got some big shoes to fill, but I feel up for the challenge and I know that I have done everything I can to be prepared for this situation”. Woodin has the best QB coach/mentor in the country in Barton and an incredible coach in Kevin Bickler who works with him daily. Bickler is one of the most talented assistant coaches anywhere in the NW, and will probably be offered countless head coaching jobs in the coming years.
The Skyhawks bring back one of the most talented perimeters anywhere in the region with three super talented seniors (Kevin McClean 6-4 195 Sr. WR/S, Justin Calo 6-1 175 Sr. WR, and Alec Powell 6-2 185 Sr. SB/CB) and his favorite target over the years in Jordan Morgan (6-2 185 Jr. WR/DB). Morgan potentially could be the top junior WR in the state and has caught countless Tds from Woodin in past seasons.
Even as the backup Woodin was considered one of the top 10 QB’s in Oregon for the 2014 class, but now he will have a chance to prove himself right away. There will be no time to relax as the Skyhawks will start the season playing one of the top programs in the country over the last decade in Sheldon, currently ranked by #2 state wide by NEI.
Woodin understands the magnitude of the situation and will be counting on his young line lead by junior Tyler Cox (6-3 230 Jr. OL/DL) to keep him protected. Southridge will start two juniors and two sophomores up front leaving some to wonder how that will work, but luckily for the Skyhawks the addition of one of the best line coaches anywhere in the country in Brian Cassidy should help.
In all this is going to be fun for everyone involved. Reza is a great kid and a leader that everyone respects. His decision makes sense, but that doesn’t mean we won’t miss seeing him play. We wish all of the Hawks success moving forward, and can hardly wait for kickoff just a few short weeks away.
Oregon Live Breaks Story Here…
