In what turned out to be a very competitive ball game Team Oregon lead by Head Coach Taylor Barton beat Team Alaska 40-29 in Saturday nights All Star game. The last few years Oregon had been a punching bag for multiple other state’s during the winter showcase, losing by a combined score of 91-6.
This is something that we wanted to make sure did not continue, so it was good to have a majority of Oregon’s top athletes participating in this year’s contest. The kids showed up and played outstanding after only 3 days of practice, beating a very talented and well coached Alaska team that had been working together for the last 3 months.
The game organizers have attempted to rule the game a forfeit after Deshawn Stephens (6-4 190 Sr. WR) showed why he is the top ranked receiver in the state. Stephens was on the team roster, and was accompanied by his high school coach and guardian who verified his status as a HS athlete. He did show up later in the week due to basketball, but the officials of the game were made aware of his presence before kickoff.
This WIN by Oregon was completely legitimate as the kids worked hard all week and did everything asked of them and then some. It was an awesome group of athletes and parents, and everyone should be commended on the time spent.
Utah, Washington, and Alaska along with our group were all very talented and well coached. No one would dispute the overall skill level of the kids at the event. Anyone wanting to watch the game can view it on the WSN network (Oregon vs Alaska), and make their own assessment of the overwhelming majority of calls going one way.
The contest lasted almost 4 hours after some rules were enforced only when convenient. Defensive MVP AJ Hotchkins (6-0 225 Jr. DE/LB) out of Tigard, became the first player to EVER get kicked out of a game after getting punched in the face and not retaliating. Sideline bowl game officials of the contest saw what had happened and asked the ref to reverse the call, but he would not do so. Hotchkins took it all in stride like the class kid that he is, and was awarded MVP honors after the game.
Have a look at the players on Team Oregon that helped get the state back on the track in the 40-29 WIN. Regardless of the ruling event officials try to put on the game, everyone could see the scoreboard at the end. Great job Team Oregon on your victory.
Here is a look at a player by player breakdown of the event and MVP awards given by event officials after the contest: Barton put together a masterful game plan on a few days notice which the kids executed. O line coach Alex Linnenkohl (Oregon St, Chicago Bears) and D line coach Marcus Royster (NFL) both did a great job with the kids.
Offense
| QB | Jonah Koski | 6-3 | 190 | Sr | Bend |
Koski could have easily been the player of the game throwing 4 Tds with 300+ yards passing through the air. The 1st team all league QB out of Bend proved that he was one of the top quarterbacks in the NW, completing some clutch throws in terrible weather conditions.
| RB | Devauntae Hoffman | 5-8 | 190 | Sr | Gresham | *GAME MVP* |
The Two time Mt Hood Conference Player of the Year showed his toughness and ability getting in the end zone twice and battling all night. Definitely the “Do it All Kid”.
| RB | Martin Ray | 5-8 | 175 | Sr | Woodburn |
Maybe the biggest surprise of the game as Ray ran the ball well and hit holes hard. Was not a really well known player coming in, but proved himself.
| WR | Deshawn Stephens | 6-4 | 190 | Sr | Putnam |
The top receiver in Oregon was a man amongst boys. He grabbed two Tds in the second half, and required constant double teams which didn’t even work.
| WR | Forrest Russell | 5-7 | 155 | Sr | Skyview (WA) | *OFFENSIVE MVP* |
Some university is going to get a steal with Russell as he just continues to dominate most competition. He caught 2 long TD passes and out ran defenders all night, even telling some DB’s which route he was running.
| WR | Erick Douglass | 5-10 | 165 | Sr | Clackamas |
Douglass played very well catching a couple balls in traffic and making some nice moves to gain additional yardage.
| WR | Risley Lesko | 5-11 | 175 | Sr | Mercer Island (WA) |
Lesko is a kid that thrives in the open field and did his thing when in the game. He is a slot/receiver that high end academic schools like very much.
| WR | Cody Oden | 5-10 | 165 | Sr | West Salem |
Oden was added to the roster late, but did well as a 1st team all league WR for the CVC champion West Salem Titans. Awesome kid.
| TE | Brody Haelehn | 6-4 | 235 | Jr | Clackamas |
One of the top two way players in Oregon for the 2014 class didn’t catch a bunch of passes, but pushed defenders all over the field and will be one of the best overall players in the state next season.
| C | AJ McCollum | 6-2 | 260 | Sr | Aloha |
AJ is an extremely talented kid having as good a week up front as any kid on the roster. He proved that he was one of the better lineman in Oregon and could play legit D1-AA ball.
| RG | Austin Powell | 6-4 | 270 | Sr | Crescent Valley |
The PSU commit is your ultimate team guy, playing O line when he is equally as dominate on D. Powell’s athleticism allows him to beat a lot of opposing players, had a phenomenal game.
| LG | Chris Coffin | 6-4 | 280 | Sr | Curtis (WA) |
Coffin dealt with injuries during the 2012 season, but came out firing and helped himself a great deal during the game. He is ranked as one of the top 12 lineman in WA.
| RT | Ryan Brown | 6-7 | 270 | Sr | Jesuit |
Brown has made huge strides in the last year, grabbing a PSU offer and garnering a bunch of attention from other schools. There is still a lot of work to do, but Ryan has a great story.
| LT | Chris Miedema | 6-6 | 305 | Sr | Everett (WA) |
Miedema played better and better all week and had a good bowl game, getting some valuable experience against elite competition. This film should be valuable for Chris.
Defense
| DE | Evan Colorito | 6-4 | 235 | Sr | Beaverton |
Team Captain Colorito will be a force at the next level, and has offers from Colorado, Colorado St, Nevada, Montana, and Portland St. He played very well coming off the end and creating havoc with his size and speed.
| DE | Marqueese Royster | 6-1 | 250 | Jr | Lakeridge |
One of the top junior lineman in Oregon got in the mix with EVERYONE all week, and showed he will bring it on daily basis. Royster is very talented and got to see some dominate lineman up close and personal.
| DE | Liam Talty | 6-4 | 220 | Jr | Sheldon |
Another one of the state’s top juniors came off the end hard and did his thing showing how he helped his Irish win a 6a state title a few weeks ago.
| DE | Cody Churchwell | 6-3 | 230 | Sr | Canby |
Two time all league on the DL. One of the biggest contributors to the week and played very well on Saturday.
| DE | Massen Newton | 6-0 | 245 | Fr | Lakeridge |
The youngest athlete to ever play in the game showed that he will be one of the better lineman in the state in the coming years holding his own against top competition.
| DT | Mike Kluge | 5-10 | 285 | Sr | Aloha |
Kluge clogged the middle and made things very difficult on the interior with Spears being his counterpart on the inside. Mike’s strength and inner presence cause problems for offenses all week.
| DT | Chet Spears | 6-2 | 300 | Sr | Sheldon |
The state’s top heavyweight wrestler is really good and was maybe the most impressive D lineman on the week. Chet moved almost everyone in his way, including a solid D1 cast from Utah.
| DT | Sione Taumoe’anga | 6-2 | 290 | Jr | Roosevelt |
Sione is so very talented and has all the potential in the world. He is at least a D1aa kid at the next level doing very well for himself and showing why he was state sack leader.
| DT | Usaia Aisea | 6-2 | 260 | Sr | Lincoln |
Usaia is extremely talented and has a huge upside, and is a kid that could play on either side of the ball at the next level.
| LB | AJ Hotchkins | 6-0 | 225 | Jr | Tigard *DEFENSIVE MVP* |
Hotchkins is a beast and tracked down ball carriers like they stole something. His ability to hit is well documented, but you can’t say enough about his love for the game. He is a true warrior and someone that will be one of the region’s best football players in 2013.
| LB | David Henry | 6-0 | 230 | Sr | Oakland |
If any other kid were to receive the defensive MVP it most likely would have been Henry. The 2A player of the year showed that his dominance wasn’t just a small town thing. Henry showed incredible speed and instincts, and really made believers out of everyone.
| LB | Austin Wilson | 6-3 | 215 | Sr | Sprague |
Wilson continued to build off his outstanding 1st team all league and all state season with an outstanding bowl game. His energy on the field made everyone around him better and I can’t say enough good things.
| LB | Dominic Johnson | 6-2 | 220 | Sr | Aloha |
Domo was born with football smarts and showed that he could flourish at the next level with continued progression. He can also play on either side of the ball.
| LB | Mike Varadi | 6-1 | 225 | Jr | Southridge |
Varadi is a young and very talented backer that will be a three year starter, and could help the Skyhawks potential state title run next season. He did well at the event.
| CB | Jimbo Davis | 5-11 | 165 | Sr | Mount Si (WA) |
Jimbo is one of my favorite players in the region and is a lock down corner, showing off his skills this past weekend. With continued hard work he can play almost anywhere.
| CB | Bruce Jones Jr. | 6-0 | 175 | Sr | Sunset |
Jones Jr. has a PSU offer and had a monster 2012 season earning 1st team all league honors. He went toe to with receivers all week, usually locking with the opposing teams best wideout
| CB | Malik Fontleroy | 5-11 | 180 | Sr | Beaverton |
Malik was a unanimous 1st team all league DB and played well all week. This was a very valuable experience for Fontleroy to go against top receivers.
| CB | Kelsie Turner | 5-9 | 170 | Sr | Jefferson |
Turner had a good week and showed toughness and ability that couldn’t always be displayed playing for Jeff. Overall he did very well not getting beat.
| S | Beau Duronslet | 6-0 | 195 | Sr | Central Catholic |
Duronslet had a phenomenal week and was one one of the most impressive players out of the group. I believe Beau could be a legit D1-AA kid, proving himself over and over again.
| S | Zach Farnes | 6-1 | 200 | Jr | Clackamas |
One of the fastest rising juniors in the state showed why he will be considered a top safety in Oregon next season. Both him and Duronslet had clutch second half picks.
| K | Taylor Grimmett | 5-10 | 165 | Sr | Horizon Christian |
Kid has a boot. Kicked very well all week. One of the better overall 3A players in Oregon.
