Only time will tell, but Oregon’s 2016 and 2017 secondary kids could be the best to ever represent the region.
Two weekends ago in Las Vegas the Barton Football group made history, reaching the final four in a 100+ team tournament. It was the most impressive defensive performance in the 5 years that BFA has been participating in the national 7 on 7 event.
The group essentially went on lock down mode, allowing 6.75 points per game with 10 INT’s, heading into the semifinal contest versus the defending high school national champion Bishop Gorman (702 Elite).
Have a look at the future D1 group out of Oregon…
CORNERS
Elijah Molden 5-11 175 West Linn 17′- (Offers: Oregon, Washington)
The Sophomore out of West Linn was one of the top players in the tournament. If not for his injury on night one he may have been named the defensive MVP of the Pylon event. He projects as a 5 star corner and maybe the top DB in the nation for his class.
Elijah will be a player of the year favorite on both sides of the ball within Oregon next season. You would guess the Ducks have the inside track, but he will be offered by some of the nation’s other top schools, so we will see. He is an even better kid than athlete.
Anthony Adams 6-0 175 Newberg 17′
The 1st team all TRL DB is one of the top sophomores on the west coast, and projects as a mid major D1 kid or higher. He allowed 2 complete passes in 9 games during the Vegas tourney, completely shutting down his side of the field.
Anthony will be a four year, 3 sport varsity kid, and probably the best athlete to ever come out of NHS. His brother Darnell is on scholarship at PSU speaking to the families overall athleticism. The 2017 trio of Molden, Adams, and David Morris is as good as I have ever seen within the state.
Alex Stickel 6-2 180 Sunset 16′
This kids stock has shot through the roof. The three way All conference athlete went off in Vegas, leading the team in INT’s (4), and showing that he can play with the best.
Stickel stepped up big on the second day after Molden went down the night before. He picked off a pass in three straight games, during the teams 5-0 run to the Semi’s. Alex uses a combination of quicks and size to out maneuver most. He will be a Metro League Defensive Player of the Year candidate next season.
SAFETY
Brady Breeze 6-1 200 Central Catholic 16′ (Committed- Oregon) Others: Oregon St, Wash St
As far as we know, there had never been an Oregon kid given a first team all tournament award, covering the Vegas event’s history. That all changed this year.
Breeze was selected by 247 Sports, as one of the tournaments top two DB’s. The Duck commit backed up his national ranking among hundreds of defensive backs in attendance.
Brady’s ability to patrol the secondary and break on balls was second to none, as he was a primary reason for the teams success. Expect a host of the nation’s other top programs to offer even with his Oregon commitment.
David Morris 6-3 200 Sherwood 17′
When all is said and done I am guessing that Morris will be one of the most recruited Safety’s to ever come out of the state. He projects as a double digit D1 athlete, as you can’t teach his combination of tools.
Morris had the INT of the tourney (2 total), and was one of the top Sophomore athletes in the entire tournament. His length and ability to anticipate put him in a special category moving forward. He will battle Molden for TRL Player of the year honors on both sides of the ball the next two seasons.
Zach Houlemard 6-2 200 Jesuit 16;
You gotta love Houlie. The returning 1st team all Metro Safety was all over the field during team Oregon’s run. Zach has size and could end up as an outside backer at the next level, but did work at the safety spot, breaking up multiple passes over the weekend.
Expect Houlemard to be a Conference Player of the year candidate along with Stickel, on what will be a top ranked Crusader team.
Click for David Morris One-Handed INT
