In the State Title Mix Again: Clackamas HS

One of the best places to be on a Friday night is Clackamas High School. Give the Clack community a ton of credit when it comes to their sports. A few years back the Cavaliers went on a two-year run, that saw them win a state title and finish (26-1) under former Coach Joe Bushman. That being said as highly regarded 2nd second year head coach James Holan has done a phenomenal job, and should have his guys in the state title mix this season. I will have the Cavs ranked the #2 overall team in 6A to start the year. They are one of the few squads in Oregon with a legit line, something I would consider a necessity if you are going to make a title run. The key to all of this will be Colorado commit [player_tooltip player_id="28840" first="Kaden" last="Ludwick"], ranked my #3 overall athlete in Oregon for the class of 2022, and someone who I think will be one of the best players in the Pac 12 before he is done. The 6-5 245-pound DE/OLB has started since his freshman season and will require a consistent double team if you want to have any chance of containing him. CU got a steal. Add in Boise St line commit [player_tooltip player_id="28892" first="Kage" last="Casey"] 6-6 270 and one of the strongest interior D linemen anywhere in the region in [player_tooltip player_id="28861" first="Logan" last="Chastain"], and you have the core of the line group. Casey blew up over the off season making an early decision after being offered by Oregon St as well. Chastain earned 1st team all-league honors as a Sophomore and will be a constant disrupter upfront. His counterpart on the line, <strong>Logan Wacker</strong> 23’, also returns at NG. Other key returners on O include <strong>Hayden Harlan</strong> and <strong>Conner McCarty</strong> at Center. Defensively <strong>Noah Pruitt</strong> returns at DE and will be a three-year starter, along with what could be one of the top prospects in the state in LB [player_tooltip player_id="110175" first="Sully" last="McDaniel"] 6-3 215 23’. McDaniel has the size and all of the tools to be a big-time prospect, while also being considered one of the top lacrosse athletes in the West. Offensively the Cavs lose QB [player_tooltip player_id="28762" first="Jack" last="Artman"], but have two Junior’s battling it out who are legit in<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="157615" first="Blake" last="Baker"]</strong> and <strong>Mateo Maehara</strong>. They will feature one of the top perimeters in the Oregon, with multiple starters returning, who are ranked among the state’s best for their class. Everybody’s favorite RB [player_tooltip player_id="147244" first="Luke" last="Ash"] returns, after a breakout Sophomore campaign, that saw him torch opponents for the better part of the 6-game spring season. At the WR spot Clackamas could feature the top group in Oregon. [player_tooltip player_id="28838" first="Miles" last="Williams"] holds a handful of D1 offers and had an impressive off season. [player_tooltip player_id="108141" first="KJ" last="Johnson-Gibson"] 22’ WR/DB &amp; brother [player_tooltip player_id="110237" first="Keontae" last="Johnson-Gibson"] 23’ WR/DB both rank among the top dual threat athlete’s state wide. Maybe the biggest addition came with the transfers of Senior ATH [player_tooltip player_id="28876" first="Riley" last="Peterson"] and LB <strong>Brody Crawley</strong> from La Salle HS. Peterson is considered one of the top slot receivers in the state, and was one of only two players in Oregon at the 5A level to earn all-state honors as a Sophomore, to put his talent into perspective. All conference/state LB Crawley sures up an already ridiculously talented D. In summary Clack is loaded and will have a real shot to make a run this season. As noted, Coach Holan was a great hire with one insider saying, "He’s doing really well and getting these kids dialed in. He has brought great culture and direction to the program."