Oregon’s Top Performers- Week 2 DEFENSE

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>PLAYER OF THE WEEK: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226949' first='Teitum' last='Tuioti'] DE 23' Sheldon- After a quiet start to the game Tuioti went off, totaling 13 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, and a forced fumble. The state's #1 recruit was a difference maker for the Irish in the 35-31 road win over a highly touted and top ranked West Linn team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='278367' first='Brysen' last='Kachel'] OLB/DE/TE 24' West Albany- I have Kachel listed as the #6 overall recruit in the state for the 2024 class. The 6-3 225 pound multi purpose athlete continues to impress, accounting for 11 solo tackles, in the teams 22-16 win over 5A #9 Lebanon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='270068' first='Josh' last='Merriman'] DT 23' Sheldon- One of the state's top defenders returning from last season is the 6-3 250 pound Merriman. He continues to back up the 1^st&nbsp;team all conference accolades from 2021, being instrumental in the 35-31 win over West Linn. He finished with&nbsp;6 tackles, 2 clutch sacks, and 1 tackle for loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='152347' first='Hatimu' last='Letisi'] DE/OLB 24' South Salem- The Saxons are one of the hottest teams in Oregon with Letisi having a 1^st team all state type season thus far. His 10 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 10 hurries, and 2 tackles for loss speak for itself. He was a disrupter all night in the 42-7 win over Sunset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='406771' first='Enrike' last='Aguilar'] DE/OLB 25' North Salem- Aguilar has backed up a lot of the hype early this season, looking like one of the top sophomore defenders in the state. His 2 sacks. 3 hurries, 1 forced fumble, and tackle for loss, were a primary reason for the teams dominance. They held the Scots to an unreal 14 total yards for the game&nbsp;in the 46-0 win over David Douglas.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='206761' first='Andrew' last='Walker'] WR/DB 23' South Medford- In the first two games Walker has shown why he could be one of the only players in Oregon to earn 1^st&nbsp;team all state honors on both sides of the football. The state's fastest man had another&nbsp;2 TDs, and a clutch INT late, in the teams 21-7 win over Del Norte, CA. A group that had won their first two contests by a score of (113-13).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaden Bartness</strong> LB 24' Clackamas- Bartness has been one of the state's breakout players over the last few weeks. After an outstanding Week 1 performance, he followed that up with a 99 TD return on D, in the teams big 34-25 win over #9 Sherwood. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Errol Moreland</strong> DB/ATH 24' Southridge/ <strong>Cole Larson</strong> DB 23'- The Skyhawks dropped down to 5A but have looked good over the first few weeks. Moreland followed up his 8 reception, 138 yard, 3 TD performance in week 1 by locking up Grant on D, in the teams 19-0 win. He returned a pick 95 yards for a TD with teammate Cole Larson also grabbing two INTs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='278405' first='Clay' last='Martineau'] OLB/WR 24' Oregon City- One of the more impressive Junior's in Oregon.&nbsp; The Pio's haven't lived up to the early pre-season hype, but the 6-3 215 pound dual threat athlete has had two nice games back to back. His INT for a TD kept the game close versus Canby in the 35-25 loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='383833' first='Tyler' last='Creswick'] CB/WR 24' Putnam- Creswick was listed as one of the top up and coming offensive underclassmen on the rankings board after last season. The 6-1 180 pound Jr. corner returned and&nbsp; INT for a TD, and scored three different ways, in their 48-19 win over 4A Philomath.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->