Week One 4A/3A Standouts
Jackson Gibeau – QB – Marist The Senior QB had no trouble with Churchill’s defense, going 9/10 for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Gibeau was already known as one of the state’s most efficient distributors, this game simply underscored it.…
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Continue ReadingJackson Gibeau – QB – Marist
The Senior QB had no trouble with Churchill’s defense, going 9/10 for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Gibeau was already known as one of the state’s most efficient distributors, this game simply underscored it. No lack of confidence in his throws, everything is decisive and on target.
Jake White – RB – Seaside
Seaside lined him up at multiple positions against Henley, but no matter where he went he was getting the ball–28 touches for 191 yards and three touchdowns. Trap, toss, sweep out of a wing-t formation, it did not matter. The Sophomore outran, out maneuvered, and outskilled older, more seasoned defensive players from Henley. A phenomenal opening week game for White.
Drew Salnas – RB – Marist
If there is a faster running back in small school football, feel free to point him out. Even on simple inside zone plays, all it took was Salnas making one cut to turn a medium gain into a breakaway touchdown. The top end speed is incredible, and the vision that goes with it makes him incredibly difficult to contain. Toss plays and sweeps are one thing, but almost all his damage against Churchill–16 carries for 185 yards and two touchdowns–came between the tackles.
Zach Smith Zach Smith 5'10" | 200 lbs | LB Dayton | 2024 State OR – FB – Dayton
Even against a bad team, which Yamhill-Carlton is not, 18 touches for 206 yards and four touchdowns would be phenomenal stat line. Smith ran over, around, and through the Tigers defense and made it look easy. Yards after contact wise, Smith is likely leading the state currently.
Tyson Van Gastel – QB – Mazama
Four total touchdowns for the Junior Quarterback, two in the air and two on the ground. In a heavyweight matchup rarely seen in week one–potentially a semifinal or championship game preview, with inevitable all-state selections all over the place, Van Gastel stood out above the rest. It took a while for the Vikings to get going, but the poise and toughness of Van Gastel can easily be pointed to as the reason they came out victorious.
Andre Niko – RB – The Dalles
This kid is a tank. Three touchdowns, two through the air and one on the ground, and could’ve had more. The agility and vision for a guy his size is very, very rare in Oregon High School Football, and he could get some very serious college attention in the near future because of it. Next week at Hood River Valley and the week after at Scappoose are fascinating matchups, if nothing else, just to see how Niko performs.