Midwestern League POY Candidates + Others to Watch (OFFENSE)

Jordan Johnson March 11, 2023 @ 09:23 PM

Referenced below are next season's POY candidates on the offensive side of the ball. Please note that Player of the Year projections are NOT necessarily a reflection of an individual's recruitment.       POY Candidates #1-6       1.[player_tooltip player_id='406763' first='Noah' last='Blair'] QB 25' Thurston   2.[player_tooltip player_id='206867' first='Connor' last='Dye'] RB 24' Springfield   3.Walker Bonar WR 24' Thurston   4.[player_tooltip player_id='209500' first='Luke' last='Newell'] TE 24' Thurston   5.[player_tooltip player_id='153309' first='Jackson' last='L Babbitt'] ATH 24' Springfield   6.[player_tooltip player_id='414148' first='Caeleb' last='Kasperek'] QB 24' Springfield       OFFENSE       POY CANDIDATES: Thurston Sophomore QB [player_tooltip player_id='406763' first='Noah' last='Blair'] returns after an impressive 2nd team all-conference season, where he threw for 22 TDs/4 INTs while hitting on 72% of his passes. The talented overall athlete will have a chance to be the two-time MWL Offensive POY and will be a favorite to win the award this season. Look for returning 1st team all-league RB [player_tooltip player_id='206867' first='Connor' last='Dye'] of Springfield to be a POY favorite as well on both sides of the football, while looking to help the Millers jump back into the 5A top 10. He carried 142 times for 963 yards and 12TDs last season.   Two other Thurston receivers who will be in the mix include Walker Bonar and [player_tooltip player_id='209500' first='Luke' last='Newell']. Bonar was a 1st team all-league WR last season, catching 55 passes for 618 yards and 8 TDs. Luke is the brother of Arizona St TE Jacob Newell. He had an outstanding junior season, averaging 26.1 yards per catch, with 16 receptions for 417 yards and 7 TDs. Expect both of these guys to have monster senior campaigns, with Blair airing it out and the Colts not having a true RB.    Other individuals to keep an eye on from a POY perspective, will be Springfield QB [player_tooltip player_id='414148' first='Caeleb' last='Kasperek'], who had a nice junior season passing for 18 TDs/5 INTs. Also, Millers' WR Zack Sherman, who caught 12 passes for 202 yards and 4 TDs earning 2nd team honors, and [player_tooltip player_id='153309' first='Jackson' last='L Babbitt'] who finished with 52 touches, 457 total yards, and 2 touchdowns.         Players to Watch: North Eugene put together a decent 5-5 season last year, with [player_tooltip player_id='272292' first='Devon' last='Anderson'] being one of the best players to come through the school in some time, and moving on to play D1 ball at Idaho St. Expect 2nd team all-conference WR Kelin Knutson and dual threat athlete [player_tooltip player_id='301615' first='Demetrius' last='Cartwright'] to be two of the top players in the league, if the Highlanders are going to be in the playoff picture. They combined for 945 total yards and 9 TDs last season.   Across the way, South Eugene has a talented kid in Ronan Schmidt who was a 1st team LB and honorable mention all-conference RB. South went 0-8 in conference, so as most know it's tough to garner accolades when the team doesn't win.   Offensive lineman which you will hear about include 6-5 260-pound 1st team returner [player_tooltip player_id='206868' first='Nate' last='Williams'] of Springfield. He has a chance to be a D1 kid, showing off his overall athleticism on the defensive side of the ball. He will compete with Hayden Weaver out of Eagle Point for lineman of the year honors. The 6-3 220-pound standout was a 1st team guy on both sides of the ball. 6-1 275-pound Guard Micah Hannah of Thurston also earned 1st team honors as a junior.