Oregon’s Top Defensive Performances- Week 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='130391' first='Parker' last='Williams'] ATH/DB 24' South Salem&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the state's top overall athletes got off to a good start. Defensively he made 5 tackles and returned an INT 61 yards for a TD, also scoring offensively. He will project as a 1^st&nbsp;or 2^nd&nbsp;team all-state DB.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='206848' first='Matix' last='Carpenter'] DL 24' Central Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Per usual I can't say enough good things about Carpenter. He was one of the only Junior lineman in the entire NW to earn 1^st&nbsp;team all-conference honors on both sides of the football last season. Once again, he was instrumental, leading CC with 9 tackles in their 48-27 win over Bellevue, WA.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='285880' first='Owen' last='Wright'] DB/ATH 25' Tigard &amp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1094719' first='Colt' last='Ness']</strong> DB 25' Tigard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just when you think the Tigers might be having a down year a bunch of young guys step up and drop the hammer on what is supposed to be a decent North Medford team 27-7. Both Wright and Ness took INTs to the house for TDs in the opener.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='402392' first='Asante' last='Mims'] OLB 26' Hillsboro</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I really like Mims. The DE/OLB started as a freshman and will project as one of the state's top defenders at the 5A level this season. On the night he made 9 tackles with 4 tackles for loss, in the 46-24 win over Wilson.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='511301' first='Evan' last='Morris'] S/ATH 24' Sherwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As referenced Morris projects as one of the top defenders and fastest rising recruits in Oregon. He played a crucial role and was all over the field stopping the West Salem offense on Friday in the 34-21 win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='206847' first='Timothy' last='Mitchell Jr.'] DB 24' Central Catholic &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='511311' first='Cade' last='Gehlen'] ATH 24' Central Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If he can stay healthy Mitchell is as good as any DB in Oregon. He came up clutch against Bellevue making 4 tackles with an INT. The UP Baseball commit continued building on all his success from a year ago, making 9 tackles with a fumble recovery. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gage Blay </strong>WLB 24' Grants Pass</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most people weren't aware of Blay, including myself, but the 5-11 185-pound athlete had an outstanding season opener, making 12 tackles with an INT in the 20-6 win over Del Norte, CA. He also rushed 17 times for 73 yards and a TD.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='935357' first='Josiah' last='Hawkins'] CB 27' Cascade</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The highly touted freshman got his first varsity start and didnt dissapoint on Friday, getting his first INT, while guarding what could be another one of the nation's top prospects in [player_tooltip player_id='769993' first='Rasean' last='Jones']. Cascade got the win 42-21 in Baker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='585333' first='Mason' last='Seal'] OLB/DE 24' Wilsonville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats recorded seven sacks against the #4 Colts, with Seal leading the team (2) in their 44-15 win. The 6-1 225-pound OLB/DE projects as one of the top defensive players at the 5A level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='152347' first='Hatimu' last='Letisi'] DL 24' South Salem &amp;<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1091640' first='Divine' last='Ibe'] </strong>DE 24' South Salem</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Letisi will project as a favorite for conference &amp; state defensive POY honors. If you don't double team him, best of luck. The player many don't know about yet is the freaky 6-3 240 pound DE Divine who is committed to Idaho, and just moved here from Nigeria. Together they combined for 9 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks, in one half of football during their 49-21 win over Liberty, WA.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='122092' first='Karter' last='Wilcox'] S 24' Barlow</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For most of the game it was the [player_tooltip player_id='520401' first='Sentori' last='Martino'] show for the Bruins. That said as Wilcox played extremely well on D, getting a pick while helping to limit the Lakers passing attack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->