Oregon’s Top Performers- Week 5
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*No Particular Order Each week we will be highlighting the state’s top performers across all classifications. Many times numbers aren’t posted so feel free to send info on athletes via Twitter/X, email etc.. Have a look at some of Oregon’s…
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Each week we will be highlighting the state’s top performers across all classifications. Many times numbers aren’t posted so feel free to send info on athletes via Twitter/X, email etc.. Have a look at some of Oregon’s best for Week 5.
Jamahl Wilson Jamahl Wilson 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB North Salem | 2024 State OR RB 24′ North Salem- Definitely one of the state’s most impressive kids so far. Wilson rushed for 341 yards and 6 TDs, beating a winless McNary team 48-20. Wilson was electric even in the 56-21 loss to North Medford last week.
Hunter Haines Hunter Haines 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB West Linn | 2024 State OR DB/ATH 24′ West Linn / Danny Wideman Danny Wideman 5'10" | 175 lbs | ATH West Linn | 2025 State OR WR/ATH 25′ West Linn- Both Haines and Wideman are having 1st team all-state seasons, while excelling on special teams as well. Hunter had his second kick return for a TD this year, going 90 yards. Wideman had another phenomenal night at receiver while returning a punt 70 yards for a touchdown, in the dominating 49-14 win over #3 Lake Oswego.
Athan Palmateer Athan Palmateer 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB South Salem | 2024 State OR QB 24′ South Salem- Palmateer has been unreal all year. He accounted for 433 yards and 4 TD’s (2 pass, 2 rush), hitting on 29/36 passes for 298 yards. He showed off his overall athleticism rushing 14 times for 135 in the 48-21 win over West Salem.
Angel Valenzuela Angel Valenzuela 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Mountain View | 2026 State OR RB 26′ Mountain View- As of right now Valenzuela looks like a leading candidate for 5A state POY honors, even as a sophomore. He rushed for another 278 yards and 5 touchdowns in the impressive 36-3 win over Caldera. He now has over 1000 total yards, five weeks in.
Hayden George Hayden George 6'4" | 235 lbs | TE Lebanon | 2024 State OR TE/DE 24′ Lebanon- George will be in the conference POY conversation, with another dominant performance on offense, in the teams 14-3 win over South Albany. He added 4 receptions for 163 yards and both of the team’s TD’s, a week after catching 3 passes for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Noah Blair Noah Blair 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB Thurston | 2025 State OR QB 25′ Thurston- Blair and the Colts made a statement, dropping the hammer on a much-improved Springfield team 34-13. The 2nd team all-league returner ranks as one of the state’s top QB’s, accounting for all 5 of the team’s TD’s (4 passing).
Jacob Nemecek Jacob Nemecek 6'3" | 190 lbs | DB South Salem | 2024 State OR S 24′ South Salem- Statistically most DB’s won’t ever return a pick for a TD on the year. The 6-3 190-pound Safety Nemecek has done it in back-to-back weeks. He was clutch in the 2nd half, helping the Saxons come back from a 21-14 halftime deficit, and beat a decent Titans team 48-21.
Gus Donnerberg Gus Donnerberg 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE West Linn | 2024 State OR OLB/TE 24′ West Linn/ Ryan Vandenbrink Ryan Vandenbrink 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB West Linn | 2024 State OR RB/LB 24′ West Linn- Two of the best players in Oregon so far this year. Donnerberg has been dominant on both sides of the ball, making 7 tackles, with 2 tackles for loss, and numerous pressures. Vandenbrink has done incredibly well on offense, while making 5 tackles, with a sack, and 2 PBU’s on D.
Jayden Fortier Jayden Fortier 6'5" | 220 lbs | TE Tualatin | 2024 State OR TE/OLB 24′ Tualatin/ AJ Noland AJ Noland 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Tualatin | 2024 State OR ATH/DB 24′ Tualatin- Everyone is aware of the T-Wolves D1 commits. The state’s #1 recruit Fortier has been off the charts good this year, backing up his ranking and then some. He had 7 catches for 55 yards, and another 2 TDs on the ground with 30 rushing yards. He also picked off another pass on D. The state’s top overall athlete Noland stepped into the QB role for talented Junior Nolan Keeney Nolan Keeney 6'4" | 205 lbs | QB Tualatin | 2025 State OR , hitting on close to 75% of his passes (20/28) for 194 yards and a TD, in the 31-24 comeback win over Lakeridge. He also rushed 6 times for 67 yards. AJ could surprise people at the QB spot where he played during youth ball.
Jimmy Hughes Jimmy Hughes 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Summit | 2024 State OR QB 24′ Summit/ Charlie Crowell Charlie Crowell 6'5" | 240 lbs | TE Summit | 2024 State OR TE 24′ Summit- Week after week Hughes continues to look like one of the top QB’s in the state, accounting for 5 TD’s (2 rushing), while hitting 6-5 Arizona commit Crowell for 2 touchdowns. Summit blasted Ridgeview 63-0.
Colin Best Colin Best 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Lake Oswego | 2024 State OR DB 24′ Lake Oswego- One of the more underrated kids in the state gave the Lakers some hope early, returning an INT 39 yards for a touchdown. The Lions are just better than everyone, leaving no doubt in the 49-14 win.
Connor Cesaro Connor Cesaro 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR North Medford | 2024 State OR WR 24′ North Medford/ AJ Pugliano AJ Pugliano 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE North Medford | 2024 State OR TE/DE 24′ North Medford- North is playing well, with two of the top ranked players in the state leading them. Pugliano has been dominant on both sides of the football, catching 7 passes for 61 yards and 2 TDs, with Cesaro having a great night and grabbing 8 balls for 82 yards and a touchdown, in the 41-0 win over Grants Pass.
Kelin Knutson Kelin Knutson 5'10" | 165 lbs | ATH North Eugene | 2024 State OR QB 24′ North Eugene- The 5-10 160 QB isn’t your prototypical quarterback, but he is an outstanding overall athlete, almost single handily keeping the highlanders in the game. Knutson accounted for 4 TDs (3 rushing, 1 receiving), bringing them back from 20 down to come within 38-34, before finally falling to (1-4) Crater 46-34.
Mitchell Johnson Mitchell Johnson 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Oregon City | 2025 State OR RB 25′ Oregon City- The Junior has been super consistent, taking over for Marcus Jordan who was one of the state’s top RB’s last year. OC was down 17 to #9 Tigard but made a crazy comeback, winning 28-24 on the road. Johnson rushed 25 times for 121 yards and a TD.