2024 Metro League POY Candidates- OFFENSE

Jordan Johnson February 6, 2024 @ 09:39 PM

OFFENSE       1.[player_tooltip player_id='1094961' first='Jordan' last='Hicks'] RB 26' Mountainside    Likely your runaway favorite for Metro League Offensive POY honors next season. Hicks torched opponents as a sophomore going for 1300+ yards and 16 TDs. The Mavericks project as a top 5 6A program and could very well win the conference over traditional power Jesuit. The accolades will depend a lot on how much Mountainside spreads the ball around as they have a handful of guys who should put up big numbers.    2.[player_tooltip player_id='457009' first='Sam' last='Vyhlidal'] RB 26' Mountainside    Vyhlidal projects as a big time D1 recruit. He earned 1st team all Metro honors as a sophomore on both sides of the football, with 67 touches for 554 yards and 5 TDs. As referenced with Hicks the ball will be spread around so it might not be your typical POY stat line. That said as I see Sam being a 1000+ rushing/receiving yard back next season.    3.[player_tooltip player_id='1110957' first='Heath' last='Thompson'] RB 26' Westview    Thompson's a player. He was a standout on a young and inexperienced Wildcats team last season, looking like one of the Metro's top players as a sophomore. His 976 yards and 5 TDs were even more impressive considering the situation. The 2nd team all-Metro back will be one of the best in the conference for a Westview group that should compete.    4.[player_tooltip player_id='769925' first='Oliver' last='Luebkert'] WR 26' Beaverton     Hands down one of the top athletes in the state. The problem is that the Beavers are 3-15 over the last two seasons and POY accolades typically go to the individuals on the top teams. A lot of credit to Luebkert on his perseverance and dedication to his school. Pretty remarkable as he is already a 2x all conference WR.     5.[player_tooltip player_id='402389' first='Andrew' last='Ramtel'] WR 26' Mountainside    Ramtel was one of the state's breakout performers, racking up 1st team all-conference honors as a sophomore. His 616 receiving yards and 3 TDs were impressive, and maybe just a glimpse of next season if current sophomore QB [player_tooltip player_id='1232699' first='Cade' last='Mitchell'] plays up to his potential.    6.[player_tooltip player_id='1059015' first='Justin' last='Craigwell'] RB 26' Sunset    The Apollos could be one of the state's best teams in the years ahead with Craigwell being a powerhouse on both sides of the football. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry with 11 TDs during the regular season and will project as a 1000+ yard back the next two years.   7.[player_tooltip player_id='238435' first='Treynor' last='Cleeland'] QB 25' Jesuit   Cleeland gained valuable experience this past season and did a good job in his role. He was a 3rd team all-Metro QB and will be crucial next year for a team that loses POY [player_tooltip player_id='152333' first='Lonnie' last='Burt']. If [player_tooltip player_id='285867' first='Grant' last='Valley'] is able to return and stay healthy that will be big.    8.[player_tooltip player_id='1232699' first='Cade' last='Mitchell'] QB 26' Mountainside   There is still a lot yet to be determined here but Mitchell has a chance to be special. He will have weapons all around him next season and could put up monster numbers as a junior. He showed flashes of his potential at South Medford and other contests last year.