2024 Mt Hood POY Candidates- DEFENSE (Ranked #1-10)

Jordan Johnson February 10, 2024 @ 05:07 PM

Over the next few weeks we will be breaking down each 6A/5A conference and the likely favorites for Offensive & Defensive POY. There is still a lot yet to be determined with plenty of movement to come. Here are the top athletes returning in the Mt Hood.       DEFENSE       1.[player_tooltip player_id='286686' first='Zachary' last='Davis'] DE 25' Central Catholic   Davis finished 2nd on the team in sacks behind Oregon St commit [player_tooltip player_id='279169' first='Dexter' last='Foster']. Watch the film and you a kid playing at a different speed than others. His 30+ tackles with 8 tackles for loss are just a glimpse of what he could do next season.    2.[player_tooltip player_id='1110921' first='Chaz' last='Katoanga'] CB 26' Nelson     One of the fastest rising sophomore recruits in Oregon. Katoanga has legit size and has incredibly impressive film. I for see him making a big jump up the rankings board for the 2026 class and being one of the top dual threat athletes in the Mt Hood. He earned 2nd team all-conference accolades last season.    3.[player_tooltip player_id='406758' first='Kainoa' last='Hayes'] DT 25' Central Catholic   Hayes will be a three year all conference D lineman. The 6-3 280 pounder had an outstanding junior year helping his team to the state title, with 45 tackles and 4 tackles for loss. It was the Rams D which stepped up in the big semifinal win over West Linn.    4.[player_tooltip player_id='527045' first='Dominic' last='Macon'] DT 25' Nelson    The top ranked heavyweight wrestler will be a three year all Mt Hood D lineman, showing off his wrestling ability on the football field and dominating on the interior. He is going to be a problem for opponents and will require a consistent double team if you don't want him to wreck your offense. He earned 2nd team all-conference accolades last season.    5.[player_tooltip player_id='1103965' first='Max' last='Maehara'] LB 25' Clackamas    Maehara went for 70+ tackles, earning 1st team all Mt Hood honors. The 6-1 195 pounder made countless plays from his LB spot also doing a good job running the ball. If Clack is going to make it back the 16-team championship playoff bracket he will need to lead.    6.[player_tooltip player_id='511878' first='D'Marieon' last='Gates'] SS 25' Central Catholic    Most people don't realize how good Gates was on the defensive side of the ball. In some ways he was a team MVP with 40+ tackles. With the graduation of Timmy Williams and [player_tooltip player_id='511311' first='Cade' last='Gehlen'], it will be crucial for Gates to step up and lead in the secondary.    7.[player_tooltip player_id='402406' first='Donnie' last='Vercher III'] LB 26' Central Catholic   I would expect Vercher to have a breakout junior year. The Rams LB can run with anyone and has great size. CC graduates a bunch of talent defensively which will allow him to thrive. He made 14 tackles with 2 TFL's as a sophomore. I would project him to be a 50+ tackle and 5 sack athlete next season.    8.[player_tooltip player_id='1110922' first='Caden' last='McMahon'] DB 26' Sandy    One of the top sophomores in the Mt Hood. McMahon had a breakout year earning 2nd team all-conference honors while making 50+ tackles and 2 INTs. Look for him to be a featured player offensively as well the next two seasons where he averaged 8+ yards per carry.   9.[player_tooltip player_id='1232704' first='Lincoln' last='Bartness'] DE 26' Clackamas   At 5-10 165 pounds, Bartness played out of position and still earned 2nd team all-conference honors from his OLB/DE spot as a sophomore. An impressive feat considering the disparity in size and age.    10.[player_tooltip player_id='1103982' first='Kelani' last='Massad'] LB 25' David Douglas    If you are earning 2nd team all Mt Hood honors at Douglas you are going above and beyond. The Scots are 1-17 over the last two years, going 1-8 last season with five shutout losses. Massad still managed to impress enough to earn all conference accolades. He will be one of the best players in the league.