2024 Mt Hood POY Candidates- DEFENSE (Ranked #1-10)
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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…
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Continue ReadingOver 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.
Zachary Davis
Zachary
Davis
6'1" | 225 lbs | LB
Central Catholic | 2025
State
OR
DE 25′ Central Catholic
Davis finished 2nd on the team in sacks behind Oregon St commit Dexter Foster Dexter Foster 6'4" | 210 lbs | LB Central Catholic | 2024 State OR . 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. Chaz Katoanga Chaz Katoanga 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Nelson | 2026 State OR 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. Kainoa Hayes Kainoa Hayes 6'2" | 250 lbs | DL Central Catholic | 2025 State OR 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. Dominic Macon Dominic Macon 6'3" | 295 lbs | DL Nelson | 2025 State OR 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. Max Maehara Max Maehara 6'1" | 195 lbs | LB Clackamas | 2025 State OR 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. D’Marieon Gates D’Marieon Gates 5'8" | 160 lbs | ATH Central Catholic | 2025 State OR 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 Cade Gehlen Cade Gehlen 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Central Catholic | 2024 State OR , it will be crucial for Gates to step up and lead in the secondary.
7. Donnie Vercher III Donnie Vercher III 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Central Catholic | 2026 State OR 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. Caden McMahon Caden McMahon 5'10" | 180 lbs | DB Sandy | 2026 State OR 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. Lincoln Bartness Lincoln Bartness 5'10" | 170 lbs | LB Clackamas | 2026 State OR 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. Kelani Massad Kelani Massad 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB David Douglas | 2025 State OR 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.