5A Intermountain League POY Candidates DEFENSE
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There have been numerous changes at the 5A level, with (9) 6A teams dropping down and most of the conferences making significant moves. The Intermountain League has featured two of the top programs in 5A in Mountain View and Summit.…
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Continue ReadingThere have been numerous changes at the 5A level, with (9) 6A teams dropping down and most of the conferences making significant moves. The Intermountain League has featured two of the top programs in 5A in Mountain View and Summit. That said as Caldera is one of the state’s fastest rising programs with Redmond featuring an outstanding line. Bend and Ridgeview round out the league.
Just like we did with 6A I will project out the player of the year candidates on offense and defense within each conference…
DEFENSE
1.
Marco Larsen
Marco
Larsen
6'1" | 210 lbs | LB
Summit | 2025
State
OR
25′ LB Summit
Larsen was one of the top defensive players in Oregon last season, racking up unanimous 1st team all-league and 2nd team all-state accolades. The 6-0 215 pounder anticipates incredibly well from his LB spot. His play will be crucial if the Storm want to continue being ranked one of the top 5A teams in the state, going 30-9 over the last three years.
2. Parker Gibson Parker Gibson 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Redmond | 2026 State OR 26′ LB Redmond
One of the fastest rising sophomores in the state. Look for Gibson to make a nice jump up the rankings board when updated. He earned 1st team all-league and honorable mention all-state honors, after averaging 7+ tackles per game, with double digit tackles for loss, and a handful of sacks. If the Panthers do well, he could be your POY.
3. Jack Foley Jack Foley 6'4" | 205 lbs | WR Mt View | 2025 State OR 25′ S Mountain View
Foley is just a freak athlete and could end up being the Offensive and Defensive player of the year in the Intermountain League. The 6-4 standout was a 1st team all-conference and honorable mention all-state DB. As good as he is on offense, he is able to patrol the secondary and use his size, speed, and overall athleticism to dominate.
4. Garren White Garren White 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Mountain View | 2025 State OR 25′ DL Mt View
Another underclassmen for the Cougars who had an outstanding junior year. At 6-2 215 White plays somewhat out of position at DT, causing countless problems for opponents on the interior with impressive mobility and speed. He will project as more of an OLB and one of the top players in Oregon at the 5A level, being a 1st team all-conference and honorable mention all-state selection.
5.Owen Thomas 25′ DB Bend
Thomas led the conference and was one of the state leaders in INTs with 7. He has good size at 6-0 180, racking up 1st team all-league and honorable mention all-state honors. The Lava Bears went 4-5 and Thomas is somewhat of an unknown playing out in Central Oregon. We will see if he makes any noise over the off season.
6.Keaton Robertson 25′ LB Caldera
The conference leader in tackles, finishing with 101 on the year. Robertson had a great junior season, as one of the only players in Oregon to average double-digit tackles per game. He’s the type of player who can help you keep it close against the likes of Mountain View and Summit.
7. Ty Hattenhauer Ty Hattenhauer 6'2" | 175 lbs | DB Caldera | 2026 State OR 26′ DB Caldera
The 6-2 175-pound safety is one of the fastest rising prospects in 5A. His 2nd team all-league honors as a sophomore are one of many reasons the Caldera program could end up ranked among the state’s best at their classification level over the next few years.
8.Gus Karpstein 25′ LB Bend
Karpstein is just a good overall athlete, who will be key for the Lava Bears if they want to return to the 5A playoffs. Him and teammate Thomas are two of the top defensive players in 5A. He could potentially be a 100+ tackle athlete after last year’s impressive season where he finished with 71.