5A Special District 1 POY Candidates OFFENSE

Jordan Johnson March 18, 2024 @ 10:15 PM

It will be interesting in Special District 1 with two 6A teams dropping down (Glencoe, Aloha) and 4A conference champion La Salle playing bigger and better competition. Glencoe will be an early conference title favorite, as they could do well in the 5A playoffs. Hillsboro is fresh off a quality 8-3 season with Forest Grove and Hood River both returning some all-league talent. Centennial and Putnam have struggled with the Kingsmen forfeiting multiple games last year.       Just like we did with 6A I will project out the player of the year candidates on offense and defense within each conference…       OFFENSE         1.[player_tooltip player_id='1104628' first='Kyle' last='Fabela'] 25' WR Forest Grove    The undersized Fabela (5-7 135) was off the charts good on both sides of the football as a junior. His 5 TD game against Century to open the season put things into perspective. The Vikings are not a football power, but he could be a 5A statistical leader within the conference and state.    2.[player_tooltip player_id='1232743' first='Daniel' last='Heninger'] 26' RB Glencoe   Likely the conference breakout player of the year. The undersized Heninger should get the ball often for a Glencoe team that will be a conference title favorite. There is a rich tradition of Crimson Tide RB's carrying the load and doing well statistically, and he may be another example of that.    3.[player_tooltip player_id='1216452' first='Mason' last='Mueller'] 25' ATH La Salle   Mueller will project as one of the most versatile athletes at the 5A level. He was a big reason the Falcons went 8-2 overall and undefeated in conference. On the year he had 67 touches for 925 yards (453 rushing, 472 receiving) and 6 TDs.    4.[player_tooltip player_id='406772' first='Aidan' last='Beauchamp'] 25' WR Glencoe    If the Crimson Tide passing game is on point, Beauchamp could dominate with his size and overall versatility. The 6-4 175-pound WR would have been one of the top WR's in the Pacific and should do exceptionally well at the 5A level.    5.[player_tooltip player_id='1216456' first='Paul' last='Skoro'] 25' QB La Salle   Skoro was named the 4A Tri Valley Conference POY helping his team to a big turnaround and league title. The 6-0 165 pounder is an outstanding overall athlete (basketball), doing a good job with his feet, while rushing 105 times for 572 yards and 7 TDs last season. Look for him to improve in the passing game, where he hit on 59% of his passes with 7 TDs/5 INTs.    6.[player_tooltip player_id='1216461' first='Manu' last='Tanzambi'] 25' RB La Salle   Tanzambi is a powerful back who can run. He earned 1st team all conference honors last season, rushing 120 times for 635 yards, and 10 TDs. The 2x all conference back will get a chance to prove himself against 5A competition after last year's 8-2 season in 4A.   7.[player_tooltip player_id='1112462' first='Micah' last='Currier'] 26' ATH/WR Aloha    The Warriors haven't won a football game in 2.5 years but that was at the 6A level. Look for Currier to thrive at the 5A level after an outstanding sophomore season, where he averaged 16+ yards per catch. He was one of the top underclassmen in the Metro on D and should excel offensively in the new conference.    8.[player_tooltip player_id='1451357' first='Kenny' last='Schroeder'] RB 25' Centennial HM S   There is still a lot yet to be determined when it comes to Schroeder. That said as Centennial struggled going 1-8 last year, with the Junior RB being a huge bright spot for the Eagles. He earned 2nd team all league accolades at RB and honorable mention honors on D, even with the team's challenges. He will need to do that and then some this season.