5A Midwestern League POY Candidates DEFENSE
In this article:
There have been numerous changes at the 5A level, with (9) 6A teams dropping down and most of the conferences making significant moves. The Midwestern League, or what will now be called Special District 4, should be competitive. Roseburg will move…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
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 Midwestern League, or what will now be called Special District 4, should be competitive. Roseburg will move down to the 5A level, which is strange from a historical perspective, after being a perennial power in 6A for many years.
Just like we did previously I will project out the player of the year candidates on offense and defense within each conference…
1.
Ceville Pasi
Ceville
Pasi
6'0" | 210 lbs | LB
Churchill | 2025
State
OR
25′ LB Churchill
I would consider Pasi a heavy favorite for Conference POY honors defensively. The 2x 1st team all-league defender has been dominant on both sides of the football, while leading the league in sacks. His 20+ TDs on offense is impressive but he will project on D.
2. Tristen Collins Tristen Collins 5'10" | 150 lbs | DB Thurston | 2025 State OR 25′ DB Thurston
Collins had a big junior season, earning 1st team all-league honors with multiple INTs and 60+ tackles. The 5-9 145-pound DB plays much bigger than he is, and he could thrive from an accolade’s standpoint, with the Colts being one of the best 5A teams in the state.
3. Maveryck Akers Maveryck Akers 5'11" | 170 lbs | LB Roseburg | 2026 State OR 26′ LB Roseburg
As a sophomore Akers was the only player on the Indians roster to earn 1st or 2nd team all-conference honors at the 6A level. The 5-11 170-pound LB is undersized for the position but elite.
4. Holton Halstead Holton Halstead 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Thurston | 2025 State OR 25′ LB Thurston
Halstead comes from a talented family, and had a good junior year, racking up 1st team all-league honors while averaging 6+ tackles per game. There are still question marks, but the kid can play.
5. Hunter Verstegen Hunter Verstegen 6'2" | 245 lbs | DL Crater | 2026 State OR 26′ DL Crater
Verstegen had an outstanding sophomore year, earning 2nd team all-conference honors. He has good size at 6-2 245 but may go somewhat under the radar playing down South. Look for him to lead the Crater D.
6. Easton Raber Easton Raber 5'8" | 150 lbs | ATH Eagle Point | 2025 State OR 25′ DB Eagle Point
His offensive ability speaks to what he can do on D. Raber had multiple INTs, earning 1st team all-league honors at DB. He does not play like a kid that is 5-8, 145 pounds.
7. Whiatt Deutschman Whiatt Deutschman 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Eagle Point | 2025 State OR 25′ LB Eagle Point
A lot will depend on how Eagle Point does as a team if we are talking accolades. Deutschman led the conference in tackles during the regular season, earning 2nd team all-league honors and helping the Eagles to a 5-2 conference record.
8.TJ Wright 26′ DB Churchill
What looks to be one of the top overall athletes in the conference. Wright was a standout on the basketball floor, also earning honorable mention all conference honors on D. Look for him to be a big contributor on offense this year as well.
9. Jaevon Spencer Jaevon Spencer 5'11" | 160 lbs | DB Springfield | 2025 State OR 25′ DB Springfield
Spencer did a good job on both sides of the football for a relatively good Springfield team last year. They graduate a lot of talent which should provide an opportunity for this kid to show what he can do. He earned 2nd team all-league honors on D and caught 25 passes for close to 300 yards during the regular season.
10. Lukas Babbitt Lukas Babbitt 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Churchill | 2026 State OR 26′ DB Churchill
Babbitt made the transfer from Springfield to Churchill after a good sophomore year where he finished among the conference leaders in INTs. He should play a key role for what’s looking like a talented Lancers team.