Sprague, Sunset shine in Metro Lineman Challenge

More than a dozen Portland-area football programs competed in the 16th annual Metro Lineman Challenge on Saturday at Hare Field in Hillsboro.   in an era that highlighted unpadded, unrealistic 1-on-1 reps between offensive and defensive lineman, Glencoe coach Ian Reynoso, a former Oregon Duck, created a multi-event camp that highlights team talent as well as individual growth.   The events include: 185-pound bench press, tire flip, 345-pound farmer's carry, blocking sled relay, team tug of war and a testing phase (broad jump, shuttle, 40).   It's a recipe that allows every athlete - from varsity superstar to junior varsity developmental player - to test themselves year-to-year and measure their individual progress.   "I think when you're talking about recruitable athlete, you've always going to have tall, athletic freak-type kids," Reynoso said. "But they don't all work hard or get the mental aspect of the game. What we are doing in this event allows you to see the work ethic of the kids. As coaches, it's a way to gauge all of our kids."   In a razor-thin battle, the Sprague Olympians edged out the Sunset Apollos 60-59 to claim the overall team victory, outpacing the rest of the field by at least 11 points.   Sherwood (48), Lake Oswego (45) and Jesuit (42) rounded out the top five, while no other program broke the 30-point barrier.   Still, nearly every program in attendance had at least one major standout at the event.   As far as individual results, here are the event's champions:   1. Mason Gilliland, Tigard; 2026   Gilliland moved from running back to offensive line last year and won the "lightweight division" of the Metro Lineman Challenge. A bigger athlete with another year of hard work, the Tigard lineman took home the overall MVP and the top spot in the heavyweight division.   What an incredible sign of hard work and development from the impressive athlete.   While Gilliland wasn't the No. 1 finisher in any one category, he was near the top of the MLC metrics in every event.   2. [player_tooltip player_id='1591863' first='Brock' last='Sahlfeld'], Glencoe; 2027   [player_tooltip player_id='1591863' first='Brock' last='Sahlfeld'] had an incredible day, finishing first overall in the broad jump (101.5), bench press (26) and tire flip (12) among all heavyweights.   It was a true eye-opening performance from the rising star.   3. [player_tooltip player_id='1246545' first='Josh' last='Christensen'], Lake Oswego; 2027   Christensen continues to have a strong offseason.   After earning Northwest Showcase Session 2 Overall MVP against a loaded field, Christensen proved to be one of the best OL/DL athletes in the Portland area.   He's still got a lot of room to add weight, and could be a true monster next year if he continues to put in the work.   4. Alex Esuk, Sunset; 2026   A first-team All-Metro League performer a year ago, Esuk was a massive standout Saturday in a few different events.   He nearly broke the all-time record in the farmers carry with 122 yards - just three yards shy of the all-time record.   Esuk also finished with the fastest 40 time among all the heavyweights at 5.11.   5. [player_tooltip player_id='937281' first='Tripp' last='Johansen'], Willamette; 2027   The 6-foot-2, 270-pound two-way lineman will be among the favorites overall next year. He was impressive all day.   6. [player_tooltip player_id='1341320' first='Isaac' last='Bean'], Sherwood; 2026   Sherwood had a solid day in Hillsboro on Saturday, and Bean was the top overall performer among the Bowmen.   The "muscle mullet" delivered in a big way - and was hard to miss.   7. [player_tooltip player_id='1525160' first='Jackson' last='Graetz'], Lake Oswego; 2026   The 6-foot-3, 255-pound two-way lineman is yet another member of the Lakers who has a chance to really shine this fall.   His top-10 finish is a good indicator that he's been hard at work this offseason.   8. Andres Hernandez, Sherwood; 2026   Sherwood went 1-2-3 in the lightweight division, adding to the program's tradition of being a powerful program regardless of whether they have elite size.   Hernandez is an outstanding wrestler and had a big day, particularly in the farmers carry.   9. [player_tooltip player_id='1569372' first='Aiden' last='Lewey'], Willamette; 2026   [player_tooltip player_id='1569372' first='Aiden' last='Lewey']'s name just keeps cropping up.   He's having a strong offseason and the MLC was just the latest evidence that he's made some serious strides.   I continue to be intrigued by how he performs this fall.   10. Charlie Moore, Sherwood   One of three Sherwood Bowmen who made the overall top 10 as lightweight contestants.   A great showing from a program that wasn't the biggest, but showed a lot of teamwork, discipline and grit.   Highlights   - I missed the mark not getting a few of the names of the Sunset coaches, but they had their guys locked in. A second-place finish was a total team effort and it seemed like every single kid gave everything he could to set a tone. I was just really impressed by the group's mentality. Intense, fun and fully engaged in every rep.   Sunset represented what high school football is all about Saturday.   - I'm really intrigued by 6-foot-4, 270-pound interior offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1232749' first='Adam' last='Williams'], out of Lake Oswego. He's not a world-beater athlete, but he's an intelligent, hard-working, strong football player who will be a key piece in the Lakers' front this season.   He's worked his tail off this offseason and a big jump could be imminent.   Williams is probably a small-college kid, but he's the type of player that is foundational for teams looking to hoist the trophy at season's end.   - Jesuit won the tog of war over Lake Oswego in the final. I continue to like what I see from Jesuit's [player_tooltip player_id='770046' first='Quinn' last='Wicklow'], who looks the part of a possible late bloomer.   The 6-foot-6 275-pound lineman has a handful of offers, but it wouldn't shock me if Pac-12 schools pull the trigger with a big senior campaign.   i like him - and i'd happily vouch for him when the non-Power 4 teams starting asking.   - I don't yet know exactly where Lake Oswego's Dylan Marquez (2027) will end up in the recruiting pecking order, but I like what I'm seeing this offseason.   The 6-foot-4, 270-pound lineman has good size and strength and feels like he's ready to break out this season.   He filled in late in the playoffs for Lake Oswego last year after its line was decimated by injuries. He was very sound in the semifinals, but had an uneven title game.   I fully expect a complete, solid season from Marquez this fall and for him to establish himself as a prospect.   - Any farmer's carry over 110 yards is spectacular - and Sunset's Alex Esuk (120) and [player_tooltip player_id='1110953' first='Tony' last='Semchuck'] (111) both eclipsed that number. So, too, did Tigard's [player_tooltip player_id='1660026' first='Ruedi' last='Graf'] (113)   - I can't say enough about Coach Reynoso's hospitality at the event. The former Division I athlete cares about true development and player progress from top to bottom - elite prospects to junior varsity kids wanting to be a part of the team. His hard work and passion is what makes the MLC one of the best exhibition events anywhere on the West Coast. I hope other states and regions adopt the event, because it truly is a positive showcase of OL/DL growth in an era that's largely doing it wrong. Can't thank him enough!   - One crucial note: Some teams did the explosive testing (broad jump, shuttle, 40) after an exhausting farmers carry, bench press and tire flip. Because of that, I chose not to include some athlete's testing numbers. They are simply well short of times and numbers they've posted earlier this summer.

More than a dozen Portland-area football programs competed in the 16th annual Metro Lineman Challenge on Saturday at Hare Field in Hillsboro.