Oregon 5A Football- Maybe the Best it’s Ever Been

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breaking down this year's 5A classification level is a little different, with potentially the best group of teams to come through the state in some time. In years past you would typically never see a 5A team ranked in the state's overall top 10, with 6A schools included, but that is not the case this year.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>We will have a more extensive breakdown as the season gets closer on each individual program but for the time being have a look at a few of the reasons it could be the most exciting year in state history at the 5A level.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SILVERTON- </strong>The reigning state champs are deserving of being talked about first. It's one of the best football communities anywhere in the NW, packing the house every Friday night. D1 commit [player_tooltip player_id='937036' first='Lincoln' last='Teeney'] made his intentions known early, committing to Idaho over the offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even more impressive is the Foxes line that they return, which was heavily influential in winning last year's state championship with a bunch of young guys. [player_tooltip player_id='2105987' first='Mark' last='Bailey'] projects at the D1 level and is a top 10 recruit statewide. 6-4 260-pound [player_tooltip player_id='2106007' first='Cal' last='Kofstad'] also returns after earning all-conference honors, with [player_tooltip player_id='2067921' first='Kane' last='Mack'] providing necessary experience and veteran leadership. The X factor might be 6-7 315-pound incoming sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2079649' first='Cade' last='Ellis']. We will see how quickly he develops. Regardless Silverton will be in the mix and looking to win back-to-back state titles.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MOUNTAIN VIEW-</strong>&nbsp;The IMC is going to be fun this year with maybe the state's #1 and #2 team being in the conference. Mountain View and Summit could very well battle twice this season, culminating with a state championship matchup.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TE/DE Jettson Gillam recently committed to Washington St and is a difference maker on both sides of the football. RB [player_tooltip player_id='1591745' first='Ryder' last='Carpenter'] is a 2000+ yard back who will shoulder the load with Angel Valenzuela graduating. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Once again, if they can dominate up front, which is very possible, they will be in good shape. A lot of eyes will be on 6-6 270-pound senior tackle [player_tooltip player_id='2090565' first='Brady' last='Nichols'], with incoming 6-4 255-pound sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2131617' first='Finn' last='Mellor'] being one of the state's best. All everything athlete [player_tooltip player_id='2090563' first='Robbie' last='Capers'] is another one to watch.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SUMMIT- </strong>What was the state's #1 ranked team most of last season before losing 35-21 to Silverton in the state semis. Returning Conference POY [player_tooltip player_id='1358896' first='Andrew' last='Guthrie'] is back at QB after committing to Northern Arizona. He will be the key behind an elite offensive line if they are to put up enough points to beat some of the other top 5A programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 top recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1609771' first='Peter' last='Stanley'] has multiple high profile D1 offers, and [player_tooltip player_id='1593163' first='Ben' last='Goalen'] is a 1^st&nbsp;team all-conference guy and a division 1 kid as well in my opinion. If these two can stay healthy and lead up front on the offensive line, a few of the perimeter athletes should be able to thrive.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WILSONVILLE- </strong>This is one of the most intriguing teams anywhere in the state. The Wildcats are always a top 5A Oregon program, but will this group have what it takes to overcome so many good teams come playoff time?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Credit to Wilsonville as they will play a much tougher non-league schedule against the likes of West Linn. Returning Conference POY's [player_tooltip player_id='1359052' first='Trevor' last='Glos'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1474331' first='Ben' last='Wiepert'] are both back to lead on each side of the ball. Wiepert is committed to D1 New Mexico with 6-7 TE/DE [player_tooltip player_id='2088972' first='Luke' last='Brainard'] committed to Colorado St.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest addition comes via Oregon City Transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1242623' first='Cavan' last='Rogers'] who is a top Oregon recruit for the 2027 class and one of the top two-way threats in the Northwest. If him, Wiepert, and up and coming standout [player_tooltip player_id='2182283' first='LJ' last='Leland'] are all on the field at the same time, with 6-7 Brainard, they will be tough to stop especially with Glos distributing the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SANDY- </strong>The Pioneers make the move down to 5A, with it probably being more reflective of the school's actual size, even with the team likely being a top 10 6A program this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As referenced numerous times, Sandy has a plethora of 2x all conference athletes returning with the likes of Mason Fredericksozn and [player_tooltip player_id='937297' first='Gracyn' last='Fitch']. They also return Mt Hood Offensive lineman of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='2054807' first='Colton' last='Lucas']. The speed alone puts the program in a different category at the 5A level, with the game versus Wilsonville at mid-season really speaking to where they are at, and how they will compete come playoff time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest obstacle in my opinion will be going from a relatively tough Mt Hood schedule to an absolute cake walk of a 5A conference season where the starters will be done by halftime in every game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THURSTON-</strong>&nbsp;Not sure if the Colts will be able to make a deep run come playoff time because of the difference in size up front, versus some of the other 5A lines, but they do have some legit talent on the perimeter led by 1^st&nbsp;team all-conference returner [player_tooltip player_id='1257695' first='Emmit' last='Distefano'] at QB.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='937334' first='Parker' last='Edwards'] will need to play out of his mind this season on the line with 6-5 235-pound TE/DE [player_tooltip player_id='2106040' first='Leofatu' last='Filipe'] projected to be one of the top 2028's in Oregon. If these two step up and they get solid perimeter play from [player_tooltip player_id='1609774' first='Bentlee' last='Davenport'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2106043' first='Quinn' last='Piquette'] they might have a chance.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->