4A Oregon high school football — predicted order of finish, player of the year candidates for all 5 conferences

Who are the teams to beat in 4A?

Rene Ferran’s predicted order of finish and top player of the year candidates for every 4A Oregon high school football conference entering the 2023 season 

Estacada Rangers photo by Dan Brood 

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COWAPA

Predicted order of finish

1. Scappoose 

2. Seaside

3. Tillamook

4. St. Helens

5. Astoria

6. Milwaukie

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Why Scappoose? The team nearly knocked off eventual 4A runner-up Tillamook in the regular-season finale, then reached the semifinals before falling to eventual state champion Estacada. Scappoose returns several key players from that team, including junior QB Max Nowlin and two-way standout RB/LB Warren Haatia.

Player of the year candidates

Offense: QB Max Nowlin, Scappoose, junior; QB Tanner Hoskins, Tillamook, senior; RB Jake White, Seaside, junior; RB Warren Haatia, Scappoose, senior

Defense: DT Matt Evans, Astoria, senior; OLB Warren Haatia, Scappoose, senior; DL Izzy Jantes, Seaside, junior; DL Kenneth Lopez, Tillamook, junior

TRI-VALLEY

Predicted order of finish

1. Estacada

2. Gladstone

3. Molalla

4. La Salle Prep

5. Parkrose

6. The Dalles

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Why Estacada? Graduation took a heavy toll on everyone in the league, but the Rangers earn the benefit of the doubt after winning their first OSAA state championship last fall.

Player of the year candidates

Offense: WR Junior Bradford, Parkrose, junior; TE Grant Ellison, La Salle Prep, senior; QB Andrew Riedel, Estacada, senior; WR Gabe Rodriguez, Gladstone, senior

Defense: LB Fynn Brechbiel, Gladstone, senior; LB Grant Ellison, La Salle Prep, senior; LB Ben Olsen, Molalla, senior; LB Lincoln Rathmanner, Estacada, junior

OREGON WEST

Predicted order of finish

1. Cascade

2. Marist Catholic

3. Stayton

4. Sweet Home

5. Philomath

6. Junction City

7. Cottage Grove

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Why Cascade? In a league that saw plenty of turnover because of graduation and transfers, the Cougars return the most dynamic player in senior Karsten Sande, who should thrive under new coach Shane Hedrick. Marist Catholic has a new coach and saw two of its top defenders — senior DL Sam Keen (Springfield) and junior DL Brody Borrevik (Sheldon) — depart, but the Spartans are always tough. 

Player of the year candidates

Offense: RB/WR Karsten Sande, Cascade, senior; WR Peyton Tyner, Marist Catholic, senior; RB/WR Tanner Starbuck, Stayton, junior; QB Kaden Muir, Philomath, senior

Defense: DB Karsten Sande, Cascade, senior; LB Aiden Hazen, Marist Catholic, senior; LB Kale Hubert, Stayton, junior; DB Tanner Starbuck, Stayton, junior

BIG SKY

Predicted order of finish

1. Henley

2. Mazama

3. Marshfield

4. North Bend

5. Ashland

6. Hidden Valley

7. Klamath Union

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Why Henley? Mazama has ruled the roost for almost a decade, but the Vikings sustained heavy losses in graduation. The Hornets lost co-offensive player of the year QB Shaw Stork but bring back top back Logan Whitlock and receiver Luke Bennett among six all-conference returners.

Player of the year candidates

Offense: QB Tyson Van Gastel, Mazama, senior; RB Logan Whitlock, Henley, senior; RB John Lemmons, Marshfield, senior; RB Gavin White, Ashland, senior

Defense: LB Logan Whitlock, Henley, senior; DB Tyson Van Gastel, Mazama, senior; DL Jamal Cuellar, Klamath Union, senior; LB Chris Janney, Henley, senior

GREATER OREGON

Predicted order of finish

1. Baker

2. Pendleton

3. La Grande

4. Crook County

5. Ontario

6. Madras

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Why Baker? Never underestimate the motivation of missing the playoffs. The Bulldogs have that in spades as the highest-ranked team in the state not to advance to the 2022 postseason — plus the potential of an explosive offense led by senior QB Paul Hobson and sophomore WR Rasean Jones. 

Player of the year candidates

Offense: WR Rasean Jones, Baker, sophomore; QB Paul Hobson, Baker, senior; WR Benito Jennings, Pendleton, senior; WR Eddie Freauff, Crook County, senior

Defense: DL Nathan Neveau, Pendleton, senior; DB Eddie Freauff, Crook County, senior; DB Rasean Jones, Baker, sophomore; LB Skytus Smith, Madras, senior

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Recapping the 2022 season

Our complete season preview: Breaking down every 6A, 5A, 4A team in the state

Regular-season statistical leaders: Class 6A | Class 5A | Class 4A

Postseason statistical leaders: Class 6A | Class 5A | Class 4A

All-state teams: Class 6A | Class 5A | Class 4A