All District Football Honors are out
South Salem wins DPOY, Co-OPOY—North Salem’s Wilson shares honor with South’s Palmateer
South Salem captured the Co-Offensive player of the year honors, as well as Defensive player of the year, and Coach of the year in Special District One player honors released Tuesday afternoon. But there were still plenty of honors to go around for other schools within the ten-member football conference.
Saxon defensive end Hatimu Letisi was the defensive player of the year in a vote by the district’s ten coaches. South Salem quarterback Athan Palmateer—who threw for nearly 2900 yards, with 29 TDs against just three interceptions—shared Offensive Player of the Year honors with North Salem running back Jamahl Wilson—who ran for 1550 yards on just 125 carries (12 yds/carry) with 19 rushing touchdowns—and three other TDs (punt return, kickoff return, interception).
And for guiding his team to an unbeaten regular season, South Salem coach Scott Dufault was honored as the Coach of the Year.
All totaled, South Salem had ten first team players, Sheldon had nine—and West Salem recorded 7 first teamers, followed by North Medford with six.
Several teams had two-way first team honorees. For North Medford, AJ Pugliano (TE, DL) carries the dual designation in his bags to the University of Oregon, while Jeremiah Robbins (RB, LB) also was also a two-way first teamer. Sheldon’s two-way stars on the list included Mana Tuioiti (RB, LB) and Wil Haverland (TE, DL) and special teamer Rocco Graziani (K, P). West Salem also had a two way first teamer. Sophomore Evan Wusstig—the younger brother of South Salem all-state receiver Zach Wusstigg—earned first team honors as a defensive back and wide receiver for West Salem.
North Medford took home plenty of honors on the second team as well, with nine players selected. South Salem, North Salem, West Salem, Sprague, and McNary were all recognized with second-team honors.
The honorable mention list of players includes those nominated by their coaches, but who failed to receive enough coach votes for first or second team. All were players worthy of recognition.
Also known as the South-Central Conference to some media members south of Salem, 6A Special District One lost all of its teams in the football championship bracket after the first round.
In the (consolation) Columbia Cup bracket—only North Salem and South Medford are still alive—and they face each other on Friday night at Medford’s Spiegelberg Stadium at 6:00 pm PST. The winner will advance to the Columbia Cup semifinals.
WANT YOUR OWN COPY OF THE ALL-DISTRICT TEAMS?—follow THIS LINK for the listings of offense and defense and then print page-by-page from the Facebook page.