Oregon Prep Gridiron Notes
Recent announcements involving the state’s high school football scene
Oregon lands Pugliano—the state’s top prospect
The online media source NewsBreak reports that North Medford tight end AJ Pugliano has committed to play college football for the University of Oregon. Pugliano is the #5 rated tight end nationally, and the top prospect in Oregon.
Sharing via twitter on Monday, the 6-3, 240 pound Pugliano announced his decision to play in Eugene. He had been courted by a large number of schools, including Clemson, Ohio State, Oregon State, and almost the entire Pac-12 Conference.
Pugliano shared that he has dreamed of playing at Autzen Stadium since he was a young boy, and that Oregon simply “checked all the boxes” for him as a player.
Pugliano actually committed to the Ducks last week, in a telephone call with head coach Dan Lanning and members of his coaching staff.
OSAA Academic All-Stars—Football
The West Salem and Sprague football squads are among the top-10 teams in the state of Oregon academically. West is ranked seventh, and Sprague tenth among teams with grade point averages of 3.00 and above.
West’s GPA stands at 3.29 for first semester, while Sprague is at 3.26—the only Salem-Keizer teams from Special District One. Jesuit has the top average statewide at 3.43, followed by Lake Oswego (3.39) and Roseburg (3.38).
Other mid-valley teams making the all-state list include 4A schools Stayton (#1-3.59) and Cascade (#10-3.11); 3A teams Salem Academy (#4-3.3), Kennedy of Mt. Angel (#6-3.25), and Yamhill-Carlton (#10-3.13); at the 2A level, Blanchet Catholic of Salem (#5-3.04); and atop the 1A list, St, Paul (3.61).
The OSAA’s Academic All-State Program—sponsored by OnPoint Community Credit Union—recognizes outstanding achievement in the classroom. The boys and girls team in each OSAA-sanctioned activity with the highest team grade point average (G.P.A.) earns the Academic All-State Award.
Each member of a winning team receives a commemorative decal and a certificate. The school receives a plaque in honor of its team.
Oregon Prep Football Polls
Despite being ranked just third in the OSAA’s Power Rankings for 6A Schools, Special District One football power Sheldon is the number one team in the state in polls conducted with coaches and Oregon media outlets.
In the OSAA Coaches Poll, Sheldon has 133 points and two first place votes, listed just ahead of West Linn, Central Catholic, and Jesuit. Other Special District One teams in the top ten include South Salem at eight, and South Medford at ten.
In the SB Live Media Survey, Sheldon received 16 of the 17 first place votes to hold steady at number one. The Irish are followed by West Linn, Central Catholic and Jesuit. South Salem is the only other Special District One team in the media poll, ranked tenth. North Medford and South Medford are just outside the top ten, with the Black Tornado at #13, and the Panthers at #14.