Rodriguez, Wustigg top locals on All-State football squad
Six total players from Salem-Keizer are recognized on 6A squad
Based on a vote of Oregon’s prep football coaches, the All-State 6A football team was presented Friday by the media outlets SB Live, the Oregonian and Oregon Live. The player list is lengthy and impressive. Special District One landed its fair share of players on the team, including several from Salem-Keizer. Two notable players locally were Sprague’s Drew Rodriguez, who was a two-way first team selection—at wide receiver on offense, and defensive back on defense, and South Salem’s new Zach Wusstig—a second teamer at receiver and defensive back. Drew is headed to Colorado State University to play next fall for the Rams, Zach to Portland State University to play football for the Vikings.
Below is a list of the players from Special District One—including Medford area and Salem area Schools. Unless otherwise noted, players are graduating seniors. Statistics for skill position players are also listed.
FIRST TEAM-OFFENSE
WR Drew Rodriguez-Sprague (36 RECEPTIONS-669 YARDS {18.6/catch] 11 TDS)
QB Brock Thomas-Sheldon (182-277 2,895 YARDS—41 TDS, 5 INTS)
WR Andrew Walker-South Medford (51-776 YARDS [15.2/catch] 10 TDS)
TE Luke Leighton-Sheldon (40-711 YARDS [17.8/catch] 10 TDS)
OL Ryan Yankovich-Sheldon
SECOND TEAM
RB Josiah Davis-North Salem (132 CARRIES-801 YARDS [6.1/carry] 9 TDS)
WR Zach Wustigg-South Salem (45 RECEPTIONS-679 YARDS [15.1/catch} 11 TDS)
TE AJ Pugliano-North Medford (Jr.) (30 RECEPTIONS-421 YARDS [25.9/catch] 4 TDS)
C Carl Harward-Sheldon
OL David Fuiava-North Medford
OL Tanner Thomas-Sheldon
HONORABLE MENTION
QB Daschel Smith-South Salem (199-292 2,783 YARDS—33 TDS, 8 INTS)
QB Deacon Edgar-South Medford (129-203 1,848 YARDS—18 TDS, 10 INTS)
RB Ty Pugliano-North Medford (142 CARRIES-827 YARDS [5.8/carry] 7 TDS)
RB Grafton Robinson-Sheldon (70 CARRIES-534 YARDS [7.6/carry] 6 TDS)
WR Cade Welch-Sheldon (40-518 YARDS [13.0/catch] 10 TDS)
C Cole Steketee-Sprague
OL Kain Robinson-Grants Pass
OL Connor Trinca-North Medford
OL Michael Urias-Sheldon (Jr.)
K JT Knobloch-Scott-North Medford
FIRST TEAM-DEFENSE
DL Teitum Tuioti-Sheldon**
DB Drew Rodriguez-Sprague
SECOND TEAM
DL Josh Merriman-Sheldon
DL AJ Pugliano-North Medford (Jr.)
LB Luke Leighton-Sheldon
DB Zach Wusstig-South Salem
DB Isaac Peters-Sheldon
HONORABLE MENTION
DL Hatimu Letisi-South Salem (Jr.)
DL Makani Manuwai-South Medford
LB E.J. Peterson-Sheldon
LB Mana Tuioti-Sheldon (Soph.)
DB Ty Pugliano-North Medford
DB Jackson Tunick-Grants Pass
P Brock Thomas-Sheldon
**Defensive Player of the Year
Also congratulations to McKay RB Jamahl Wilson and WR Anthony Justice—who received second team all-state honors at the 5A level.