2024 Players to Watch: Mt. Hood Conference football

There will be plenty to marvel at this season on the football field, as the Mt. Hood Conference is filled with talented players at all positions.

From powerhouse runners, rocket-armed quarterbacks, deft receivers, mauling linemen, savvy linebackers, stifling defensive backs and accurate kickers, here are the players to watch in the 2024 Mt. Hood Conference football season:

Travis Hull, Reynolds senior running back

A season after starring alongside his brother Jacob, the second-team all-league selection will look to establish himself as one of the top running backs in the Mt. Hood Conference. He is a violent, speedy runner, with that knack of twisting and clawing his way forward for extra yards. Hull will also contribute on the defensive side of the ball, using his running savvy to fill the gaps as a linebacker and stymie his opposition.

Caden McMahon, Sandy junior middle linebacker

Naming just one position for McMahon seems like a disservice. His coaches expect him to appear in various roles throughout the season, heck he might not be in the same spot two plays in a row. The only constant is on defense, where he is the middle linebacker for Sandy, bringing an ability to keep up with route runners after a sophomore season as corner (he was third on the team in tackles in 2023). On offense he will be a power running back, receiver, wing, full back and take reps at quarterback.

Jesus Maldanado, Gresham senior linebacker

The “QB” on defense for the Gophers, Maldanado is a hard-hitting backer. He is key in a renewed Gresham focus of securing tackles and finishing plays — a problem that plagued the squad in the past and undermined the efforts to pile up wins. While run-stopping is his passion, Maldanado is also capable of keeping up with opposing route runners and deflecting passes up the middle.

Zac Stascausky, Central Catholic senior lineman

A giant on the field at 6-foot 7-inches 287-pounds, it doesn’t really matter who the Rams trot out as their next generation of quarterback, he is going to have time to throw. Stascausky has the strength and technical skill in both run blocking and pass protection. He is committed to play for the University of Washington next year, but will first be a key cog in Central’s state championship defense.

Mataio Olomua, Sandy senior running back

Olomua has been given the reins as the lead runner for a Pioneers squad wanting to move the ball on the ground on first, second and third down. He is a shifty back, with a quick first step and ability to ramp up speed with just a fleeting window of daylight. He is surprisingly strong for his size, and is the top defensive back for Sandy in terms of coverage and wrap-up tackling.

Rodell Akins, Reynolds senior wide receiver

You just have to get the ball into his hands, and then the innovative Raiders route runner makes it happen. Akins is a sure-handed receiver who rakes in yards after the catch by emulating the running style of his bruising teammate Hull. The 2023 honorable mention selection will be the game-breaker for Reynolds, and will be the target when the team needs a key first down or score.

Avirey Durdahl, Nelson senior quarterback

A dual-threat quarterback, Durdahl has the enviable combo of a powerful throwing arm and electric legs. While speed is his greatest asset as a runner, he isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder for that key first down. The second-team all-conference selection is the top returning Mt. Hood quarterback, especially after the graduation of Central’s Cru Newman.

Zac Bridges, Sandy junior offensive tackle

One of the best young linemen in the state returns to Sandy after an offseason competing against the best Oregon has to offer. The towering 6-foot 5-inch Bridges was selected to the Les Schwab Bowl this summer where he got to practice and compete with others across the state. He has the size, power and athleticism of a college prospect with a high ceiling.

Caleb Perry, Barlow junior running back

A track and field star, Perry brings that same athleticism to the football field. He is fast, surehanded out of the backfield, and able to keep his legs churning to avoid easy takedowns. His route running is strong enough to vie for snaps at slot, and he should be part of a running back committee as the Bruins seek their next star on the ground.

Max Maehara, Clackamas senior linebacker

The defensive leader and star for the Cavaliers, who are looking to build on a deep Columbia Cup run. The first-team all-conference selection is a stout tackler who is capable of dropping back into pass protection or diving into the gaps against the run.

Tyson Davis, Central Catholic junior running back

A versatile weapon for the defending league and state champs, Davis was one of the Rams top runners and pass catchers. Now a year older, his role will only expand with his ability to lineup at any skill position.

Dominic Macon, Nelson senior defensive lineman

One of the strongest players in the conference, just peek at his 6A heavyweight wrestling state title from last year, Macon is a nightmare to block. He has an explosive first step and a penchant for fighting his way through to opposing quarterbacks, using many of those wrestling skills to wriggle past blockers. Another Husky commit, he is the linchpin on the line for the Hawks.

Ashton Culp, Sandy senior center

Another cog in the Pioneers whirling dervish of a run game, Culp is the anchor of the offensive line. The brains of the operation, he leads the unit and ensures all of the pieces are where they need to be. Culp is the most technically talented of the group, with fast footwork and a knack for leveraging opponents out of harm’s way.

Avery Lo, Gresham junior defensive back

Lo is a ballhawk who lives for those back-breaking interceptions — he led in 2023 with the most picks for Gresham. This year his coaches expect as big of an impact offensively, with the hope Lo will showcase those soft hands as a route runner. He will be the go-to option for the Gophers every night, and will mix it up in the run game with reverses and jet sweeps.

Deondre Rea-Hill, Barlow senior corner

Another defensive ball hawk in a league filled with them, Rea-Hill is cut from the same cloth as graduated star Sentori Martino. The senior is set to be the next Barlow dynamic defensive back, and by the end of the year many opposing receivers will be sick and tired of their unwelcome Bruins shadow. Rea-Hill is fast and loves to jump routes in search of those back-breaking interceptions. He also isn’t afraid to step up against the run or sprint into the backfield on a blindside blitz.

Ayden Hancox, Reynolds senior defensive lineman

A four-year varsity starter on the defensive line, you can’t move Hancox. The lineman has the strength to hold his ground and the savvy to jump into running lanes and swallow up opponents. He is a vocal leader for the Raiders on defense, and a key component to one of the top run-stopping units in the conference.

Tristan Huerta, Gresham senior athlete

A true gadget player on the field, it is impossible to say what position Huerta will line up in — slot receiver, in the backfield, under center as a scrambling quarterback. That kind of versatility will leave defenders scratching their heads and allow for a dynamic approach to the Gophers offense. Called the “Comeback Kid” in the locker room, Huerta will continue to elevate a building program.

Brighton Jacobsen, Barlow senior kicker/punter

The Bruins’ big leg is looking to break school records during his final season on the field — his target is a 47-yard field goal. Jacobsen has the leg to do it, and an offseason spent training and attending camps has him one step closer to history. He is also a returning all-conference honorable mention punter.

Slate Harper, Sandy senior offensive tackle

If you could develop an offensive tackle in a lab, you’d celebrate someone like Harper — 6-foot 3-inches, 305 pounds, with the strength to forcibly move any defenders in his path and footwork to buy his quarterback time in the pocket. He is also an important figure on the defensive line.

Cameron Buss, Gresham senior running back

After a disappointing, injury-filled 2023 season — Buss was sidelined for seven games — Gresham’s lead running back is ready to roar back onto the scene. He will lead the way for the Gophers, who want to reestablish a ground game spurred by talented veterans and newcomers on the line.

Payton Chhay, Reynolds senior quarterback

Chhay has been developing new aspects of his game in the offseason, ready to make his high school swan song a memorable one. He has always had a rocket for an arm, but that is now paired with consistency and better ability to read the defense pre-snap. His footwork has also improved — to both allow him to scramble and pickup extra yards, but also to stay nimble in the pocket and give his receivers more time to get open.

Mason Frederickson, Sandy sophomore receiver/safety

James Richards, Sandy sophomore outside linebacker

A pair of defensive youngsters for the Pioneers who are both playing beyond their years. Frederickson is an explosive, sure-tackling safety who will rein in opposing aerial attacks. He also isn’t afraid to step up and battle against the run. Richards is a hard-worker who has earned the trust of his teammates and coaches by never taking a play off. While his strength is as a linebacker, he will also get carries as a running back and will be a key component on special teams.

Justin Clouser, Clackamas senior defensive back

Wyatt McKenzie, Clackamas senior defensive back

The Cavaliers were hard to move the ball against last season, in large part to a talented squad of defensive backs. Two of the stars, Clouser and McKenzie, are back for their final season. The duo make for no easy passes, with a penchant for snagging back-breaking interceptions. Both will look to build on honorable mention nods last year.

Samuel Hernandez, Reynolds senior center

The brains behind the Reynolds offensive line, Hernandez has chemistry with his signal caller Chhay that only friendship and experience brings. He keeps everything moving on the attack, and is an extra voice for the coaching staff in the huddle, especially for younger teammates still figuring out the playbook.

Gracyn Fitch, Sandy sophomore receiver

A speedy route-runner who brings enough talent to the field that it will make it difficult for his coaches to maintain such a heavy dose of runs. Fitch has a knack for winning those 50/50 balls — if it is up for grabs, he often finds a way to snag it. He will also lineup as an outside linebacker as part of the young defensive unit.

Liam Munoz, Gresham junior quarterback

The go-button for the Gophers offense, Munoz is a vocal leader in the locker room and on the field. He has an incredibly high football IQ, is an honor roll student, and fierce competitor hungry for Mt. Hood Conference wins.

Marco Torres, Sandy senior kicker

Braden Sievertson, Sandy senior punter

An oft overlooked part of football, special teams is a boon for Sandy thanks to a pair of senior stars. The duo were named second-team all-conference last year. Sievertson is a three-sport athlete who maintains field position with his well-placed punts; and Torres will nail field goals when he is not busy starring for Pioneers boys soccer.