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Who will be the best defensive back in the Salem-Keizer area this fall?
You get to pick.
The 2026 OSAA high school football season is fast approaching and there's a new wave of athletes ready to shine on high school fields in the Willamette Valley. Defensive backs around the area create plays, swing games and make a difference in the most important of times.
The Statesman Journal is working across the football field to decide who the most impactful players in the Salem-Keizer area will be. After working through the entire offense, defensive line and linebackers, it's time for the defensive backs.
So who will be the most impactful defensive back in the Salem-Keizer area this season? Here are the nominees, brought to you by Maps Credit Union.
Information about each nominee is listed below. Vote for the athlete you think is most deserving at statesmanjournal.com/sports. The poll closes at noon Wednesday, Aug. 19.
A year ago, Abballay was one of just a few sophomores to earn a spot on the Class 6A Special District 1 all-conference rosters. Abballay received second-team all-conference as the Olympians fought to a 5-3 conference record (5-5 overall). Abballay is back with a Sprague team returning a mass amount of varsity contributors.
"We have a lot of good athletes who can play corner and we feel pretty good about the depth and athleticism in that group," coach AJ Robinson said.
Hawkins appeared on a very short list of players who earned first-team all-state honors on both sides of the football last fall. Hawkins collected the accolades as a wide receiver and defensive back and was a vital member of the Cougars' Class 4A state championship team. Cascade's playmaker is back for his senior year as a focal point on both sides, and coach Shane Hedrick looks forward to Hawkins taking another leap this fall.
"He'll probably be one of the better defenders at any level in the secondary next year," Hedrick said. "He's got God-given skill. Now that's good, but it's not good enough. You've got to take what God has given you and you've got to advance that."
A year ago, St. Paul posted a 8-3 record and reached the Class 2A state semifinals. Hockett, now a senior, played a crucial role in the feat. Hockett earned a second-team all-state bid from defensive back while leading the charge as the Buckaroos' quarterback.
He's back with a strong core of returning varsity contributors to spearhead one of the classification's most fruitful offenses and most shutdown defenses.
Kuenzi, a senior, returns to the state champion Foxes following a successful individual two-way campaign last fall. He ran reps at wide receiver and cornerback — earning honorable mention in Special District 3 for his work on the defensive side of the ball. In the offseason Kuenzi was a member of Silverton's state-title winning 4x100-meter relay team on the track, so Silverton's eager for his speed and talent to return to the football field.
"He'll be a three-year starter for us at corner, so that'll bring some consistency for sure," coach Dan Lever said.
Kumm, a junior, returns to the Celtics after a 2-7 season in Class 5A's Special District 2 last fall. He plays quarterback and defensive back for McNary and his role on both sides of the ball could expand with several varsity contributors from last year's team graduated.
Kumm and the Celtics leave behind Class 5A and rejoin Class 6A in a conference with North Salem, South Salem, West Salem and Sprague. To compete with their Salem-area foes, Kumm's name will be called upon on both sides of the ball as a source of consistency.
Lutz is back with the Olympians following a campaign that ended with a Class 6A Special District 1 honorable mention shout from the safety position. He's a part of Sprague's returning one-two punch at safety this fall with teammate Gabe Plowhead; a duo expected to control the opposing team's passing game on a week-to-week basis.
"They have a whole season of varsity experience so we're counting on those guys to play well and make tackles," Robinson said.
Newton is a rock at the back for West Salem with an exciting senior year ahead. Last fall, Newton was a key member of West Salem's defense that gave up the least amount of points in 6A's Special District 1. He earned honorable mention in the conference and will be a playmaker on a West Salem team that graduated several defensive varsity contributors.
"Christian is, I think, one of the best corners in the state," coach Shawn Stanley said. "I think he's a college player, a really good coverage player and will come up and tackle you. But he's definitely going to produce for us, on offense as well."
Shaw was a freshman on last year's state champion Cascade Cougars where he saw a steady increase in varsity reps throughout the year. Now a sophomore, Shaw's role as a safety in the Cougars' defensive backfield is expected to grow with the graduation of multiple contributors. Cascade was one of the top defenses in Class 4A a year ago, and Shaw will be a integral piece in the team's quest for back-to-back titles.
"In that free safety position Teak Shaw played a lot there last year," Hedrick said. "He got an interception in the state semifinal game and has put on some size ... we like what he's got there."
Class 5A's defensive player of the year is back in Silverton. Teeney, a senior, earned that and Special District 3's defensive player of the year award while the Foxes marched to a state championship. He's a two-way star and Swiss army-knife of a player according to coach Lever, and his role will grow even greater this fall in the Foxes' title defense campaign.
"We are the hunted now," Lever said. "Everybody's going to give us their best game, best gameplan ... we know that staying on top of the mountain is going to be much harder than climbing it."
Tibbs, a senior, played an impactful two-way role for the Loggers last fall. Scio finished the season 4-5 and missed the Class 3A state playoffs. But Tibbs earned second-team all-conference honors in Special District 2.
Tibbs and the Loggers graduated just two seniors from last year's team, making for an exciting season ahead with veteran varsity contributors across the field.
Landon Bartlett covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X, TikTok or Instagram @bartlelo.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Vote! Who will be Salem's top defensive back in high school football?
Continue reading...
You get to pick.
The 2026 OSAA high school football season is fast approaching and there's a new wave of athletes ready to shine on high school fields in the Willamette Valley. Defensive backs around the area create plays, swing games and make a difference in the most important of times.
The Statesman Journal is working across the football field to decide who the most impactful players in the Salem-Keizer area will be. After working through the entire offense, defensive line and linebackers, it's time for the defensive backs.
So who will be the most impactful defensive back in the Salem-Keizer area this season? Here are the nominees, brought to you by Maps Credit Union.
- Malakai Abballay, Sprague
- Josiah Hawkins, Cascade
- Noah Hockett, St. Paul
- Kellen Kuenzi, Silverton
- Tavin Kumm, McNary
- Julian Lutz, Sprague
- Christian Newton, West Salem
- Teak Shaw, Cascade
- Lincoln Teeney, Silverton
- Haydin Tibbs, Scio
You must be registered for see images attach
Information about each nominee is listed below. Vote for the athlete you think is most deserving at statesmanjournal.com/sports. The poll closes at noon Wednesday, Aug. 19.
You must be registered for see images attach
Malakai Abballay, Sprague
A year ago, Abballay was one of just a few sophomores to earn a spot on the Class 6A Special District 1 all-conference rosters. Abballay received second-team all-conference as the Olympians fought to a 5-3 conference record (5-5 overall). Abballay is back with a Sprague team returning a mass amount of varsity contributors.
"We have a lot of good athletes who can play corner and we feel pretty good about the depth and athleticism in that group," coach AJ Robinson said.
You must be registered for see images
Josiah Hawkins, Cascade
Hawkins appeared on a very short list of players who earned first-team all-state honors on both sides of the football last fall. Hawkins collected the accolades as a wide receiver and defensive back and was a vital member of the Cougars' Class 4A state championship team. Cascade's playmaker is back for his senior year as a focal point on both sides, and coach Shane Hedrick looks forward to Hawkins taking another leap this fall.
"He'll probably be one of the better defenders at any level in the secondary next year," Hedrick said. "He's got God-given skill. Now that's good, but it's not good enough. You've got to take what God has given you and you've got to advance that."
You must be registered for see images attach
Noah Hockett, St. Paul
A year ago, St. Paul posted a 8-3 record and reached the Class 2A state semifinals. Hockett, now a senior, played a crucial role in the feat. Hockett earned a second-team all-state bid from defensive back while leading the charge as the Buckaroos' quarterback.
He's back with a strong core of returning varsity contributors to spearhead one of the classification's most fruitful offenses and most shutdown defenses.
You must be registered for see images attach
Kellen Kuenzi, Silverton
Kuenzi, a senior, returns to the state champion Foxes following a successful individual two-way campaign last fall. He ran reps at wide receiver and cornerback — earning honorable mention in Special District 3 for his work on the defensive side of the ball. In the offseason Kuenzi was a member of Silverton's state-title winning 4x100-meter relay team on the track, so Silverton's eager for his speed and talent to return to the football field.
"He'll be a three-year starter for us at corner, so that'll bring some consistency for sure," coach Dan Lever said.
Tavin Kumm, McNary
Kumm, a junior, returns to the Celtics after a 2-7 season in Class 5A's Special District 2 last fall. He plays quarterback and defensive back for McNary and his role on both sides of the ball could expand with several varsity contributors from last year's team graduated.
Kumm and the Celtics leave behind Class 5A and rejoin Class 6A in a conference with North Salem, South Salem, West Salem and Sprague. To compete with their Salem-area foes, Kumm's name will be called upon on both sides of the ball as a source of consistency.
You must be registered for see images attach
Julian Lutz, Sprague
Lutz is back with the Olympians following a campaign that ended with a Class 6A Special District 1 honorable mention shout from the safety position. He's a part of Sprague's returning one-two punch at safety this fall with teammate Gabe Plowhead; a duo expected to control the opposing team's passing game on a week-to-week basis.
"They have a whole season of varsity experience so we're counting on those guys to play well and make tackles," Robinson said.
Christian Newton, West Salem
Newton is a rock at the back for West Salem with an exciting senior year ahead. Last fall, Newton was a key member of West Salem's defense that gave up the least amount of points in 6A's Special District 1. He earned honorable mention in the conference and will be a playmaker on a West Salem team that graduated several defensive varsity contributors.
"Christian is, I think, one of the best corners in the state," coach Shawn Stanley said. "I think he's a college player, a really good coverage player and will come up and tackle you. But he's definitely going to produce for us, on offense as well."
Teak Shaw, Cascade
Shaw was a freshman on last year's state champion Cascade Cougars where he saw a steady increase in varsity reps throughout the year. Now a sophomore, Shaw's role as a safety in the Cougars' defensive backfield is expected to grow with the graduation of multiple contributors. Cascade was one of the top defenses in Class 4A a year ago, and Shaw will be a integral piece in the team's quest for back-to-back titles.
"In that free safety position Teak Shaw played a lot there last year," Hedrick said. "He got an interception in the state semifinal game and has put on some size ... we like what he's got there."
You must be registered for see images attach
Lincoln Teeney, Silverton
Class 5A's defensive player of the year is back in Silverton. Teeney, a senior, earned that and Special District 3's defensive player of the year award while the Foxes marched to a state championship. He's a two-way star and Swiss army-knife of a player according to coach Lever, and his role will grow even greater this fall in the Foxes' title defense campaign.
"We are the hunted now," Lever said. "Everybody's going to give us their best game, best gameplan ... we know that staying on top of the mountain is going to be much harder than climbing it."
Haydin Tibbs, Scio
Tibbs, a senior, played an impactful two-way role for the Loggers last fall. Scio finished the season 4-5 and missed the Class 3A state playoffs. But Tibbs earned second-team all-conference honors in Special District 2.
Tibbs and the Loggers graduated just two seniors from last year's team, making for an exciting season ahead with veteran varsity contributors across the field.
Landon Bartlett covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X, TikTok or Instagram @bartlelo.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Vote! Who will be Salem's top defensive back in high school football?
Continue reading...
