- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,258,342
- Reaction score
- 59
Who will be the Salem-Keizer area's most impactful wide receiver/tight end this year?
You get to choose.
The 2026 OSAA high school football season is nearing its begin and programs around the area are starting to work out what their offenses will look like. Wide receivers and tight ends with all-conference, all-state and state championship accolades are returning to their respective programs, and several newcomers are looking to burst onto the scene.
The Statesman Journal is working across the football field to decide who the most impactful players in the Salem-Keizer area will be. After beginning with quarterbacks, it's time for wide receviers and tight ends.
Here are the nominees. The list is sponsored 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 Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Greer is back for his senior season after collecting first-team all-conference in Class 6A's Special District 1 last fall. Greed finished second in total receiving yards in the entire classification, garnering 1,309 yards on 117 receptions. His 117 receptions are the second most in a single season in Oregon history, and Greer set a state record for most receptions in a game with 24 against Sheldon a year ago.
Cascade's first-team all-state wide receiver is back, fresh off a state championship. His nine touchdowns in the regular season last fall were among the most in Class 4A, and in Cascade's state-championship rout Hawkins scored the opening touchdown of the game and finished with 77 yards receiving. Hawkins will have a leading role in the Cougars' quest to replicate the success of last year's unit.
Keller, a senior, is back for the Vikings and is stepping into the lead receiving role at North Salem this fall. A year ago, Keller collected honorable mention in 6A Special District 1 playing next to a pair of all-state offensive weapons. With those graduated, Keller now leads the charge for a Viking team hoping to improve upon its 5-5 record from last fall.
Mendazona was a dynamic threat from receiver last fall and is back for one final season. A year ago, Mendazona caught seven touchdowns in the regular season — one of the eight highest tallies in Class 5A. Mendazona collected second-team all-conference honors in the loaded 5A Special District 3.
Nguyen returns to a Sprague team that a year ago was a young, up-and-coming squad that finished with a 5-5 record and won five of its last seven games. Nguyen, now a junior, earned honorable mention in last year's 6A Special District 1. He returns to a receiving corps with depth, an offense with an exciting running back room and an offensive line ready to battle in the trenches.
Perkins is a part of a strong one-two punch of receivers at Central with teammate Joe Mendazona. Perkins, a senior, flashes speed, hands and shiftiness that helped place him among the highest-scoring receivers in the state last fall. For his contributions, Perkins earned honorable mention in Class 5A's Special District 3.
Silverton's two-way Swiss army knife of a player hits the field once more for the state champion Foxes. A year ago, Teeney collected Class 5A's defensive player of the year award but was a force to be reckoned with on offense, too. Now a senior, Teeney's playmaking ability, and leadership, will be put to use on both sides of the ball if Silverton is to repeat its glory from a year ago.
Scio returns the lion's share of its offensive weaponry from last season, especially at wide receiver. Tibbs, a senior, is one of many returning varsity contributors with route-running experience at the varsity level. Last year, Tibbs collected first-team all-conference honors in Class 3A's Special District 2 and will be a major contributor in the Loggers' success this fall.
Walsh is one of many all-state returning players for the state champion Cougars and one of two all-state receivers/tight ends back at Cascade. Walsh earned 4A second-team all-state honors in the classification's highest-scoring offense.
Zambrano, a senior, is back for the Titans, who are looking at a refreshed offense after graduating a dominant portion of the team last fall. Zambrano is a two-way player for the Titans whose role may increase even more on both sides of the ball in West Salem's new-look roster.
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 the Salem area's top pass-catcher this season?
Continue reading...
You get to choose.
The 2026 OSAA high school football season is nearing its begin and programs around the area are starting to work out what their offenses will look like. Wide receivers and tight ends with all-conference, all-state and state championship accolades are returning to their respective programs, and several newcomers are looking to burst onto the scene.
The Statesman Journal is working across the football field to decide who the most impactful players in the Salem-Keizer area will be. After beginning with quarterbacks, it's time for wide receviers and tight ends.
Here are the nominees. The list is sponsored by Maps Credit Union.
- Benjamin Greer, South Salem
- Josiah Hawkins, Cascade
- Xavior Keller, North Salem
- Joe Mendazona, Central
- Carter Nguyen, Sprague
- Ryan Perkins, Central
- Lincoln Teeney, Silverton
- Hayden Tibbs, Scio
- Jamison Walsh, Cascade
- Marcus Zambrano, West Salem
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 Tuesday, Aug. 11.
You must be registered for see images attach
Benjamin Greer, South Salem
Greer is back for his senior season after collecting first-team all-conference in Class 6A's Special District 1 last fall. Greed finished second in total receiving yards in the entire classification, garnering 1,309 yards on 117 receptions. His 117 receptions are the second most in a single season in Oregon history, and Greer set a state record for most receptions in a game with 24 against Sheldon a year ago.
You must be registered for see images attach
Josiah Hawkins, Cascade
Cascade's first-team all-state wide receiver is back, fresh off a state championship. His nine touchdowns in the regular season last fall were among the most in Class 4A, and in Cascade's state-championship rout Hawkins scored the opening touchdown of the game and finished with 77 yards receiving. Hawkins will have a leading role in the Cougars' quest to replicate the success of last year's unit.
You must be registered for see images attach
Xavior Keller, North Salem
Keller, a senior, is back for the Vikings and is stepping into the lead receiving role at North Salem this fall. A year ago, Keller collected honorable mention in 6A Special District 1 playing next to a pair of all-state offensive weapons. With those graduated, Keller now leads the charge for a Viking team hoping to improve upon its 5-5 record from last fall.
Joe Mendazona, Central
Mendazona was a dynamic threat from receiver last fall and is back for one final season. A year ago, Mendazona caught seven touchdowns in the regular season — one of the eight highest tallies in Class 5A. Mendazona collected second-team all-conference honors in the loaded 5A Special District 3.
You must be registered for see images attach
Carter Nguyen, Sprague
Nguyen returns to a Sprague team that a year ago was a young, up-and-coming squad that finished with a 5-5 record and won five of its last seven games. Nguyen, now a junior, earned honorable mention in last year's 6A Special District 1. He returns to a receiving corps with depth, an offense with an exciting running back room and an offensive line ready to battle in the trenches.
Ryan Perkins, Central
Perkins is a part of a strong one-two punch of receivers at Central with teammate Joe Mendazona. Perkins, a senior, flashes speed, hands and shiftiness that helped place him among the highest-scoring receivers in the state last fall. For his contributions, Perkins earned honorable mention in Class 5A's Special District 3.
You must be registered for see images attach
Lincoln Teeney, Silverton
Silverton's two-way Swiss army knife of a player hits the field once more for the state champion Foxes. A year ago, Teeney collected Class 5A's defensive player of the year award but was a force to be reckoned with on offense, too. Now a senior, Teeney's playmaking ability, and leadership, will be put to use on both sides of the ball if Silverton is to repeat its glory from a year ago.
Hayden Tibbs, Scio
Scio returns the lion's share of its offensive weaponry from last season, especially at wide receiver. Tibbs, a senior, is one of many returning varsity contributors with route-running experience at the varsity level. Last year, Tibbs collected first-team all-conference honors in Class 3A's Special District 2 and will be a major contributor in the Loggers' success this fall.
You must be registered for see images attach
Jamison Walsh, Cascade
Walsh is one of many all-state returning players for the state champion Cougars and one of two all-state receivers/tight ends back at Cascade. Walsh earned 4A second-team all-state honors in the classification's highest-scoring offense.
You must be registered for see images attach
Marcus Zambrano, West Salem
Zambrano, a senior, is back for the Titans, who are looking at a refreshed offense after graduating a dominant portion of the team last fall. Zambrano is a two-way player for the Titans whose role may increase even more on both sides of the ball in West Salem's new-look roster.
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 the Salem area's top pass-catcher this season?
Continue reading...
