Here are the nominees for the Statesman Journal's football player of the year. Vote for who you think should win.
The 2025 Oregon high school football season has ended and Salem-Keizer area teams and athletes across all division are collecting accolades.
There were state champions, conference champions and memorable moments throughout the entire season. Countless athletes stood out on the gridiron as they represented their schools in quests for glory.
Here are the nominees for the Statesman Journal’s football player of the year.
- Kellen Bowman, South Salem
- Koen Campos, West Salem
- Josiah Hawkins, Cascade
- Noah Hockett, St. Paul
- Matthew Hinkle, Cascade
- Bryce Kuenzi, Cascade
- Ryan Kuenzi, Silverton
- Izzy Mabrey, Dallas
- Stephen Macias, Dayton
- Jacob Makarenko, Sprague
- Johnny Mariano, Gervais
- Bryce May, Cascade
- Jakai Phillips, North Salem
- Hunter Rivers, Dallas
- Braxton Singleton, North Salem
- Lincoln Teeney, Silverton
- Logan Uitto, Silverton
- Evan Wusstig, West Salem
Here’s information on the nominees. Vote for who you think deserves to win at statesmanjournal.com/sports. The poll closes at noon Friday, Jan. 2.
Kellen Bowman, South Salem
South Salem’s junior quarterback led the state in 6A passing yards — his 3,214 yards were more than 400 yards ahead of the second-highest passer. The Saxons went 0-9, but Bowman set single-game state records in passing yards (692) and completions (48), both against Grants Pass.
Bowman was named to the all-state honorable mention list.
Koen Campos, West Salem
Campos was West Salem’s workhorse running back this fall as the Titans fought to a 6-4 record and playoff appearance. Campos, a senior, finished the season with some of the best 6A individual tallies in the state. He was fifth in rushing yards (1,397) and seventh in rushing touchdowns (17) on 210 carries.
Campos earned a bid to the all-state second-team offense.
Josiah Hawkins, Cascade
Hawkins was a two-way playmaker for the Cougars as they completed an undefeated state championship season. Hawkins, a junior, played an integral role on both sides of the ball from wide receiver and defensive back. In the state championship game, Hawkins had 77 yards receiving and a touchdown.
Hawkins was awarded first-team all-state honors on offense (wide receiver) and defense (defensive back), the only Salem-area player across 6A/5A/4A to earn first-team bids on both sides of the ball. He also earned all-state second-team offense as a kick returner.
Noah Hockett, St. Paul
Hockett led the Buckaroos to a 2A state semifinal appearance, Special District 2 conference championship and an 8-3 overall record. Hockett was named the Statesman Journal Athlete of the Week Nov. 13 for a 213-yard, three-touchdown performance in the second round of the playoffs.
Matthew Hinkle, Cascade
As a lead-blocking, versatile offensive weapon and lockdown, physical defender, Hinkle helped lead Cascade to a perfect season that ended in a 4A state championship. Hinkle, a senior, was integral on both sides of the ball for the Cougars.
Hinkle was awarded 4A defensive player of the year along with all-state first-team defense second-team all-state offense.
Bryce Kuenzi, Cascade
Kuenzi was the lead back for a Cascade team that marched through a perfect 13-0 season all the way to a 4A state title. Kuenzi, a senior, scored a whopping 34 touchdowns for the Cougars this fall and closed his senior season as one of the most dominant high school running backs in recent Oregon memory.
Kuenzi claimed 4A offensive player of the year and first-team all-state honors.
Ryan Kuenzi, Silverton
Kuenzi was a two-way lineman for the state title-winning Foxes this fall. The senior provided leadership and stability to a young, talented line that delivered all the protection, pressure and coverage necessary throughout Silverton’s march to the 5A championship.
Kuenzi was named to the all-state first team as a defensive lineman.
Izzy Mabry, Dallas
Mabry led the way as a senior on the offensive line for the Dragons this season. He excelled in all facets of the game from the position as he helped lead Dallas to a 7-4 season that ended in the 5A state quarterfinals.
Mabry was named 5A Special District 3’s offensive lineman of the year, and he earned a spot on the all-state first team roster.
Stephen Macias, Dayton
Dayton’s senior running back led the charge throughout the Pirates' season that resulted in a 3A Special District 2 championship and a 9-1 overall record. Macias racked up 15 touchdowns and 1,149 yards (114.9 yards per game) this season.
Jacob Makarenko, Sprague
Makarenko was a key part of Sprague’s offensive line that acted as a strongpoint for the Olympians throughout the season. A senior center, he helped push Sprague to a 5-5 season that resulted in a 6A state playoff appearance.
Makarenko was awarded a bid on the all-state honorable mention.
Johnny Mariano, Gervais
Mariano was the lead running back for the Cougars this fall. A senior, he led the Cougars to an 8-4 season that ended in the program’s first-ever 3A state semifinals. He scored 12 touchdowns in the Cougars’ first two playoff games and closes his Gervais career as one of the top football players in the school’s history.
Bryce May, Cascade
May was a rock of a lineman for Cascade as the Cougars plowed through a 13-0 season and 4A state championship. A senior, May consistently provided leadership, experience and talent and stood out as one of the top offensive linemen in the Salem area across all levels.
May earned a spot on the all-state first-team offense.
Jakai Phillips, North Salem
Phillips was the Vikings’ star running back this season who was untouchable in the backfield and uncatchable in the open field. A senior, he finished the season with 1,459 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns, both being the fourth-highest 6A tallies in the state.
Phillips earned all-state second-team offensive honors.
Hunter Rivers, Dallas
Rivers was a force to be reckoned with on the Dallas defense this season. At the 5A level, the Dragons' senior led the state of Oregon in sacks (11), was fifth in total tackles (99) and tied for third in forced fumbles (3). Rivers was an integral part of a dominant defense that gave up less than 14 points in eight different games this fall.
Rivers claimed a spot on the all-state defensive first team.
Braxton Singleton, North Salem
Singleton was a two-way sensation for the Vikings from the wide receiver and defensive back positions this fall. The North Salem senior delivered 986 yards of total offense and nine touchdowns, while also grabbing two interceptions and 58 tackles.
Singleton earned a spot on all-state second-team defense and offensive all-state honorable mention as a wide receiver and kick returner. He's one of two area players from 6A/5A/4A with three different bids to the all-state rosters.
Lincoln Teeney, Silverton
Silverton's junior Swiss army-knife of a player contributed to both sides of the ball in the Foxes' march to a 5A state championship. Teeney, a junior, fielded as a receiver, defensive back and even running back at times — contributing invaluable reps with the Foxes.
Teeney booked a spot on the all-state defensive first-team lineup.
Logan Uitto, Silverton
Uitto was a key part of Silverton’s 5A state championship march from the wide receiver and defensive back positions. Uitto, a senior, garnered 798 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns this season, tallies good for fourth and second at the 5A level, respectively.
Uitto stamped his name on the all-state offensive first-team roster and earned a bid to the all-state honorable mention defense.
Evan Wusstig, West Salem
Wusstig was a two-way receiver/defensive back for West Salem that excelled in both. Wusstig, a senior, helped the Titans to a 6-4 record and playoff appearance and was consistently one of the most impactful players on any football field he stepped on.
Wusstig was named to the defensive all-state second team.
Landon Bartlett covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at[email protected] or on X or Instagram @bartlelo.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Vote! Who was the best football player in the Salem area this season?
Category: General Sports
