Who will be the top high school football player in the Salem-Keizer area this fall? Vote to decide. The 2026 OSAA high school football season is a few weeks away and the Statesman Journal has worked across the field to identify some of the top players in every position. Now, it's time to decide who the most impactful player will be. There are state champions, all-state honorees and conference winners returning to their respective teams, but there's also a new wave of athletes ready to shine under the Friday night lights for the first time. Without further ado, here are the nominees for the top high school football player heading into the 2026 season, brought to you by Maps Credit Union.
Mark Bailey, Silverton Kellen Bowman, South Salem Makoy Fleeman, Dayton Aidan Galusha, Dallas JT Girod, Central Benjamin Greer, South Salem Josiah Hawkins, Cascade Paul Herb, Sprague Sabby Hlavinka, Cascade Noah Hockett, St. Paul Emmett Hunsaker, Sprague Tavin Kumm, McNary Tevita Lata, North Salem Nicklas Schneider, Dallas Josiah Senados, West Salem Ethan Tatum, West Salem Lincoln Teeney, Silverton Ryder VandeWeghe, Silverton Creo Walker, Kennedy Jamison Walsh, Cascade
Information about each nominee is listed below. Vote for the athlete you think is the most deserving at statesmanjournal.com/sports. The poll closes at noon Sunday, Aug. 23.
Mark Bailey, Silverton Bailey returns to the offensive and defensive lines of the Class 5A state champions and is one of many high-quality linemen back on the field in Silverton. Bailey, a junior, earned a spot on the first-team all-state roster from the O-line last fall, and was the only sophomore to do so. Silverton's guard is also booked a first-team bid in Special District 3, where he also was the only sophomore on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively, Bailey was a first-team all-conference and second-team all-state lineman in his sophomore campaign. He returns with the lion's share of the defensive line and linebackers from the title-winning side to make for an intimidating defense once again in Silverton. "He's an absolute stud," coach Dan Lever said. "We're going to really count on our front seven."
Kellen Bowman, South Salem Bowman is back in the pocket for his senior season with the Saxons. Last fall, Bowman led all of Class 6A in passing yards with 3,214, but the Saxons finished the season winless. He set state records in single-game passing yards (692) and completions (48) in the same game against Grants Pass and earned all-state honorable mention. "He's almost thrown for 5,000 yards passing and thrown the ball 600-plus times in varsity football games," South coach Josh Vanlue said. "Having that experience at the quarterback position is awesome." Makoy Fleeman, Dayton Dayton graduated two first-team all-conference running backs from its Class 3A Special District 2-winning campaign last fall. The Pirates fell in the first round of the playoffs that season but went 7-0 in-conference and delivered a campaign to remember. In that run, Fleeman earned all-conference honorable mention at running back. Expected to be the lead back for his senior season, Fleeman will help spearhead the Pirates' transition into a new conference with a new schedule as they join a league with Amity, North Marion, Santiam Christian, Yamhill-Carlton and more.
Aidan Galusha, Dallas Galusha, a senior, is one of the top returning players in Class 5A's Special District 3. He earned first-team all-conference and honorable mention all-state at running back last fall. Defensively, Galusha earned first-team all-conference and was named the conference's defensive lineman of the year at the edge position. His playmaking abilities across the field — whether its from the defensive line, linebacker or running back — will be much welcomed in Dallas. Galusha also earned second-team all-state last fall as a defensive lineman. "We return one of the better players in Oregon with Aiden," coach Andy Jackson said. "He's a pretty unique talent to have. To have a kid that is that big, that explosive, that fast ... it's not a normal high school kid and it's not one we're used to having."
JT Girod, Central Girod, a senior, is a returning starter for the Panthers after a 4-5 season last fall. Girod is fresh off a Class 5A baseball state championship — and with several crossovers between the football and baseball teams, they'll hope to carry that momentum onto the gridiron. A year ago, Girod earned Special District 3 honorable mention by throwing for over 1,500 passing yards at a near-60% completion rate. Girod also threw 17 touchdowns to three interceptions, one of the best Class 5A ratios. He's back for one final season with the Panthers as they slip down to compete in Class 4A Special District 3 with Cascade, Philomath, Stayton and more.
Benjamin Greer, South Salem Greer is back for the Saxons for his senior season after collecting first-team all-conference in Class 6A Special District 1 last fall at wide receiver. Greer 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. "He was unbelievable for us," coach Josh Vanlue said. Greer also collected second-team all-conference honors last fall at linebacker and is slated to be a leader of the defense, and offense, this season. Greer boasts the physicality and work ethic required of a lead linebacker.
Josiah Hawkins, Cascade Cascade's all-state receiver is back, fresh of 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 and finished with 77 yards receiving. Hawkins, a senior now, 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 — that earned all-state honors as a kick returner, too — 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."
Paul Herb, Sprague Herb, a senior, has been in the depths of the Olympians' program for three years and has climbed the ranks for an exciting final season ahead. Herb earned all-conference honorable mention as a linebacker in last season's Class 6A Special District 1, and can expect an increase in workload on the offensive side of the ball this fall. "He started (last year) as a third string and ended up as a starter by the end of the year," coach AJ Robinson said. "He's strong, fast, runs really hard and has an intense personality. We're excited about him, he's very relentless." Herb's two-way responsibilities as a linebacker and running back will play a crucial role in the Olympians' success. Sabby Hlavinka, Cascade Hlavinka, a senior, is a Class 4A all-state second-teamer back following the Cougars' state championship campaign last fall. Hlavinka is one just a few starters returning to Cascade from the line — and his role as a leader and talisman of the offensive line will be prominent if the Cougars are to replicate their successes from a year ago. "We're really excited about this offensive line. We won't be as deep as we were last year, but we do like what we've got going," coach Shane Hedrick said. Hlavinka will be a key cog in the system of both the offensive and defensive lines as a state-title defense campaign is set to begin soon.
Noah Hockett, St. Paul Last year, Hockett helped lead the Buckaroos to a Class 2A state semifinal appearance and Special District 2 conference championship. The now-senior lit up the stat sheets as a dual-threat quarterback on countless occasions as St. Paul finished the season 8-3; and Hockett earned 2A all-state honorable mention. Hockett also collected a second-team all-state bid from defensive back. 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. Emmett Hunsaker, Sprague Hunsaker is one of many returning offensive linemen on a team hoping to make waves up front this fall. A senior, he earned a second-team all-conference bid in Class 6A Special District 1 a year ago and developed even more speed, strength and skill this offseason, coach AJ Robinson said. Hunsaker also earned honorable mention in Class 6A Special District 1 from the defensive line. He returns to make an impact on both sides of the ball for a Sprague team eager to make noise in a new Salem-based conference. "Emmett will start on both sides of the ball," coach AJ Robinson said. "He's going to be a great player this year ... He's really upped his game."
Tavin Kumm, McNary Kumm, a junior, returns to the Celtics after a 2-7 season in Class 5A Special District 2 last fall. He plays quarterback and defensive back 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, Tevita Lata, North Salem Lata, a senior, is a candidate to run the offense for the Vikings. He brings starting quarterback experience from years prior but is in competition for the role at North Salem. A year ago, Lata was an impact Viking from the linebacker spot. At the conclusion of the season, Lata earned all-conference honorable mention. North Salem graduated a lot, but the Vikings' linebacker room is one they look forward to seeing in action this fall. "Our linebacking corp is one of our best," coach Caleb Singleton said. "We have five seniors. ... It's really fun to be able to coach this group." Nicklas Schneider, Dallas Schneider, a senior, was one of the top field goal kickers in Oregon last fall. He earned first-team all-conference in Class 5A Special District 3 and stamped second-team all-state honors. He's back in Dallas to help the Dragons improve on their 7-4 record from a year ago by being a source of consistency racking up PATs and field goals.
Josiah Senados, West Salem Senados, a junior, emerged as a two-way contributor last fall and is extending his reach into the offensive backfield. Senados is expected to line up as a crucial member of the Titans' running back room and linebacker room. "He ended up starting for us at the end of (last year) with injuries at middle linebacker and became an all-league guy; he is an elite football player on both sides of the ball," coach Shawn Stanley said. Senados earned honorable mention in Class 6A Special District 1 from linebacker and he's back with a bigger workload and responsibilities within the new-look team. Ethan Tatum, West Salem Tatum, a senior, was a first-team all-conference offensive tackle in last year's Class 6A Special District 1 and returns to a new-look squad at West Salem. He was a talented thrower in track and field over the offseason and brings that strength back to the gridiron for a Titans team aiming to improve upon its 6-4 record from a year ago. He holds two-way responsibilities on both lines for a West Salem team that hopes to establish itself at the top of the new Salem-based conference. "He's a returning all-conference offensive player for us, I think he's one of the best returning linemen in the conference," coach Shawn Stanley said.
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 and Special District 3's defensive player of the year, 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 even more on both sides of the ball if Silverton is to repeat its glory from a year ago. "Teeney will be back, that's a familiar name," coach Dan Lever said. "We are the hunted now. 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."
Ryder VanDeweghe, Silverton VanDeweghe, a junior, played a vital role in Silverton's march to a Class 5A state championship last fall. He earned second-team all-conference recognition as a linebacker within the Foxes' loaded defense and is one of many returning players on the hunt for back-to-back titles. If Silverton is going to reach the heights it did last year, Lever anticipates VanDeweghe being a decisive factor as one of the top returning linebackers in the Valley. "I'm looking forward to who steps forward as vocal leaders in this program," Lever said. "I really expect Levi Schurter to do that, Ryder VanDeweghe to do that. ... I'm expecting those guys to step forward but it's going to take more than that." Creo Walker, Kennedy Walker provided pressure on opposing offenses as consistently as any in Class 3A last fall. Walker was named to the third-team all-state roster as both an offensive and defensive lineman. Kennedy's 7-3 season that ended in the state quarterfinals. Walker returns to the football program after earning third place in the 190-pound bracket of the Class 2A/1A state wrestling tournament, in addition to a winning a state championship on the baseball field. Walker and the Trojans will hope that success transfers to the football field with a slew of returning talent on both sides of the ball.
Jamison Walsh, Cascade Walsh contributed to the Class 4A state champion Cougars at tight end and defensive line a season ago. A senior, he earned first team all-state on defense and second team all-state on offense. Cascade returns an intimidating amount of talent in the pass-catcher room as well as some of the top defenders in the classification; Walsh being one of the most dangerous among them. "Walsh plays at that D-line position and we like what he brings back to the table," coach Shane Hedrick said. "And we've got three tight ends that I think are pretty special."
Landon Bartlett covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at LBartlett@statesmanjournal.com or on X, TikTok or Instagram @bartlelo. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Who will be the Salem-area's top high school football player in 2026?