<div class="elementToProof"><span class="elementToProof">It still early with a lot yet to be determined before next season, but have a look at who projects as the conference POY favorites in each league..
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<div class="elementToProof"><span class="elementToProof">UP NEXT: MVC</span></div>
<strong>OFFENSE</strong>
1.<strong>Donald Stephens<span style="font-size: 1rem;"> </span></strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong> Jr.</strong> RB 23’ Grant- This should be a big year for Chili after bursting on to the scene as a freshman. He will be the primary ball carrier with one of the state’s most versatile backs graduating in [player_tooltip player_id="28849" first="Jae’Sean" last="Pete"]. We will find out if the early hype was real. </span>
2.[player_tooltip player_id="152359" first="Zavier" last="Russell"] RB 24’ Jefferson- One of the fastest rising underclassmen in Oregon. Russell has excelled on the 7v7 circuit, while averaging a little over 5 yards per carry with 4 TDs during the regular season last year.
3.[player_tooltip player_id="270073" first="Milan" last="Clark"] WR 23’ Grant 2nd- One of the top two-way athletes in the state. Clark earned 1st team DB and 2nd team WR accolades last year, and should be a guy they get the ball to as much as possible.
4.<strong>D’Marieon Gates</strong> ATH 25’ Jefferson 1st- Gates broke out as a freshman earning 1st team all PIL honors. Something incredibly rare for an athlete still so young. Expect him to be in the mix on both sides of the ball, running exceptional routes offensively.
5<strong>.Jemall Brumfield</strong> RB 23’ Franklin- Not a lot of people know about the 5-9 220-pound RB as the Quakers struggled. That said as he averaged 7.5 yards per carry with 6 TDs during the PIL season. Hopefully he can get some help from his surrounding cast.
<strong>DEFENSE</strong>
1.[player_tooltip player_id="110183" first="Jayden" last="Moses"] LB 23’ Grant- The 3* LB should be the most dominant player in the conference. He returns after earning 1st team all-league accolades and will be a 4 year all conference PIL guy. He plays with a no non sense demeanor and finished 3rd in tackles with 54 during the regular season.
2.<strong>Sanborne Melson</strong> DB 23’ Jefferson- Probably the fastest rising recruit in the state as of right now. Melson is a big, physical athlete, who has upped his stock immensely on the 7v7 circuit. He is the top recruit in the PIL.
3.[player_tooltip player_id="270073" first="Milan" last="Clark"] DB 23’ Grant- Clark and Waters have the luxury of playing for maybe the state’s top DB coach in Aaron Kincy. Clark represented on both sides of the football last season, earning 1st team honors on D.
4.[player_tooltip player_id="270180" first="Marshune" last="Waters"] DB 23’ Grant- Waters returns after earning 1st team all PIL accolades, and picking off 2 passes during the regular season. His stock has jumped over the off season and is one to watch.
5.[player_tooltip player_id="206766" first="Jeray" last="Mott"] ATH 23’ Jefferson- The Demo’s have a host of kids who will contribute at the skill positions and Mott will be that senior leader. It should be a big year on both sides of the ball, while projecting on D at the next level. He earned 1st team all PIL honors as a Junior.
6.[player_tooltip player_id="272803" first="MyQuis" last="Fesser"] ATH 23’ Roosevelt- Fesser had an outstanding junior campaign earning 2nd team all-conference honors, while accounting for 2 INTs and 3 TDs offensively during the regular season. He has legit size at 6-1 160 from his CB position and should be one of the PIL’s best.
7.[player_tooltip player_id="279169" first="Dexter" last="Foster"] LB 24’ Roosevelt- Another individual not a lot of people are aware of yet, as the youngster broke out as a sophomore earning 1st team accolades. Foster tied for 5th in tackles within the conference (47) to go along with 7 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. Expect to hear a lot about him moving forward.
8.<strong>Tommy Pempel</strong> DB 24’ Lincoln- The 5-7 undersized DB can play. He led the conference in INTs as a sophomore with (4). While the Cardinals struggled, Pempel is a huge bright spot for the program, and should be a big contributor on offense as well.
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