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71 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, June 25, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend June 23, 2004 David Faaeteete, one of the University of Oregon�s prized recruits, shares a laugh with North Medford High teammates during a practice last summer. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Faaeteete eager for Schwab Bowl Duck recruit doesn’t worry about getting hurt in annual prep all-star football game By DON HUNT Mail Tribune Some people probably think David Faaeteete is foolish for playing in the Les Schwab Bowl. The all-star football game, formerly known as the Oregon Bowl and the North-South Shrine Game, features many of the top graduating seniors from Oregon. It will kick off at 7 p.m. Saturday at Portland’s PGE Park. Faaeteete, who helped North Medford to a 12-2 record and a runner-up finish in the Class 4A state playoffs last fall and earned a full-ride scholarship to Oregon, will head to Eugene in August and begin preparing for his freshman season with the Ducks. The question always comes up with heavily recruited players like Faaeteete: Should they risk a serious injury by playing in a high school all-star game that means little in the grand scheme of things? For Faaeteete, the answer is yes. Advertisement "The only way I’m going to get hurt is to play less than full speed, and that’s not going to happen," he said. "I’m up here to meet other kids, have some fun and play a football game. "It’s a great experience, and I’m not going to miss out." The Oregon coaches have never discouraged their recruits from playing in all-star games, said John Beck, the head coach of the South squad and Faaeteete’s mentor at North Medford. Beck took over the head coaching duties at Crater in March. "They told David that this is one of his rewards for the way he played at North Medford and they weren’t going to take it away from him," Beck said. Three of Faaeteete’s Black Tornado teammates will join him for the all-star contest: quarterback Beau Hovland, defensive back Trent Driskell and outside linebacker Brian Jimenez. South Medford center Jeremy Stahler also made the South squad, as did Ashland defensive back David Morris and Roseburg offensive tackle Steve Jorgensen. The 6-foot-2½ Faaeteete, a defensive tackle who was named the state’s defensive player of the year last season, has shot up to 297 pounds, 12 over his playing weight from the state championship game. But he claims he hasn’t lost any quickness. "I’m getting off the ball as fast as I always have," he said. "And I think I’m a little stronger." Hovland is expected to split time at quarterback with Josh Riddell, a McKay High product who is headed to Santa Rosa Community College in California. "They are mirror images of one another," Beck said. "They both run around really well and can throw on the run." Beck has also been impressed with Matt Sieverson, the Bend High graduate who rushed for 2,726 yards last fall, the second-highest, single-season total in state history. The 6-3, 195-pound Sieverson plans to walk on at Oregon State. "He’s faster than I thought," Beck said. Along with Faaeteete, another player who has stood out defensively is Taylor Hermes, a 6-2, 240-pound linebacker who went to McNary. "Washington was offering him a full ride and then pulled it on him at the last minute," Beck said. "Now he’s going to Southern Oregon. This kid is a stud. I’d be surprised if he’s not a four-year starter at SOU." Frank Geske will serve as head coach of the North squad after leading Tigard to the state championship last December. Fueling the North team will be running backs Mike Jones of Jesuit and Joey Nobriga of Tigard. Jones signed with Oregon State. Eighteen of the 72 players on the two teams have signed letters-of-intent with Division I-A or Division I-AA college programs. The all-star game, now in its 57th year, benefits several charitable organizations. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times