MaxPreps Oregon Team of the Week: Central football

Coach Shane Hedrick and his Central (Independence) football team have been a model of consistency the last decade.

The Panthers have won at least nine games in eight of those seasons, including 9-3 last year when they lost in the state quarterfinals.

Moving up in classification has been more than a challenge for Hedrick and staff, but they haven't showed any signs of slowing down, as they didn't in a 32-15 win at South Albany last week.

The state's leading rusher Wes Riddell carried the ball 35 times for 300 yards and two touchdowns. He also had three catches for 85 yards and another score.

This all came after a humbling 46-30 loss at Mountain View the week before.

For their bounce-back quality and consistency over the years, Central has been selected the MaxPreps Oregon Team of the Week, presented by the Oregon National Guard.

Hedrick said the goals were pretty simple going into the year.

"Building confidence and maturing a young secondary is our focus as we continue into the season," Hedrick said.

It's helped to have a talent like Riddell who has carried 93 times for 846 yards and nine touchdowns through three games for the Panthers. He also has seven catches and two more scores.

"Wes is a very talented football player with surprising football speed," Hedrick said. "He is a multipurpose back in running and receiving. He is also a better leader than his rushing stats."

Senior Douglas Clem has thrown for 400 yards and three scores and senior Kyler Fleming has caught 15 passes. Six players have recorded at least 10 tackles, led by sophomore Marlon Tuipulotu with 23.

Tupalotu also is the state leader in sacks with eight, twice as many as anyone in the state.

Those numbers are going to be hard to continue throughout the season, but Hedrick isn't betting against Tupalotu or the Panthers.

"We want to improve each week," he said. "Moving up in classification has been both a physical and mental challenge for our team and coaches. Each week is a bigger game than the previous week and preparing our club for those challenges has required lots of hours in the meeting and film room."