HERMISTON, Ore.-Eastern Oregon will be well represented in a couple of prestigious, invitation-only All-Star football games this weekend on the west side of the state.
Four middle school players, three from Hermiston and one from Elgin, were invited to play in the Oregon Bowl, while a Hermiston High School player was selected to play in the Les Schwab Bowl.
The best 6th, 7th and 8th grade football players from across the state are nominated by coaches, fans and parents to play in the Oregon Bowl.
Players from Eastern Oregon invited to the Oregon Bowl
- Matai Faaeteete-Hermiston: 6th grade blue team
- Henry Barnett-Hermiston: 6th grade red team
- Ely Murphey-Elgin: 8th grade blue team
- Yovani Barajas-Hermiston: 8th grade blue team
A committee reviews nominated players before selecting which ones to invite to compete in the Oregon Bowl, according to the organization’s website. Teams are divided by grade levels, with players competing against athletes in the same grade, but from across the state.
“What a great opportunity to go out and test yourself against some of the best players from around the state,” said David Faaeteete, father of Matai and Head Coach of the Hermiston Bulldogs.
Players invited to the Oregon Bowl get to spend four days and three nights on a college campus meeting other players and coaches and practicing at college football facilities leading up to the game.
The Oregon Bowl also works to raise money for charity and has donated or helped facilitate the donation of more than $100,000 in cash, gift cards and supplies to foster children and resource families since 2018, according to event organizers.
This year, the Oregon Bowl is partnering with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington to raise money to help provide access to medical care, housing and community support for seriously ill or injured children and their families.
Admission to the Oregon Bowl is free, but attendees are asked to donate to Ronald McDonald House Charities.
All Oregon Bowl games will be livestreamed on June 28 from Corvallis High School, with the 6th grade game kicking off at 10:30 a.m., the 7th graders taking to the gridiron at 2:00 p.m. and the 8th grade game set for 5:30 p.m.
The Les Schwab Bowl
Dating back to 1948 and originally known as the Oregon Shrine Game, the Les Schwab Bowl is considered the premier showcase of high school football talent in Oregon.
Maxem Shilhanek, a 265-pound Defensive End for the Hermiston Bulldogs and member of the Class of 2026, was selected to play for Team Willamette in the game where players from across the state are drafted onto teams by coaches.
Tickets for the Les Schwab Bowl, set to kickoff at 7 p.m. at Lewis and Clark College in Portland on June 27 are available online.
