As for those players who were strong in week zero, here’s the names you should get familiar with:

Keanon Lowe, WR Jesuit- Speed kills, just ask Tualatin. Lowe racked up three touchdowns, two receiving part of a six catch 161 yard night, the third came on a 96 kickoff return. Be prepared for more nights like this from Mr. Lowe.

Tym Pearson, QB Thurston- With so many retrurning quarterbacks this season, Tym Pearson might get lost in the shuffle down in Springfield, but not if he has more nights like this: 25-36, 452 yards and 4 touchdowns plus another TD on the ground, and he sat out most of the fourth quarter.

Kellen Mastrud, QB Southridge- The coach’s son showing his athletic talents along with his football IQ with 199 yards passing and 3 TDs plus another 46 running with a score. If the Skyhawks make run at a title this year it will be because of Kellen’s leadership and saavy.

Jordan Poyer QB/DB Astoria- I know we don’t give much love to the 4A kids, but when you have a night like Jordan it’s hard to ignore. Poyer threw for three TDs and had two interception returns for touchdowns as the Fisherman beat Cascade 41-12 in their opener.

As for Zero Week games here are 4 key ones:

Tualatin @ Jesuit- 7:30pm Cronin Field

Last year’s runner up Timberwolves have experience back at QB with Levi Levasa and on the line with Taylor Hart. John Grill will take over the main rushing duties from Dennis Ranck, the biggest question comes in who will catch passes from Levasa after relying so much on Matt Losli last season. Defensively, seven starters return including three of the four linebackers led by Alek Poti. Craig Hastin’s teams are always tough, and this could be the year the finish the deal. For the Crusaders all those young kids who were learning on the job last year are ready to return Jesuit to the top of the Metro standings. Keanon Lowe is as fast as they come in the State so look for him to touch it early and often. A great way to open the season, but I think Tualatin has some unfinished business this season. Pick- Tualatin 33- Jesuit 24.

Barlow @ Westview- 7:30pm Westview H.S.

Wow, two teams who return a ton of starters at key positions. For Barlow they feature one of the best running backs in the State in Malcom Johnson. To help him the entire offensive line returns plus quarterback Sean Bergland, and TE/WR Mike Seifert. Terry Summerfield’s Wing-T is going to pile up some points this year. Westview has their QB back too in Josh Hill. However, not as many pieces around as new head coach Greg Fisher tries to replace Kaale Papas and Spencer Arns. Look for junior Hayes Garrity to be a playmaker on both sides of the ball. The Wildcats will be a force this season, but the Bruins are ready to go from the opening down this season, and may be a little more than Westview can handle to open the season. Pick0 Barlow 48- Westview 34.

West Linn @ Southridge- 7:00pm Southridge H.S.

Have sense the theme to this season yet? Both the Lions and Skyhawks feature returning quarterbacks to anchor their offenses. Bryce Baker at West Linn has the faithful thinking TRL title this year. Josh Oltman will be Baker’s main target now that Justin Monahan and Erick Kocian have graduated. The biggest hole will be on the offensive line where Tommy Patrick used to patrol. If Mitch Gaulke and Austin Banta can give Baker some time, there could be plenty of big plays for the Lions. The Skyhawks have the most talent on paper in the Metro coming back with coach’s son Kellen Mastrud calling the plays. Mitch Mathews, headed to BYU next year, may be the best receiver in the state, and Kirk Werhane is a bull carrying the ball. D’Cota Fry anchors the defense at his linebacker position. If the Skyhawks can avoid the costly turnovers that always seem to bite them in crucial situations they could win a very competitive Metro league. Pick Southridge 28- West Linn 23.

Redmond @ Canby- 7:00pm Canby H.S.

As the only 6A team east of the Cascades it’s easy to overlook Craig Reuker’s Panthers, but that would be foolish. While QB Cody Johnson has graduated he did leave most of offensive line behind to help the newcomers. Add a couple of 200+ lb running backs and things could look good for CVC title in 2008. Canby is an interesting story this year. Gone are RB T.J. Gorman, QB Jake Fowler, OT/DT Cole Giandominico and OT/DE Jake Loveland. While there are solid skill guys to pick up the slack this season in Laurence Calcagno and Antip Kuznetsov, the big question mark is the offensive line. Head Coach Mike Doty told me he expects to throw a little more with Brian Widing at QB and his top two TE’s back from last year. If he can get the line to jel quickly Canby could be back for another deep run into the playoffs. Pick-Redmond 27- Canby 19.

My Preseason Top 5