When Manny Bravo is on the football field, people notice him.
Senior linebacker Manuel Bravo, photographed at West Salem High School on Monday, Aug. 15, 2016.
The problem is the 5-foot-9, 185-pound Bravo hasn’t been on the field a lot.
The few teams that have played against the West Salem High senior outside linebacker and running back know they must account for him, but he’s still a secret to most teams.
“I really think, and I know there’s lots of other good players, but he’s one of the best football players we’ve ever had,” West Salem coach Shawn Stanley said. “He’s valuable enough that he’s not going to be lined up at running back and carry it 30 times a game, plus we have other talented guys, too.
“He’s going to be a guy that has to touch the ball. When he’s in there, he’s a playmaker, as good as any of the playmaker we’ve had on both sides of the ball, we just got to be smart about how we use him.”
Senior Manuel Bravo kicks a ball during football practice at West Salem High School on Monday, Aug. 15, 2016.
Last season as a junior Bravo fractured an ankle in the preseason and had to sit out the team’s first three games. He came back and played in the next four games before breaking a bone in the ankle. Bravo made a triumphant return in West Salem’s season-ending playoff game against West Linn.
But when he was on the field he recorded 67 tackles, including three for loss, and forced a fumble.
And he was an honorable mention all-Greater Valley Conference linebacker despite not being 100 percent until the playoff game.
“It was a bit frustrating because I just couldn’t play because of an injury to my ankle,” Bravo said. “Once I got out here I just had to get the most of the opportunity given to me.”
Though Bravo’s biggest impact is on defense, he makes his presence felt elsewhere.
He is a powerful north-south runner with a burst of speed as a running back, will play in the return game and is the likely punter.
He says he’s 100 percent now after months of rehab and strength training for his ankle.
Not that he shows any weakness when he’s not full strength.
“He’s tough,” said senior quarterback Jared Oliver. “He’s always going. He always has the energy. He’s always hitting people. He’s just always there no matter what’s happening with him.”
Chris Vandiver, the linebacker coach, leads a drill during football practice at West Salem High School on Monday, Aug. 15, 2016.
bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler
West Salem
Coach: Shawn Stanley, 12th year.
Last year’s record: 7-4 overall 6-2 GVC, lost in second round of state playoffs.
Key athletes: Anthony Zellner, Sr., WR/CB: A first-team all-conference defensive player who leads a solid secondary. Keonte McMurrin, Sr., WR//RB/CB: An athletic player who was honorable mention all-conference on defense as a junior and is practicing at receiver to get him on the field more. Christian Janes, Jr., DE/TE: A second-team all-conference player on defense as a sophomore, he is injured and his return is unknown. Owen Barrett, Jr., OL/DL: A second-team all-conference center as a sophomore. Blake Buchheit, Sr., OL/DL: A returning starter and honorable mention all-conference defensive player.
Outlook: An injury-plagued season in 2015 gave lots of players varsity playing time, which should play dividends. The offensive line of seniors Brenton Reddy, Blake Buchheit and Taylor Adams and juniors Owen Barrett and Maui Manu all played a lot last year. Strong-armed senior Jared Oliver takes over at quarterback and has an athletic group of receivers including Cole Rumrill and Valeriy Yurchak and a running back in Noah Whitaker who took over for a time last season. “On top of that, he’s a 6-4, 6-5, 200, 205 pound kid with a great arm,” Stanley said. “He can run for a big guy. I think he can be a college quarterback. 4.0, honors classes, national honor society kind of guy.”
Secret Weapons
Everyone in the valley knows the big names in high school football – players like Central’s Marlon Tuipulotu, South Salem’s Tyler Coates and Blanchet’s Nick Orlandini – but the Statesman Journal is highlighting the lesser known players who will make their presence felt on football fields this fall.
Here’s the schedule:
Aug. 26: West Salem, Cascade and the Oregon West Conference.
Aug. 27: Sprague, Amity and the West Valley League.
Aug. 28: McKay, Kennedy, the Tri-River Conference and Class 1A.
Aug. 29: South Salem and Central.
Aug. 30: Volleyball.
Aug. 31: Soccer.
Sept. 1: Cross country.