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Lonnie Burt of Jesuit honored to ‘play with the best’ at Les Schwab Bowl — just as his brother did 11 years ago

“It’s fun to hear his stories, and the activities they did. So, I’m excited to do the activities with all of these new people, and, hopefully, make a lot of new friends.”
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By Dan Brood 

Tradition.

It seems to mean a lot to Lonnie Burt. 

Burt, a Jesuit High School junior-to-be, gets a smile on his face when he talks about his family tradition — and the Crusaders.

His older brothers, Paul and Miles Weatheroy, were standout backs for Jesuit football teams. He seems to already be on his way to keeping up that family tradition, coming off a strong sophomore season last fall.

Now, he’s continuing with another family tradition — playing in the Les Schwab Bowl.

“My brother (Miles Weatheroy) came here. He graduated from Jesuit High School in the class of 2011. He played in this game,” Burt, a running back/linebacker for Team Columbia, said following the team’s early practice Tuesday. “It’s fun to hear his stories, and the activities they did. So, I’m excited to do the activities with all of these new people, and, hopefully, make a lot of new friends.”

Miles Weatheroy helped the North team notch a come-from-behind 42-38 win over the South in the 2011 contest. Burt will get the chance to help the family pick up another victory when he plays in the 2022 game, which will be held Saturday at Linfield University in McMinnville.

“It’s cool to have a tradition,” Burt said. “It’s an honor to be here and play with the best. It will bring out the best in me, playing against the best competition. I’m real happy to be here.”

Lonnie Burt Jesuit Les Schwab Bowl 2022 Dan Brood 3

Saturday’s game, especially on the Team Columbia side of the field, will also have a bit of a Jesuit feel to it, as Burt is one of six Crusaders that will be playing in the contest, and they’ll all be playing for Team Columbia, which also has Jesuit head coach Ken Potter as one of its assistants.

“It’s just another opportunity to compete together, and we’re all on the same team, so that’s really fortunate,” Burt said. “It’s fun to just mess around with them in our free time and hang out together, just like we do at Jesuit.”

Not only do the Crusaders have six players set to see action in Saturday’s Les Schwab Bowl, but all six of those players are eligible to return this fall to a Jesuit team that went 11-2 in 2021, winning the Metro League title and reaching the semifinal round of the Class 6A state playoffs before falling, 35-28, to eventual state champion Central Catholic.

The other five Jesuit players on Team Columbia are receiver/defensive back Jace Burton, running back/defensive end Noah Staley and linemen Roice Cleeland, Sean Khouri and Sylus Wallace.

Jesuit linemen Les Schwab Bowl 2022 Dan Brood 1

And, of course, there’s Burt, who had a big performance for the Crusaders in a 19-7 second-round state playoff win at Clackamas, rushing for 59 yards and a touchdown in the second half and recording a game-clinching sack.

While he’s looking forward to a big junior season with the Crusaders, right now, Burt is enjoying himself during Les Schwab Bowl week — just like his brother did 11 years ago.

“It’s been really fun,” Burt said. “I’ve already met a lot of new people, been walking around the campus, just having fun.”

This year’s Les Schwab Bowl, presented by Express Employment Professionals, and serving as a fundraiser for various youth charities, includes many of the top players from around the state, including underclassmen, as well as a player from southwest Washington. This is the 74th game in the series, but the first that won’t be North vs. South. Instead, players were drafted by Team Columbia head coach Steve Pyne, who led Central Catholic to the 2021 Class 6A state championship, and Team Willamette head coach Dan Lever, who guided Tualatin to the Class 6A title tilt.

Saturday’s event begins with tailgating at 2 p.m., featuring Golden Valley Brewing, Stoller Family Wine and more. Gates open at 4 p.m., with kickoff slated for 6 p.m.

Tickets for the game can be purchased online, at lesschwabbowl.com/tickets. The game also can be streamed online, at a cost of $10, at lesschwabbowl.com.

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