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Fresh off commitment to Colorado State, Richie Anderson ready to ‘let loose’ at Les Schwab Bowl — where he’ll face multiple ex-Tualatin teammates

“It’s going to be fun, but it’s going to be a tough matchup. We’ve been talking about this for a couple of weeks. It’s going to be a good competition.”
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By Dan Brood 

It’s been a pretty good week for Richie Anderson. 

A pretty good football week, to be more precise.

Anderson, a Tualatin High School senior-to-be and a standout tight end/defensive end for the Timberwolves, started the week Monday by announcing his commitment to play college football at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo.

Anderson will cap his week by playing for Team Columbia in the 2022 Les Schwab Bowl, a high school football all-star game which will be played Saturday at Linfield University in McMinnville.

“It’s been a super exciting week,” Anderson said following a Team Columbia practice Wednesday. “I’m really glad to be here.”

Anderson is coming off a standout junior season at Tualatin, helping the Timberwolves reach the Class 6A state championship game, where they fell 41-14 to Central Catholic. Anderson was a second-team all-Three Rivers League pick at tight end and on the defensive line. He earned all-state honorable mention accolades at both positions.

He also got the attention of Colorado State.

“They offered me right after my junior year,” the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Anderson said. “I had great contact with them, and they checked in with me a lot. I went back there on (June 24) for my official (visit) and I had a great time with the coaches. That’s a place where I can see myself playing for four years. It took some pressure off. Now I can let loose and focus on my Tualatin team.”

Richie Anderson Tualatin Les Schwab Bowl 2022 Dan Brood 3

Speaking of his Tualatin team, Anderson is the only Timberwolves player on Team Columbia. On the other sideline at the Les Schwab Bowl, however, Team Willamette will feature 2022 Tualatin graduates Malik Ross and Kellen Hale, as well as former Timberwolves head coach Dan Lever.

“This week, I’m excited for the game and to play against my Tualatin teammates on the other team,” Anderson said. “It’s going to be fun. I kind of know what they’re going to do a little bit, what their mindset is. Malik Ross and Kellen Hale are great players. It’s going to be fun, but it’s going to be a tough matchup. We’ve been talking about this for a couple of weeks. It’s going to be a good competition.”

On Team Columbia, Anderson has six teammates from the Central Catholic squad that Tualatin battled in the Class 6A state title tilt.

“This has been really fun. Everyone is just meshing well together,” Anderson said. “Jesuit and Central Catholic guys, I’ve gone against them, and they beat me, but we’re all coming together on the same team.”

After the Les Schwab Bowl, Anderson said he’ll turn his attention back to getting ready for what he hopes is a big senior season at Tualatin.

“I’m training hard getting ready for it. I’m hoping to have a big year, not just on defense, but on offense as well,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a big year for us.”

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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