Cru Newman, Central Catholic ready to turn the page on magical 2021 season, embark on 2022 campaign — and it starts with the Les Schwab Bowl

By Dan Brood 

Sure, the 2021 Central Catholic High School football team had what could be described as a magical season.

The Rams went 15-0 last fall, capping the season with a 41-14 win over Tualatin in the Class 6A state championship game. 

No one could really blame Central Catholic for fondly looking back on the 2021 campaign.

But maybe enough is enough.

“It’s nice, but it’s time to move on and focus on this season,” Central Catholic junior-to-be Cru Newman said. “We had some key departures. But that’s motivation for us. We’re going to go out, like every season, thinking that we’re going to do what we’re going to do. We’re going to think that every game, we’re going to go out and win. We’re going to play hard and have fun with it.”

And for Newman, the Rams’ returning quarterback, and other Central Catholic players, there’s no better time to start getting ready for next season than this week — when they’re prepping to play in the 2022 Les Schwab Bowl, a high school football all-star game that will be played Saturday at Linfield University in McMinnville.

“I think this is going to lead into it,” said the 6-foot, 190-pound Newman, who is one of the quarterbacks for Team Columbia. “It’s just good to be back out here in pads.”

Newman is coming off a spectacular sophomore season for which he earned Mt. Hood Conference offensive player of the year honors and Class 6A all-state second-team accolades at quarterback. He passed for 243 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 104 yards in the Rams’ title-game win over Tualatin.

Newman said he’s hoping this week at the Les Schwab Bowl will help him build on last year’s performance.

“It’s good. I’m really enjoying it,” Newman said. “I’m around a lot of good guys and good coaches. I’m taking it all in.”

One thing that should definitely help Newman is that he’s splitting the Team Columbia quarterbacking duties with North Salem standout TC Manumaleuna II.

“It’s cool to compete along with someone who is at your level, really pushing you to be the best you can,” Newman said. “I think it’s making us both better.”

Other Central Catholic players eligible to return to the Rams this fall playing for Team Columbia in the Les Schwab Bowl include receiver/defensive back Timmy Mitchell, lineman Beau CressAllen and lineman/linebacker Matix Carpenter. The squad also includes 2022 Central Catholic graduate Gibson Coyle and Joe Merlino, who is going to play for Union (Vancouver, Wash.) next season. Central Catholic coach Steve Pyne is the head coach for Team Columbia.

“It’s really cool that we’re all here,” Newman said. “We all just connect really well, and we connect with others, as well. We’re meeting new people through this.” 

Of course, the Central Catholic players are used to winning. The Rams want Saturday to be no different.

“Oh, for sure, we’re looking to win,” Newman said with a smile. “We came here to try to win. That’s what we’re practicing to do, and that’s why we’re working hard out here.”

—

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.

More on the 2022 Les Schwab Bowl