Ex-Tigard standout AJ Perez to don his new Clackamas Cavaliers colors for first time at Les Schwab Bowl
By Dan Brood
To say that AJ Perez feels honored to get the chance to play in the Les Schwab Bowl might be an understatement.
Perez, a Clackamas High School senior-to-be, gets a smile on his face when asked what it means to him to play in the high school football all-star game.
“It’s very honorable to be playing here,” Perez, an athletic 6-foot-3, 180-pound receiver/defensive back for Team Willamette, said following a team practice Wednesday. “The legacy it’s had, 74 years, that’s a long time. A lot of good players have been in this game. There’s just 50 or so players each year, so I’m just really proud of myself to get to play in this game. I’m really honored.”
The Les Schwab Bowl, which will be played Saturday at Linfield University in McMinnville, also marks the beginning of a change for Perez. After spending his first three high school years at Tigard, Perez has transferred to Clackamas for his senior season.
“It’s a change, a change of scenery,” Perez said. “Meeting new people, getting out there. I know some people over there. It’s cool. A lot of good coaches over there.”
Perez, an all-Three Rivers League honorable mention pick at receiver following his junior year, is also quick to point out that Tigard still has a place in his heart.
“Of course, I’ll miss all of my Tigard people, friends, coaches over there,” he said. “I grew up with them, but I had to do what was right for me.”
For Perez, what also is right is to try to step up as Clackamas’ only representative in Saturday’s Les Schwab Bowl.
“It’s exciting to get Clackamas’ name out there,” he said. “There are some guys over there that are under the radar and shouldn’t be, and I’m trying to get them some looks, too.”
He also wants to make an impact in Saturday’s game, the first game where he’ll be wearing a black and red Cavaliers helmet.
“Looking to go deep, score some touchdowns, make some big blocks and help get the running backs into the end zone,” Perez said with a smile, talking about what he hopes to do in Saturday’s contest. “It’s a competitive thing — Team Willamette, Team Columbia, we’re all out here and we all want to win.”
Speaking of winning, Perez also is anticipating a big senior season at Clackamas this fall.
“I’m looking forward to it, big time,” he said. “My quarterback, Blake Baker (all-Mt. Hood Conference honorable mention last year as a junior), he’s a guy. We’ll be doing some big things over there, for sure.”
—
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.
