Playing a high school all-star game on your future college field? That’s the case for South Medford QB Deacon Edgar at Les Schwab Bowl

By Dan Brood 

You could say Deacon Edgar is traveling a long way to play in Saturday’s Les Schwab Bowl.

After all, Edgar, who will be a quarterback for Team Willamette, is a 2023 South Medford graduate who made a long trip to play in the high school football all-star game featuring many of the top players from around the state, which will be contested at Linfield University in McMinnville.

On the other hand, you could say Edgar is coming home — at least home for the near future — as he’s committed to play college football for Linfield.

“I’m getting to know the campus. I’ve been here a couple times already, but I’m learning the ins and outs of where I’ll be calling home the next four years. I love it,” Edgar said Wednesday. “It’s been a great experience. I’m glad I got the opportunity to be here and just learn the ins and outs of the Les Schwab Bowl, and it kind of prepares me for my college experience, so I’m really excited to be out here.”

Edgar is coming off a senior season at South Medford in which he helped lead the Panthers to a 6-4 record and a berth in the Class 6A state playoffs. The 6-foot, 185-pound Edgar garnered Class 6A all-state honorable mention accolades at quarterback.

While Edgar had plenty of big games for the Panthers in the 2023 season, his most impressive performance might have come in a 48-35 win at South Salem in a Central/Southwest Valley Conference showdown.

In that contest, Edgar completed 28 of 49 passes for 385 yards and four touchdowns. He ran for 70 yards and two more scores on 17 carries.

At the Les Schwab Bowl, Edgar finds himself as teammates with three South Salem players on the Team Willamette squad.

“It’s kind of cool. I’ve talked to them a bit, and some are kind of bitter,” Edgar said with a laugh. “The coach from South Salem (Mark Schmidt), who is coaching defense here, I’ve talked to him and he said, ‘Deacon, you had a great game.’ I said, ‘Your team had a great game, too.’ It was a crazy game, and really fun.”

All joking aside, Edgar said he’s glad to have the South Salem players on his side now.

“They have some studs. So, having them on my team for the Les Schwab Bowl is really fun,” Edgar said.

Edgar is hoping to benefit all he can during the week of Les Schwab Bowl practices and activities.

“I’m just learning everything, and how to play with the best in Oregon,” he said. “It’s fun, and I’m glad I’m able to get better.”

And, of course, there’s Saturday’s game.

“Winning is definitely important,” Edgar said. “(Team Willamette) Coach (Josh) Line says he really wants to win, and I don’t see any reason why we can’t.”

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Proceeds from this year’s Les Schwab Bowl, presented by Express Employment Professionals, will benefit the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association general scholarship fund, the Brayden Bafaro Scholarship Fund, and various youth charities.

This is the 75th game in the series, but just the second that won’t be North vs. South. Instead, players were drafted by the Team Columbia coaching staff, with head coach Steve Pyne from Central Catholic, and by the Team Willamette coaching staff, with head coach Josh Line from Sheldon. In last year’s game, the first under this format, Team Columbia posted a 28-9 win over Team Willamette.

Gates will open at 3 p.m. Saturday, with food carts on site. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.

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