Cleveland High School Football Team Reached 3-3 Record
The Portland varsity football team secured a win against Benson as they strive for a Columbia Cup playoff berth.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Football
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After suffering a winless season in 2025, the Cleveland High School football team has turned their performance around to achieve a 3-3 record this year. The team recently defeated Benson with a 42-0 shutout to keep their postseason aspirations alive.
Why it matters
The program is attempting to end an 18-year postseason qualification drought that has persisted since the school last competed at that level. Success this year would mark a major milestone for a team that did not even field a varsity roster in 2021.
Quarterback Jude Buck has tallied 588 passing yards and six touchdowns on the season. The varsity roster currently consists of 23 players who are required to play on both offense and defense for the duration of each game.
The players
Alan Hopper
He is the head coach of the Cleveland High School football team who took control of the program in the spring of 2025.
Jude Buck
He serves as the starting quarterback for the team and has accumulated 588 passing yards during the current season.
Apollo Johnson
He is a versatile player for the team who records significant stats in both receiving, tackling, and pass breakups.
Felix Amistadi
He is a primary running back for the team who has rushed for over 400 yards on 100 carries this season.
Henry Meade
He is a defensive and offensive contributor who has recorded two interceptions for the squad this year.
The details
Head coach Alan Hopper, who took over in the spring of 2025, has implemented a rugby-style training philosophy to instill scrappiness in the team. Key contributors include Felix Amistadi, who has rushed for 418 yards, and Apollo Johnson, who leads the team in tackles and interceptions.
Timeline
The school did not field a varsity football team in 2021.
Alan Hopper took over the program in the spring of 2025.
The team finished the 2025 season with a 0-9 record.
Cleveland reached a 3-3 record after defeating Benson in October 2026.
The team plays a game against Roosevelt this week.
Season Trajectory
The team's current .500 record fundamentally shifts the expectation for the program as it vies for a Columbia Cup playoff bracket spot. This season represents a departure from the school's recent history of missing the postseason and underscores a successful rebuilding effort.
The squad's push for the Columbia Cup playoff bracket depends heavily on winning upcoming games like the matchup against Roosevelt. The small 23-player roster requires nearly every active athlete to play on both sides of the ball for the entire 48-minute game.
The takeaway
The transformation of the team highlights how structural changes to training philosophies can impact a program's competitive viability. Readers should note that consistency in coaching and player development remains the most reliable indicator of athletic progress.
What happens next
The team is scheduled to face Roosevelt this week in a game that will impact their eligibility for the Columbia Cup.
Further reading
For more news regarding local athletics, check out our Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Oregon Live.
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