Russell Schneider

Quarterback

Portland Raiders / Washington Warriors

The numbers were not as gaudy as they were a decade ago, however Russell Schneider, owner of nearly every passing record in the Greater Northwest region for minor league football, returned after nearly four seasons away from the game and led the Portland Raiders to the Pacific Northwest League Championship and an undefeated 10-0 season.

Once a perennial 3,500-4,000 yard passer who hit for 59 touchdowns in 2012, Schneider methodically moved the Raiders in 2022 amassing 2,267 yards through the air with 20 touchdowns.  He did that while under duress with an often porous offensive line resulting in sacks, safeties and general frustration for the 7-time league champion.  His efforts earned him the League MVP award for 2022.

Hoisting his 8th league championship trophy, the 39-year old QB who also held down the punting, kickoff, PAT and FG duties for the Raiders could have packed his bruised body in ice and retired on the highest of notes.  But, there was more football going on in the Northwest and the lure was too great.

The Washington Warriors were already on their 2nd QB of the season and running neck-and-neck with the West Sound Rebels in Washington's Gridiron Developmental League with a 5-1 record.  A month after leading the Raiders to the title, Russell was back in action 2 1/2 hours north up I-5 in Teal and White.

In his GDFL debut as a Warrior, Schneider lit up the Grit City Knights to the tune of 280 yards, 7 touchdowns and 2 - 2pt conversions.  Winning back-to-back games against the Tacoma Sabers, Russell and the Warriors were set up to play for the Washington GDFL division title against the West Sound Rebels.  Schneider was sitting at 13-0 in 2022, 14-years after first firing bombs for the Portland Monarchs in 2008.

After going down early to the Rebels 20-2, Schneider began to find his weapons and start the methodical comeback eventually tying the game at 20-20 at halftime.  With the Rebels up 27-20 early in the third quarter, the unimaginable happened.  A roughing/targeting hit on Schneider caused the Warrior sideline to explode and with 10:10 remaining in the third quarter, game officials called for an end to the game and exited the field.  Would Schneider have led the Warriors to victory over the Rebels and claimed a second title in 2022?  An unanswerable question now, but one can ponder the potential for a fantastic finish.  The Rebels were awarded the win and advanced to California as the Washington champions.

What can be answered is the stat line for Russell Schneider in 2022: 3,000+ yards passing, 32 touchdowns, a 35-yard punt average in PNFL action while serving as the kicking specialist.  All capped with a 13-1 record and another season to remember in a long and storied career in Northwest minor league football.

For his career, Schneider has thrown for over 38,000 yards and 529 touchdowns and posted a 129-13 record in his 11 years as signal caller.  This is his 4th GNFA Player of the Year honor.