Hypothetical 6A Quarterfinal Matchups + a State Title Winner

As of right now we don’t know how the season will go but getting creative during times like these is essential. Have a look at eight teams who I foresee making it to the state quarterfinals, and how those matchups could play themselves out, leading up to the title game. &nbsp; <strong>QUARTERFINALS </strong> #8 Sunset @ #1 West Linn #5 Sherwood @ #4 Clackamas #6 Tigard @ #3 Jesuit #7 West Salem @ #2 Mountainside Five other teams on the bubble: Central Catholic, Tualatin, North Medford, Lake O, Lakeridge &nbsp; <strong>#1 West Linn 42 #8 Sunset 14</strong> Expect Sunset to have one of the better years they have had in some time and compete for a Metro title. They will be one of the only teams in Oregon who can battle the Lions up front, with two of the state’s best lineman in [player_tooltip player_id="28710" first="Liam" last="Brown"] 6-5 285 T/DE 21’ and [player_tooltip player_id="28740" first="Kanen" last="Rossi"] 6-3 290 G 21’. The Apollos will also feature a talented D led by LB’s [player_tooltip player_id="28743" first="Connor" last="Stevens"] 6-3 215 21’ and [player_tooltip player_id="28780" first="Tom" last="Mcmillan"] 6-3 210 21’. All of this said as I don’t see Sunset with the same type of high-powered offense like in years past. West Linn will return one of the state’s most balanced teams, with a handful of D1 kids, who will most likely put-up 40+ points every Friday night. QB [player_tooltip player_id="28720" first="Blake" last="DeBisschop"] 6-4 190 21’ will be able to distribute to multiple standouts and control the game with maybe the state’s best offensive player in [player_tooltip player_id="28717" first="Gavin" last="Haines"] 6-1 200 RB/WLB 21’. In summary Sunset will have a great year but not be able to compete with a top ranked Lions group. &nbsp; <strong>#5 Sherwood 31 #4 Clackamas 30</strong> I really like Clack. They have one of the most talented underclass groups in the Northwest. [player_tooltip player_id="28838" first="Miles" last="Williams"] 6-1 170 WR 22’ already holds offers from Oregon St &amp; Nevada, and [player_tooltip player_id="28840" first="Kaden" last="Ludwick"] 6-5 225 OLB/DE 22’ will blow up once the season gets underway. Much like Debisschop, senior QB [player_tooltip player_id="28762" first="Jack" last="Artman"] 6-3 190 21’ will be the key to the Cavs success offensively, along with underrated RB <strong>Jake Spitulski</strong> 5-11 195 21’. The lack of experience could be the biggest factor come playoff time, with a relatively young group. Sherwood returns with the Pacific Conference’s Offensive, Defensive, and Lineman of the year all back. [player_tooltip player_id="28763" first="Clay" last="Peden"] 6-1 180 RB 21’, [player_tooltip player_id="28712" first="Bryan" last="Cuthbertson"] 6-1 250 LB 21’, and [player_tooltip player_id="28805" first="Noah" last="Culbertson"] 6-2 225 OL 21’ give the Bowmen a solid returning nucleus, with the likes of senior [player_tooltip player_id="28745" first="Jacob" last="Pollock"] 6-1 185 DB 21’ ranked among the top DB’s in the state. In one of the best games of the year, Sherwood’s wing T offense and senior experience, helps them squeak out a one-point win. &nbsp; <strong>#3 Jesuit 28 #6 Tigard 26</strong> Tigard graduates a deep senior class, that was ranked #1 for a majority of the season, before being upset in the 2nd round of the playoffs by Mountainside. They do return all everything Colorado football/basketball commit [player_tooltip player_id="28700" first="Drew" last="Carter"] and 2022 standout 3* WR [player_tooltip player_id="28836" first="Keenan" last="Speer-Johnson"] who are both expected to go off. Regardless of the departures the Tigers always reload, representing one of the top programs state-wide year in and year out.  Senior <strong>Spencer Kuffel</strong> is the real deal and is back from injury, with junior D lineman [player_tooltip player_id="28869" first="Leif" last="Beers"] 6-4 265 DE/DT 22’ considered one of the top underclass big men in Oregon. Jesuit also graduates a talented senior group but brings back two of the region’s top lineman in #1 Oregon Tackle [player_tooltip player_id="28703" first="Charlie" last="Pickard"] 6-5 290 21’ and fellow strong man [player_tooltip player_id="28739" first="Declan" last="Quillin"] 6-3 295 DT/G 21’. They will be joined by an inexperienced, but highly ranked and regarded 2022 perimeter group, with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id="28855" first="Spencer" last="McKelligon"] 6-3 210 LB and [player_tooltip player_id="28873" first="Tatum" last="Lewis"] 6-1 175 QB leading the way Expect this to be an even matchup with the Crusaders using ball control and a fundamentally sound line to dictate the game. From a historical standpoint Jesuit and Tigard have played some of the most competitive playoff games in state history. This will be another. &nbsp; <strong>#2 Mountainside 37 #7 West Salem 24</strong> Shawn Stanley always has his teams ready to go come playoff time and this season will be no different. Northern Arizona commit [player_tooltip player_id="28713" first="Holden" last="Whipple"] 6-5 285 T 21’ and [player_tooltip player_id="28738" first="Adrian" last="McConnell"] 6-3 255 DL 21’ give the Titans a top 1-2 punch. This will be the best chance for West to hang with a very talented Mountainside group, who is a legit state title contender. The only area the Mavericks will be lacking is up front, bringing back one of the top skill groups in the Northwest. Junior QB [player_tooltip player_id="28837" first="Brian" last="Mannion"] 6-2 180 22' has the potential to be one of the most offered QB’s in the nation for his class, with [player_tooltip player_id="28723" first="Andrew" last="Simpson"] 6-1 170 ATH 21' and [player_tooltip player_id="28786" first="Justin" last="Hughes"] 5-8 160 ATH 21' being one of the top perimeter combos in Oregon. Add to this four-year varsity athlete and D1 prospect [player_tooltip player_id="28744" first="EJ" last="Broussard"] 6-0 200 RB/LB 21' and the kids out of Beaverton will be tough to stop. This game will feature two of Oregon’s all-time best coaches in Stanley and John Mannion. The Mavericks will be the favorite, but over the years there has been no team more dangerous than West Salem come playoff time. &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>SEMIFINALS</strong> &nbsp; <strong>#1 West Linn 48 #5 Sherwood 14</strong> West Linn is going to be tough for anyone to beat or even come close to in my opinion. A few years back WL dropped 50+ in a very lopsided state semifinal game at PGE Park. I could see this being very similar to that. The Lions are the real deal. &nbsp; <strong>#2 Mountainside 42 #3 Jesuit 27</strong> Separate from [player_tooltip player_id="28717" first="Gavin" last="Haines"] I would consider [player_tooltip player_id="28837" first="Brian" last="Mannion"] a leading candidate for Oregon 6A POY honors. The Mavericks line is a big question mark, but Mannion is legit on a national level, and I think he will thrive in big games such as this. &nbsp; <strong>STATE CHAMPIONSHIP</strong> &nbsp; <strong>#1 West Linn 38 #2 Mountainside 20</strong> It wouldn’t surprise me to see these two programs play in two or three state title games over the next 1/2 decade. From the youth on up both schools are thriving. This coming season I foresee the Lions being in a class by themselves, specifically because of the difference on the O and D line. Mountainside should be able to hang with WL as it relates to the skill kids but without a line it’s very tough to win a title. &nbsp;