Hypothetical 6A Bracket (#1-32) w State Title Winner- 2021

&nbsp; <div> <strong>1ST ROUND</strong> #32 Roosevelt @ #1 Central Catholic #17 Sprague @ #16 Sherwood #24 Barlow @ #9 Tigard #25 Jefferson @ #8 Westview #21 South Medford @ #12 Sunset #28 Aloha @ #5 Tualatin #29 Liberty @ #4 Lake Oswego #20 Mt View @ #13 North Medford #30 Southridge @ #3 Clackamas #19 Grants Pass @ #14 West Salem #22 Oregon City @ #11 Mountainside #27 Century @ #6 Lakeridge #26 Glencoe @ #7 Jesuit #23 Lincoln @ #10 Newberg #18 Grant @ #15 Sheldon #31 Beaverton @ #2 West Linn <strong>2ND ROUND</strong> #17 Sprague @ #1 Central Catholic #9 Tigard @ #8 Westview #12 Sunset @ #5 Tualatin #20 Mt View @ #4 Lake Oswego #14 West Salem @ #3 Clackamas #11 Mountainside @ #6 Lakeridge #10 Newberg @ #7 Jesuit #15 Sheldon @ #2 West Linn <strong>QUARTERFINALS</strong> #8 Westview @ #1 Central Catholic-       Central Catholic 33 Westview 26 Look for Westview to be in the mix this fall, as the Cats will return three nationally ranked athletes who made the move to Utah last season, due to the OSAA’s ridiculous rules. One of the nation’s top WR’s [player_tooltip player_id="28833" first="Darrius" last="Clemons"] will be tough for anyone stop, with high profile D1 slot [player_tooltip player_id="28834" first="Aaron" last="Jones"] a threat anytime he is in space. Oregon’s #1 recruit for 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="110171" first="Sam" last="Leavitt"], was recently offered by Florida St, and he will return as well. Separate from the talent on the perimeter, the Wildcats finally have a line, which should make a world of difference. WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id="143912" first="Drew" last="Bennett"] also returns, as one of only three players state wide, being named 1st team all-state on both sides of the football by PRZ. All of this said as CC is loaded, returning numerous D1 projected athletes. Look for [player_tooltip player_id="28839" first="Jordan" last="King"] and [player_tooltip player_id="104685" first="Riley" last="Williams"] to be a problem all year long, with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id="28860" first="Zachery" last="Grisham"] and [player_tooltip player_id="28870" first="Kaden" last="Schell"] to lead the D. I will give Central the edge in a close one with all of their recent success in the post season. #5 Tualatin @ #4 Lake Oswego-    Tualatin 28 Lake Oswego 26 It’s hard for me to give the T-Wolves the win, after LO absolutely destroyed Tualatin 37-6 to close the Spring season. That being said as Tualatin has one of the most talented teams on paper within Oregon in some time. Oregon St commit [player_tooltip player_id="28846" first="Cole" last="Prusia"] is probably the best overall player in the state, with [player_tooltip player_id="108147" first="Kellen" last="Hale"], [player_tooltip player_id="28843" first="Malik" last="Ross"], Jaedyn Fortier, and [player_tooltip player_id="152355" first="AJ" last="Noland"] all projecting at the D1 level. Add in the likes of DE’s [player_tooltip player_id="147240" first="Richie" last="Anderson"] 6-4 220 and [player_tooltip player_id="28857" first="Jackson" last="Biedritzky"] 6-3 220 on defense and THS has no excuse not to come away with the win. Separate from Prusia, LO’s [player_tooltip player_id="28882" first="Gabe" last="Olvera"] might be the leading candidate for Oregon 6A POY honors. He went for over 200+ multiple times in the shortened spring season, torching Tualatin in the process. [player_tooltip player_id="28858" first="Dylan" last="Layne"] recently received his first D1 offer with brother [player_tooltip player_id="28887" first="Jack" last="Layne"] listed as one of the fastest rising QB’s in the state. In the end I think the T-Wolves will just continue to get better as the season progresses. They are still relatively young, and have a D1 talent, with unanimous 1st team all-league QB [player_tooltip player_id="28854" first="Jackson" last="Jones"] leading them. #6 Lakeridge @ #3 Clackamas-     Lakeridge 24 Clackamas 21 Both of these team’s feature a handful of division 1 kids or more on each individual roster. Credit to those calling shots on the hire of head coach Spencer Phillips and James Holan. Look for this to be another epic battle with each team featuring a ruthless defense, combined with a host of high-powered offensive athletes. Colorado commit DE/OLB [player_tooltip player_id="28840" first="Kaden" last="Ludwick"] and DT [player_tooltip player_id="28861" first="Logan" last="Chastain"] will cause problems all year long for opponents. The Pacers will counter offensively with what could be one of the top underclass QB/WR tandems in the nation in [player_tooltip player_id="110242" first="Ryan" last="Oliver"] and [player_tooltip player_id="152356" first="Joey" last="Olsen"]. Not to mention 2023 WR standout [player_tooltip player_id="110204" first="Baylor" last="Corbin"]. I for see the key here being the Lakeridge defense with top ranked LB’s [player_tooltip player_id="28862" first="Nui" last="Tovey"], [player_tooltip player_id="28864" first="Zac" last="Waible"], and Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="152332" first="Ethan" last="Biondine"] stepping up. This along with maybe the fastest rising player in Oregon in [player_tooltip player_id="143911" first="Jake" last="Reichle"]. I will give them the edge against a very talented Clack O, featuring the likes of Jr. RB [player_tooltip player_id="147244" first="Luke" last="Ash"] and D1 WR [player_tooltip player_id="28838" first="Miles" last="Williams"]. In the end I will take Lakeridge in a squeaker. #7 Jesuit @ #2 West Linn-     West Linn 33 Jesuit 28 The favorite to win multiple state titles within Oregon in the years ahead is West Linn. That being said as next year senior’s class is incredibly thin, led by the likes of [player_tooltip player_id="28903" first="Kace" last="Naone"]. Expect to see 2023 and specifically the 2024 athletes be one of the best groups ever to represent the state. So good that they could very well help the team make a run next season. 23’s [player_tooltip player_id="147247" first="Earl" last="Ingle"], [player_tooltip player_id="110180" first="Mark" last="Hamper"], and [player_tooltip player_id="110181" first="Jackson" last="Shelstad"] are all the real deal. The Donnerberg brothers will project as major D1 recruits, with [player_tooltip player_id="152344" first="Hunter" last="Haines"] and D1 baseball commits (Howard, Vandenbrink) getting in the mix for 2024. Jesuit was young last season but returns a talented 2022 class led by the likes of 3* LB/TE [player_tooltip player_id="28855" first="Spencer" last="McKelligon"], D1 lacrosse commit and QB [player_tooltip player_id="28873" first="Tatum" last="Lewis"], and RB [player_tooltip player_id="28888" first="Michael" last="Rincon"]. My guess is that whoever can win the battle upfront will come away with the win. I will take a very young Lions team in a close one. <strong>SEMIFINALS</strong> #5 Tualatin @ #1 Central Catholic-    Tualatin 32 Central Catholic 21 CC deserves a lot of credit as they have come to play over the last few years. That being said as Tualatin’s perimeter is ridiculous and QB [player_tooltip player_id="28854" first="Jackson" last="Jones"] is a winner. The T Wolves will put up points. I think it will come down to whether or not the defense shows up. You can bet their opponents will be watching the LO game film from the year previous when they lost by 30. Expect to see THS get better and better as the year rolls along. They will open with Northern California power Menlo Atherton which will be tough to say the least. In the end give me a much-improved Tualatin team for the win. #6 Lakeridge @ #2West Linn-     Lakeridge 27 West Linn 26 West Linn has had their way with the Pacers over the past few seasons. Chris Miller is one of the best coaches ever to represent Oregon and they will be a force for years to come. Next year I think could be special for Lakeridge with some of the top young talent on the west coast, and a veteran senior group who is experienced and physical. Give me the Pacers by a point in the game of the year. <strong>STATE CHAMPIONSHIP</strong> #6 Lakeridge @ #5 Tualatin-   Lakeridge 34 Tualatin 24 Next year’s quarterfinals, semi-finals, and state title contest could feature the most competitive and even group of teams that we have seen in a while. The state title matchup could go multiple ways. As of right now I will take Lakeridge to win it all in one of the most enjoyable 6A playoffs years to date. </div>