2022 State Semifinal & 6A Title Game Predictions
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I recently broke down a hypothetical quarterfinal preview for next season. Here’s a look at the final 4 and how I would for see things playing out as of right now. SEMIFINALS #5 Tualatin @ West Linn #1 …
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Continue ReadingI recently broke down a hypothetical quarterfinal preview for next season. Here’s a look at the final 4 and how I would for see things playing out as of right now.
SEMIFINALS
#5 Tualatin @ West Linn #1 31-17 West Linn
Tualatin handled the Lions on multiple occasions last year by a combined score of 84-27. This will be a completely different scenario with the recent addition of 3* QB Sam Leavitt Sam Leavitt 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB West Linn | 2023 State OR who made the move from Westview HS. West Linn will return one of the top underclass groups in the entire region. Many of whom gained valuable experience this past season
While the T-Wolves matched up well against the Lions this past year, they lose a lot of size and experience, even with a phenomenal group of underclassmen coming up as well. This will not be the team who went and beat one of Nor Cal’s best (Menlo-Atherton) to start the year in 2021.
Expect West Linn to squeak out a close league victory over Tualatin and pull away in the playoffs by a couple scores. There is still a lot yet to be determined with the Lions caoching situation. That said as West Linn has the potential of winning a handful of titles in the years ahead
#3 Jesuit @ Central Catholic #2 28-26 Jesuit
Expect the Crusaders to field one of their best teams in school history next season. It’s a bold statement considering some of the teams they have produced, but they have big boys up front and the kids at the skill positions to boot.
Central has become a state and regional power winning multiple 6A titles. They graduate a special senior class but return some of Oregon’s best, including one of America’s top TE’s in Riley Williams Riley Williams 6'7" | 230 lbs | TE Central Catholic | 2023 OR and QB Cru Newman Cru Newman 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Central Catholic | 2024 State OR who has some of that “IT” factor.
This will come down to line play and ball control in my opinion. Liam Cassidy Liam Cassidy 6'5" | 300 lbs | DL Jesuit | 2024 State OR 6-5 300, Roice Cleeland Roice Cleeland 6'3" | 290 lbs | OL Jesuit | 2023 State OR 6-3 270, Sean Khouri Sean Khouri 6'2" | 275 lbs | DL Jesuit | 2023 State OR 6-3 270, and Sylus Wallace Sylus Wallace 6'2" | 300 lbs | OL Jesuit | 2023 State OR 6-2 300 will lead maybe the best 1-2 punch in Oregon at RB ( Payton Roth Payton Roth 6'4" | 200 lbs | RB Jesuit | 2023 State OR , Lonnie Burt Lonnie Burt 6'1" | 200 lbs | ATH Jesuit | 2024 State OR ). Joe Merlino Joe Merlino 6'3" | 275 lbs | OL Central Catholic | 2023 OR is legit and provides a nice counter for the Rams but I will take Jesuit in a close one.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
#3 Jesuit @ #1 West Linn 34-28 West Linn
This could go either way as I think the Crusaders will be that good. Seniors like Noah Staley Noah Staley 6'0" | 220 lbs | RB Jesuit | 2023 State OR and Garrett Speer Garrett Speer 6'1" | 185 lbs | LB Jesuit | 2023 State OR are the type of guys who help you win titles, especially when already playing with a talented and experienced group.
As noted, two of the top seniors in Oregon will lead the Lions in Mark Hamper Mark Hamper 6'2" | 205 lbs | ATH West Linn | 2023 State OR and Earl Ingle Earl Ingle 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB West Linn | 2023 State OR , along with D1 QB Sam Leavitt Sam Leavitt 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB West Linn | 2023 State OR . Much like Jesuit they will have other talented senior athletes returning ( Ben Winjum Ben Winjum 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB West Linn | 2023 State OR & Hudson Staats Hudson Staats 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB West Linn | 2023 State OR ), who might not be high profile recruits but help you hang banners.
In the end I will take some of West Linn’s ridiculous young talent to play beyond their years and be that X factor in the victory. Expect Wiley Donnerberg Wiley Donnerberg 6'4" | 200 lbs | ATH West Linn | 2024 State OR to be dominant on both sides of the football and Hunter Haines Hunter Haines 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB West Linn | 2024 State OR to have a 1st team all-state type season. There’s so much young talent, it’s tough to just mention a few.
I will take the Lions by a touchdown in one of the best title games ever played, with West Linn projected to dominate the state in the following seasons.