Oregon Way Too Early 2023 6A Top 15 + Analysis

1.West Linn   The LIons project as Oregon's top team for years to come. They are loaded up and down the board with an outstanding youth program to boot. It's hard to match an elite coach like Chris Miller, but they managed to do so with the hiring of Jon Eagle.    The Donnerberg twins are the real deal, with [player_tooltip player_id='152337' first='Wiley' last='Donnerberg'] projecting as a kid who will be offered by ½ the PAC 12 before he is done. DB [player_tooltip player_id='152344' first='Hunter' last='Haines'] is another kid who will play D1 ball. The 2025 class is ridiculous, with the #1 OL [player_tooltip player_id='406756' first='Jake' last='Normoyle'], #1 DL [player_tooltip player_id='285855' first='Baron' last='Naone'], and #1 RB in [player_tooltip player_id='312496' first='Hudson' last='Hardy']. It's early, but I think it will be difficult for anyone to even stay close other than maybe CC.    2.Central Catholic   CC has proven time and again to be a legit 6A title contender every year. They feature returning 2x Mt Hood POY QB [player_tooltip player_id='152354' first='Cru' last='Newman'], and a 2025 class which could rival West Linn, with the state's #1 and #2 overall recruits in [player_tooltip player_id='152653' first='Zhaiel' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='286686' first='Zachary' last='Davis']. Give coach Steve Pyne credit as he has done a great job with the program.    3.Jesuit   The Crusaders graduate a talented senior group with maybe the NWs top line, but they should once again be in the mix. Returning 1st team all-conference LB [player_tooltip player_id='152333' first='Lonnie' last='Burt'] will project as the state's leading rusher from his RB spot, with 6-3 DB [player_tooltip player_id='520433' first='Elias' last='Johnson'] listed as maybe Oregon's fastest rising recruit.    QB [player_tooltip player_id='278372' first='Jacob' last='Hutchinson'] will be a three-year starter with two-way 1st team all-Metro athlete [player_tooltip player_id='152334' first='Jace' last='Burton'] back as well. The biggest question mark will come on the line, where 6-6 300-pound [player_tooltip player_id='152335' first='Liam' last='Cassidy'] will need to lead.    4.Lake Oswego   Other than West Linn probably the most well coached team in the state. Steve Coury will go down as one of the best ever. They were extremely young last year, exceeding all expectations. Sophomore QB [player_tooltip player_id='285866' first='Liam' last='Davis'] stepped up big and will need to do so again, with 6-4 210 DE [player_tooltip player_id='285849' first='Oliver' last='Macy'] and returning 1st team all league sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='285881' first='Lusiano' last='Lopez'] leading the defense.    5.Tualatin   This comes down to line play and who they will have playing the QB spot. [player_tooltip player_id='152339' first='Jayden' last='Fortier'] could end up the state's #1 overall recruit for the class and [player_tooltip player_id='152355' first='AJ' last='Noland'] ranks as the top DB/Athlete in Oregon. Both will be key in their success, along with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='152338' first='Kenen' last='Elder'].    Ultimately they will need a few big men to step up and have all state type seasons, to fill the void left over thes last two years by the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='147240' first='Richie' last='Anderson'], Peter Burke, and Kellen Hale. No pressure on [player_tooltip player_id='278414' first='Tyson' last='Hunt'] 6-4 215.    6.Mountainside   Head coach John Mannion stepping down is a big deal. Much like Steve Coury he is one of the best to ever coach in Oregon. That said as the Mavericks have legit talent coming up through the ranks. The 2025 class is especially talented with D1 hooper [player_tooltip player_id='285850' first='Brayden' last='Boe'] and all conference ATH [player_tooltip player_id='511859' first='Madden' last='Tanuvasa'] back.    Much like Jesuit, the Mavericks success will hinge on line play, after graduating D1 tackle [player_tooltip player_id='205821' first='Kevin' last='Cassidy'] and one of the NWs top line groups.    7.Tigard   The Tigers graduate a talented senior class and a legit line. The good news is that they have one of the top youth programs in Oregon and a bunch of talent coming up. 6-4 215 OLB/DE [player_tooltip player_id='343699' first='Brian' last='Smith'] and D1 DB [player_tooltip player_id='511299' first='Roman' last='Martin'] must have POY type seasons if they want to compete for a title.    QB [player_tooltip player_id='132438' first='Jakoby' last='Feist'] will need to be a leader and use his overall athleticism to keep all of their young talent in check.   8.Lakeridge   I'm a big advocate of head coach Spencer Phillips. The Pacers have dudes everywhere but have yet to put it all together. This will be [player_tooltip player_id='152356' first='Joey' last='Olsen']'s chance to show off his USC commit status, with current freshman RB [player_tooltip player_id='284119' first='Ansu' last='sanoe'] looking like one of the top players in the country for his class.   Two key losses for the Pacers come with the graduation of three year starter [player_tooltip player_id='110242' first='Ryan' last='Oliver'] at QB, and with top LB [player_tooltip player_id='152332' first='Ethan' last='Biondine'] moving back to Hawaii.    9.Sheldon   Over the last few decades the Irish have been as successful as any program in Oregon. Last years team was one of their best ever, even though they didn't win the 6A title.    They graduate a ton of talent, including a legit line with size, and POY [player_tooltip player_id='110187' first='Brock' last='Thomas'] at QB. If Sheldon is going to compete next year [player_tooltip player_id='527032' first='Mana' last='Tuioti'] will need to play out of his mind and 6-5 220 DE [player_tooltip player_id='511342' first='Will' last='Haverland'] must dominate on D.    10.Oregon City   I could definitely see the Pioneers finishing in the 6A top 10. Anyone familar with the roster sees double digit TRL athletes returning with size. Sophomore QB [player_tooltip player_id='406768' first='Ben' last='Schneider'] is back along with the likes of all conference returners [player_tooltip player_id='511314' first='Brayden' last='Welch'] 6-5 250 DE, [player_tooltip player_id='278405' first='Clay' last='Martineau'] 6-3 215 OLB/WR, and [player_tooltip player_id='278371' first='Ryder' last='Swanson'] 6-1 220 DE.    11.Nelson   [player_tooltip player_id='285852' first='Avirey' last='Durdahl'] and the Hawks had their coming out party last year, finishing (9-2). They will not surprise people anymore as the talented 2025 QB will be asked to show why he is the #1 QB in the state for his class.   All conferene returners [player_tooltip player_id='154326' first='Luke' last='Womack'] WR/S and big man [player_tooltip player_id='527045' first='Dominic' last='Macon'] 6-3 295 DT will both need be clutch on D.   12.Barlow   The Bruins strength will be upfront with 2x 1st team all Mt Hood lineman [player_tooltip player_id='238631' first='Dylan' last='Howell'], and 6-5 295 pound 2nd team all conference tackle [player_tooltip player_id='520387' first='Deagan' last='Hodgson'] back.   [player_tooltip player_id='206850' first='Luke' last='Fahner'] projects as a conference POY candidate, and [player_tooltip player_id='520401' first='Sentori' last='Martino'] will need to have a big year offensively after a 2nd team all Mt Hood season, if Barlow wants to compete with Central Catholic.   13.North Medford   On paper the Black Tornado look tough. Oregon commit [player_tooltip player_id='152358' first='AJ' last='Pugliano'] is the real deal. They will have one of the state's top lines back with D1 offered [player_tooltip player_id='206871' first='Terrell' last='Kim'] and 1st team all conference returner [player_tooltip player_id='511319' first='Connor' last='Trinica'] leading upfront. You can expect sophomore DL [player_tooltip player_id='287053' first='Trey' last='Kennedy Coleman'] and WR [player_tooltip player_id='278376' first='Connor' last='Cesaro'] to be two of the best in the SWC as well.    14.Sherwood   The Bowmen are always talented, providing one of the best football environmnents in the state. Returning conference POY [player_tooltip player_id='278441' first='Keaten' last='Fried'] will be back, and fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id='152351' first='Jaylan' last='Moore'] has been playing out of his mind on the 7v7 circuit, after a 1st team all league season a year ago.   1st team all league QB [player_tooltip player_id='278398' first='Kasen' last='Covert'] will need to have a Player of the Year type season if Sherwood wants to win in the playoffs.    15.West Salem   The Titans went (1-8) in 2022 after being one of the state's most consistent teams over the last two decades under coach Shawn Stanley. Look for West to return in a big way with talented 2025 QB [player_tooltip player_id='285871' first='Kaden' last='Martirano'] healthy.   They will also feature D1 recruit Trent Ferguson 6-7 300 and unproven but talented 2025's [player_tooltip player_id='412223' first='Hudson' last='Whipple'] 6-5 215 and [player_tooltip player_id='412219' first='Cade' last='Vandiver'].