Oregon Way Too Early 2023 6A Top 15 + Analysis
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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…
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Continue Reading1.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 Wiley Donnerberg Wiley Donnerberg 6'4" | 200 lbs | ATH West Linn | 2024 State OR projecting as a kid who will be offered by ½ the PAC 12 before he is done. DB Hunter Haines Hunter Haines 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB West Linn | 2024 State OR is another kid who will play D1 ball. The 2025 class is ridiculous, with the #1 OL Jake Normoyle Jake Normoyle 6'4" | 295 lbs | OL West Linn | 2025 State OR , #1 DL Baron Naone Baron Naone 6'4" | 225 lbs | TE West Linn | 2025 State OR , and #1 RB in Hudson Hardy Hudson Hardy 6'3" | 220 lbs | ATH West Linn | 2025 State OR . 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 Cru Newman Cru Newman 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Central Catholic | 2024 State OR , and a 2025 class which could rival West Linn, with the state’s #1 and #2 overall recruits in Zhaiel Smith Zhaiel Smith 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Central Catholic | 2025 State OR and Zachary Davis Zachary Davis 6'1" | 225 lbs | LB Central Catholic | 2025 State OR . 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 Lonnie Burt Lonnie Burt 6'1" | 200 lbs | ATH Jesuit | 2024 State OR will project as the state’s leading rusher from his RB spot, with 6-3 DB Elias Johnson Elias Johnson 6'3" | 170 lbs | DB Jesuit | 2024 State OR listed as maybe Oregon’s fastest rising recruit.
QB Jacob Hutchinson will be a three-year starter with two-way 1st team all-Metro athlete Jace Burton Jace Burton 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Jesuit | 2024 State OR back as well. The biggest question mark will come on the line, where 6-6 300-pound Liam Cassidy Liam Cassidy 6'5" | 300 lbs | DL Jesuit | 2024 State OR 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 Liam Davis Liam Davis 6'1" | 175 lbs | ATH Lake Oswego | 2025 State OR stepped up big and will need to do so again, with 6-4 210 DE Oliver Macy Oliver Macy 6'4" | 220 lbs | DL Lake Oswego | 2025 State OR and returning 1st team all league sophomore Lusiano Lopez Lusiano Lopez 6'2" | 240 lbs | DL Lake Oswego | 2025 State OR leading the defense.
5.Tualatin
This comes down to line play and who they will have playing the QB spot. Jayden Fortier Jayden Fortier 6'5" | 220 lbs | TE Tualatin | 2024 State OR could end up the state’s #1 overall recruit for the class and AJ Noland AJ Noland 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Tualatin | 2024 State OR ranks as the top DB/Athlete in Oregon. Both will be key in their success, along with the likes of Kenen Elder Kenen Elder 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR Tualatin | 2024 State OR .
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 Richie Anderson Richie Anderson 6'4" | 225 lbs | DL Tualatin | 2023 State OR , Peter Burke, and Kellen Hale. No pressure on Tyson Hunt Tyson Hunt 6'4" | 220 lbs | LB Tualatin | 2024 State OR 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 Brayden Boe Brayden Boe 6'3" | 175 lbs | ATH Mountainside | 2025 OR and all conference ATH Madden Tanuvasa Madden Tanuvasa 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Mountainside | 2025 State OR back.
Much like Jesuit, the Mavericks success will hinge on line play, after graduating D1 tackle Kevin Cassidy Kevin Cassidy 6'6" | 270 lbs | OL Mountainside | 2023 State OR 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 Brian Smith Brian Smith 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Tigard | 2024 State OR and D1 DB Roman Martin Roman Martin 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Tigard | 2024 State OR must have POY type seasons if they want to compete for a title.
QB Jakoby Feist Jakoby Feist 5'11" | 190 lbs | QB Tigard | 2024 State OR 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 Joey Olsen Joey Olsen 6'6" | 220 lbs | TE Lakeridge | 2024 State OR ‘s chance to show off his USC commit status, with current freshman RB Ansu Sanoe Ansu Sanoe 6'2" | 210 lbs | RB Lakeridge | 2026 State OR 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 Ryan Oliver Ryan Oliver 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Lakeridge | 2023 State OR at QB, and with top LB Ethan Biondine Ethan Biondine 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Lakeridge | 2024 OR 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 Brock Thomas Brock Thomas 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Sheldon | 2023 State OR at QB. If Sheldon is going to compete next year Mana Tuioti Mana Tuioti 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Sheldon | 2025 State OR will need to play out of his mind and 6-5 220 DE Will Haverland Will Haverland 6'5" | 220 lbs | DL Sheldon | 2024 State OR 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 Ben Schneider Ben Schneider 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Oregon City | 2025 State OR is back along with the likes of all conference returners Brayden Welch Brayden Welch 6'5" | 235 lbs | DL Oregon City | 2024 State OR 6-5 250 DE, Clay Martineau Clay Martineau 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Oregon City | 2024 State OR 6-3 215 OLB/WR, and Ryder Swanson Ryder Swanson 6'1" | 220 lbs | DL Oregon City | 2024 State OR 6-1 220 DE.
11.Nelson
Avirey Durdahl Avirey Durdahl 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Adrienne Nelson | 2025 State OR 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 Luke Womack Luke Womack 6'4" | 195 lbs | WR Lakeridge | 2024 State OR WR/S and big man Dominic Macon Dominic Macon 6'3" | 295 lbs | DL Nelson | 2025 State OR 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 Dylan Howell Dylan Howell 6'1" | 270 lbs | OL Sam Barlow | 2024 State OR , and 6-5 295 pound 2nd team all conference tackle Deagan Hodgson Deagan Hodgson 6'5" | 295 lbs | OL Barlow | 2024 State OR back.
Luke Fahner Luke Fahner 6'1" | 195 lbs | LB Barlow | 2024 State OR projects as a conference POY candidate, and Sentori Martino Sentori Martino 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Barlow | 2024 State OR 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 AJ Pugliano AJ Pugliano 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE North Medford | 2024 State OR is the real deal. They will have one of the state’s top lines back with D1 offered Terrell Kim and 1st team all conference returner Connor Trinica Connor Trinica 6'1" | 270 lbs | OL North Medford | 2024 State OR leading upfront. You can expect sophomore DL Trey Kennedy Coleman Trey Kennedy Coleman 6'2" | 280 lbs | DL North Medford | 2025 State OR and WR Connor 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 Keaten Fried Keaten Fried 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Sherwood | 2024 State OR will be back, and fellow junior Jaylan Moore Jaylan Moore 5'9" | 160 lbs | DB Sherwood | 2024 State OR 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 Kasen Covert Kasen Covert 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Sherwood | 2024 State OR 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 Kaden Martirano Kaden Martirano 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB West Salem | 2025 State OR healthy.
They will also feature D1 recruit Trent Ferguson 6-7 300 and unproven but talented 2025’s Hudson Whipple Hudson Whipple 6'5" | 225 lbs | TE West Salem | 2025 State OR 6-5 215 and Cade Vandiver Cade Vandiver 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB West Salem | 2025 State OR .