Preseason: OR vs WA Predictions & Other Top Matchups

Referenced below are four preseason matchups featuring Oregon & Washington state title contenders playing one another. You will also see Sheldon of Eugene hosting one of Hawaii's better programs in the season opener. Check it..           Tualatin OR @ Lincoln WA       I see this being one of the best games on the west coast in week 2 of the regular season. Tualatin will be my preseason #5 after finishing 9-3 last year and losing to Sheldon in the state semi's. They have a D1 perimeter with Arizona St commit [player_tooltip player_id='152339' first='Jayden' last='Fortier'] and two other division 1 kids in [player_tooltip player_id='152355' first='AJ' last='Noland'] and [player_tooltip player_id='152338' first='Kenen' last='Elder'] (PSU Commit).   Lincoln is always one of Washington's top ranked programs, finishing last year 11-1, and losing to 2021 state champ Bellevue 22-20 in the quarterfinals. The Abes lose all everything 4* QB Gabarri Johnson along with their top WR/DB in Drake Granberry. They do return talented RB [player_tooltip player_id='206270' first='Navarre' last='Dixon'] who went for over 1000 all purpose last season, but this game will be tough with Lincoln graduating a host of talent across the board.   I expect home field advantage to help but I will go with Tualatin in a squeaker..     Tualatin 34 Lincoln 32         Jesuit OR @ Skyview WA       I have the Storm listed as a Washington 4A state title contender heading into the season with traditional Oregon power Jesuit ranked #3 to start the year. The Crusaders snuck by Skyview 24-21 at home in the season opener in 2022, as this will be another dogfight at the Kiggins Bowl in Vancouver.   Jesuit graduates the top line in the state which I believe will be the deciding factor in this game's outcome. They do return talented 1st team all-Metro RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='152333' first='Lonnie' last='Burt'] Jr. who just received his first D1 offer. Two way 1st team standout [player_tooltip player_id='152334' first='Jace' last='Burton'] and Washington commit [player_tooltip player_id='520433' first='Elias' last='Johnson'] are also back in the secondary.   All of this said as I like Skyview at home in this one by a field goal, with the teams being that evenly matched. Returning Co-Conference POY [player_tooltip player_id='915395' first='Jake' last='Kennedy'] at QB and Washington POY Candidate [player_tooltip player_id='693684' first='Gavin' last='Packer'] are exceptional. They also bring back a legit D with a handful of 1st team all GSHL athletes...   Skyview 30 Jesuit 27         Bellevue WA @ Central Catholic OR       Give head coach Steve Pyne and his Rams all the credit in the world. Last year they traveled up to Washington and beat the (14-0) defending state champs 24-23 at Bellevue. This year CC returns with one of the most talented rosters in state history and 2x Mt Hood POY [player_tooltip player_id='152354' first='Cru' last='Newman'].   Even more incredible is that they will be ranked my #2 at the 6A level behind West Linn who beat them 49-17 in the state semi's last year. This could be the first year in state history that Oregon has two nationally ranked teams.   The Wolverines return one of the best lines in the West, to go along with Michigan TE commit [player_tooltip player_id='115338' first='Hogan' last='Hansen'] and talented 2025 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='348143' first='Ryken' last='Moon']. That said as I expect an experienced Central group to handle Bellevue in the opener..   Central Catholic 31 Bellevue 18         West Linn OR @ Lake Stevens WA       What makes this interesting to me is that it's a week 4 game after the Lions play Sheldon, Jesuit, and Tualatin. Overall, I really don't think it's going to matter as West Linn is just that good. As everyone knows they thumped state champion Lake Stevens at home last year 45-6.    I see this being a similar type of contest with the Lions potentially being a nationally ranked program. Something incredibly rare in the state of Oregon.    West Linn 48 Lake Stevens 14         Mililani HI @ Sheldon OR       This obviously isn't an Oregon vs Washington game, but it has real significance with the kids out of Hawaii being an impressive group.    Sheldon returns after losing in last years 6A state title game 23-14 to West Linn. The Irish graduate one of their most impressive classes ever as they will be young and somewhat inexperienced.    Mililani played a legit schedule last year, losing to the #1 team in the nation in Mater Dei and another top Cali team in Mission Viejo. This will be their 3rd game of the year, with it being Sheldon's 1st which will also be a huge advantage.    Who really knows but give me the Islanders by a couple scores..   Mililani 37 Sheldon 24