Oregon 6A Semifinal Preview/Point Spreads + Analysis

#2 Central Catholic vs #1 West Linn   (WL -12.5)       One of the biggest games in Oregon HS football history with both teams ranking among the best to ever rep the state. Both programs feature some of the top underclassmen in the NW as we could see this matchup multiple times in the coming years.    QB play will be crucial with 6-5 Junior [player_tooltip player_id='406774' first='Baird' last='Gilroy'] projecting as a multi offer D1 kid, and passing for close to 3000 yards and 28 TDs/6 INTs on the year. 3x Mt Hood POY [player_tooltip player_id='152354' first='Cru' last='Newman'] will go down as one of Oregon's best QB's ever. He is looking to avenge last year's 32-point loss to the Lions.    Neither team has been challenged all season, dominating everyone including WA state champion Lake Stevens and perennial power Bellevue. Most of the starters haven't played more than a half each game, with West Linn averaging a 47-10 win and CC 52-8 versus opponents.    [player_tooltip player_id='152336' first='Gus' last='Donnerberg'] has had an unreal season and is a 6A POY candidate, with brother [player_tooltip player_id='152337' first='Wiley' last='Donnerberg'] returning from injury. Whoever is calling shots in the Idaho Vandals recruiting department deserves a raise.    As referenced numerous times [player_tooltip player_id='152344' first='Hunter' last='Haines'] is currently the favorite for state Defensive POY honors. He has been playing out of his mind for most of the season, with OLB [player_tooltip player_id='1079319' first='Hudson' last='Reink'] potentially being Oregon's breakout player of the year.    Look for line play to be a key indicator of who comes out on top. Central hasn't been challenged up front with 6-5 270-pound D1 junior prospect [player_tooltip player_id='406759' first='Zac' last='Stascausky'], and 2-way 1st team all-state lineman [player_tooltip player_id='206848' first='Matix' last='Carpenter'] leading. West Linn has been equally dominant with top ranked 2025's [player_tooltip player_id='285855' first='Baron' last='Naone'] (Oregon St commit) and [player_tooltip player_id='406756' first='Jake' last='Normoyle'] representing on each side of the ball.    To me the #1 factor in tomorrow's outcome comes with the Lions D. There have been very few teams, if any, with a bigger and faster group of athletes on the field. If their top guys play for 48 minutes most opponents will not score. Regardless, expect one of the best games ever played.          #4 Sherwood vs #3 Tualatin  (Tual -1)        As good at the West Linn/CC game will likely be, this should be equally entertaining. Undefeated Sherwood comes into the semis with a record-breaking defense, which has pitched eight shutouts on the year, beating teams by an average margin of 44-3. In the last 10 weeks Sherwood has only allowed 15 points. One of the most impressive team stats that I can recall.    An interesting look at Sherwood and Tualatin's common TRL opponents and you see some interesting data. When referencing the last two weeks, the Bowmen have outscored Oregon City and Tigard 74-8. Tualatin beat those same two schools by a score of 73-33.    2x Pacific Conference POY [player_tooltip player_id='278441' first='Keaten' last='Fried'] has been leading the D with Jr. LB/RB [player_tooltip player_id='766200' first='Treyson' last='Eddleman'] looking like one of the fastest rising recruits in Oregon for his class. He went off last week against Tigard carrying the ball 11 times for 185 yards and 4TDs, while also making 10 tackles on defense.   6-3 Safety/WR [player_tooltip player_id='511301' first='Evan' last='Morris'] has had a 1st team all-state season on both sides of the ball, with 1st team all-conference corners [player_tooltip player_id='152351' first='Jaylan' last='Moore'] and [player_tooltip player_id='817668' first='Ojani' last='Gray'] both deserving of recognition.   Tualatin is a different animal and will be a unique test for the Bowmen. TRL Co-Defensive POY [player_tooltip player_id='152339' first='Jayden' last='Fortier'] is the state's #1 recruit and having an MVP type season. Colorado St commit [player_tooltip player_id='152355' first='AJ' last='Noland'] continues to thrive at whatever position he plays, moving back to the WR spot with a healthy [player_tooltip player_id='285857' first='Nolan' last='Keeney'] at QB. Expect Sherwood to try and make someone other than these two beat them.    The T-Wolves will score points on Sherwood, but it won't be nearly what they are accustomed to, so expect a low scoring game and overall defensive battle. With Eddleman averaging 16.8 yards per carry last week against a relatively good Tigard D, expect Conference POY [player_tooltip player_id='278398' first='Kasen' last='Covert'] to lean on his run game, and help set up the passing attack.    Tualatin dominated a decent Nelson team last week and looks like a legit title contender, but this Sherwood team is special. The T-Wolves will have to prove early they can put some points on the board, with basically no one able to do so yet.