Oregon 6A Semifinal Preview/Point Spreads + Analysis
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#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…
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Continue Reading#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 Baird Gilroy Baird Gilroy 6'5" | 215 lbs | QB West Linn | 2025 State OR 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 Cru Newman Cru Newman 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Central Catholic | 2024 State OR 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.
Gus Donnerberg Gus Donnerberg 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE West Linn | 2024 State OR has had an unreal season and is a 6A POY candidate, with brother Wiley Donnerberg Wiley Donnerberg 6'4" | 200 lbs | ATH West Linn | 2024 State OR returning from injury. Whoever is calling shots in the Idaho Vandals recruiting department deserves a raise.
As referenced numerous times Hunter Haines Hunter Haines 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB West Linn | 2024 State OR is currently the favorite for state Defensive POY honors. He has been playing out of his mind for most of the season, with OLB Hudson Reink Hudson Reink 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB West Linn | 2024 State OR 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 Zac Stascausky Zac Stascausky 6'5" | 270 lbs | OL Central Catholic | 2025 State OR , and 2-way 1st team all-state lineman Matix Carpenter Matix Carpenter 6'2" | 270 lbs | DL Central Catholic | 2024 State OR leading. West Linn has been equally dominant with top ranked 2025’s Baron Naone Baron Naone 6'4" | 225 lbs | TE West Linn | 2025 State OR (Oregon St commit) and Jake Normoyle Jake Normoyle 6'4" | 295 lbs | OL West Linn | 2025 State OR 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 Keaten Fried Keaten Fried 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Sherwood | 2024 State OR has been leading the D with Jr. LB/RB Treyson Eddleman Treyson Eddleman 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB Lakeridge | 2025 State OR 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 Evan Morris Evan Morris 6'3" | 185 lbs | DB Sherwood | 2024 State OR has had a 1st team all-state season on both sides of the ball, with 1st team all-conference corners Jaylan Moore Jaylan Moore 5'9" | 160 lbs | DB Sherwood | 2024 State OR and Ojani Gray Ojani Gray 5'9" | 165 lbs | DB Sherwood | 2024 State OR both deserving of recognition.
Tualatin is a different animal and will be a unique test for the Bowmen. TRL Co-Defensive POY Jayden Fortier Jayden Fortier 6'5" | 220 lbs | TE Tualatin | 2024 State OR is the state’s #1 recruit and having an MVP type season. Colorado St commit AJ Noland AJ Noland 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Tualatin | 2024 State OR continues to thrive at whatever position he plays, moving back to the WR spot with a healthy Nolan Keeney Nolan Keeney 6'4" | 205 lbs | QB Tualatin | 2025 State OR 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 Kasen Covert Kasen Covert 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Sherwood | 2024 State OR 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.