Oregon’s Top HS Teams Ever (Ranked #1-10)
Criteria for this list includes.. Teams from 1980 on are the only ones considered. I figured I had to be alive in order to evaluate. Only state champions will be a part of the list. This year’s West Linn team…
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Continue ReadingCriteria for this list includes..
Teams from 1980 on are the only ones considered. I figured I had to be alive in order to evaluate.
Only state champions will be a part of the list. This year’s West Linn team would rank in the top 10 but this stipulation keeps them out.
1.Roseburg 1996 (14-0)
Those who watched this group remember the dominance. The Indians went 28-0 over two seasons, with back to back 14-0 campaigns, highlighted by a USA Today National Ranking and multiple All Americans.
QB/S Jake Cookus, TE/DE Mark Walsh, and T Chris Gibson all went on to successful careers at Oregon St, playing on the Fiesta Bowl team that crushed Notre Dame. The Roseburg defense was also led by the likes of 1996 Oregon POY Sandon Duncan and elite FB/LB Brad Loomis.
2.Jesuit 2006 (12-0)
Many at the time considered this Oregon’s best team ever, with the Crusaders winning back-to-back titles and 26 straight games in dominant fashion. Jesuit finished ranked the #15 team in America, the highest national ranking ever for an Oregon team. They beat Southridge 56-7 in the Championship.
They went 6-4 across the board on the line, with RB’s Paul Weatheroy (Air Force) and Ralphiel Lambert (Boise St) breaking records.
No one will forget FB/LB Owen Marecic who went on to star at (Stanford) before moving on to the NFL (Cleveland, San Francisco)
3.West Linn 2016 (14-0)
3x Gatorade POY Tim Tawa shattered multiple state records, on his way to helping the Lions destroy Central Catholic 62-7 in the title game. Tawa is playing minor league ball in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization to put his overall athleticism into perspective.
Add to that one of the state’s best players ever in Elijah Molden (Tennessee Titans) and a line led by Alex Forsyth (Denver Broncos) and no one had a chance.
All-time great Duck/Atlanta Falcons QB Chris Miller is also one of the best HS coaches ever to rep the state. He led this group.
4.Central Catholic 2014 (13-1)
The Rams won back-to-back titles in 2013 & 14′ with Rose Bowl MVP Brady Breeze (Oregon/Houston Texans), Lamar Winston Jr. (Oregon), and future (Stanford/Titans & Seahawks) standout Cameron Scarlett leading on both sides of the ball. The 49-0 State Championship win over Tigard was a beatdown. Their only loss was to the nation’s #1 ranked team at the time in St John Bosco.
CC’s dominance started up front with one of the best lines ever put together. TJ Salu (Navy), 6-5 Riley Gallant (UC Davis), 6-6 Blake Brandel (Oregon St), and 6-7 Travis Mackay (Oregon St) had their way with people.
5.Central Catholic 2013 (14-0)
A very similar team to 2014 and maybe just as good. Former Oregon St standout and NFL vet Ryan Nall teamed with Jr. RB Cameron Scarlett to show the people of Oregon what two NFL backs look like playing HS ball. I personally did the color commentary when they combined for 676 rushing yards and 9 TDs in the 83-49 semifinal victory over Tigard.
CC had the same line from the year prior which went 6-5, 6-6, 6-7 across the board + future Arizona St lineman Connor Humphries. They beat an extremely talented Jesuit squad in the title game 38-28 which featured (Pittsburgh Steelers/Jacksonville Jaguars) DT Henry Mondeaux & all everything LB Joey Alfieri (Stanford).
6.Central Catholic 2023 (14-0)
This year’s CC team to me was easily one of the best ever, led by 3x Mt Hood POY Cru Newman Cru Newman 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Central Catholic | 2024 State OR who finished his career with 132 total TD’s & 10 INTs.
They don’t necessarily have the big names yet because things haven’t played out, as it relates to college and the NFL. That said as both Central Catholic and West Linn dominated the state of Washington perennial powers and state champions. Something that carries a lot of weight with no other Oregon teams ever able to do so.
7.West Linn 2022 (12-1)
With the 2023 Lions losing 12-7 to CC a few weeks ago, it became more of a reality how good this State Championship West Linn team was. They lost their opener to Sheldon 34-31 but went on to absolutely dominate the state. This included a 45-6 pasting of Washington 4A champion Lake Stevens.
Current Michigan St QB Sam Leavitt and Idaho WR Mark Hamper were that good. Leavitt started as a freshman in the Big Ten and Hamper might end up being the Big Sky POY in the years ahead. This team also returned the favor to Sheldon in the state title game, winning 23-9.
8.Sheldon 2012 (14-0)
It’s tough to choose between the four-state championship Irish teams of the 2000’s. Connor Strahm (Montana) was the State’s POY, with QB Taylor Alie (Oregon) having a monster year.
A young freshman named Justin Herbert (Oregon/San Diego Chargers) was part of the team with his brother Mitch Herbert (Montana St) going on to kill it in the Big Sky. Sheldon won the title game against an extremely talented Lake Oswego team 13-6.
9.Jesuit 2000 (14-0)
One of Oregon’s best players ever, Mike Haas (Oregon St/ 4 NFL teams), helped the Crusaders to their first of four state championships under Ken Potter. Haas went off in one of the state’s most memorable games, scoring 7 TDs (5 receiving, 1 INT, 1 Fumble Ret) in a quarterfinal win over then #1 Central Catholic. He finished as Oregon’s POY with 28 touchdowns.
Many will remember RB DJ Jackson as well who is widely considered one of the best backs ever to come out of the state. Jesuit beat North Medford 38-28 in the title game.
10.Lake Oswego 2011 (14-0)
There wasn’t a big time NFL guy on this team, but they were almost all collegiate level athletes. Numerous FCS type guys helped the Lakers pummel a good Sheldon team 47-14 in the title game.
Stevie Coury, Zach Walen, and POY Steven Long all went on to play at Portland St with talented Oregon St baseball player Jack Anderson playing a big role as well.
Honorable Mention:
McNary 1997, Lakeridge 1987, Glencoe 1994, Sheldon 2009, Ashland 1991, Southridge 2008, Aloha 2010