Oregon 6A Open State Championship Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The stage is set for Oregon's 6A state championship, and two familiar powerhouses are ready to battle it out for the ultimate prize. The Lake Oswego Lakers and the West Linn Lions, two of the state's premier programs, will clash for the state title on Friday, 11/29, at 12:30 pm. Both teams have blazed through the playoffs, showcasing elite talent, disciplined coaching, and a drive to win. The rivalry adds an extra layer of intrigue, with Lake Oswego looking to reclaim championship glory and West Linn aiming to solidify their dominance. In this preview, we'll break down the key matchups, highlight the players to watch, and explore what each team needs to do to become the state champion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 Lake Oswego Lakers (11-0):</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lake Oswego Lakers enter the 6A state championship with one goal: lean on their dominant ground game and stifling defense to capture the title. Leading the charge offensively is running back [player_tooltip player_id='402416' first='Lamarcus' last='Bell'], who put on a legendary performance in the semifinals against Central Catholic, racking up 262 rushing yards, 58 receiving yards, and four total touchdowns. Bell's explosiveness will be key for the Lakers, and their offensive line—featuring first-team All-Three Rivers League selections [player_tooltip player_id='1566192' first='Jagar' last='Shean'], [player_tooltip player_id='1525155' first='Jaden' last='Moore'], and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1567697' first='Noah' last='Uecker']</strong>—must pave the way early and often.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='402409' first='Hudson' last='Kurland'] has had a solid season as a first-year starter, the Lakers' best chance for victory comes from keeping the ball on the ground and controlling the clock. If the game shifts to relying on Kurland to consistently make big plays, the Lakers could find themselves in trouble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Lake Oswego boasts one of the most formidable units in the state, led by Three Rivers League Defensive Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='285881' first='Lusiano' last='Lopez']. Supported by a talented cast, including [player_tooltip player_id='285866' first='Liam' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1234612' first='Jalen' last='Bauman'], <strong>Riley Van Deusen</strong>, and [player_tooltip player_id='285849' first='Oliver' last='Macy'], the Lakers' defense has shown they can take away top playmakers, as evidenced by their earlier 21-17 victory over West Linn. If any team can neutralize the Lions' offensive firepower, it's Lake Oswego.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2 West Linn Lions (10-1):</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The West Linn Lions come into their third straight state championship appearance with a wealth of experience and the confidence of a battle-tested program. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='406774' first='Baird' last='Gilroy'], who started in last year's title game, leads an offense loaded with talent and playoff experience. With playmakers like tight end [player_tooltip player_id='285855' first='Baron' last='Naone'], wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='285868' first='Danny' last='Wideman'], and running back [player_tooltip player_id='769989' first='Viggo' last='Anderson'], the Lions have no shortage of options to attack Lake Oswego's stout defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions' offensive line, anchored by Oregon State commit [player_tooltip player_id='406756' first='Jake' last='Normoyle'], will be pivotal in giving Gilroy the time to showcase why he was named first-team All-Three Rivers League. Their ability to spread the ball around and take an early lead will be crucial. They'll have a significant advantage if West Linn can force Lake Oswego out of their run-first comfort zone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, the Lions boast one of the best cornerback duos in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='632957' first='Josiah' last='Molden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='904354' first='Xavier' last='Harris']. Their ability to shut down the passing game puts pressure on Lake Oswego to rely even more on Bell and the running attack. If West Linn can slow Bell and make the Lakers one-dimensional, their chances of repeating as state champions look strong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With two powerhouse teams and a storied rivalry, this year's 6A state championship promises to be a thrilling clash of styles and talent. Will Lake Oswego's ground game and defense reign supreme, or will West Linn's experience and dynamic playmakers lead them to another championship? The answer will unfold in what's sure to be an unforgettable game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->