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<p>The race for the Oregon 6A football state championship should be a compelling one this season.</p>
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<p>Four teams will begin the season as the most likely contenders — the West Linn Lions, Lake Oswego Lakers, Central Catholic Rams and Lakeridge Pacers. </p>
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<p>For Lakeridge, this is “the year.”</p>
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<p>The Pacers have 35 seniors on the roster and have serious talent at every position.</p>
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<p>Here's a look a the Lakeridge offense:</p>
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<p><em>Part 2: "Lakeridge defense and up-and-coming stars," will be released soon</em></p>
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<p><strong>Quarterback</strong></p>
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<p>It is widely believed that Lake Oswego's [player_tooltip player_id='402409' first='Hudson' last='Kurland'] (Washington State) and Mountainside's [player_tooltip player_id='1232699' first='Cade' last='Mitchell'] (New Mexico) are the top senior quarterback prospects in the state.</p>
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<p>But Lakeridge's [player_tooltip player_id='284120' first='Drew' last='Weiler'] also belongs in that discussion.</p>
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<p>“He's huge now - 6-foot-4, 215 (pounds). He's gotten faster, bigger and stronger,” Lakeridge coach Spencer Phillips said. “I'm biased, but I think there are three quarterbacks in the state right now that are Division I level. I think our kid is in that group. He's a true leader.” </p>
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<p>The back-up, senior Styles Simpson, is a more-than-capable passer in his own right.</p>
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<p>“He had multiple game in JV for us last year where he threw five or more touchdowns,” Phillips said. “He's a great kid, great leader. He's a wrestler. He's just in a tough spot behind Drew.” </p>
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<p>Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1752112' first='Carson' last='Pickens'] may not have a huge role this season as a passer, but could be special down the road.</p>
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<p>“I'm really excited about him,” Phillips said. “He's a little bit smaller than Drew. He's a really good basketball player and he's the guy after this class that is ‘next up.' He's way more mobile and is exciting. He's a great kid.” </p>
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<p><strong>Running back</strong></p>
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<p>After battling through a hamstring injury last season, Washington Huskies commit and senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='284119' first='Ansu' last='Sanoe'] is fully healthy this season.</p>
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<p>That could be trouble fore the rest of the state, as the bruising 6-foot-1, 235-pound ball-carrier has deceptive speed and could put up big numbers this fall. </p>
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<p>“He's had a super great offseason - bigger, faster, stronger - and is dedicated in the weight room,” Phillips said. “He loves his teammates and for other people to succeed. You have kids that are so talented and then also such genuinely good people. That's Ansu.” </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='936893' first='Easton' last='Lawson'] and Korbin Taft will spell Sanoe.</p>
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<p>Lawson is a hard-nosed, shifty ball-carrier, while Taft is a battering ram who punishes would-be tacklers. </p>
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<p>Both should make key plays this fall. </p>
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<p><strong>Wide receivers</strong></p>
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<p>Lakeridge is particularly loaded at wide receiver and linebacker.</p>
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<p>Jaden Tragesser and [player_tooltip player_id='402418' first='Marcus' last='Post'], a four-year varsity performer, are both returning all-league players, while [player_tooltip player_id='284122' first='Turner' last='Tropio'] is a dangerous slot.</p>
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<p>“We're looking for Jaden to have another dynamic year. He's a special athlete,” Phillips said. “Post will end up playing safety in college, but he can do everything - from running back to slot to single receiver to defensive back. One of my favorite players I'll have ever coached. He's so smart, like a coach on the field. He's at the core of what we do.” </p>
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<p>Tropio has been a late bloomer.</p>
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<p>“He had like six catches in the West Linn game and that was his coming out," Phillips said. "He had three touchdowns against Oregon City. He's great because he's such an overqualified No. 3. He's good enough to be a one or two, but he plays behind Jaden and Marcus, so he gets the ball out of the slot a lot.” </p>
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<p>Hudson Armerding, a multi-sport athlete, is a player who could explode onto the scene sooner rather than later - and has high upside. </p>
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<p>“He's a freshman, gonna be a sophomore. He's 6-foot-3 and fast as heck. He gives me flashes of [USC Trojans tight end] Joey Olsen. There are times when we come off the field and say, ‘Holy crap, that's our guy.' ” </p>
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<p>Jackson Hoevett has worked hard in the past couple of years and is poised to take on a bigger role this season.</p>
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<p>The savvy route-runner is also a cerebral defensive back who should provide a burst on both sides of the ball. </p>
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<p>Class of 2027 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='845242' first='Sean' last='Bour-Nelson'], a transfer from Mountainside, has quickly picked up Lakeridge's scheme and should see increased opportunities as he grows increasingly comfortable with the Pacers play.</p>
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<p>He has star potential.</p>
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<p>“Sean picked up our offensive and defensive schemes quickly and showed why he should have been playing early as a sophomore last year,” Phillips said. “His natural understanding of the game is incredible and he applies it to the field. He is very coachable and a great young man - his demeanor and character instantly made our team better when he decided to transfer. We are very lucky to have him on our team.” </p>
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<p><strong>Tight end</strong> </p>
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<p>Lakeridge rotates a slew of talented players at tight end, including five standout linebackers.</p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='769915' first='Noah' last='Tishendorf'], Kilian Eddleman, [player_tooltip player_id='769991' first='Yahkyll' last='Noil'], Cooper Swygard and [player_tooltip player_id='402414' first='Kalani' last='Messenger'] all do different things and will all see time at the tight end spot.</p>
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<p>Those names make up one of the most special front-seven cores in Oregon high school football. </p>
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<p>“It's such a special group,” Phillips said. “I'm so excited to see those guys this fall.” </p>
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<p><strong>Offensive line</strong></p>
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<p>Lakeridge boasts one of the state's best offensive lines.</p>
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<p>Offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='402412' first='Joe' last='Weiler'] has a handful of Division I offers and is a special player in the program. </p>
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<p>“He is a great teammate and is one of our senior leaders,” Phillips said. </p>
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<p>6-foot-7, 315-pound monster [player_tooltip player_id='914288' first='Carter' last='Paul'], an Idaho commit, lines up on the other side.</p>
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<p>He has immense upside and might prove to be a steal for the Vandals. </p>
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<p>Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1752104' first='Wyatt' last='Rose'] started as a freshman last year and has taken a big leap this offseason.</p>
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<p>He will be a standout on both sides of the ball and helps solidify the interior. </p>
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<p>Coming over from Lincoln High School is [player_tooltip player_id='1341235' first='Jaxon' last='Barber'], who has been a remarkable addition for the Pacers. </p>
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<p>Barber is expected to play center this year and solidify the heart of the O-line. </p>
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<p>"He is quick, smart, and very coachable,” Phillips said. “More importantly, he is tough and loves contact. He will be playing center for us this year and has potential to be a highly recruitable player.”</p>
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<p>Another transfer, [player_tooltip player_id='1591972' first='LJ' last='Kyle'] (South Albany),will be a punishing run blocker this year and should pave the way for some big Sanoe games.</p>
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<p>“His presence on both sides of the line is going to be tough for opposing teams to deal with.” Phillips said. “He is physical at the point of contact and loves contact.” </p>
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The race for the Oregon 6A football state championship should be a compelling one this season.
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