West Linn Lions football preview: Defense

After winning two of the past three Oregon 6A state titles, the West Linn Lions are once again among the favorites to take home the crown.   But while there's several key familiar faces returning, there's also been some major turnover on the roster.   Out of its 22 starters, 11 were first-team all-league selections as seniors last year, meaning there's a tremendous amount of talent to replace.   There's also a good deal of budding athleticism waiting in the wings.   Here's a look at the new-look, talented West Linn defense:    <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/west-linn-lions-football-preview-offense/">West Linn Lions football preview: Offense</a>   Defensive line   Dynamic duo Brett Ronson and Gunnar Huffman are gone, but West Linn coach Jon Eagle believes in the depth of his defensive line.   The quartet of Avery Ducsik, Grady Coyle, [player_tooltip player_id='1660158' first='Mason' last='Perkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1529840' first='James' last='Johnstone'] gives the Lions a talented foundation.   Perkins is the most celebrated of the group currently - with an honorable mention all-league nod to his name.    While it's not the strength of the defense, the D-line should still be an exceptional group.   “To be honest with you, our front is going to be very good - and they have depth,” Eagle said. “Linebackers have proven themselves, but are going to be tested early with some tough games. And our secondary is our strength.”    West Linn runs a 3-4 front, but that doesn't mean they have to have a big body in the middle to stuff the run.   Expect personnel to shift and change to match their opponents in the star-studded Three Rivers League.    “I think we'll change week-by-week up front depending on what we see,” Eagle said. “Some guys like a big guy that requires a double team, and some teams want a quicker guy that the center can't block. Our guys are pretty good at tweaking things week-to-week to make it work.”    Linebacker    Will Ingle and Hudson Hardy are gone, but there's a lot of athleticism among the returning group.    [player_tooltip player_id='769921' first='Silas' last='Reynolds'] is a returning starter and has sky-high potential, but has battled injuries throughout his career.   A healthy season could lead to a first-team all-state-caliber season. He has as much upside as any player on the roster not named "Molden."   “He looks the part,” Eagle said.   Paul Johnstone and Caden Seymour are battling for the other outside spot, but both have flashed serious promise and either could be a break-out performer in fall camp.   “(Johnstone) is getting some reps at receiver, but he's battling for the starting outside linebacker position along with Cayden Seymour,” Eagle said. “Those two guys are both juniors.”    A trio of talented players will get time at inside linebacker.    Zach Vandenbrink, who is returning from a season-ending injury last year, flashed the potential to be a first-team all-league performer, but will have to shake off any potential rust.    [player_tooltip player_id='937084' first='Gavin' last='Thaut'] will look to play both ways as a tight end and inside linebacker and is likely to contribute on both sides of the ball on a regular basis.    [player_tooltip player_id='1234610' first='Cole' last='Dickson'] returns after a second-team all-league season. If he can build on last year's late emergence, he could be in line for a first-team nod.    “We lost both starting linebackers to season-ending injuries toward the end of the season,” Eagle said. “It's not exactly confidence-boosting to lose two inside linebacker and know there's a good chance you're going to play Lake Oswego and LaMarcus Bell in the final. [player_tooltip player_id='1234610' first='Cole' last='Dickson'] stepped up and had a pick and played amazing in that game.”   “Those three guys are really looking good at inside linebacker,” Eagle said.    Defensive back   West Linn's secondary might be the best in the state, and the group features arguably the best cornerback Oregon has seen in years.    “It's led by [player_tooltip player_id='632957' first='Josiah' last='Molden'], and we've really challenged him to be more of a leader. Offensively and leadership-role, he's grown,” Eagle said. “Sometimes kids, at that age, have a hard time getting on an airplane, getting offered by Ohio State and Notre Dame and then keeping their head screwed on straight. They aren't adults. They're kids. And he's done a remarkable job in those circumstances of staying focused and remaining humble.”    Molden, an All-American talent, has a chance to earn Oregon's Gatorade Player of the Year Award as he continues to be a lockdown corner - with an expanding offensive role.    The class of 2027 defensive back could flirt with five-star status as a recruit before his career is over.    After graduating all-league corner Xavier Harris, Kenny Ritchie, [player_tooltip player_id='1121755' first='Tyson' last='Donnerberg'] and [player_tooltip player_id='914291' first='MJ' last='Kennybrew'] are all in the mix opposite Molden.   That's not a bad problem to have, as all three are quality players who will be called upon in big moments.    “(Ritchie) got in during the championship game and played, then you've got [player_tooltip player_id='1121755' first='Tyson' last='Donnerberg'], who is a taller corner and looks pretty good,” Eagle said. “Same with Kennybrew. He's a bigger corner. Those four guys are going battle it out - and we'll play them all. We play so much man that they do a lot of running, so we'll rotate a lot of guys.”    Nour Ali is another player to watch - even with a loaded top four at the position.   “He's looked very good,” Eagle said.   At safety, it's more of the same - a loaded group of great athletes.   Junior [player_tooltip player_id='937113' first='Shane' last='Peters'] is the headliner.    The junior was a second-team all-league safety a season ago and looks to have made the leap.    An all-state honor is not out of the question.    Two-way standouts [player_tooltip player_id='1121756' first='Ashden' last='Marquis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1609758' first='Jake' last='Hamper'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1609760' first='Luke' last='Cutting'] are also expected to receive prominent time at a safety spot - with Jacob Korach as yet another player who could step up.    “He does a pretty good job at safety,” Eagle said.    While there's a lot of fluidity left on the depth chart, that may not be an issue for West Linn.   The school is loaded with athletes and the Lions may spend the early part of fall finding the best blend of their talents to maximize output.   And with so many options, it feels like a near-certainty West Linn is going to have an exhaustive blend of playmakers on both sides of the bal this fall.

After winning two of the past three Oregon 6A state titles, the West Linn Lions are once again among the favorites to take home the crown.