West Linn Lions football preview: Offense

After winning their second Oregon 6A state championship in three years last fall, Jon Eagle's West Linn Lions are once again a team-to-beat this fall.   The squad will look quite a bit different for last year's group, but there are some key returning names and faces.   It is noteworthy that West Linn, at times, gives the personnel nod to its defense, which means some of the team's best athletes specialize on D and work in reps on offense.   Still, the offense should be potent.   Here's a position-by-position look at the offense as fall camp grows near:   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/west-linn-lions-football-preview-defense/">West Linn Lions football preview: Defense</a>   Quarterback   Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='937233' first='Sloan' last='Baker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='652600' first='Carson' last='Smiley'] both got significant reps at the junior varsity level last season, but it remains to be seen who will replace graduating star Baird Gilroy.   “We have two kids that are neck-and-neck,” Eagle said. “We don't really know who the starter is.”    “They both can run and have a pretty good handle of what we're trying to do. We got them some pretty good reps and got them some time in JV. They both throw a good long ball and are pretty accurate. We're going to have to make a decision pretty quick because it's hard to get two guys ready.”   JV sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1612591' first='Ethan' last='Peng'] is a "big-time baseball player" with a bright future working his way behind Baker and Smiley.   [player_tooltip player_id='937233' first='Sloan' last='Baker']'s younger brother, Quinn, is a freshman and could be a star down the road.    “He's projecting out as a quarterback/safety. I'm impressed with him with his quarterback skills," freshman coach Jowan Matthews said. "A lot of times when you have a young quarterback, a freshman quarterback you want a guy who isn't afraid to lead. Quinn isn't afraid to lead – even when you're dealing with big personalities like Zane, who is also a quarterback himself. You have to be able to tell another kid, ‘This is what you're thinking, but here's what we've got to do.' Quinn is that kid.”   Running back   Senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='769989' first='Viggo' last='Anderson'] will be in the mix for the Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year Award after earning all-state honors last season.   The 5-foot-8, 170-pound ball-carrier could have a monster season, especially if the Lions work to establish the run game with less-proven quarterbacks at the helm this fall.   “I love Viggo," Eagle said ."Viggo is a really bright kid. What do I need to say about him? He rarely makes a mistake. If he does, he knows it immediately. You've only got to tell him once. He's easy to coach and has a smile every day. He catches the ball well and is as good as anyone out there et making people miss.”   Cole Ferguson and two juniors, Gabe DeMarco and Jaydon Puni, will also rotate in and spell Anderson.   All three have potential to make big plays this fall, and are emerging talents in the program.   Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1609659' first='Cohen' last='Bissell'] scored roughly "80 percent of the touchdowns" on the freshman team last year and has a bright future when his time comes.   “He's going to be really good,” Eagle said.    Wide receiver   “This is as deep a group as we've had,” Eagle said. “I'm even leaving out some very good kids.”    [player_tooltip player_id='914291' first='MJ' last='Kennybrew'] emerged late last season and should be a key piece of the offense this year.   The 6-foot-1, 180-pound pass-catcher will likely be a go-to option within the offense and has all-state upside.   Two juniors are battling for the frequently-used slot position: Kenny Ritchie and [player_tooltip player_id='1121756' first='Ashden' last='Marquis']. Both players have eye-opening play-making ability and could maximize their touches in a celebrated offensive role within the West Linn program.   [player_tooltip player_id='632957' first='Josiah' last='Molden'], an All-American cornerback, has seen an uptick in his usage on offense, which could be a devastating development for the rest of the state.   Molden, already one of the most heavily-recruited players in state history, will be electric with the ball in his hands.   “This year I challenged him a little bit," Eagle said. "In 10 personnel, he is playing tight end - he'll block sometimes, but he's more like a slot receiver."   That's just not fair.   Junior [player_tooltip player_id='937113' first='Shane' last='Peters'], the younger brother of Cole Peters, has been a defensive standout early in his high school career, but is likely to get key touches sprinkled into that work this fall.   “Great people,” Eagle said. “Great family. And he's as good at making people miss as Viggo.”    A couple of starting linebackers, [player_tooltip player_id='769921' first='Silas' last='Reynolds'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1234610' first='Cole' last='Dickson'], will rotate in as well and [player_tooltip player_id='1121755' first='Tyson' last='Donnerberg'] expects to be featured some this year.   “He's going to make a lot of noise," Eagle said. "He's really starting to come on and could potentially start at cornerback. I'm not a big 7-on-7 guy, but pretend football.. he's pretty good at it.”   Following a breakout offseason, Donnerberg could continue that when the pads come on.   Two sophomores who could be “very, very good” down the road are [player_tooltip player_id='1609758' first='Jake' last='Hamper'] - Mark Hamper's younger brother - and [player_tooltip player_id='1609760' first='Luke' last='Cutting'].   “Luke will battle for the starting position at safety," Eagle said. "He's as athletic as I've seen around there. He's going to be a good one.”    Tight end   Zach Vandenbrink was a starting linebacker before suffering a season-ending injury.   He will return and primarily focus on the defensive side of the ball to start, but has potential to shine as he grows more comfortable physically in his return from injury.   [player_tooltip player_id='937084' first='Gavin' last='Thaut'] is another player who will see plenty of action this fall.   Senior Avery Ducsik is the big name to watch, however, as he is already generated some late college buzz with his impressive frame.   “He's battling to start along the D-line. He's a great college prospect,” Eagle said. “He's about 6-foot-5, 210. He's just coming on. We moved him from linebacker to D-line and he's going to be playing some tight end.”    Offensive line   The group with the most questions coming in, West Linn's stellar offensive line from a season ago looks very different heading into the fall.   “It's built around Kalani Iaopo," Eagle said. "He's a big-time player. And we've got junior Grady Hall at center. He got some varsity reps last year.”    Center Grady Hall played some key varsity reps last season and Xander Mishkin, a West Linn-area student who returns after a stint at Central Catholic, will play left tackle.   “He projects as an interior lineman in college, but he'll be a left tackle and he's going to jump on that," Eagle said.   Mishkin has a bright future and is a likely college prospect. His return, especially for a group with some questions, is huge for the Lions.   Kaden Fodor and Isaiah Trevino, who moved from California, likely round out the "starting five," although that group is not yet set in stone.   A handful of West Linn's star defensive linemen could also switch sides of the ball in times of need to bolster the group and provide key depth.

After winning their second Oregon 6A state championship in three years last fall, Jon Eagle's West Linn Lions are once again a team-to-beat this fall.