Lake Oswego Lakers have state title potential: Defense preview

A year after losing in the 6A state championship game, the Lake Oswego Lakers return the majority of their offensive firepower.   But they lose a good deal of talent in the trenches and on the defensive side of the ball.   Still, Lake Oswego is a deep program will plenty of able bodies ready to step up and push the Lakers toward title contention.   Here's a look at the defense (<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/lake-oswego-lakers-have-state-title-potential-offense-preview/">OFFENSIVE - PREVIEW</a>):   Defensive line   Perhaps the toughest duo to replace from last year are trench warriors Oliver Macy and Lusiano Lopez.   “Those guys were really special," Lake Oswego coach Steve Coury said. "Lusiano was a great player.”   Replacing their production is unlikely to come from one player, but rather a talented, hungry collection of athletes.   Offseason breakout star [player_tooltip player_id='1246545' first='Josh' last='Christensen'] has a chance to prove it in pads this fall.   If his spring and summer showings can be replicated, he'll be a force in the Three Rivers League.   Christensen was the Session 2 MVP of the Northwest Showcase - a loaded session in a big-time event - and put himself on firmly on the map.   "Josh a big kid and he's coming around," Coury said.   [player_tooltip player_id='1525160' first='Jackson' last='Graetz'] returns and adds a veteran presence to the group, while Aiden Soraghan is another player who could step up.   In general, there is still some depth chart questions to sort out, but the nucleus is made up of players eager to make an impact on Friday night .   That group, a little like the offensive line... we've got good candidates, hard-working kids and we'll be fine once we get going," Coury said.   Linebacker   Former Mountainside two-way all-state player [player_tooltip player_id='457009' first='Sam' last='Vyhlidal'] makes the move over to Lake Oswego and will be a Gatorade Player of the Year candidate.   The Washington commit is a dominant force on both sides of the ball and brings a necessary level of physically to the front seven.   Harrison Rabb, [player_tooltip player_id='937338' first='Cash' last='Wilks'] and Ethan Uecker are all experienced pieces of the puzzle returning and should make impact plays.   All three can be counted on to play good assignment football.   "Those guys are going to be really solid," Coury said.   Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1613644' first='Presley' last='DeLance'], a budding prospect, is another name to watch.   While he is unlikely to make a massive splash on Day 1, he could develop into a key two-way player by season's end.   Defensive back   Like the defensive line, the defensive backfield is a rebuilding group, but it's one with a good deal of potential.   [player_tooltip player_id='1234612' first='Jalen' last='Bauman'] returns as perhaps the leader of the crew, as he brings NFL pedigree and elite track speed to the back end of the defense.    “Jalen is a really good,” Coury said. “He's got great speed and his dad was in the NFL.”   Sawyer Best, Ethan Cvitash, Mack Ryan and Keylan Chand are also emerging as key components.   While things still remain unsettled, Coury believes that nucleus will develop into a stingy secondary.    “When we settle in on guys I think we'll be a good group,” he said.    Overview   The defensive line and defensive backfield are largely unproven groups, but the Lake Oswego staff has been encouraged by what they've seen from those layers of the defense so far.   Each group could develop into a sturdy crew once they get some game reps under their belts.   The linebacker group is the most veteran on the defense, and brings both stability and star power on that side of the football.   If this group can come together quickly, Lake Oswego is not only a state title contender, but perhaps one of the favorites.

A year after losing in the 6A state championship game, the Lake Oswego Lakers return the majority of their offensive firepower.