Stock Watch: Nelson Hawks, Sloan Baker rise; Lakeridge tumbles

Week 0 of the Oregon high school football season is in the books, and delivered a few surprises.   While traditional powers West Linn and Lake Oswego rolled, much-hyped - by me - Lakeridge suffered a stunning defeated to a well-coached Nelson team.   Here's a look at whose stock is up and down after the first week of the season:   STOCK UP    Nelson Hawks   Nelson entered the season in the bottom half of the 6A top-10, but but had an intriguing collection of talent.   That group was expected to be tested immediately against presumed state-title contender Lakeridge, who brought back 35 seniors from a quarterfinal team.   Instead, Nelson used three long touchdowns - two by [player_tooltip player_id='1660150' first='Ian' last='Nix'] (66, 81) and one by [player_tooltip player_id='937176' first='Malachi' last='Garlington'] (80) - to pull off the dramatic upset, 26-21.   The Hawks should rise to the middle of the top-10 and are a team to watch going forward.   It was a great win for a well-coached program.    Nelson, you have our attention!    [player_tooltip player_id='1110921' first='Chaz' last='Katoanga'], Nelson (2026)   Admittedly, I didn't attend the Lakeridge-Nelson game, but in connecting with knowledgable folks after the game one name kept coming up.   [player_tooltip player_id='1110921' first='Chaz' last='Katoanga'].   The 6-foot-2, 195-pound athlete looked the part of a Division I athlete and drew praise from everyone I spoke to as a standout player wherever he lined up.   Katoanga holds offers from Air Force, Portland State and some Ivy League schools, and more could be on the way if he continues his ascent.   [player_tooltip player_id='937241' first='Cole' last='Hachmeister'], Tualatin (2027)   The diminutive speedster had over 1,000 all-purpose yards as a sophomore, so he was worth keeping an eye on entering the season and was a player I really wanted to watch out of the gate.   Safe to say it was a good start.   Hachmeister has five touches - 3 carries, 2 receptions - and delivered 130 yards and two scores.   The speed is translating, and Hachmeister is in for a big year.   [player_tooltip player_id='936920' first='Jasiah' last='Agnimel'], Lake Oswego (2027)   The 6-foot-3, 205-pound pass-catcher started to earn significant buzz during the spring and summer camp circuit.   But that' different than how you preform in pads.   Safe to say Agnimel's talent translates.   In his first game at Lake Oswego, the talented pass-catcher had three receptions for 75 yards and a score.   He looks like a Power-4 wide receiver, and if I were the Oregon State Beavers I'd make him a priority in the 2027 class.   [player_tooltip player_id='937233' first='Sloan' last='Baker'], West Linn (2027)   West Linn was breaking in a lot of new starters in its season opener, as 11 first-team all-league players departed to graduation last year.   At quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='937233' first='Sloan' last='Baker'] was tasked with leading the charge.   And he delivered.   Baker completed 19-of-22 passes for 318 yards and four touchdowns with an additional 84 yards on the ground.   The showing was impressive enough that he's immediately on the radar for all-state recognition.   The Lions look to be in good hands with Baker.    West Linn, Lake Oswego    Guys, I'm sorry.   I picked Lakeridge to win the state title based on elite top-end talent and so many returners.   But West Linn and Lake Oswego are perennial powers for a reason.   Loaded with talent, well-coached and used to the spotlight, both programs did what state title favorites do - beat the brakes off an opponent in a season opener.   For West Linn, it was a 48-21 victory over a solid Kamehameha (Hawaii) squad.   Lake Oswego's dismantled South Medford 40-3 without LaMarcus Bell, who will hit the ground running next week.   Great high school football teams beat good teams.   It's as simple as that.   Kudos - and apologies - to the Lions and Lakers.   Sandy Pioneers   Sandy began its season on the road at Sunset, but looked about as comfortable as you could in a season opener.   The Pioneers picked up a 56-32 win.   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1110922' first='Caden' last='McMahon'] delivered a big performance, carrying the ball 14 times for 97 yards and a score with four catches, 62 yards and another touchdown.   STOCK DOWN   Lakeridge Pacers   Unfortunately, Lakeridge has a reputation for under-performing when the expectations rise.   It's even talked about within the football program and community.   Entering this season, the Pacers were considered one of the true contenders for a state title and had the most loaded roster in the program's modern history.   So, a 26-21 loss to Nelson on Friday was hugely disappointing.   A focus on the run game should elevate the offense, and the defense needs to limit big plays.    It's a long season, and Lakeridge is still the loaded, talented team we expected them to be in preseason.   But they've got to step up, executive and play to their talent level.    I still expect a big year from Lakeridge.   Expect a bounce back.   Clackamas Cavaliers   The 2017 state championship feels like a long time ago.   The Clackamas High School population split in two with Nelson to begin the 2021 school year, and it's been tougher sledding for the Cavaliers football program ever since.   Any time your student body splits, expectations need to be adjusted.   But it was still a bit disappointing to see Clackamas lose to Tualatin 49-14 on the same night rival-area school Nelson upended Lakeridge.   The two programs are just not on the same level.

Week 0 of the Oregon high school football season is in the books, and delivered a few surprises.