West Linn-Lake Oswego: Position-by-position advantages (offense)

The No. 1 Lake Oswego Lakers (6-0) and No. 2 West Linn Lions (6-0) face off this week in the season's most-anticipated matchup.    Both teams are loaded with high-end talent, elite coaching staffs and come equipped with unbeaten records.   So, where do these teams have an advantage over the other?   Frankly, those edges are minimal, but there are a few.   Here's a look at the position-by-position breakdown of who has the edge among each position group.   Quarterback: Push   Coming into the season it would have been absurd to call this a tie.   Lake Oswego senior [player_tooltip player_id='402409' first='Hudson' last='Kurland'], a Washington State Cougars pledge, is arguably the top 2026 signal-caller in the state.   The cerebral 6-foot-4 dual-threat quarterback has a big arm, the ability to tuck it and run for a first down and the know-how to manage a game in the toughest environments.   But West Linn junior [player_tooltip player_id='937233' first='Sloan' last='Baker'] has been nothing short of spectacular in his first season as the Lions' starter.   Through five games, the dynamic quarterback is completing more than 73 percent of his passes and has thrown for 1,329 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and 2 rushing scores.   These are two of the best signal-callers on the West Coast.   Running back: Push   Get your popcorn ready.   Lake Oswego senior LaMarcus Bell may be banged up, but that opens the door for senior [player_tooltip player_id='1059015' first='Justin' last='Craigwell'].   The 5-foot-11, 205-pound is the most under-recruited offensive playmaker in the state and continues to show that - outside of working alongside Bell - he would be one of the state's best on his own,    Craigwell is a legit FCS-caliber prospect with upside.   If Bell is healthy, it's the best 1-2 punch in the state.   At West Linn, [player_tooltip player_id='769989' first='Viggo' last='Anderson'] is a big play waiting to happen.   There's a reason his nickname is “Big Play VA.”    Anderson is a smart, savvy runner who seems to always maximize his opportunities.    Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1609659' first='Cohen' last='Bissell'] has also been a stellar ball-carrier for the Lions.   Like the Lakers, West Linn has multiple players who can tote the rock.    If Bell is 100 percent healthy, Lake Oswego has an edge, but if he remains banged up, this is a push.   Wide receiver/tight end: Lake Oswego   Lake Oswego's pass-catchers are elite across the board - with at least four players who are likely to generate multiple scholarship offers.   Two-way all-state standout (and Washington Huskies commit) [player_tooltip player_id='457009' first='Sam' last='Vyhlidal'] is the state's best tight end and is arguably the best two-way player in the state.    At receiver, Lake Oswego boasts blazing speedster [player_tooltip player_id='1234612' first='Jalen' last='Bauman'], sure-handed [player_tooltip player_id='1169947' first='Hudson' last='Gasperson'] (San Diego commit) and fast-rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='936920' first='Jasiah' last='Agnimel'].   It's the state's best collection of playmakers.   West Linn is deep at both wide receiver and tight end - with talent rotating in regularly.   [player_tooltip player_id='914291' first='MJ' last='Kennybrew'], [player_tooltip player_id='1121755' first='Tyson' last='Donnerberg'] and All-American cornerback [player_tooltip player_id='632957' first='Josiah' last='Molden'] make for a tough-to-stop trio, while [player_tooltip player_id='1121756' first='Ashden' last='Marquis'], Kenny Ritchie, [player_tooltip player_id='937084' first='Gavin' last='Thaut'] rotate in to provide some “pop.”   All six are quality athletes who would be first-team all-league talents in an expanded role.    In truth, the Lions' collection of pass-catcher is a top-three group in the state and would be a better collection of talent compared to nearly everyone else in the state.   But the Lakers' group is No. 1.    Offensive line: Push   Lake Oswego's offensive line isn't a traditional star-powered group.   The Lakers don't boast a tremendous amount of size, but every one of the starting five packs a punch.    Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1232749' first='Adam' last='Williams'] provides leadership and toughness on the inside, while junior [player_tooltip player_id='1359160' first='Dylan' last='Marquez'] is emerging as a must-see prospect.    It's no accident that Bell and Craigwell are two of the most productive backs in the entire state.   The Lakers O-line opens up big holes for them to run through.   It's a sold - ever-improving group.   West Linn's offensive line is rock-solid.   Transfers [player_tooltip player_id='1110963' first='Aiden' last='Jakubauskas'] (Mountainside) and Xander Mishkin (Central Catholic) are two of the most important transfer additions in the state - and both have all-state ability.   Left guard [player_tooltip player_id='769924' first='Kalani' last='Ioapo'] is the most under-recruited offensive lineman in the Northwest and Isaiah McMurray and Grady Hall provide more-than-enough stability.   It's a talented group of five.

The No. 1 Lake Oswego Lakers (6-0) and No. 2 West Linn Lions (6-0) face off this week in the season's most-anticipated matchup.