6A Semifinals Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6A semifinals have arrived, and Oregon high school football is down to four heavyweights. Each team earned its way to this stage with physical, disciplined football, and now just one win separates them from a trip to the state championship. The matchups feature powerhouse programs, elite talent on both sides of the ball, and storylines that have been building all fall. Here's your complete breakdown of both semifinal games, the key matchups, and the players who will likely determine who moves on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1 West Linn vs #5 Central Catholic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday 11/21, 7pm @ Sherwood High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central Catholic enters this semifinal after a gritty 27–20 win over Willamette, a game where they made their statement early and never looked intimidated by one of the state's hottest teams. West Linn, meanwhile, continued to play like the bracket's top seed, pulling away from Jesuit for a 42–28 victory behind yet another strong outing from junior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='937233' first='Sloan' last='Baker']</strong>. Both teams are battle-tested, and both have the talent to win a championship, making this one of the most anticipated matchups of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Linn Outlook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Linn showed why they're the No. 1 team in Oregon, especially with how they closed out their quarterfinal win over Jesuit. Junior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='937233' first='Sloan' last='Baker']</strong> delivered another balanced performance, throwing for 217 yards and three touchdowns while adding 64 yards and two more scores on the ground. His dual-threat ability has strengthened week by week, giving this offense a dynamic edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no shortage of weapons surrounding him:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='632957' first='Josiah' last='Molden']</strong>, who caught six passes for 90 yards and a score last week, is one of the state's most dangerous multipurpose threats.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>RB [player_tooltip player_id='769989' first='Viggo' last='Anderson']</strong> provides consistency and big-play ability on the ground.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='769921' first='Silas' last='Reynolds']</strong> and <strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1234610' first='Cole' last='Dickson']</strong> anchor the defense with speed and toughness.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A towering offensive line with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='769924' first='Kalani' last='Ioapo']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2054690' first='Grady' last='Hall']</strong>, and newly added standout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='937311' first='Alexander' last='Mishkin']</strong> gives West Linn a size advantage over most teams.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The defensive line, led by <strong>Avery Ducsik</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1529840' first='James' last='Johnstone']</strong>, remains one of the more impressive units in 6A.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions thrive on efficiency and physicality, and if Baker is operating at his usual level, West Linn will be tough to slow down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central Catholic Outlook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams ride into the semifinals playing tough, opportunistic football. Senior athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585700' first='Cole' last='Thomas']</strong> jump-started Central Catholic last week with a kickoff return touchdown. He later added 121 rushing yards and two more scores, giving the Rams an early spark that Willamette struggled to recover from. The defense also rose to the moment, as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1341967' first='Tayton' last='Promma-Harris']</strong> picked off two passes, including a 70-yard interception return that put Central Catholic up 14–0 before their offense even took the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their star power runs deep:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='402406' first='Donnie' last='Vercher III']</strong>, <strong>EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1699759' first='Hudson' last='Coe']</strong>, and <strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1654734' first='PJ' last='Tautu']</strong> lead one of the state's most disruptive pass-rushing groups.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1585700' first='Cole' last='Thomas']</strong> is playing his best football at the perfect time.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>RB [player_tooltip player_id='402415' first='Killian' last='Sombe']</strong> and <strong>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1660147' first='Dayvion' last='Curtis']</strong> give the offense balance and explosiveness.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1341967' first='Tayton' last='Promma-Harris']</strong> is not allowing opposing QBs to make any mistakes when targeting him.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='914302' first='Robbie' last='Long']</strong> continues to manage games well and take advantage of big-play opportunities.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the Rams can control the pace, create matchup problems with their edge athletes, and win the turnover battle like they did last week, they absolutely have the firepower to knock off the top seed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>West Linn's Offensive Line vs. Central Catholic's Pass Rush</strong></strong><br>Central Catholic wins when they are disruptive, and West Linn wins when Baker is comfortable. This is the matchup that will likely decide the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two programs with championship DNA collide here, and both are playing their best football of the season. This semifinal has all the ingredients for a classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2 Nelson vs #3 Lake Oswego</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday 11/21, 7pm @ Hillsboro Stadium</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Oswego has looked the part of a title contender all season, and last week was no different as they rolled past Grants Pass 51–10. Nelson, meanwhile, made school history by securing their first-ever semifinal appearance, knocking off Lakeridge 21–7 with a dominant third quarter. This matchup features contrasting styles: Lake Oswego's proven, methodical approach versus Nelson's explosive, youthful energy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nelson Outlook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson continues to reach new heights, securing a semifinal berth for the first time in program history after a decisive 21–7 win over Lakeridge. Quarterback <strong>Danny Leary</strong> delivered two touchdown passes and threw for 161 yards in a poised, well-managed performance. What stood out most last week was Nelson's defensive effort, which completely shut out Lakeridge after halftime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hawks' key contributors include:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>WR [player_tooltip player_id='937176' first='Malachi' last='Garlington'] </strong>is one of Oregon's most electric young playmakers.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1110921' first='Chaz' last='Katoanga']</strong> and <strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1654726' first='Tuipulotu' last='Katoanga']</strong>, who provide physicality and leadership.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1660150' first='Ian' last='Nix']</strong> has quietly been one of their most disruptive defenders.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>TE Cal Gradwahl</strong> gives Leary a reliable target over the middle.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>DL Abraham Zhyryada</strong> and linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='937031' first='Drew' last='Newbury']</strong> help solidify the front seven.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1345129' first='Jackson' last='Liepold']</strong> and <strong>OL Porter Maciag</strong> anchor the trenches.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson may be inexperienced, but they are fast, tough, and confident, three qualities that make them a legitimate threat in this stage of the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lake Oswego Outlook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everything for the Lakers runs through superstar senior running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402416' first='Lamarcus' last='Bell']</strong>, who put on another monster performance with 161 rushing yards and five touchdowns last week. Few backs in the state can match Bell's blend of speed, balance, and vision, and when he gets rolling, Lake Oswego controls the flow of the entire game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Surrounding Bell is an equally talented cast:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='402409' first='Hudson' last='Kurland']</strong> has grown into his role, making timely throws and keeping defenses honest.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>TE [player_tooltip player_id='457009' first='Sam' last='Vyhlidal']</strong> is one of Kurland's most reliable weapons.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1246545' first='Josh' last='Christensen']</strong> and <strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='937338' first='Cash' last='Wilks']</strong> anchor a physical defense.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1234612' first='Jalen' last='Bauman']</strong> and <strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='855093' first='Summit' last='Cvitash']</strong> add stability and playmaking in the secondary.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The offensive line, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1232749' first='Adam' last='Williams']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1525160' first='Jackson' last='Graetz']</strong>, has consistently paved the way for big performances on the ground.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Oswego is balanced, disciplined, and loaded with athletes, traits that make them extremely tough to beat in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lake Oswego's Rushing Attack vs. Nelson's Front Seven</strong><br>If Nelson can slow down<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='402416' first='Lamarcus' last='Bell']</strong>, they'll give themselves a real shot. But few teams have succeeded in doing that this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson is hungry, athletic, and riding momentum, but Lake Oswego has been here before and plays with the discipline of a veteran team. Expect a physical, entertaining matchup between two programs trending up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->