Lake Oswego, Central Catholic: Opposing coach weighs in

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Oregon 6A state championship game Friday is a showdown of the Lake Oswego Lakers and Central Catholic Rams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, what can fans expect?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The finalists share a few common opponents, so I asked one of those coaches to break down what he's seen in these teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what that anonymous coach had to say about each squad - with a prediction on the state champs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lake Oswego Lakers </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Lake Oswego's defense is coached by Steve Smith, a Lake Oswego alumni and former quarterback. Their defense is sound, fast, and physical. [player_tooltip player_id='1246545' first='Josh' last='Christensen'], [player_tooltip player_id='457009' first='Sam' last='Vyhlidal'], [player_tooltip player_id='937338' first='Cash' last='Wilks'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1059015' first='Justin' last='Craigwell'] lead the way in a very stout front seven. Their corners are phenomenal, however their safeties are average players." </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"On the offensive side of the ball, LO's features 6 Division 1 football players. It's a simple pro-style offense with an offensive line that is top tier and the best I've seen in Oregon in years. [player_tooltip player_id='402416' first='Lamarcus' last='Bell'] is a phenomenal running back and [player_tooltip player_id='1059015' first='Justin' last='Craigwell'] is very good. However, their offensive line could produce several 1,000 running backs. This is a heavy run-first, pass-second team. Even with [player_tooltip player_id='402409' first='Hudson' last='Kurland'] they have designed packages for quarterback runs." </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central Catholic Rams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Central Catholic's defense is the best defense in state. Well coached in the secondary and the front seven are bigger bodies who can fly around and hit. [player_tooltip player_id='402406' first='Donnie' last='Vercher III'] and breakout linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='402427' first='Tyson' last='Davis'] lead the way in the front seven. [player_tooltip player_id='1585700' first='Cole' last='Thomas'] leads the way in the secondary. Although the scheme for Central Catholic's defense is average and basic, they have great athletes that tend to thrive in simplicity." </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Central Catholic's offense has struggled against playoff teams. However, with the emergence of [player_tooltip player_id='1585700' first='Cole' last='Thomas'] being used at running back and wildcat quarterback, he has given them life. A special player. Central Catholic's offensive line is solid, however, PJ Tutau and [player_tooltip player_id='936855' first='Nate' last='Peau'] both play significant snaps both ways. These guys are Division 1 talent." </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Lake Oswego's running game is too strong. West Linn's third string running back [player_tooltip player_id='1609659' first='Cohen' last='Bissell'] rushed for 152 yards on 20 carries versus Central Catholic's defense. Bissell is a good back. However, he is no [player_tooltip player_id='402416' first='Lamarcus' last='Bell']. I don't see [player_tooltip player_id='914302' first='Robbie' last='Long'] having the game of his life. Lake Oswego wins 28-7. " </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->