Oregon High School football: Trends from the season

We're down to the final two weeks of the season, which makes for a perfect time to check out some of the trends around the state.   Some things, like the Three Rivers League's dominance, have stayed the same, while a few other major changes have impacted the state.   Here's a look at some of the state's current football trends:   1. Three Rivers League is king   The Three Rivers League has been “the SEC of Oregon high school football” for years, and absolutely nothing changed this fall.   The West Linn Lions and Lake Oswego Lakers entered the season as state-title favorites, and now find themselves on opposite sides of the bracket in the state semifinals.   An all-TRL championship showdown is far from certain, but both teams will enter their respective semifinal games as favorites.   In total, the TRL was responsible for 4 of the state's top 10 teams, while no other league boasted more than two, and its top-five teams went a combined 22-6 in non-league action.    It is notable that the Mt. Hood Conference also has two teams in the state semifinals, as Central Catholic takes on West Linn and Nelson draws Lake Oswego.   But the top five teams in the Mt. Hood had a non-league record of 18-10.   Since 2016, West Linn has won three state titles (and was No. 1 during the spring COVID year), Lake Oswego has won one and former TRL member Clackamas has won one, while Central Catholic won three.   They've also had three of the past four “runner-ups” as well.    In other words, it's been “TRL footprint” or Central Catholic for nearly a decade.   2. Private schools have taken a step back   Speaking of private schools, both Jesuit and Central Catholic have taken a step back.   After a dominant stretch from 2019-2023 in which Steve Pyne led the Rams to three state titles, the program is no longer an absolute juggernaut.   Don't get me wrong, Central Catholic is a very good football program. One of the state's best, in fact.   But they no longer feel like an inevitable yearly state championship game participant, and they don't quite boast the same depth of elite recruiting talent, either.   The Rams are a top-five program in the state, but West Linn has taken the spot of “state's most feared program.”    At least for now.    Jesuit coach Ken Potter, who stepped down this week after 38 years, is the state's all-time winningest coach (368 wins) and has won four state titles.   But in recent years the Crusaders haven't been quite as dominant as the early 2000s squads.    Their 10-year Metro League title streak came to an end last year, and the Crusaders, once a staple of state semifinals and finals, haven't been to the title game since 2015.   To put that into perspective, the Crusaders had state title appearances in 2015, 2013, 2009, 2006, 2005 and 2000, going no more than five years between appearances.   3. Willamette is the new Eugene power   For years, Sheldon was arguably the state's biggest non-Portland power program.   But former Sheldon coach Josh Line departed for Willamette, a 5A-to-6A climber, and players have flocked to the program, including a few out-of-state Oregon Ducks commits.   There's hard feelings between Sheldon and Willamette, as the Sheldon community has worked tirelessly to get the OSAA involved - so far with few actionable results.    But the on-field results?   Willamette ended the season 10-1, while Sheldon tumbled to 2-7.   The trend is unlikely to be a one-year blip, as Willamette is a new 6A program to watch.   4. PIL is struggling   Unfortunately, the PiL struggling is not news.   But it is clearly a trend that's continuing.   The PIL went a combined 3-21 in non-league action.   I don't know what the answer is, but I'm hopeful the league finds a way to turn things around soon.   The PIL has a rich history, and has clearly found winning ways in some other sports.    5. Nelson proves the Happy Valley area is loaded   Clackamas won a state title in 2017 and looked like a budding state power.   Just like baseball and girls basketball.    But Clackamas High School split in 2021 and Nelson High School was formed.   At the time, the vast majority of youth and high school coaches believed the talent split would soon favor Nelson - outside of girls basketball.   “Look out, Nelson will be really good in a few years,” I was warned.   Sure enough, Nelson finds itself in the state semifinals.   Aaron Hazel is one of the state's best coaches and it will be fascinating to see how Nelson builds upon this year's success in the future.   6. Oregon beats up Washington   In an all-star game of top prospects, Washington would be heavily favored against Oregon.   But that's not (yet?) how the state rivalry is determined.   In recent years, Oregon teams have turned the tide and consistently beaten the top teams from Washington.   That was on full display again this year, as Oregon went 3-0 in a marquee week against Washington.    West Linn beat Camas 41-0, Mountainside beat Mountain View 63-2 and Oregon City beat Skyview 33-7.   The previous week the Lions snuck past state title contender Sumner 31-24.   Washington may have more prospects statewide, but in the head-to-head battles between the state's top teams, Oregon has consistently dominated in recent years.

We're down to the final two weeks of the season, which makes for a perfect time to check out some of the trends around the state.