Oregon 'Way Too Early' 6A Top 15

A few times per year we take an early look at which teams project as the state's best for the coming season. Here we break down the 6A level with some of the usual suspects representing at the top. 5A will be next with the re-classification of some teams making it much more interesting.            1)West Linn- Reigning TRL Offensive POY [player_tooltip player_id='937233' first='Sloan' last='Baker'] and one of the nation's top 27's [player_tooltip player_id='632957' first='Josiah' last='Molden'] will help to make the Lions the overwhelming favorite heading into next season. The program in general is loaded from top to bottom with new Head Coach Anthony Newman not really being "new".    I would expect an insane season out of [player_tooltip player_id='937113' first='Shane' last='Peters'] on both sides of the ball with current sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1609761' first='Tyler' last='Holmes'] projecting as a 1st team all-state LB. Top 20 recruit Xander Mishkin and [player_tooltip player_id='2054690' first='Grady' last='Hall'] will lead the big boys up front. I would be surprised if West Linn doesn't win the 2026 title.    2)Lake Oswego- The Lakers return a bunch of dudes but do lose D1 talent at multiple key positions, including the obvious names in QB [player_tooltip player_id='402409' first='Hudson' last='Kurland'], TE/LB [player_tooltip player_id='457009' first='Sam' last='Vyhlidal'], and RB's [player_tooltip player_id='402416' first='Lamarcus' last='Bell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1059015' first='Justin' last='Craigwell'].    That said as they have reigning TRL D lineman of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='1246545' first='Josh' last='Christensen'] back along with 6-4 270 pound O lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1359160' first='Dylan' last='Marquez']. The best thing LO has returning is an incredibly talented D, along with a pair of 6-4 D1 WR's in [player_tooltip player_id='936920' first='Jasiah' last='Agnimel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1613644' first='Presley' last='DeLance']. 1st team defenders [player_tooltip player_id='937338' first='Cash' last='Wilks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='855093' first='Summit' last='Cvitash'] are top 25 prospects, with [player_tooltip player_id='937103' first='Cole' last='Callahan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='797128' first='Cameron' last='Elijah'] both being key assets defensively.    3)Tualatin- They might be a year away. They might not. But what you can say definitively is that they likely have the top trio of backs in the NW. Even with his size [player_tooltip player_id='937241' first='Cole' last='Hachmeister'] projects as an FCS athlete with [player_tooltip player_id='1609595' first='Iden' last='Rule'] being pound for pound the best player in the state. This while current freshman RB Easton Grubb has a stock which is skyrocketing.    The T-Wolves return two young but very talented 6-4 lineman in [player_tooltip player_id='2106063' first='Rocco' last='Grady'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2106065' first='Mason' last='Powarczuk'], along with 6-5 standouts [player_tooltip player_id='1609596' first='Brady' last='Knips'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1609636' first='Brock' last='Estes']. I could see Knips landing a handful of major D1 offers before next season. The crazy thing is that all of these individuals are underclassmen so the future is bright.    4)Nelson- The Hawks are fresh off a Mt Hood title where they made a statement beating key rival Central Catholic 26-6. QB and breakout POY [player_tooltip player_id='2070152' first='Danny' last='Leary'] is gone, along with the state's #1 2026 DB [player_tooltip player_id='1110921' first='Chaz' last='Katoanga'] and 6-5 300 pound D lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1660153' first='Abraham' last='Zhyryada'] who is headed to Oregon.   If they are to win again it will come down to their talented young guys stepping up, and the team being able distribute the ball to all everything 3* WR [player_tooltip player_id='937176' first='Malachi' last='Garlington'] who had 20 TDs last season.    5)Central Catholic- CC always reloads but it will be hard to make up for the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='402427' first='Tyson' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='402415' first='Killian' last='Sombe'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1585700' first='Cole' last='Thomas'] who was probably the best all-purpose guy in Oregon last season.    The Rams strength will come up front where they feature 2028 #1 recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1654734' first='PJ' last='Tautu'] and 6-3 310 pound monster [player_tooltip player_id='936855' first='Nate' last='Peau']. They will also have more beef in 6-4 TE George Van Sandt and fellow 6-4 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1369697' first='Talon' last='Sosky'], both of whom hold division 1 offers. Can the new skill guys step up? That's the question.    6)Willamette- The Wolverines are a 5A school but will continue to play up a level just like last season. They will feature two of the top recruits in Oregon with 2028 QB [player_tooltip player_id='904208' first='Zeke' last='Thomas'] and top LB [player_tooltip player_id='791149' first='Kawai' last='Chamberlin']. Both will be double digit D1 offer athletes when all is said and done.   Willamette probably should have beaten Central Catholic in the state quarterfinals last season but came up just short losing 27-20. DE [player_tooltip player_id='937281' first='Tripp' last='Johansen'] played out out of his mind and returns after landing multiple division 1 offers this off season. Current freshman RB Jonny Jenkins and 2nd team all league returner [player_tooltip player_id='1924374' first='Zuzi' last='Alwineyan'] give them an impressive combo out of the backfield. Add in 6-3 2028 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1609788' first='Knox' last='Smith'] and you have an elite perimeter.   7)Jesuit- RB [player_tooltip player_id='1591586' first='Luke' last='Ortner'] went off last season going for 2000+ yards and 23 TDs behind a phenomenal offensive line. They graduate multiple D1 guys up front along with a talented skill group and secondary, so there are question marks.   I do like this Crusaders team to do well next season behind a relatively solid QB in Jack WIlson. 6-5 TE/DE [player_tooltip player_id='2054681' first='Oliver' last='Holverson'] and 6-4 LB [player_tooltip player_id='937177' first='Luke' last='Hanifan'] will lead the D with current sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1612591' first='Ethan' last='Peng'] being a 1st team projected DB.   8)Mountainside- Losing the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='1232699' first='Cade' last='Mitchell'] at QB, [player_tooltip player_id='1094961' first='Jordan' last='Hicks'] at RB, and [player_tooltip player_id='1566148' first='Sean' last='Gerigk'] at WR is a lot to make up for, but the Mavericks have some hidden assassins.   [player_tooltip player_id='937240' first='Isaiah' last='Ormond'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2054683' first='Toren' last='Drucker'] are two of the state's top 40 prospects and defenders statewide. Offensively [player_tooltip player_id='1125493' first='Reece' last='Ballew'] is the real deal but was hurt most of last year. Expect [player_tooltip player_id='1076647' first='Kade' last='Laraway'] to possibly be a 1st team all Metro guy on both sides of the ball as well.    9)Grants Pass- This is a now or never thing for the Cavemen. They will feature one of best offensive trio's anywhere in the NW with 6-5 QB [player_tooltip player_id='796694' first='Jordan' last='Rossetta'], 1st team RB [player_tooltip player_id='1569379' first='Treyton' last='Powers'], and reigning conference POY [player_tooltip player_id='1560665' first='Brevik' last='Hill'] who was unreal last year.   GP finished strong last season getting a big playoff win at Sherwood before losing in the state quarterfinals to Lake O. They have a chance to make a run in 2026.    10)Lakeridge- The Pacers being ranked #9 speaks to the talent within the Three Rivers League after graduating 35 seniors. It will be completely different than last years group as the team will be young without all the high profile D1 commits.   Look for [player_tooltip player_id='845242' first='Sean' last='Bour-Nelson'] to be one of the TRL's best with [player_tooltip player_id='1878395' first='Colby' last='Owen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='936893' first='Easton' last='Lawson'] both putting up big numbers. Colby Klein will need to play out of his mind on the O line, and young gun [player_tooltip player_id='1509111' first='Jagger' last='Salazar'] has the potential of being influential next season as well.    10)Oregon City-I like the OC program and how they are building. 1st team WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1242623' first='Cavan' last='Rogers'] is one of the top recruits in Oregon and [player_tooltip player_id='935448' first='Colin' last='Smith'] has elite speed and returns as a 1st team all TRL athlete.    The Pioneers will have a shot at the #4 seed in the Three Rivers if the defensive can step up. Look for [player_tooltip player_id='1708644' first='Wyatt' last='Boeckel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1708636' first='Jarrett' last='Skinner'] to be statistical leaders in the conference.          OTHERS:  Sherwood, Westview, South Medford, Glencoe, Tigard/Sprague