Oregon Preseason 6A Bubble Teams

It's never too early to talk about next year's playoff picture, with well-known front runners in each conference, and your typical elite 6A teams led by a ridiculously talented Three Rivers League.    Have a look at a few programs who I find particularly interesting and why I think they could challenge for a playoff spot in the championship bracket.          Oregon City- OC brings back some elite perimeter guys led by top 10 2027 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1242623' first='Cavan' last='Rogers'] and maybe the state's fastest athlete in [player_tooltip player_id='935448' first='Colin' last='Smith']. Combined, they caught 91 balls for 1,234 yards and 9 TD's last season. If they can account for closer to 2000 yards and win TRL games against the likes of Lakeridge, they could be in a good spot come playoff time.   The graduation of talented 6-4 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1673573' first='Kaeden' last='Emerson'] and a run game which only totaled 7 TDs last season does raise questions, but the D is experienced and could be that X factor. LB's [player_tooltip player_id='1708636' first='Jarrett' last='Skinner'], [player_tooltip player_id='936965' first='Kasen' last='Saffer'] and DE [player_tooltip player_id='1708644' first='Wyatt' last='Boeckel'] return after all conference seasons with Skinner (85) and Saffer (48) ranking among the TRL's top tacklers. Junior Brody Stromme and sophomore Ace Dotson tied for the team lead in sacks this past year and have stocks that are rising.   In summary, if the Pioneers can go 4-0 in the preseason and beat Tigard and Lakeridge in the Three Rivers League, they should make the dance.        Westview- Currently Westview has the largest enrollment of any school at the 6A level (1,961) and it's not really close. Rock Creek is a good area, and they got dudes coming back, so I like the Cats to compete in a Metro League that has changed a great deal.    [player_tooltip player_id='1425922' first='Tahkai' last='Smith'] is one of the top overall athletes in the state for the 2028 class and could be in the Conference POY conversation. Offensively a lot will depend on QB [player_tooltip player_id='936850' first='Hank' last='Whitworth'] and how he does after returning from injury. The RB situation is also interesting with standout [player_tooltip player_id='1110957' first='Heath' last='Thompson'] graduating and [player_tooltip player_id='1591584' first='Xander' last='Kekaualua'] transferring to Evergreen HS in Washington. 6-4 280-pound O lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1591706' first='Preston' last='Powell'] will be a 3 year all conference guy.    The defense returns two of Oregon's top tacklers with 1st team all-Metro LB [player_tooltip player_id='1566150' first='Cohen' last='Trump'] representing and [player_tooltip player_id='1591709' first='Jayce' last='Strand'] also being an all-conference selection. Two sport standout [player_tooltip player_id='2054684' first='Caleb' last='Bailie'] returns after a 2nd team all-league season on D. He might be the key on offense this year as well. Regardless they could keep it close against Jesuit and Mountainside.        South Salem- This might be a stretch after going 0-9 last season, but the Saxons are a well-coached team under Josh Vanlue and not your typical winless program, featuring multiple state statistical leaders.   The defense was terrible last year and will need to improve drastically, but offensively South can put up points with D1 baseball commit [player_tooltip player_id='937232' first='Kellen' last='Bowman'] setting multiple school and state records last season and earning 2nd team all-state honors at QB.    [player_tooltip player_id='1165801' first='Benjamin' last='Greer'] was the other individual who set state records, finishing with 117 receptions for 1,309 yards and 8 TDs to go with 91 tackles on defense. 6-4 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1256167' first='Samuel' last='Johnson'] will be the other X factor looking great over the offseason. It comes down to D here and not allowing 46 points per game like last year.         Sheldon- The Irish are in unfamiliar territory but still one of the state's all-time winningest programs. Last year's (2-7) season was challenging, but they have some guys with legit potential who could help them get back on track.    Willamette and Grants Pass will be the clear-cut favorite for the South-Central Conference #1 and #2 seeds, but next in line is anyone's guess at this point.    6-3 180-pound [player_tooltip player_id='1125042' first='Barry' last='Myles'] ranks as one of the state's top two-way threats after catching 52 passes for 718 yards and 9 TD's last year. Versatile RB Colin Hall had an outstanding sophomore season going for 700+ rushing/receiving yards while carrying the ball 84 times also catching 24 passes.    The glue will be QB [player_tooltip player_id='1539446' first='Ryker' last='Rohaley'] who stepped up big last year hitting on 71% of his passes. He will need to play out of his mind if they want to advance to the championship bracket.    Other athletes who will need to show up and have 1st team all-conference type seasons include 2nd team all-league returner [player_tooltip player_id='1569378' first='Cameron' last='Thomas'], 2028 lineman [player_tooltip player_id='2105962' first='Isaac' last='Moaliitele'], and one of the state's most underrated players Jack Haverland who comes from a talented family and made 39 tackles with 2 INT's last year.        Barlow- The Bruins have struggled the last few seasons going a combined (5-13) but they have some intriguing athletes coming back including an impressive line with multiple all conference returners.    [player_tooltip player_id='2078807' first='Evan' last='Fero'] was a 1st team selection and 2028 standout Kaleb Baptiste will lead a legit group up front, with Edge [player_tooltip player_id='1359070' first='Drew' last='Miller'] having one of the fastest rising stocks of any athlete statewide on defense. He should also contribute heavily on O.   To say that Barlow will compete with Nelson or CC wouldn't be a realistic, but if they can win their non -conference games and sweep the rest of their Mt Hood contests, I could see a scenario where they sneak into the championship bracket.