Oregon HS football: What we learned in Week 0

The Oregon high school football season is officially underway, and delivered some eye-opening results.   Here are a few major takeaways from the mini-slate that opened the season:   Lake Oswego doesn't miss a beat   How would Lake Oswego defend its state title after losing so many key contributors, including quarterback Hudson Kurland and Gatorade Player of the Year LaMarcus Bell?   Turns out, it wasn't a problem.   The No. 1 Lakers opened their season at No. 6 Willamette and absolutely thrashed the Wolverines, 34-7.   Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='937340' first='Ryder' last='Lemm'] had a monster game - more on that later - while elite prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1613644' first='Presley' last='DeLance'] and underrated senior [player_tooltip player_id='936920' first='Jasiah' last='Agnimel'] emerged as dangerous downfield weapons.   But as much as the offense was working, Lake Oswego truly set the tone defensively.   Oregon-bound [player_tooltip player_id='1246545' first='Josh' last='Christensen'] and the front proved to be un-blockable, while returning first-team all-state senior [player_tooltip player_id='937338' first='Cash' last='Wilks'] ran wild in the Willamette backfield.   Wilks absolutely dominated Willamette, whose offensive line simply couldn't handle the Lakers.   The Wolverines came into the contest with two possible weaknesses: its offensive line and its size at corner.   Lake Oswego picked those flaws apart and left the Wolverines reeling, all while forcing Boise State-bound junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='904208' first='Zeke' last='Thomas'] to scramble as soon as the shotgun snap reached his hands.   I thought Lake Oswego would end the season as a top-four team with true state title contender status, but admittedly I thought it would take a little time to sort out the offensive flow.   Guess not.    [player_tooltip player_id='937340' first='Ryder' last='Lemm'] is legit   Kurland's graduation and subsequent departure for Iowa State left huge hole at one of the most notable and star-studded positions in state history: Lake Oswego starting quarterback.   Lemm won the job in the offseason, but folks still weren't entirely sure how he'd perform as the season got underway.   It took about two quarters to figure out Lemm had this whole starting thing in the bag.   In his first start, Lemm went 18-of-24 for 266 yards and four touchdowns.   He delivered a 4th-and-goal 22-yard touchdown strike to [player_tooltip player_id='797128' first='Cameron' last='Elijah'] to open the scoring, then found his talented big-bodied college prospects Josiah Agnimel and [player_tooltip player_id='1613644' first='Presley' last='DeLance'] before wrapping up the scoring with a second strike to Elijah.   The ability to distribute the ball around in that environment was extremely impressive - DeLance (4-70-1), Agnimel (5-102-1) and Elijah (4-46-2).    Lemm is going to hit the ground running and has all-state potential.    Tualatin ready to roll   All off-season on Prep Redzone, we highlighted the fact that No. 4 Tualatin was a legit state title contender as early as this season with its young core.   A statement 52-13 win over No. 11 Mountainside should put the state on notice.   Tualatin started a little slow over-using [player_tooltip player_id='937241' first='Cole' last='Hachmeister'] as its featured back, but settled into a groove with junior [player_tooltip player_id='1609595' first='Iden' last='Rule'], Hachmeister as the gadget guy and spreading the ball around.   The game was tied 7-7 early before [player_tooltip player_id='2054697' first='Carter' last='Lemon'] returned a blocked punt for a score and Hachmeister delivered a 108-yard interception return for a score before the half.   Before Mountainside could blink it was 31-7 and Tualatin was rolling.   Mountainside senior [player_tooltip player_id='1125493' first='Reece' last='Ballew'], a blazing speedster, was bright spot for them, and he should put together a big season.    Rule is going to end yup being an all-state performer.   Mark it down!    Lakeridge is rebuilding, but don't count them out just yet   Lakeridge lost 35 seniors from last year's squad and have a talented young class of 2029 nucleus.   Opening the season against North Medford, who was projected to bounce back from last season's 1-8 start, the Pacers fell 22-14.   Even with the roster turnover, that is a shocking result for a program that entered the season as a top-10 team.   But the result doesn't tell the whole story.   It was an absolutely disastrous day from an execution standpoint for Lakeridge, who committed seven turnovers.   Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1563740' first='Mason' last='Girt'] was a bright spot, as he rushed for roughly 150 yards and is certain to continue to take more of the load at running back.   It was a disappointing debut for the highly-celebrated class, but better things are certainly ahead.   Thurston beats Sheldon   5A Thurston beat Sheldon 20-17 in a big win for the program.    On the flip side, Sheldon continues to reel with so many of its stars departing for Willamette.   For years Sheldon was “the brand” when it came to high school football in Eugene.   That has clearly shifted to Willamette, although I imagine many Sheldon fans smirked seeing the score of the Lake Oswego-Willamette game last night.    Grants Pass outlasts Nelson 49-48 in overtime    Both Jordan Johnson and I predicted a shootout and the game didn't disappoint.   Grants Pass quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='796694' first='Jordan' last='Rossetta'] suffered an injury early and Aaron Hart took over.   He and running back [player_tooltip player_id='1569379' first='Treyton' last='Powers'] led the way for the Cavemen in a 21-point fourth quarterback comeback victory.   Nelson is a young squad and is replacing the conference player of the year at quarterback, Danny Leary.   New starter [player_tooltip player_id='1242808' first='Braylon' last='Gaines'] threw four touchdown passes, including two to Oregon-bound wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='937176' first='Malachi' last='Garlington'].   This is a game I'd like to see again.   Not only were there plenty of fireworks, but Nelson is certain to get better and will learn how to finish games.   Both of these teams look like top-10 programs and they delivered the game of the night.    West Linn vibes are Smiley   I'm just going to say it to get ahead of the curve a little bit.   West Linn senior [player_tooltip player_id='652600' first='Carson' last='Smiley'] is playing all over the place for the Lions this season and is poised for a breakout season.   There's growing hype about what he can deliver on Friday nights, and I'm beginning to worry that he's the player I most overlooked this offseason.   I fully intend to be at a West Linn game early in the season to see the Lions in person.   They are my state title pick, and Smiley could add yet another layer to the talented roster.

The Oregon high school football season is officially underway, and delivered some eye-opening results.

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Oregon HS football: What we learned in Week 0

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