Oregon 6A Top 10: Breaking down each program (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Oregon 6A coaches' poll was recently released, and I wanted to give my thoughts on each of the top-10 teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who is a true state title contender? Who belongs in “Tier 2”? Who are the top players for each of the state's top-10 teams?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And, what in the world is the OSAA doing with 3 PIL teams in their playoff top-10? Will that stick?&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We discuss all of that and more.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. Sheldon Fighting Irish (5-1, 1-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable win(s): 21-14 vs. Summit; 27-20 @ Grants Pass</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable loss: 20-17 vs. Thurston</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest (and best) surprises in 6A football this year, Sheldon is a consensus top-6 team and is firmly in the discussion as “best team in Eugene” alongside Willamette.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolverines took a ton of transfers from Sheldon, and yet the Fighting Irish are playing great ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1539446' first='Ryker' last='Rohaley'] is completing more than 70 percent of his passes, highlighting his hyper-accuracy, while running back [player_tooltip player_id='2101289' first='Cody' last='Hall'] keeps the group balanced.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two-way star [player_tooltip player_id='1125042' first='Barry' last='Myles'], a recent Nevada commit, is having one of the best wide receiver/defensive back seasons in the state, while [player_tooltip player_id='2103470' first='Max' last='Hubbard'] makes for an impressive 1-2 pass-catching duo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='2105962' first='Isaac' last='Moaliitele'] has the Fighting Irish defense playing like one of the best groups in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sheldon may be a tier before the top teams in the state at the 6A level, but don't overlook them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When they are playing good ball, they can be really tough on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That early season loss to Thurston feels like a long time ago.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. Willamette Wolverines (4-2, 2-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable win(s):&nbsp; 54-31 vs. Jesuit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable loss: 34-7 vs. Lake Oswego; 33-12 @ Silverton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a little bit tough to know what to make of Williamette.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They started the year against the No. 1 6A and 5A teams in the state and got blasted in both match-ups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, both of those teams are now looking like potential juggernauts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since then, Willamette has played good ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='904208' first='Zeke' last='Thomas'], the Oregon State two-sport commit, is among the best quarterbacks in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The running back trio of seniors Conor Harvey and [player_tooltip player_id='1924374' first='Zuzi' last='Alwineyan'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2127746' first='Jonny' last='Jenkins'] are all high-quality players when fully healthy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lately, it has been Harvey and Jenkins carrying the load.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wide receiver/tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1609788' first='Knox' last='Smith'], a 2028 Division I prospect, is drawing significant FBS interest and looks like a future Pac-12 player.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, the group is led by Oregon State commit [player_tooltip player_id='791149' first='Kawai' last='Chamberlin'] and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='937281' first='Tripp' last='Johansen'], who are two of the best defensive players anywhere in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The secondary is led by [player_tooltip player_id='2090232' first='Amir' last='Harris'], who currently leads the state in fumble recoveries, but is a quality cover guy as well. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How close is Willamette to returning to “contender status”?&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We may not truly know until playoff time, although the next three weeks should tell us a lot: vs. Grants Pass, @ Summit, @ Sheldon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A true contender would go 3-0, but a mixture could prove to be big statements for whichever teams pull out the marquee victories.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. Grants Pass Cavemen (4-2, 1-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable win(s): W 49-48 vs. Nelson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable loss: 35-10 vs. Silverton; 27-20 vs. Sheldon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grants Pass has been a bright spot this year in the state of Oregon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cavemen opened the season with a surprise 49-48 win over Nelson and have plenty of offensive firepower.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='796694' first='Jordan' last='Rossetta'] could break multiple school records throwing to [player_tooltip player_id='1560665' first='Brevik' last='Hill'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2054815' first='James' last='Traylor'], while [player_tooltip player_id='1569379' first='Treyton' last='Powers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2423075' first='Logan' last='Eldred'] are a quality 1-2 running back duo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Parker Howe is among the state's leaders in tackles, while Hill is one of the best defensive backs in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The recent 27-20 loss to Sheldon knocks Grants Pass down a bit in the rankings, but it was a competitive game that showed both teams are firmly in the top-10 mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's clearly a tier drop off after the top 3 teams in the state — Lake Oswego, Nelson and West Linn — but it's still a big unknown how far down the list Tier 2 goes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cavemen — with an early season win over Nelson — certainly feel like a group that belongs in that mix.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. Jesuit Crusaders (4-2, 2-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable win(s): 31-12 vs. Mountainside</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable loss: 38-0 @ Nelson, 54-31 @ Willamette</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jesuit entered the Phill Rombach era with a rebuilt offensive line and came out struggling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crusaders lost 28-0 to Nelson and 54-31 to Willamette.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But the Metro League is down an provides a soft landing spot for the program, which needs a ramp-up year (or two) to get back to state prominence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='860650' first='Jack' last='Wilson'] has had a big year, while senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1591586' first='Luke' last='Ortner'] has continued to be productive despite less help up front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1956192' first='Jora' last='Atwal'] is emerging as a player to watch, and should earn all-league honors.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Jesuit is led by [player_tooltip player_id='937175' first='Kyle' last='Goodwin'], who is having a first-team all-league-type season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crusaders may flirt with top-5 status this year, and there's still a long way to go to being a true contender again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But Wilson, Ortner and Co. have bounced back from early season woes nicely and should compete for the Metro League title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. Lakeridge Pacers (4-2, 1-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable win(s): 43-42 vs. Lincoln; 34-22 vs. Mountainside</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable loss: 22-14 @ North Medford; 62-35 vs. Tualatin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeridge lost more than 30 seniors from last year's team and was set to face a complete rebuilding year this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But Lakeridge has a stellar 2029 class, and has leaned on those players heavily to work their way into the top-10 statewide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1752112' first='Carson' last='Pickens'] has had a second-team all-state-caliber season thus far, while running backs [player_tooltip player_id='1563740' first='Mason' last='Girt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1878395' first='Colby' last='Owen'] are a formidable 1-2 punch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pass-catchers [player_tooltip player_id='2405150' first='Hudson' last='Armerding'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1509111' first='Jagger' last='Salazar'] can prove problematic for nearly any defense in the state, while the offensive line is young, undersized, but determined.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Lakeridge lacks true superstar standouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='936893' first='Easton' last='Lawson'] is a quality linebacker, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1855541' first='Malakai' last='Belz'] is emerging as a big-hitting playmakers and the secondary is led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='845242' first='Sean' last='Bour-Nelson'], who has flashed significant athleticism in big games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team isn't ready to compete for a state title, as the fourth quarter against Tualatin in a 62-35 loss showed, but this is a very encouraging season nonetheless.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frankly, Lakeridge would probably win the Metro League or PIL with this young group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The problem? They are in the TRL, which boasts three of the state's top four teams: Lake Oswego, West Linn and Tualatin.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. Ida B. Wells (6-0, 5-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable win(s): None</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable loss: None</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ida B. Wells is undefeated, but has a yet to play a top-25 team in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PIL has been been down for years, and the OSAA rankings of 3 PIL in the top 10 teams of their official playoff rankings is offensively bad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still, there is some optimism that the PIL league winner could be a top-15 team legitimately.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln suffered a 43-42 close loss to top-10 team Lakeridge, while Grant and Ida B. Wells have fared well against the lesser teams in the PIL.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ida B. Wells will be tested - and could show they truly belong in the top-15 - with wins at Grant and vs. Lincoln at the end of the month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, an 0-2 showing in those games should bump them well outside the top-20.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PIL's top teams almost exclusively played very winnable games in non-conference and the top teams don't play each other until the end of the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's entirely possible that Lincoln, Grant and Ida B. Wells combine to have just one quality opponent (outside of one another) by the end of that year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That level of insulation and isolation should not be rewarded by the OSAA official ratings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But again, the winner of the conference - fi they go undefeated in league - could provide an interesting first round match-up in the 6A playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's progress, and is worthy of praise.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->