Oregon Player of the Year a ‘game-time decision’ this week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Oswego senior running back LaMarcus Bell is a favorite to win the Gatorade Player of the Year award after being named 6A's best performer last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But his campaign may be delayed by a week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>According to multiple sources, Bell is a "game-time decision" for the Lakers game at South Medford on Friday as a precaution.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is expected to be full-go next week, but his status for this Friday's action will come down to a pre-game decision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound star rushed for 2,004 yards and 29 touchdowns and was named Class 6A all-state Offensive Player of the Year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell, a Utah Utes commit, is rated the nation's No. 24 running back by <a href="https://247sports.com/player/lamarcus-bell-46143847/">247Sports</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's <a href="https://247sports.com/player/lamarcus-bell-46143847/">what they had to say</a> about him as a prospect:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Bell is one of the top backs out West in the '26 class. He's one of those players who may not wow you in any one particular facet of his game but excels at everything. He's a patient runner with a nice initial burst, shows good vision and contact balance. He can run between the tackles, is a physical back and tough to bring down in the open field. He may not be a burner but he's now slow either and shows the ability to outrun a secondary. He clocked a personal best 11.23-100m as a sophomore and his speed and burst has improved over the last year. He's also a very good receiver out of the backfield and a willing blocker who can put a guy on their back. He's a complete, every down back who can play in any situation and projects as a high Power 4 prospect who is trending up in our eyes." </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Oswego hosts Sheldon in Week 2 before a marquee matchup against Central Catholic on September 12. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It sounds as though Bell would play if it were a playoff game, but will be a Friday decision because it's early in the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->