Defending 6A champion West Linn beats Nelson in 2023 football opener
WEST LINN — The West Linn players knew growing pains were to be expected this season after a senior-laden group secured the school’s second OSAA Class 6A state championship last November.
So, while the scoreboard indicates more of the same for the Lions in a 37-0 victory over Nelson in both teams’ season opener Thursday night, they walked out of Gregory Memorial Stadium knowing there’s a lot of work to be done.
“If I had to rate it honestly, I’d probably give it around a 6. Maybe even a 5,” said senior Gus Donnerberg. “As a team, we weren’t all there mentally, and we definitely could have done better on all parts of the field. There are a million things we could have performed better at.”
Junior Baird Gilroy, making his first career start behind center, threw for 197 yards and a touchdown, and the hosts held the Hawks to 145 yards of total offense in winning their opener for a fourth consecutive season.
“We expect to come in this year and have a killer defense,” said Wiley Donnerberg, who had one of West Linn’s two interceptions. “Last year, we had Mark (Hamper) and Sam (Leavitt), and both of them are just unbelievable athletes. But to have a team where everybody has to work and create more of a family, I think we could be just as good, if not better, than last year’s team.”
Check back soon for plenty more from the Lions' win!
Hudson Hardy (West Linn) photo Dan Brood
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WEST LINN 37, NELSON 0
Nelson - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 — 0
West Linn - 7 - 13 - 10 - 7 — 37
First quarter
WL — Hudson Hardy 2 run (Gage Hurych kick), 6:04
Second quarter
WL — FG Hurych 28, 10:25
WL — Ryan Vandenbrink 3 run (Hurych kick), 6:36
WL — FG Hurych 22, 2:33
Third quarter
WL — FG Hurych 19, 10:06
WL — Danny Wideman 4 run (Hurych kick), 6:02
Fourth quarter
WL — Wideman 39 pass from Baird Gilroy (Hurych kick), 10:11
STATISTICAL LEADERS
RUSHING—Nelson: Eddy Keomany 15-38, Avirey Durdahl 8-12. Total 26-58. West Linn: Hardy 12-80, Cade Johnson 4-21, Vandenbrink 3-9. Total 26-153.
PASSING—Nelson: Durdahl 9-21-2-87. West Linn: Gilroy 16-23-1-197, Nick Sakys 2-2-0-17.
RECEIVING—Nelson: Sam Lewis 4-65, Tyler Creswick 2-9. West Linn: Gus Donnerberg 6-51, Baron Naone 4-28, Wideman 2-52, Wiley Donnerberg 2-17.
DEFENSE—Nelson: Lewis 6 tackles; Andre Miller 5 tackles, interception; Creswick 5 tackles; Chaz Katoanga 5 tackles. West Linn: Josiah Molden 3 tackles, pass breakup; W.Donnerberg interception; Hunter Haines interception; Naone 2 tackles, sack.
FIRST DOWNS—Nelson 9, West Linn 16. FUMBLES-LOST—Nelson 1-0, West Linn 0-0. PENALTIES-YARDS—Nelson 8-56, West Linn 10-110.
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