Title game rematch is no match as West Linn rolls past Sheldon: 5 takeaways from Lions' win over Irish

“We were deeper than them and might’ve had a little bit more skill than them.”

Author:
Bob Lundeberg
Publish date:
Sep 9, 2023 5:47 AM EDT

EUGENE — In a rematch of last year’s Class 6A state title game, West Linn reaffirmed its status as the team to beat in Oregon.

The second-ranked Lions shook off an uneven start Friday night and ripped off 41 unanswered points for a statement 41-3 road win over No. 9 Sheldon.

The two powers met twice a season ago with the Irish taking the first meeting, 35-31, on the road in Week 2. West Linn got revenge 11 weeks later at Hillsboro Stadium, earning the 6A championship with a 23-14 victory.

“We were waiting for this game; we’ve had it in our minds all year,” junior wide receiver Danny Wideman said. “They’re a really good team, a well-coached team. I’m just excited that we did well.”

The Lions (2-0), who shut out Nelson 37-0 last week, didn’t let their guard up after Sheldon (0-2) opened the season with a 37-3 home loss to Mililani (Hawaii).

“We knew they had a talented team,” senior wide receiver and linebacker Wiley Donnerberg said. “We kind of had a slow start tonight. Their first drive was about eight minutes and it got us a little scared, but the more they run the ball and the more they pound the time, the more tired they get. I think we made plays on their tiredness, and in the end it showed we were deeper than them and might’ve had a little bit more skill than them.”

Photos by Michele Bunch

Here are five takeaways from Friday night’s matchup:

West Linn looks the part in all three phases

On offense, defense and special teams, West Linn is about as complete as it gets.

First-year starting quarterback Baird Gilroy, a big-armed junior, looks right at home in the Lions’ offense. Wideman, Hunter Haines and twins Gus and Wiley Donnerberg made big plays in the passing game Friday.

West Linn has a bevy of running backs and an experienced offensive line that can run and pass block.

“We really just have a new QB and a couple new receivers on offense,” Wideman said. “I feel like we’ve got some of the best receivers and some of the best running backs. We’re just a really deep team.”

On the other side of the ball, West Linn has impact players back at all three levels. The Lions have allowed just three points in 96 minutes of football this season.

Special teams is also a strength for West Linn as Gage Hurych, an Oregon commit, has a booming leg.

“We have somebody that’s more than good at every single position,” Wiley Donnerberg said. “And then it goes down from that with our twos and threes.”

The passing game is already clicking

Gilroy had big shoes to fill in taking over for Sam Leavitt, who is now at Michigan State. Through two games, the new passing attack has been an overwhelming success.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Gilroy completed 18 of 26 attempts for 309 yards and two touchdowns. He spread it around to six receivers.

“For his first two games, he’s playing unreal,” Wiley Donnerberg said. “He’s making passes that three-year starters normally make.”

Wiley Donnerberg paced the receivers with eight catches for 106 yards. Gus Donnerberg (two for 98) and Wideman (seven for 72 and a touchdown) weren’t far behind.

“I’ve been playing with Baird my whole life,” Wideman said. “I’ve trusted him, and he’s a great QB for us. Great height, great size, great arm. He knows what he’s doing and he’s been working hard. I’m just glad to see him doing well.”

Penalties hurt West Linn early

The Lions played exceptional football during the final three quarters, but the first period was a different story.

West Linn settled for a 44-yard field goal attempt on its first drive after a personal foul penalty. Hurych’s kick sailed wide left.

On Sheldon’s opening possession, the Lions had another personal foul, a drive-extending offside call and a running into the kicker penalty that gave the Irish another crack at the end zone. There was also a second-quarter pass interference that jump-started Sheldon’s final trip to the red zone.

“Last game and this game, we’ve definitely got to clean that up,” Wideman said of the penalties. “We just have to be a little more sharp in practice. We can’t keep taking these penalties the rest of the season.”

Where does Sheldon go from here?

The Irish have been outscored 78-6 by a couple of elite teams to open the season.

In Friday’s loss, Sheldon moved the ball at times on the ground and held up against West Linn’s running attack. First-year starting quarterback Colby Parosa believes there are lessons to be learned from the two losses.

“It’s a good opportunity to play against good teams like that,” he said. “Now we know what we’re going to face down the line, and I think it was just a great learning experience.

“We want to strive to get better every day and just keep working hard. I think we can play at this level, and we just have to keep working for it.”

Baron Naone is a game-wrecker

After a solid debut last week, Naone was at it again Friday.

The four-star junior with several Power Five offers blocked a punt and returned it nearly 20 yards to the Sheldon 3-yard line. Later in the game, Naone showed off his speed with a sack of Parosa.

“Baron is definitely a name to remember,” Wideman said. “A lot of good size, a lot of potential. He plays both ways and is just a dog. He’s going to be great for us all year.”

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