West Linn, Central Catholic in tier by themselves: Oregon HS football 6A power rankings
Four weeks into the Oregon high school football season has told us a lot about the 6A state title contenders.
While West Linn and Central Catholic have rolled to 4-0 starts and the entire Three Rivers League remains undefeated - a combined 23-0 - Sheldon (2-2) and Jesuit (0-4) have provided some uneven results.
Here's a look at the state title contenders, sorted by tier:
Tier 1 - Favorites
West Linn Lions (4-0) — As soon as last season ended chatter began that this fall would be a two-team race, and so far the results seem to back up that sentiment.
Through four games, West Linn has outscored opponents 170-47 and delivered back-to-back-to-back statement wins at Sheldon (41-3), vs. Jesuit (43-14) and at Washington state-title contender Lake Stevens (49-30).
The Lions roster is absolutely loaded from top to bottom and could wind up nationally ranked by the end of the season.
West Linn is in Year 2 of a multi-year stretch in which it will be a state title favorite.
Over the next four years, the Lions could win three or four state titles.
Central Catholic Rams (4-0) — When Central Catholic and West Linn faced each other last season in the state semifinals it ended 49-17 in the Lions' favor.
Sure, Michigan State freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt is gone, but both teams returned a majority of their impact players.
It's true that Central Catholic's young roster got a year older and added an intriguing influx of PIL talent, but is that, coupled with Leavitt's graduation, worth 32 points?
Maybe.
Senior quarterback Cru Newman is almost certainly the state's best quarterback and is on pace for an historic season this fall.
He's all-time special.
The rest of the roster is deep and full of playmakers - with almost no holes on the entire roster.
I've seen arguments that West Linn and Central Catholic are much better than the other.
And I think that's silly.
They've both flirting with being nationally ranked, and both deserve enough respect to say any real separation will have to be determined on the field.
In the state title game? Probably.
Tier 2 - Threatening
Spare me the arguments for Tualatin, Lake Oswego, Lakeridge, Sherwood, Tigard and South Salem.
At least, for the time being.
All six teams are currently undefeated, but all six have either had head-scratching victories that leave a lot to be desired or just haven't been tested yet.
More on that in the next tier.
Tier 3 - Potential risers
Tualatin Timberwolves (4-0) — I can already hear you, Tualatin, and I know you aren't going to like the tier 3 placement after dismantling Jesuit 42-17 on Friday night.
"Just like basketball" will be the refrain from Timberwolves faithful.
But narrow victories over Washington's Lincoln (17-14) and 5A No. 1 Wilsonville (22-13) were both a bit head-scratching.
Given that West Linn and Central Catholic are historically loaded, both of those victories needed to be a bit more convincing to make me a full-on believer.
Still, there's a lot to love on this Tualatin roster.
Jayden Fortier is the state's best player, and has shown that in a variety of ways - touchdown catches, a four forced-fumble game, jaw-dropping rushing touchdowns - A.J. Noland is a surefire all-state-caliber player and two-way standout Kenen Elder is one of the state's most under-appreciated stars.
Throw in Westview quarterback transfer Nolan Keeney, who has been electric so far this year, and the Timberwolves appear to be the state's third-best team.
Can Tualatin get better in a tough TRL slate and emerge as a serious challenger? Yes, but they have to earn it.
Of note, Keeney left Tualatin's game against Jesuit with a fractured collarbone and will miss a "minimum of six weeks."
Lake Oswego Lakers (4-0) — First of all, I love the dynamic 1-2 punch of sophomore LaMarcus Bell and senior Zavier Russell.
That tandem is special, and a difficult pairing to stop on Friday nights.
Not to be outdone, junior quarterback Liam Davis is making a strong case to be the state's best junior signal-caller.
But again, in a year that boasts two historically- talented teams at the top of the rankings you've got to do a lot to prove you can challenge them.
And Lake Oswego hasn't done that yet.
The Lakers beat 1-3 Barlow (40-22), 1-3 West Salem (42-20) and 2-2 Mountainside (28-14) by multiple scores, but didn't emphatically put them away.
Lake Oswego should get better over the course of the season, but next year might be "the year."
Sherwood Bowmen (4-0) — Through four games, Sherwood has outscored its opponents 135-21 and senior quarterback Kasen Covert has been every bit as good as advertised after taking steps forward this offseason.
The defense hasn't given up a score in three straight games and Sherwood provides one of the most imposing home-field advantages anywhere in the state (rabid fanbase and complete community buy-in).
So, what's not to like?
Well, by no fault of its own Sherwood still hasn't played a true contender.
Wins over West Salem, Clackamas, Summit and Westview were all expected and the rest of the slate doesn't get much better - Century, McMinnville, Newberg, Glencoe and Liberty.
The Bowmen may enter the 6A playoffs undefeated, unchallenged and, to some extent, unproven.
Make no mistake, Sherwood has talent, but how would it fare in the Three Rivers League?
We may not have a clear answer until the playoffs.
Tier 4 - Oh, interesting
Lakeridge Pacers (4-0) — Lakeridge, Lakeridge, Lakeridge, what are we doing?
For several years now, the Pacers have, on paper, looked like a state title contender.
And for several years now, Lakeridge has inexplicably fallen short in league play and during the postseason.
No one in the state has a more celebrated one-two punch than wide receiver/tight end Joey Olsen, a USC pledge, and running back Ansu Sanoe, a sophomore with an early offer from the Georgia Bulldogs.
And yet, the Pacers have struggled mightily to put away seemingly lesser teams - 24-10 at Westview and 31-20 against a better-than-expected Sunset.
Spencer Phillips is a good coach and the talent is there.
But, frankly, the rinse-repeat results of the past few years have been head-scratching.
Preseason: Lakeridge looks scary. State title contender?
Week 3-4: What's wrong with Lakeridge? Something isn't quite right.
No one would be surprised if this Pacers team ended up in the semifinals, but they aren't playing like a team that has those aspirations right now.
Tigard Tigers (4-0) — PrepRedzone's Jordan Johnson is about as dialed in as anyone in the state when it comes to preseason rankings.
He had Tigard rated last in the TRL, but was very clear that not only is the league loaded (currently 23-0 to start the season), but also that all six teams were possibly among the state's top 10.
So, that's not exactly the slight it sounds like.
The 4-0 start is intriguing - even if a 20-14 win over Sandy and a 21-14 win over Liberty leave a lot to be desired.
Tigard may struggle in league play given that its last four are as follows — at Lakeridge, vs. West Linn, at Lake Oswego, vs. Tualatin.
If that's even a 1-3 stretch, they're a threat to make the quarterfinals.
Jesuit Crusaders (0-4) — Before the season, I predicted an 0-4 start to the season for Jesuit, and said fans should hold off on panicking.
Jesuit has played the Northwest's toughest non-league schedule and the Crusaders deserve tremendous credit for taking on that challenge.
While significant losses to Washington's Skyview, Central Catholic and West Linn were all anticipated, Friday night's 42-17 drubbing at the hands of Tualatin was a bit concerning.
The Timberwolves may very well be the state's third-best team, but are not yet considered to be in the same tier as West Linn or Central Catholic this season.
In fact, most expected the Crusaders to battle in a close contest, if not flat-out win.
It reminded me of the scene in "Stepbrothers" when Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly show up to a job interview together in tuxedos.
At first, Seth Rogen's boss character is amused and understanding, then as the interview session unravels says, "Okay, now the tuxedos seem kinda (messed) up."
The blowout loss to Tualatin on Friday night was that moment.
Wait, are we sure this is going to be okay, or is this kinda messed up?
I still think Jesuit has an excellent chance to win the Metro League and re-establish itself as a top-5/6 team by the end of the season.
But for the first time this fall, I'm slightly worried.
South Salem Saxons (4-0) — South Salem hasn't really played an elite opponent and barely beat Sunset (45-44).
But it is certainly "interesting" that the Saxons have arguably the state's most dynamic passing attack in quarterback Athan Palmateer and wide receiver duo Esteban Mendez and Eli Johnson.
Is that enough to consider them state title contenders? No, but that offense may be able to put points up on anybody.
Others worth mentioning: Oregon City (4-0), Sheldon (2-2)
