OSAA 6A Matchup’s for AP Top 10 Schools

#1 Sheldon Irish (5-0) VS. Crater Comets (3-2)

It was another dazzling performance for the Sheldon Irish last week, as they crushed the (1-4) North Medford Black Tornadoes 57-7. The Irish have proved they can score and defend against the weaker teams, but the schedule is about to get harder. Although the Irish should be able to walk away with a win tonight, the Crater Comets will not make it easy having the ability to score with the third best offense in the Southwest Conference. Sheldon will have no problem putting points on the board, so this game will come down to the Comets offense VS. the Irish defense. The Comets offense might be good enough to keep it “close,” but look for the Irish to move to (6-0) and stay atop the AP top 10.

#2 Lake Oswego Lakers (5-0) @ #5 Lakeridge Pacers (5-0)

Last week the Lake Oswego Lakers had a lull in their season facing a Canby team giving up 40 pts. a game, and the Lakers won 41-14. Outside that it has been a tough road for the Lakers already beating two of the AP top 10 (#9 Jesuit, #10 Central Catholic), and the road is only getting harder. Today they face a Lakeridge team that is 5-0, and playing in the shadow of Lake Oswego all season (you can bet they will have a chip on their shoulder).  The Lakeridge Pacers have become accustom to scoring lots of points, and winning big. This week should be a dog fight between two undefeated conference rivals, and only one will walk away (6-0). This game should come down to the 4th quarter and the Lakers senior star Steven Long.

#3 South Medford Panthers (5-0) VS. #11 Thurston Colts (4-1)

It is over half way through the season, and we have a good idea of how good the Panthers are after their 28-20 win at Roseburg last week. In fact, the Panthers are really good. It should be a large order for the Thurston Colts to go to South Medford and walk away with a win. Although the Colts boast a (4-1) record they have yet to play anyone that would give us an idea of who they are, other then Roseburg who shut them out. There are only two more opportunities to avoid 4th in the conference, and tonight is one of them. We should find out how big of a gap there is in the conference after tonight.

#4 Tigard Tigers (5-0) VS. #8 Tualatin Timberwolves

The Tigard Tigers have had a generally easy road to (5-0), scoring lots of point, and holding most teams under three touchdowns. Tonight will be their first test of the season, and we will see if they are worthy of the #4 ranking in the latest AP polls. The Tigers will face a (4-1) Tualatin Timberwolves team that has ran through most of their season, and has pitched two shut outs in a row. The Pacific conference is in a down year, and it looks like this will be the battle for 1st place. Both teams should win out from here out, and the players know it. I would expect allot of heart in this game these two teams are conference rivals, and don’t like each other. This game could very well could come down to the last play.

#6 Roseburg Indians (4-1) @ South Eugene Axeman (0-5)

The Roseburg Indians get a “week off” to lick their wounds after last weeks 28-20 loss at home to the South Medford Panthers. Now the Indians do not have a bye, but they are playing a winless South Eugene Axeman team that has nothing to play for. The only thing that goes against the Indians tonight is they are not at home. The Axeman have shown the inability to score with only 70 pts. over the first five games of the season, and an equal inability to defend teams giving up 258 pts. There should be no scare for the Indians tonight as they walk away from South Eugene with an easy win.

#7 Grant Generals (4-1) @ #13 West Linn Lions (4-1)

Grant will have their hands full going on the road against a West Linn Lions team that is coming off of possibly the most exciting victory of the season, beating conference foe Oregon City 28-27. This game will truly test every bit of the Generals metal as they go into this hostile environment as the favorites, but have similar stats on both sides of the ball. This is a classic trap game, and if Grant is not focused the Lions could find themselves walking away with a victory. This has no bearing on either teams conference standing, but it could give both teams confidence going into the last three games of the season. We look for this to be a hard fought game though four quarters, and feel both teams have an equal shot at this one.

#9 Jesuit Crusaders (3-2) VS. Westview Wildcats (1-4)

Last week the Jesuit Crusaders got back on track with an impressive 35-17 win against the (4-1) Sunset Apollos. Now they look to keep on track versus a Westview Wildcat team that is having a dismal (1-4) season. The Crusaders have had a hard time on defense this season almost giving up as many points as they have scored, and this is the perfect game to get their confidence rolling. The Wildcats are having a rough time on both sides of the ball only scoring 86pts. a game, and giving up almost twice that on defense. Look for the Jesuit Crusaders to look like their old dominant self, as they should walk away with an easy victory.

#10Central Catholic Rams (3-2) @ Centennial Eagles (2-3)

The Central Catholic Rams finally made it back into the AP top 10 after faltering earlier in the season against #9 Jesuit 12-10 and #2 Lake Oswego 49-28. Now they are back in the #10 spot and looking to stay undefeated in the Mt. Hood Conference. They now face a Centennial team that has a jackal and hyde mentality on offense. The Rams should have no problem getting their offense going against the 5th worst defense in the conference, but their defense could give up points if they are not focused. Although Centennial has the talent to win, I would’t count on it. Rams should move to (4-2) and stay in the hunt for the Mt. Hood Conference title.

Jesse James NWPreps