Winners

Lake Oswego Lakers (6-0)

The Lake Oswego Lakers are the biggest winners of week 6. sitting in the #2 spot of the latest AP polls, the Lakers are playing for a top four seed in the upcoming OSAA 6A playoffs. Last night was a big statement for the Lakers to travel to their undefeated conference rivals, the Lakeridge Pacers, home field and win 55-34. At this point in the season the Lakers are riding their star running back, Steven Long, who had another standout game with 275 yards and six touchdowns on 31 carries. On top of Long’s impressive performance, the Lakers defense forced four turnovers helping feed their offenses confidence. It still is a long season with West Linn and Oregon City on the schedule, but the Lakers look like they are up for the challenge.

West Linn Lions (5-1)

It was another dramatic win last night for the West Linn Lions as they visited the #7 Grant Generals, and gave them everything they could handle in a 21-19 victory. It is the Lions third straight heart stopping win, and this time they did it completing only three passes, which you can get away with when two of the three completions go for touchdowns. It is now the apex of the Lions season with the Lakeridge Pacers coming to town next week, and you can bet they will be ready to play after Lake Oswego’s dominating performance tonight. The last couple weeks have gone a long way to sell me that the Lions are a legitimate playoff team, but the offense still worries me. I need to see the Lions do it one more time.

Losers

Thurston (4-2)

Last night the Thurston Colts proved to me what they are, a good team but not good enough. The Colts have an impressive (4-2) record, but that comes against inferior talent. At this point in the season the Colts have had two chances to prove to me that they are a legitimate playoff contender, and their actions say they are not. There is only three more games in the season and Thurston should win at least two of those games; which would give them an automatic berth to the playoffs. The Colts only have one more chance to prove that they belong in the playoffs, and that comes in two weeks against the undefeated and #1 ranked Sheldon Irish… I fear the Colts may be one and done this postseason.

Tualatin (4-2)

The Tualatin Timberwolves had a big chance to make a statement last night, and they failed to do so against the undefeated and #4 ranked Tigard Tigers. The Timberwolves entered the game ranked #8 in the latest AP poll, and full of confidence. However, the Tigers had something else to say about that… We are better. The  Tigers took the opportunity to stand out in what should be their last difficult game of the season, and most likely locked up a top four seed to the postseason. Tualatin should be able to bounce back from this loss and finish the season (7-2) having a “cup cake” schedule from here on out. Despite that, it is high school football, and it is games like last nights 35-7 loss that will rip the heart out of a season. After last night I feel the Timberwolves don’t have what it takes to make a run in the playoffs, and are not a top 10 team. Tualatin is my biggest loser.

Jesse James NWPreps.Net