Friday night’s contest between the Lake Oswego Lakers and Sheldon Irish not only features two teams currently ranked in the Top 10 of The Oregonian/OregonLive’s latest poll, but also a pair of perennial contenders for the Class 6A state championship.
The high-scoring Lakers (3-0) are ranked No. 3 in The Oregonian/OregonLive’s latest top-10 poll. The Irish are ranked No. 8.
Led by senior running back Gabe Olvera’s four touchdowns (three rushing, one passing), the Lakers posted a 41-14 win over South Medford last week, marking the third consecutive game in which they have scored at least 40 points.
The Lakers are averaging 43.0 points a game and their total of 129 points through three games is tied for second-most in 6A. On the other side of the ball, the Lakers are allowing an average of just 13.6 points per game.
But the Lakers’ defense will be tested by Sheldon (3-0).
Irish quarterback Brock Thomas accounted for six touchdowns (two passing, three rushing, one receiving) last week, when he rallied the Irish to a 42-38 win over the Newberg Tigers, and has had a hand in 15 touchdowns this season — including a Class 6A-best nine on the ground.
The dual-threat quarterback has has accumulated 1,150 yards in three games, completing 51 of 74 passes for 692 yards while rushing 51 times for 458 yards.
His favorite target, junior wide receiver Luke Leighton, has caught 18 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns.
“They’re a very good team, but we’re going to treat this game as just another game,” Thomas said. “There’s no reason to get too nervous. We just have to go out there and try to do our thing.”
-- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold
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