For the second week in a row, there hasn’t been much movement in the top five of The Oregonian/OregonLive Class 6A football Power Rankings, but this is something that could change very soon. This Friday, we will see South Medford at Sheldon and West Linn at Tualatin. Both of these games could have massive implications on both league standings and rankings.
Take a look into some of the movement of this week’s Oregonian/OregonLive Class 6A football Power Rankings:
1. Sheldon Irish (5-0, 3-0 Special District 1)
The Irish remain a force to be reckoned with in Class 6A. Though five weeks, they have the highest scoring offense in Class 6A (averaging 50 points per game) and are tied for the best defense in the state (averaging 7.4 points per game). In Friday’s 56-0 rout of Roseburg, Brock Thomas completed 17 of 21 passes for 230 yards and four touchdowns while running for two more touchdowns. Can anyone in Special District 1 stop the Irish?
2. Central Catholic Rams (4-1, 3-0 Mt. Hood Conference)
After opening the season with one of the toughest opening two weeks in the west coast, the Rams are rolling through the Mt. Hood Conference. Most recently, Central Catholic dominated Reynolds 50-0. Cru Newman has been in full control of this offense, with 728 passing yards and six touchdown (both third in the conference). He also leads the team with 214 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. The Rams’ rushing attack has struggled since Timmy Mitchell went down with an injury in Week 2′s loss to St. John Bosco.
3. West Linn Lions (4-1, 1-0 Three Rivers League)
A 49-0 win over Lake Oswego was a full highlight reel for the Lions. Every week, Sam Leavitt is showing that not only is he comfortable in the new West Linn offense, but he might be the best quarterback in the state. On Friday, he completed 14 of 20 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns while running the ball three times for 74 yards and a touchdown. The West Linn offense might have the state’s most dynamic passing attack, something that few teams have the answer for.
4. Jesuit Crusaders (4-1, 1-0 Metro League)
Since the 11-point loss to West Linn, Jesuit has been completely dominant. A 64-0 win over Aloha means the Crusaders have pitched two shutouts in the past two weeks while outscoring opponents 106-0. Against the Warriors, Payton Roth had just seven carries for 174 yards and scored three touchdowns. The meat of the Metro League schedule is coming up and a matchup with Mountainside on Oct. 21 will be huge for both teams.
5. Tualatin Timberwolves (5-0, 1-0 Three Rivers League)
In a 39-21 win over Lakeridge on Friday, the Timberwolves showed that they can also play a slower, grinding style of football despite coach Dom Ferraro’s innate nature to play fast. Luke Ash had 37 carries for 167 yards and three touchdowns in Friday’s game. Quarterback Jack Wagner is clearly enjoying himself this season in the new offensive scheme. On Friday, he threw for 288 yards and two touchdowns.
6. Mountainside Mavericks (5-0, 1-0 Metro League)
The Mavericks came one missed extra point away from their first loss of the season on Friday, but the win over Westview might be another signature win for Mountainside. What makes Friday’s win special was the Mavericks allowed Westview’s Jordan Fisher to gain 263 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The Wildcats outgained Mountainside 418-261, but the Mavericks were able to hold on for the win. Mountainside was able to figure out the win despite a somewhat ugly performance.
7. South Medford Panthers (5-0, 3-0 Special District 1)
South Medford continues its strong run in southern Oregon, with a huge matchup against Sheldon looming on Friday. The Panthers’ rushing attack has been dominant so far. Against Sprague on Friday, the Panthers gained 204 total rushing yards. Quarterback Deacon Edgar completed 10 of 15 passes for 147 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also had two rushing touchdowns.
8. Tigard Tigers (5-0, 1-0 Three Rivers League)
A 36-23 win over Oregon City on Friday was the Tigers’ closest game of the season. Running back Konnor Grant gained 200 yards on the ground with two touchdowns. The rushing attack turned out to be pivotal, as Oregon City’s Marcus Jordan was held to just 58 yards on the ground. Tigard has one of the toughest lines in the Three Rivers League, but the schedule does not get any easier for the Tigers.
9. Sherwood Bowmen (3-2, 1-0 Pacific Conference)
The Bowmen bounced back after being punched in the mouth by Jesuit with a 35-7 win over Century. The Bowmen held the Jaguars to just 144 total yards and senior linebacker Elijah Douglass had two interceptions. While the Bowmen are known for their wing-T rushing attack, quarterback Kasen Covert is only second in the Pacific Conference with 411 passing yards and five touchdowns.
10. Nelson Hawks (3-1, 2-1 Mt. Hood Conference)
Welcome to the Top 10, Nelson! The Hawks’ 42-35 overtime win over Clackamas on Friday is easily the team’s biggest win in school history, but also a note to the rest of the state that this is a team to be taken seriously. Sophomore quarterback Avirey Durdahl had a coming out party against the Cavaliers, completing 22 of 31 passes for 278 yards and four touchdowns.
Honorable mention
South Salem (4-1, 2-1 Special District 1) has bounced back from a loss to South Medford with a dominant win over West Salem last Friday. Quarterback Daschel Smith leads the district with 1,422 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. It’s hard to fault Lake Oswego (3-2, 0-1 Three Rivers League) for a loss to West Linn, a fate many schools have suffered this fall. The Lakers’ two losses this season have come against top teams. Clackamas (2-3, 1-2 Mt. Hood Conference) is on a two-game losing streak with both losses coming by one score in overtime. They also played most of the second half against Nelson without starting quarterback Blake Baker, who was ejected from the game. The Cavaliers have to regroup against Sandy and Gresham before a matchup with Central Catholic.
-- Nik Streng, nstreng@oregonian.com, @NikStreng
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