In an exciting showdown during the Oregon 6A State Quarterfinals, Jesuit takes on top-seeded West Linn, following Jesuit’s narrow victory over Tualatin. The Crusaders triumphed in a thrilling overtime match, winning 34-33 after blocking Tualatin’s PAT attempt. Star player Luke Ortner shone for Jesuit, rushing for a staggering 229 yards and scoring four touchdowns, providing a crucial boost for his team.
West Linn should present a formidable challenge, having routed Roosevelt 56-7 in their first playoff game. Quarterback Sloan Baker got the Lions off to a blazing start with a 70-yard touchdown pass on the first play, amassing 267 passing yards and contributing four touchdowns. The previous clash between these two teams in the 2023 playoffs resulted in a decisive 59-14 victory for West Linn, heightening the stakes for this highly anticipated rematch.
In another quarterfinal matchup, Central Catholic, fresh off a 42-14 victory against Newberg, faces Willamette, which defeated Mountainside 42-20. Central Catholic capitalized early in their previous game, scoring after recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff. Quarterback Robbie Long was a key player, throwing for 141 yards and three touchdowns. Willamette’s quarterback Zeke Thomas displayed his versatility by accounting for all six Wolverine touchdowns, throwing for five and running for another, making this upcoming battle particularly challenging for Central Catholic’s secondary.
Meanwhile, Grants Pass achieved a thrilling upset by beating Sherwood 35-32, with junior quarterback Jordan Rossetta throwing for 192 yards and three touchdown passes. However, they will face a tougher task against the formidable Lake Oswego, which dismantled Sprague 49-14 in the first round. Lake Oswego enters this matchup on a relentless streak, outscoring opponents 132-28 since their only loss to West Linn. Washington State commit Hudson Kurland showcased his prowess with two touchdown passes and a rushing score in their last game.
Lastly, Lakeridge and Nelson are set to rematch after their Week 0 encounter that saw Nelson triumph 26-21. Lakeridge advanced with a 35-21 win over Glencoe, led by Washington commit Ansu Sanoe, who scored four touchdowns. In contrast, Nelson secured a solid 35-12 victory over West Salem, where quarterback Danny Leary threw for 291 yards and found Malachi Garlington for three of his four touchdown passes.
The stage is set for a thrilling quarterfinal weekend in Oregon high school football, as these teams compete not just for victories but for a place in the semifinals, creating excitement among players and fans alike.