PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — State championship games are now set in the 6A and 5A ranks here in Oregon.
In one semifinal, top-ranked West Linn took on the defending champion Central Catholic. Outside of a four-point loss to Sheldon in the second week of the season, 10-1 West Linn has been dominant for most of the season, scoring over 40 points in 9 of their 11 contests.
Central Catholic was also 10-1 on the year, defeating Jesuit 23-20 last week to advance to the semifinals.
However, there could only be one team extending its winning streak, and in the end, it was West Linn cruising 49-17 over the Rams.
The other semifinal game featured unbeaten Sheldon against Tualatin. While the Sheldon offense has been incredibly explosive all season, their defense, which has held their opponents to single digits in all but one game, may be the most impressive feature of this team.
Upset-minded Tualatin, the state runner-up in 2021, comes into the game with a 9-2 record. The Timberwolves have been playing their best football during their playoff run, easily defeating Grants Pass and Mountainside in the first two rounds.
In the end, it was Sheldon earning its spot in the title game for the first time in four years, beating the Wolves 28-14.
In other 6A postseason action, North Salem took on Liberty in the Columbia Cup semifinals on Friday at Wilsonville High School, with North Salem emerging as the winner 39-21. The other semifinal game featured Hillsboro and Westview, with Westview cruising to 35-14.