Oregon high school football: 10 games to watch in Week 9
We’ve reached the final week of the regular season in Oregon high school football. Here are 10 games to keep an eye on in Week 9. (Photo by Leon Neuschwander)
All games 7 p.m. Friday unless noted.
Echo vs. Spray/Mitchell/Wheeler, 1 p.m. Friday, Condon High School
The defending 1A six-man state champion Eagles must avenge a 55-35 loss to Echo in the Special District 1 play-in game to secure a spot in the state playoffs. Their OSAA ranking likely would not earn them the lone at-large berth in the playoff field.
Roosevelt at Grant
The Roughriders currently cling to the final spot in the 16-team Class 6A state playoff field. They need to beat their Portland rivals at the Marshall Complex and hope to remain in the top 16 or else drop to the Columbia Cup.
Sunset at Westview
The defending Columbia Cup champion Wildcats need a win against their Sunset Highway rivals to clinch a postseason berth. Otherwise, their OSAA ranking likely won’t be good enough to qualify.
Sherwood at Liberty
The Bowmen enter the de facto Pacific Conference championship game at Falcon Field riding a seven-game shutout streak, not having been scored upon since Week 1. The hosts need a win to secure a spot in the 6A championship bracket.
Lake Oswego at Lakeridge
With two league champions (Jesuit and Wells) currently below the top eight yet guaranteed a home first-round game if they stay in the top 16, the loser of the Battle of the Lake is vulnerable to dropping out of the top eight and going on the road in Round 1 of the 6A playoffs.
Canby at Wilsonville
The Northwest Oregon Conference championship game has playoff seeding implications for the Cougars, who can secure a first-round home game in the 5A bracket if they knock off the Wildcats at Randall Stadium.
St. Helens at Seaside
The final 4A playoff berth from the Cowapa League will be on the line when the Lions travel to the North Oregon coast, seeking to make the postseason for the first time since 2016.
The Dalles at Estacada
The defending 4A state champion Rangers face off against former Estacada assistant coach Marc Schilling’s Riverhawks with a playoff spot going to the winner. The loser will be at the mercy of the Tri-Valley Conference tiebreakers.
Marist Catholic at Junction City
The Oregon West Conference title is on the line when the defending champion Spartans travel up Highway 99E to take on a Tigers team hungry to win a first league crown since 2014.
Baker at Pendleton
Greater Oregon League supremacy will be at stake at Round-Up Arena, with the Bulldogs looking to complete a turnaround from an 0-4 start to their first league title since 2016.
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