#2 LAKE OSWEGO 56 VS #1 4A SKYLINE, WA 46
Most of us by now already know about Steven Long’s record breaking performance (427 yds, 7 Td’s), but there was a lot more that went in to Lake O’s statement win on Friday Night. The Offensive line was outstanding; 1st team all league returnee Turner Young (6-0 240 OL, Sr.) leads a very talented bunch that not many people knew about. Austin Faunce (6-1 215 OL Jr.), Kyle Peterson (6-1 210 C Jr.), and Noah Peterson (6-5 270 OL Jr.) are three juniors that have stepped up big time replacing three all league seniors from a year ago (Kevin Peterson, James Cooper, Andre Lee). Arthur Drake (6-0 240 OL Sr.) rounds out the 2011 bunch.
It will be very interesting to see how the young and athletic line of LO matches up with the Mammoth Crusader line next week. Jesuit runs about (6-5 290) on average across the board, with the exception of three year starter Dominic Mori (6-1 240 C Sr.) at center. You can expect Jesuit to try and exploit this especially with Doug Brenner leading the way at fullback (6-3 260 FB/LB Jr.)
The Lakers have maybe the top linebacking crew in the state. (Zach Walen 6-3 195 Sr, Grant Taylor 6-2 215 Sr, Mitch Lomax 6-4 240 Jr, and Neil Wagner 6-2 205 Jr).They are just flat out good. Skyline featured tailback Damian Greene (5-9 175 RB Sr.) was smacked around and lost multiple fumbles that LO capitilized on.
You knew that Max Browne (6-5 200 QB Jr) was going to get his, it was just a matter of who would finish. Browne played very well and hit multiple targets all night. He set a school record for passing yards (459) on (40 of 53 passing, and 3 Tds). The Spartans were playing without star junior Nic Sblendorio (6-1 185 WR/ DB Jr.).
Trevor Barney (5-8 160 WR Jr.) was effective all night and is one of the top undersized receivers in the Pacific Northwest. Mason Gregory (6-5 215 WR Sr.), Matt Sinatro (5-10, 150 Jr), and the highly touted Taggart Krueger (6-2 185 Sr.) all played well.
The difference maker other then the obvious in Long, was QB Alex Matthews (6-3 205 QB Sr.) He looked smooth and very comfortable in his decision making. Matthews will be the key to Lakers season. He has made plays both in the air and on the ground, but most importantly has been turnover free. Matthews upside is huge, coming in the #3 ranked QB in the state on NEI’s updated rankings to be released early this week. He didn’t have a ton of experience coming into the season, but blew up the camp circuit and has done very well thus far.
Matthews favorite target Stevie Coury (5-10 165 WR Sr.), is one of the top receivers in the state and will be the other difference maker. It will be important for Long and Coury to play off of one another to keep defenses guessing.
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