![At the bottom of the third inning, the Lions are still scoreless. Rowe stands at home plate, preparing to bat, while Vandenbrink stands off to the side as the next batter up. Despite having the bases loaded, the team was unable to score any runs. “It’s just the beginning of the season. We’re just going to be playing out best by June, [and] that’s where champions are,” Rowe said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3077-1200x900.jpg)
![All smiles. The group poses for a photo with last year’s book, “This is Our House,” along with their award for third Best in Show. Meikle, who was an Editor-in-Chief for the yearbook last year as well, holds both and stands at the center of the group. “That was an amazing feeling, going and grabbing the third place award,” Meikle said. “All of it paid off. I cried so much over that book, being able to receive [the award] was one of the highlights of my high school career, it was like the coolest thing ever.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/8bookpose_philly-1200x800.jpg)
After going 2-1 to open its season, the Varsity Football Team will begin league play tonight against the Canby Cougars. The game kicks off a string of tough league games for the Lions, including away games at Oregon City and Lake Oswego in the coming month.
“Canby is a good team but we can definitely beat them,” Rhett Olmstead, senior running back, said. “It will be a tough game.”
Canby began its season with two straight losses to perennial powers Jesuit and Central Catholic. The Cougars then bounced back to dominate South Salem, 41-24, and look to carry that momentum into tonight’s game.
“They are a good running team but they beat teams with the big pass plays. So that is one of the keys to beating them,” Olmstead said.
As a polar opposite of Canby, the Lions started off their season hot by trouncing non-league foes Barlow and Centennial at home. However, after a deflating away loss to West Salem, the Lions will be looking to re-gain their form at home tonight.