![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)
![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)
On Nov. 29, the second ranked West Linn Lions faced off against the first ranked Lake Oswego Lakers in the 6A football state championship.
Going up against the only team that beat them that season, the Lake Oswego Lakers, who were also undefeated, the Lions football team entered the field. Danny Wideman, senior, plays wide receiver and is one of eight captains on the team.
“The team was feeling good. They beat us earlier in the season, and the coach was really confident with the game plan,” Wideman said. “We feel like we gained a lot of information about them playing that game earlier in the season, so we were just excited to get another shot at them. We don’t get a lot of second chances, so [we can’t] take those for granted.”
Led by Jon Eagle, the Lions were able to make it to the final four teams in the state championship three years in a row, with 2022 and now 2024 being the seasons they achieved first place.
“Our coaches were saying that it’s just hard enough to get to the games. So to win, it just means a lot,” Wideman said. “Our team works pretty hard, and it meant a lot to have an opportunity to play the biggest game of the year.”
After the final whistle blew, players, students, families, and coaches could be seen cheering and storming the field to congratulate the players on their win.
“It was crazy. A lot of our fans were saying, ‘Hi,’ I was trying to find my parents, and I ran into a lot of my mentors who I didn’t know were gonna be at the game,” Wideman said. “It was just good seeing a lot of the community along with the people who have been a part of my life and my success surrounding me.”
This game was Wideman’s last with the Lions, scoring three touchdowns to end his football career. As a senior, Wideman played a leadership role on the team, and looks forward to seeing some of the junior members step up to fill him and the other leader’s shoes.
“I feel like my past two games have meant the most to me, just because [during] my other state championships I was a little younger and I feel like I’ve played a bigger leadership role in these past couple that I’ve had, especially with this football one. Just leaving a legacy for the younger guys,” Wideman said.
For more information about Wideman’s time on the football team and his experience during the state championship, listen to the latest episode of the West Linn Weekly Wake Up, hosted by coverage editor Nicholas Hull and multimedia resources editor Clara Wood.
