The West Linn Lion Football team is now 4-0 and has vaulted itself up to sixth in the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) rankings. Lakeridge, who has posted a 2-2 record on the young season, hopes to defeat the Lions for the second year in a row. Last season, the Pacers came into West Linn and ended the Lions’ regular season on a sour note, beating them 28-20. Despite early season success, Chris Miller, head coach, hasn’t let the 4-0 record hype his players up too much.
“We have to focus on one week at a time,” Miller said. “We have to remember that the records of the teams we have beaten aren’t outstanding.”
Quarterback Tim Tawa, sophomore, has helped guide West Linn, tossing six touchdowns in a dominating 48-14 thrashing of the Newberg Tigers. Tawa has been on fire in the first four games, throwing for 972 yards, 14 touchdowns, and only one interception.
West Linn’s receiver play has been on point as well, thanks to juniors Cody Coppedge and Connor Berggeren. Against Lake Oswego, Berggeren put up three touchdowns including a 97-yard bomb, extending Lions’ lead to 20-6. Last week against Newberg, Coppedge caught 12 passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns.
The last time the Lions traveled to Lakeridge, they emerged victorious, 35-13. With a phenomenal game from then junior Louie Germain, who scored four rushing touchdowns and caught another, West Linn earned its first league victory of the 2012 season.
“Lakeridge is a very good football team,” Miller said. “They’re tough, physical, they have both a great quarterback and running back.”
The Lions hope to continue its undefeated season as they take on Lakeridge Friday at Lakeridge at 7 p.m.