![MORE THAN A GAME. With two diving catches in the outfield, the Lions showed up defensively, aiding in their victory over the Pacers. One catch was made by Atwood, and the other by McGraw. Throughout the game, the Lions knew that it wasn’t just about their victory today. “I think [playing for cancer] makes it bigger than just a game,” McGraw said. “Knowing that you have a bigger impact in this world than just who you are as one person.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/I70A1454-1-1200x800.jpg)
![Students in the National Art Honor Society work on the Mount Hood mural on the window of SouthLake Church. The students brought a variety of paints and mixed their own custom colors. “Instead of brushstrokes, we’re doing more dabbing, because it gives [a] better impression of tree foliage, rather than looking like actual brush strokes, because if we’re painting trees, we need it to look like trees,” Crawford said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/IMG_2397-1200x900.jpg)
Football team’s early season success brings fans closer than ever
Coming into the 2014 football season, West Linn was not predicted to do very well, especially since the Three Rivers League had revamped itself with the additions of Tigard, Tualatin, Newberg and Sherwood. Those predictions were tossed out the window when the Lions took down rival Oregon City in their season opener, 28-21. West Linn rolled David Douglas the next week, 49-26 and then faced Lake Oswego in hopes of proving last year’s win was no fluke. The Lions did just that with a 20-6 victory over the Lakers.
“Without a doubt the best part is when sunk L.O.,” Ben Baldwin, senior, said. “We hadn’t beat LO at home so far during my high school years so being able to beat a big rival that you have is something pretty special and memorable.” Baldwin’s excitement was felt with other students as well.
“Beating Lake Oswego like we did was incredible especially since they have been on top for what seems like forever and now we’ve taken the upper hand,” Garet Gloer, senior, said.
Over the past two seasons, the Lions had only won eight games.
With this season’s early success, seniors are more excited than usual because this is the last year they will ever be part of the raucous Friday night crowds.
“I think as a senior you become more involved in the game no matter what sport it is,” Baldwin said. “So obviously it’s pretty awesome to be experiencing this my senior year.”
“It’d be really special for our whole class if the team is able to go out on top,” Gloer said.
Despite a recent loss to Sherwood, students are still optimistic and hope the team can regain momentum this Friday with an enormous win against the undefeated Tigard Tigers who are ranked number two in state.
“A win over Tigard would show that we have a real deal team and we’re here to win,” Baldwin said.
Currently sitting at 5-1, the Lions are considered by many as a legitimate contender for a Three Rivers League title and students hope maybe even State. West Linn has a chance to make a huge statement with a win against the Tigers, Friday at 7 p.m. at West Linn.
Your donation will support the student journalists of West Linn High School. Your contribution will allow us to continue to produce quality content by purchasing equipment, software, and continuing to host our website on School Newspapers Online (SNO). Additionally, donations will go towards paying for the physical editions of our Amplifier. Donations of $20 dollars (as of Oct. 15, 2025) or more will receive a subscription to our Amplifier, which will be mailed to the donator's address (donations made with the intention of purchasing a subscription CANNOT be anonymous).
Before Walker McCrae, senior, realized his dream of becoming a sports manager, he was faced with one task, one court and one orange leather ball.
“Walker!...
