Behind the quarterback play of Tim Tawa, West Linn begins the season at No. 1. Summit, Jesuit, Sherwood and Lincoln are also in the mix in the Oregon football #MaxPrepsFab5.
Video: Ultimate highlights of West Linn quarterback Tim Tawa
See Tawa lead the state's top-ranked team
2016 Oregon Preseason Football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. West Linn Head coach: Chris Miller
2015 record: 12-2
Team previewOnly once since 2004 had the Lions recorded a double-digit win season, but they accomplished that last year even with a disappointing 21-14 loss in the 6A final to Jesuit.
West Linn put up 580 points behind returning quarterback
Tim Tawa, who completed 68 percent of his passes (269 of 394) for 4,420 yards and 50 touchdowns with just three interceptions. That's a gaudy passing rating of 142.1.
The Lions also return leading rusher
Elijah Molden (1,071 yards, 17 touchdowns) and third-leading receiver
Qawi Ntsasa (44 catches, 570 yards, 8 touchdowns).
Zack Huffstutter and
Jake Porter lead the defense after each recording 90 tackles last year.
See the Oregon computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard
2. Summit (Bend)Head coach: Joe Padilla
2015 record: 12-1
Team preview
John Bledsoe, Summit quarterback
File photo by Paul Steele
The Storm boasted one of the most prolific and balanced offenses in the state last season, while averaging 204.2 rushing yards and 206.9 passing yards per game. They captured the 5A state title with a 45-28 win over Ashland, a team that handed them their only loss, 14-13 during the regular season.
This season,
John Bledsoe, the son of former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe, returns under center after throwing for 2,551 yards, 31 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He's committed to Northern Arizona University.
Summit also returns leading rusher
Dawson Ruhl (1,099 yards, 17 touchdowns) and trio of capable receivers led by
Grant Tobias. The Storm's challenge will be on defense, where their top five tacklers from last season all graduated.
See the MaxPreps national football videos page3. Jesuit (Portland)Head coach: Ken Potter
2015 record: 14-0
Team preview
The Crusaders won their sixth state championship last season but lost most of their key offensive players to graduation. Still Potter, whose teams have won 106 games over the last decade, always seem to reload.
The good news for the Crusaders is they return almost their entire offensive line among 10 returning starters overall. Only three are on defense. The leader on the line is 6-foot-7, 310-pound senior
Jaxson Kirkland. Senior
Demetrius Douglas (6-0, 175) and junior
Trey Lowe (5-8, 180) figure to be key players on both sides of the ball.
See the MaxPreps Oregon football photos page4. SherwoodHead coach: Greg Lawrence
2015 record: 12-1
Team previewOne of the state's most consistent and successful programs recorded another banner season in 2015, winning 12 straight games before losing in the state 6A semifinals to West Linn, 51-7. It was a disappointing end to an otherwise fantastic year for the Bowmen, who over the last dozen years, all under Lawrence, are a combined 136-18.
With leading rusher and tackler
David Morris (870 yards, 11 touchdowns, 77 tackles) and sacker
Luka Nixon (seven) returning, Lawrence should have another strong squad.
See the MaxPreps Oregon football playoff brackets5. Lincoln (Portland)Head coach: Wes Warren
2015 record: 11-1
Team previewThe Cardinals started the year winning 11 straight games by a 400-73 count before losing to Sherwood 16-0 in the state 6A quarterfinals. It was a landmark win for first-year coach Warren and Lincoln, which hadn't had a winning season since 2010.
The defense should be in good shape with
Sam Paris (79 tackles) and
Nolan Ostmo (six interceptions).
