A year ago, the Jesuit Crusaders and the Lake Oswego Lakers each entered their nationally-televised showdown sporting an undefeated record, prepared to battle for supremacy in Oregon’s class 6A. The winner would be a state title favorite.
Fast forward to 2009, where the two teams will once again clash in a game televised nationwide by CBS College Sports. This year, after a difficult start for each, both Jesuit and Lake Oswego will be looking to get back on track and build momentum toward a run at the 6A title.
“I think we are two teams still trying to find ourselves, who plays where, and what’s the best situation,” said Jesuit head coach Ken Potter, entering his 23rd season at the helm of the Crusaders. “We’re trying to figure it out and so is Lake Oswego.”
Keanon Lowe, Jesuit
Traci Flitcraft
Potter’s team opened up with a difficult opponent in Skyline (Sammamish, Wash.), currently ranked 12th in the Xcellent 25. Skyline’s defense dominated an inexperienced Jesuit offense as the Spartans cruised to a 17-0 victory. The Crusaders avoided going 0-2 by edging Clackamas 28-21 last week.
For Jesuit, breaking in five new offensive linemen and a brand new signal caller behind center caused a great deal of growing pains.
“I think the biggest thing is that the offensive line has not played together. Another week of them being able to communicate, make the calls, and do the stuff we ask them to do, they were a whole lot better this week [vs. Clackamas],” Potter said.
New quarterback Jeff Elorriaga will turn to one of the team’s constants on both offense and defense, Keanon Lowe, who returns after a sensational junior season.
“Keanon Lowe is one of the best players in the country,” Potter said. “We’ll see how we can get him the ball as many ways as possible.”
Lowe, who has committed to the University of Washington, will mostly see action in the slot, while junior Jordan Talley will get a good number of carries.
While Lowe has been the team’s best player two years running, Lake Oswego is still trying to adjust from the loss of Jack Lomax, last year’s senior quarterback who finished the year with over 3,700 yards passing, including over 600 yards in Lake Oswego’s two victories over Jesuit.
Senior Will Storey has taken over, one year after being Lomax’s top target at wide receiver. The 6-foot-2 Storey caught 71 passes a year ago, but is now being asked to distribute the ball in the Lakers’ offense.
“We didn’t have anybody to be the guy,” said head coach Steve Coury, who has seen his team drop its first two games this season. “We put our best athlete there. He’s got a great arm.”
Waiting in the wings is sophomore Alex Matthews, who is being groomed as more of a traditional drop back passer.
Perhaps Lake Oswego’s biggest offense weapon, however, is junior Tyson Coleman. As a sophomore starter last season, Coleman quickly made a name for himself by rushing for 15 touchdowns. He’s already drawn interest from several Division I schools.
Coleman will likely see time at running back and wide receiver, as well as the secondary.
Steve Coury, in his 18th season, hopes that his team can use the Jesuit game as a turning point after the 0-2 start.
“We’re a team that’s struggling a bit with inexperience,” he said. “Offensively, we were better last week. Defensively, we struggled.”
Despite each team’s rocky start to 2009, both Potter and Coury expect another competitive, intense game reminiscent of last September’s thriller, which Lake Oswego won 36-33.
“They’re one of the best,” said Coury. “This is a game that can help us get back on track.
“The game will be hard-hitting, and there will be a lot of big plays,” Potter said. “It will be fun.”
