Games to watch in Week 8 of Oregon high school football

A look at the top high school football games across Oregon this week (Oct. 20-22)

By René Ferrán  

Here is a look at the top high school football games across Oregon this week (Oct. 20-22).

Photo by Leon Neuschwander

—

McMinnville (4-3, 2-1) at Liberty (4-3, 2-1), 7 p.m. Thursday

The winner clinches a playoff spot, and the Falcons still have hopes of claiming the Pacific Conference’s No. 1 seed and a berth in the OSAA championship bracket if they beat the Grizzlies and Sherwood next week.

Nelson (5-1, 4-1) at Sandy (4-3, 4-1), 7 p.m. Thursday

Second place in the Mt. Hood Conference comes down to this showdown in east Multnomah County. A win also would go a long way to locking up a spot in the OSAA championship bracket for the Hawks, who sit No. 12 in the 6A rankings entering Week 8.

Oregon City (4-3, 1-2) at Tualatin (5-2, 1-2), 7 p.m. Thursday

The Pioneers snapped their 19-game Three Rivers League losing streak last week against Lakeridge with one of the craziest two-point conversions since Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl 15 years ago. Now, they hope to earn their first win over the Timberwolves since 2002.

Wilsonville (5-2, 2-0) at Forest Grove (3-4, 2-0), 7 p.m. Thursday

The Wildcats have owned the series since the Vikings dropped from 6A for competitive balance reasons in 2018, winning all four meetings by a combined 213-34 score. This time, there’s more at stake — the winner earns a spot in the NWOC championship game and secures a 5A playoff berth.

Roosevelt (4-3, 4-1) at Franklin (4-2, 3-2), 7 p.m. Friday

The Lightning have lost two in a row and now find themselves in danger of missing the playoffs. The Roughriders can clinch a playoff spot with a victory one week ahead of their showdown with Grant that could allow them to share the PIL title.

Mountainside (7-0, 3-0) at Jesuit (6-1, 3-0), 7 p.m. Friday

The Metro League title comes down to this game. The fifth-ranked Mavericks must find a way to slow down the No. 4 Crusaders and senior running back Payton Roth, who has gone over 100 yards in six of seven games and has rushed for 1,435 yards and 17 touchdowns. 

Clackamas (3-4, 2-3) at Central Catholic (6-1, 5-0), 7 p.m. Friday, Hillsboro Stadium 

The Cavaliers lost three in a row in Mt. Hood play before bouncing back last week with a 42-7 win at Gresham, so this year's matchup won't be the conference title-determining showdown we've come to expect from this series in recent years — but it remains a great rivalry. The Rams need to beat Clackamas and then David Douglas to lock up their fourth consecutive undefeated season in Mt. Hood action. 

Lake Oswego (5-2, 2-1) at Tigard (6-1, 2-1), 7 p.m. Friday

Both are safely in the OSAA championship bracket based on their OSAA ranking, but a win would help their chances of playing host to a first-round game. How do the No. 7 Tigers respond to their first loss — a 63-14 defeat at West Linn?

Grants Pass (5-2, 3-2) at Sheldon (7-0, 5-0), 7 p.m. Friday

The Cavemen have been one of the turnaround stories of the fall, but now they face their most challenging test — against the Irish, who have yet to have a Special District 1 game that didn’t end with a running clock.

Sprague (4-3, 3-2) at South Salem (6-1, 4-1), 7:15 p.m. Friday

More than bragging rights for south Salem are on the line. The ninth-ranked Saxons would likely clinch a berth in the OSAA championship bracket by ending their two-game losing streak to the Olympians, who need a win to bolster their OSAA ranking.

Canby (5-2, 2-0) at Putnam (7-0, 2-0), 7 p.m. Friday

Are the Kingsmen for real? They can dispel any lingering doubts about whether they are a top-10 team with a victory over the Cougars, who got star junior running back Tyler Konold back in last week’s victory against Hood River Valley.

Dallas (4-2, 4-2) at Central (5-2, 5-2), 7 p.m. Friday

A Panthers win would be their first over the Dragons since 2018 and would cement their spot in the 5A playoff field. A Dallas win likely does the same for the Dragons. Whichever team loses the Polk County rivalry game could have to sweat out the final OSAA rankings depending on the result of another annual MWC grudge match — Silverton and West Albany.

West Albany (4-2, 4-2) at Silverton (6-1, 6-0), 7 p.m. Friday

This Mid-Willamette rivalry typically features plenty of fireworks and always plays a part in determining the conference champion. This year, a Foxes win gives them the title outright with a week left in the regular season.

Summit (6-1, 3-0) at Mountain View (5-2, 3-0), 7 p.m. Friday

The first of two games that likely will determine the Intermountain Conference champion. The winner would simply need to follow with a Week 9 victory to claim the title outright. A Cougars win, followed by a loss to Bend in Week 9 (assuming the Lava Bears beat 1-6 Ridgeview), would result in a three-way tie atop the conference.

Scappoose (6-1, 3-0) at Tillamook (5-2, 3-0), 7 p.m. Friday

The Cheesemakers finally play at home after seven road games (necessitated by the refurbishment of their stadium) in time for a de facto Cowapa League title game against Scappoose, looking to reclaim the crown it held in 2017 before leaving the league when it moved up to 5A in the most recent four-year classification cycle.

Marist Catholic (6-1, 4-0) at Cascade (4-3, 3-1), 7 p.m. Friday

So many permutations remain in play in the Sky Em League. The Spartans could finish anywhere from solo first place to fourth place and relying on the OSAA rankings for the lone at-large spot in the 4A bracket. Same with the defending league champion Cougars, who are looking to bounce back after seeing their 15-game Sky Em win streak snapped by Junction City last week.

Mazama (7-0, 4-0) at Henley (7-0, 4-0), 7 p.m. Friday

The battle for Klamath Falls bragging rights has major Big Sky Conference and playoff implications. The winner secures a share of the title. For the Vikings, that would be conference championship No. 9 in a row. If the Hornets win, they will also wrap up the conference’s No. 1 seed in the state playoffs.

La Grande (5-2, 3-0) at Pendleton (6-1, 3-0), 7 p.m. Friday

The revival of a Northeast Oregon rivalry promises a share of the Greater Oregon League title to the winner. It’s been 23 years since the schools have been in the same league, but they’ve met off and on in nonleague play until finally reuniting in the GOL this season.

Cascade Christian (7-0, 7-0) at St. Mary’s (Medford) (6-1, 6-1), 7 p.m. Friday

The Holy Bowl between the two Medford private schools will play a big part in determining the Far West League champion. If the Challengers win, that sets up a winner-take-all matchup against South Umpqua. The Crusaders need to win to keep their hopes of snatching a share of the title alive.

Oakland (6-1, 5-0) at Gold Beach (7-0, 5-0), 7 p.m. Friday

The Valley Coast Conference championship will be decided along the Curry County coast. The Panthers lead 2A in scoring, averaging 49.7 points per game, while the Oakers allow a 2A-low 13.2 per game. Gold Beach quarterback Jake Westerman scored touchdowns rushing, passing and receiving in last week’s 64-41 win over Illinois Valley.

Adrian (6-1) at Powder Valley (7-0), 7 p.m. Friday

Both teams take a break from league championship battles to meet in a rematch of last year’s 1A state championship game. The two-time defending champion Antelopes have allowed three touchdowns in five games since a Week 1 loss to Lost River. The Badgers have scored the second-most points among 1A teams (49.7 per game). 

—

Our complete high school football preview:

Breaking down every 6A, 5A, 4A team in the state

Complete Week 7 recap:

Top stars, best games, biggest wins