The Lakeridge varsity football team (Lake Oswego, OR) will host Central Catholic (Portland, OR) in a home playoff game tonight at 7:00 PM. This matchup is part of the “2024 Oregon High School Football Playoff Brackets: OSAA – 6A Open” tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Oregon High School Football
Who: Lakeridge vs Central Catholic
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM
Bracket: 2024 Oregon High School Football Playoff Brackets: OSAA – 6A Open
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Game preview: Lakeridge vs Central Catholic

As Oregon high school football playoffs heat up, a marquee matchup looms between two powerhouse programs: the undefeated Central Catholic Rams (10-0) and the formidable Lakeridge Pacers (7-2). Both teams have enjoyed impressive seasons, but their contrasting styles and records suggest a compelling battle lies ahead.

Team Comparisons and Rankings

Central Catholic enters the matchup with a perfect record and a national ranking of 88, making them 4th in Oregon across all classes. Their dominance is evident in every facet of the game, posting a staggering 446 points scored this season while allowing just 112. Lakeridge, ranked 5th in the state, boasts a strong 7-2 record, with a slightly narrower scoring margin of 280 points for and 97 against.

Season Performance Breakdown

• Central Catholic: Perfect in both league (7-0) and non-league (2-0) contests, the Rams have been unbeatable on both home (6-0) and away (4-0) turf.
• Lakeridge: A solid 4-0 record in non-league games and 3-1 away from home underline their resilience, though two league losses slightly dampened their title chase.

Offensive Firepower

The Rams’ offense is nothing short of explosive, averaging 44.6 points per game, with dominant first-half performances (21.5 points in Q1, 20.0 in Q2). Quarterback Drew Weiler leads the charge, throwing for an impressive 214.8 passing yards per game, while wideout Jayden Tragesser contributes a steady 70.1 receiving yards per game. Complementing the aerial attack, running back Ansu Sanoe grinds out 67.5 rushing yards per game.

Lakeridge counters with a balanced attack, scoring 31.1 points per game. While they lack the raw numbers of Central Catholic, their consistency across all quarters and standout players, such as their versatile rushing corps and tough defense, make them a formidable foe.

Defense and Key Players

Defensively, Central Catholic thrives with 59 tackles and 3.7 sacks per game, led by Kilian Eddleman and Colby Owen. This tenacity has allowed them to stifle opponents early and often, as seen in their 65-0 shutout of Barlow. Lakeridge’s defense has also been stingy, allowing just 97 points all season and keeping pace in the trenches against highly ranked teams.

Common Opponent Comparison

Both teams crushed their lone shared opponent, Barlow, with Central Catholic winning 65-0 and Lakeridge earning a 55-3 victory. These results underline their defensive prowess and ability to dominate weaker teams.

Keys to Victory

For Central Catholic, maintaining their high-powered offense and capitalizing on their ability to score early will be crucial. On the other hand, Lakeridge must find a way to disrupt the Rams’ rhythm while leaning on their defensive discipline and ability to grind out yards offensively.

The Stage is Set

With playoff implications and reputations on the line, this clash promises to be a thrilling showcase of Oregon’s high school football elite. Will Central Catholic continue their unbeaten streak, or can Lakeridge pull off the upset? Football fans across the state won’t want to miss this heavyweight showdown.