By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

WEST LINN, Ore.–  After strong performances in the first round of the OSAA 6A playoffs by a combined score of 73-6, this Friday’s second round match-up between the third-seed West Linn Lions and the 11^th-seed West Salem Titans.

The Lions came off a 41-6 rout of Roosevelt while the Titans shutout Franklin 32-0 in the first round, but the major showdown will be between the West Linn offense and the shutdown defense of West Salem.

The Titans had four interceptions on the Quakers last week, but will have to worry about the rushing attack of Elijah Molden if they shutdown Stanford baseball commit and starting quarterback Tim Tawa and his receivers.

West Salem’s Head Coach Shawn Stanley said that the Lions offense has more weapons than the two-headed monster of Tawa and Molden.

“I wish the monster only had two heads, it has way more than that,” said Stanley on West Linn’s offense.  “The receivers are really good as well.  We need to mix up coverage’s and pressure.  We realize they are going to make some plays, they are just too talented.

“The key is to minimize big plays, tackle well, and pressure the (quarterback).”

Despite that, the Titan’s aren’t going to stray away from what has worked from them this year.

“At this point in the season I think it is not wise to stray too far from what you do,” said Stanley.  “We have a few wrinkles in the package to try and create some advantages but overall we are going to “do what we do” and try to be great at it.”

As for the game plan for West Linn, it’s the same recipe that has worked all season long.

“We’re going continue to play the way we play on (offense) and (defense),” said Lions Head Coach Chris Miller.  “We have a talented group of kids & like our match ups.”

West Salem would have to play their best game of the year against a strong, highly-ranked Lions team, but Stanley knows that his team will embrace the challenge ahead.

“The third tag doesn’t intimidate our program,” he said.  “Don’t get me wrong, we respect them and they are very deserving of it and are one of the most talented teams in the state.

“We will have to play our absolute best to have a chance in this game, but that is what we plan to do.  Play our best football game of the year.”

Kickoff is slated for 7pm at West Linn High School in West Linn.

Jeremy McDonald is a professional sports journalist in the Salem/Portland area and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalist in Oregon with B.S. degrees from Southern Oregon University in Journalism (2011) and Health/PE (2013).  Got a story idea? Email him at jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com or on Twitter at @J_McDonald81!

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