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Lake Oswego Review/West Linn Tidings August 29, 2013 2013 fOOTbaLL pRevieW B7
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436892.082913 FBP
Friday
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho at West Linn 7 p.m.
Sept. 6
West Linn at Grants Pass 7 p.m.
Sept. 13
West Linn at Barlow 7 p.m.
Sept. 20
South Salem at West Linn 7 p.m.
Sept. 27
West Linn at Lake Oswego 7 p.m.
Oct. 4
Clackamas at West Linn 7 p.m.
Oct. 10*
West Linn at Oregon City 7 p.m.
Oct. 18
West Linn at Canby 7 p.m.
Oct. 25
Lakeridge at West Linn 7 p.m.
*Denotes Thursday game.
Schedule
5
Number of times that West Linn
gave up at least 40 points to its
opponent last season. The Lions
were inconsistent on defense
last year but have an athletic
secondary and a strong and
quick defensive line that figures
to be much improved this fall.
22
Number of seniors on this year’s
team. The Lions had a young
and relatively inexperienced
team last year. This season West
Linn has a veteran squad that
features plenty of returning
starters to go along with a hand-
ful of players who return to the
program after not coming out
for the team last season.
4
Number of West Linn football
games last season that were de-
cided by single digits. The Lions
were 1-4 in league but lost a pair
of those games by a touchdown
or less. In a deep and balanced
league, West Linn figures to play
in a number of close contests
again this year.
West Linn is already well ahead of where it was last season at this time.
Head coach Mike Fanger’s teams traditionally improve exponentially with
time and that figures to be the case with the Lions whose returners now
have a year of experience adapting to his system.
Continuing to progress with a more veteran squad could make the Lions the most im-
proved team in the Three Rivers League. Fanger has an impressive reputation which makes
it more likely that last year’s struggles in league were simply a blip as opposed to a signif-
cant step back.
One of the team’s biggest strengths this year may be its offensive line with four returning
players. West Linn was inconsistent at establishing the run at times last year and if it can
win the battle in the trenches and force teams to defend against the ground game and work-
horse tailback Louie Germain, it could open up things for the entire offense.
Quarterback Hayden Coppedge is one of the team’s best athletes and his size and quick-
ness make him a threat, particularly if he has time to go through his progressions.
There appears to be little separation between the majority of teams in the league this year
which could make for a handful of close ballgames. In those instances, special teams is often
an important X factor.
If the Lions can avoid key mistakes and prove to be mentally tough with the game on the
line, they could easily vault back up the league standings.
Key to the
SEASON
bers last season.
“We’d like to be pretty bal-
anced this year, but if we can
run the ball we’re going to do
it,” Fanger said.
West Linn has size and expe-
rience on the offensive line
with Ellis Eaton, Hudson Ken-
nedy, Tyler Self, Isaiah Molden
and Noah Bagley. The only
new position of that bunch is at
center and Fanger has been
giving each of those players
time at different spots to give
them experience barring any
injuries.
That group will also see
plenty of time on the defensive
line along with Joe Cozey.
Kurt Moon and Kevin Ed-
wards will give the Lions a pair
of strong tight ends as well.
At linebacker, West Linn is
solid with three strong ath-
letes. Schmitz, Edwards and
Ryan Anderson all have expe-
rience and should be an an-
chor on a sound defense.
In the secondary, many of
West Linn’s receivers will see
double duty with Elijah Mold-
en, Vogt, Cody Coppedge and
Germain giving the Lions plen-
ty of speed against the passing
attack.
West Linn appears to have
few weak spots and, with its
size and experience up front,
will look to establish the run
whenever possible but should
be very versatile.
“We’ll try to do a little bit of
everything. We’ve been trying
some misdirection stuff, and I
think we play catch well.
There aren’t too many burn-
ers on our team but they run
routes well and we have a guy
who can get them the ball,”
Fanger said.
The Lions open up the sea-
son with a stiff test, hosting
Couer d’Alene, a team that has
made the Idaho state title
game three years in a row and
topped the Lions handily last
season. West Linn will also
play at Grants Pass and Bar-
low and will host South Salem
before getting into league.
For the first time in a while
there may not be a clear-cut
favorite in the league but there
are also no easy games.
“Lake Oswego’s still the king
until someone beats them.
They definitely know how to
win. For us, it’s just trying to
be prepared and do the little
things that will separate us in
close games. It’s a fun team to
be around and they’re looking
forward to getting out there
and going to work,” Fanger
said.
■ From page B6
Leap: WL opens at home Friday
By the
NUMBERS
FILE PHOTO: vERN UyETAKE
Quarterback Hayden Coppedge won a state title in basketball for the Lions last year. He joined the football
team late last fall and could be one of the top slingers in the league this year.