The road to a state championship is paved in the offseason, and for Oregon high school football powerhouse West Linn, the journey for the 2026 campaign is officially mapped out. As schedules begin to drop across the country, all eyes in the Beaver State are on the Lions, a perennial contender and a proven pipeline for top-tier college talent.
Coming off a dominant 11-1 season that ended in a heartbreaking 21-14 loss to Central Catholic in the OSAA Class 6A Open Division final, West Linn enters a new era. The program welcomes a legendary new leader: former Oregon Ducks defensive star and NFL veteran Anthony Newman. Inducted into the University of Oregon Hall of Fame, Newman brings a wealth of experience and a championship pedigree to a team already ranked #1 in the state.
The newly released 2026 schedule leaves no doubt about the Lions' ambitions. It's a gauntlet designed to test a champion, featuring a who's who of Oregon's elite programs. The quest for redemption starts immediately with a Week 1 showdown against the very team that ended their 2025 season—the Central Catholic Rams.
Here’s the full slate of battles awaiting the West Linn Lions, with official game times to be announced:
Sep. 4 – Central Catholic
Sep. 11 – Westview
Sep. 18 – at Wilsonville
Sep. 25 – Nelson
Oct. 2 – at Tualatin
Oct. 9 – Lake Oswego
Oct. 16 – Lakeridge
Oct. 23 – Tigard
Oct. 30 – at Oregon City
From the opening kickoff against Central Catholic to the regular-season finale at Oregon City, every Friday night will be a major event. For players, coaches, and the passionate West Linn community, this schedule represents the ultimate challenge. It's time to gear up, because the hunt for the 2026 state title is officially on.