Mid-Season Look at 6A Playoffs
We are at the mid-season point in the regular season and the race not only for league titles but for the post-season is in high gear. Only 32 teams make it to the playoffs in 6A and a finish in…
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Continue ReadingWe are at the mid-season point in the regular season and the race not only for league titles but for the post-season is in high gear. Only 32 teams make it to the playoffs in 6A and a finish in the top three in each individual conference guarantees a spot regardless of the school’s OSAA power rating.
Here’s a look at each league and who’s challenging for a post-season berth (number of projected bids per league in parenthesis):
PIL (4)
The first two spots seem secure as Jefferson and Grant seem to be head and shoulders above the rest of the league. The battle for third place will be intense as four teams are all within a game of each other – Benson, Cleveland, Franklin, and Roosevelt. All four teams have power rankings in the mid-30s so it may be only the third place finisher in the conference that makes the post-season, unless of course someone is able to pull off an upset of either Jefferson or Grant in a game that would likely raise their ratings.
Metro League (5)
Once again top to bottom there may be no conference in 6A as deep as the Metro League and outside of last place Southridge (probably one of the best zero-win teams you’ll ever see) everyone currently ranks in the top 32. The only team that could slip out is Aloha who currently ranks #30 so they’ll need some wins to feel a bit safer about their chances.
Pacific Conference (3)
Out of all the 6A conferences the Pacific has the lowest rankings, but three teams will qualify for the post-season. Sherwood, who could be far the best team in the league, is the favorite to win it all and right now it appears that it’s a three-way battle for the other two spots between Century, Liberty, and Newberg. Don’t count out Forest Grove though as the Vikings have a chance to turn the ship around.
Mt. Hood Conference (6)
The Mt. Hood Conference could be the most top heavy in terms of the fact that as the top three teams may not only make the playoffs, they may also earn top eight seeds. Central Catholic (currently #2), Clackamas (#4), and Barlow (#9) seem like the best bets at this point but Gresham (#12) could also be a factor. David Douglas and Sandy currently are a bit behind but both have high-enough ratings to keep them in the post-season conversation.
Three Rivers League (5)
Another candidates for the best top-to-bottom league is the TRL and it wouldn’t be surprising to see as many as six bids get in from the conference, but five is most likely. West Linn and Lake Oswego will be battling it out for the league championship and from all indications, Canby, Tigard, and Tualatin should fight for spots three through five. Despite having not yet won a league game, Oregon City still sits at #20 in the rankings but it’s probably safer for the Pioneers to put some notches in the victory column to ensure their season continues in early March.
Mountain Valley Conference (5)
Top two teams South Salem and McNary seem to have distanced themselves from the rest of the pack early on and appear to be in good shape going forward. The trio of Mountain View, Summit, and West Salem all rank in the mid-20’s at press time and while they’ll likely battle things out for the automatic spot awarded to third place, the other two should have what it takes to make it in. Sprague is the team that has its work cut out for them, but they have the talent to get it together and sneak in.
Southwest Conference (4)
South Eugene looks like a pretty sure bet to not only win the league but the Axe have a chance at securing the all-important top eight seed which would secure them home games in the first and second rounds before the state tournament. Sheldon and North Medford also appear to be solid picks if they continue their winning ways and Grants Pass looks like a good shot as well. South Medford has some work sitting just outside the Top 32 but they have a chance.