Lake Oswego enters the regular-season finale on Friday, Oct. 30, as the No. 1 team in Oregon's 6A football rankings, unbeaten at 8-0 overall and 4-0 in Three Rivers League play.

West Linn (6-2, 3-1) holds the No. 2 spot. Both teams have clinched automatic playoff berths from the Three Rivers League, according to post-Week 8 projections published by OSAAtoday.

The stakes are highest in Oregon City.

The Pioneers sit at 3-5 overall and 0-4 in league play, ranked No. 25 in the state. They host West Linn on Oct. 30 in the annual Battle for the Bridge.

The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) projections list Oregon City among the "next five out" of the 6A playoff field.

The Oregonian's René Ferrán reported that Oregon City could make the postseason even without a league win because the Battle for the Bridge matchup against West Linn "won't hurt their computer numbers." The Pioneers would still need to climb from No. 25 into the top 24 to earn an at-large spot.

The 6A postseason sends 24 teams to the playoffs. Fifteen earn automatic berths through their leagues, and nine receive at-large bids based on OSAA rankings.

Lakeridge holds an at-large spot

Lakeridge (5-3, 2-2) sits at No. 12 in the state rankings and projects as one of the nine at-large qualifiers, according to both the OSAA projections and Ferrán's breakdown.

The Pacers travel to Lake Oswego on Oct. 30 for the regular-season finale between the crosstown rivals.

If the projections hold, the OSAA's bracket would seed Lakeridge at No. 11 and send the Pacers to No. 6 Ida B. Wells in the first round of the 16-team championship bracket.

The seeding adjustment avoids a league matchup in the opening round, according to the OSAA projections.

Lakers and Lions eye top seeds

Lake Oswego's projected first-round matchup is No. 16 Century at home. West Linn would host No. 15 South Salem.

The Three Rivers League could send as many as five teams to the 6A playoffs. Beyond the Lakers and Lions, Tualatin (6-2, 2-2, No. 5) is listed as "in" by Ferrán's analysis. Tigard (4-4, 1-3, No. 20) is categorized as "should be in."

Ferrán reported that Tigard could make the playoffs with one league win because it finishes against Tualatin.

Oct. 30 local schedule

  • Lakeridge at Lake Oswego
  • West Linn at Oregon City (Battle for the Bridge)