It’s about more than just a trophy. If you’ve ever stood on a freezing sideline in November, breath fogging in the air while a drumline rattles your ribcage, you know. Oregon high school football playoffs aren't just games. They're basically the heartbeat of towns like Burns, Silverton, and West Linn for an entire month.
Honestly, the 2025 season felt different. We saw titans fall and small-town heroes emerge in ways that basically defied the OSAA computer rankings.
The Lake Oswego Upset and the 6A Power Shift
Most people thought West Linn was a lock. They were sitting at #1, looking invincible with an 11-1 record. But the thing about the oregon high school football playoffs is that rankings don't play the game.
In the 6A semifinals, the atmosphere at Sherwood High School was electric. Central Catholic, the #5 seed, lined up against the West Linn juggernaut. It was a slugfest. Central Catholic walked away with a 21-14 victory, proving that playoff experience and grit often trump a perfect regular-season record.
But the real story? Lake Oswego.
They weren't just winning; they were dominating. After dismantling Nelson 31-12 in the semifinals, they faced Central Catholic in the championship at Hillsboro Stadium. Lake Oswego's defense was a brick wall, suffocating Central Catholic in a 35-6 blowout to take the 6A title. It was a masterclass in peak performance at the right time.
Silverton’s Redemption in the 5A Bracket
Down in the 5A division, things were just as chaotic. Silverton has been a powerhouse for years, but 2025 felt like their year of destiny.
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They came in as the #2 seed, and boy, did they earn it. The final against #1 Summit was the kind of game you’d write a movie about. Summit had been a defensive nightmare for opponents all year, but Silverton found the gaps.
A 24-14 victory for the Foxes.
It wasn't just about the win; it was about how they did it. They played mistake-free football. Summit, despite their #1 ranking and a prolific season, just couldn't solve the Silverton puzzle when it mattered most.
Small Town Magic: The 3A and 1A Showdowns
If you want to see the soul of the oregon high school football playoffs, you look at the 3A and 1A brackets. This is where schools like Cascade Christian and Adrian live and breathe football.
Cascade Christian entered the 3A final with a staggering 13-0 record. They faced Burns, a team that had fought through a brutal bracket to get to the championship. The game was a heart-stopper. 4.30 p.m. in Redmond, the temperature dropping, and the stakes rising.
Cascade Christian pulled it off. 35-28.
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Then you have the 1A 8-man division. Adrian vs. Crosspoint Christian. Adrian didn't just win; they made a statement. A 44-8 victory that cemented their status as the kings of the 8-man game. It’s wild to think about—these kids play on both sides of the ball, rarely leave the field, and represent communities where the entire town shuts down for the game.
What Most People Get Wrong About the OSAA Rankings
Kinda funny, but fans spend all October complaining about the OSAA rankings. The "frozen" rankings on October 31st determine who gets in, but they don't always reflect who is actually the best team in November.
The 6A Columbia Cup is a perfect example. It's designed for the next tier of teams—the ones who qualify but don't make the top 16 championship bracket. South Medford took that trophy home in 2025, beating Sandy 14-7.
Some people call it a "consolation prize," but tell that to the seniors who went out with a win.
The OSAA uses a mix of RPI and Colley ratings. It's a math-heavy system that weights your wins against the strength of your opponents. But it can't account for a star quarterback getting healthy in week 9 or a team finally finding its chemistry in the rain.
Key Changes for the 2026 Season
Looking ahead, there are things you've gotta keep an eye on. The OSAA is always tweaking the "Practice Model." Coaches are now restricted to 90 minutes of full contact per week once the season starts.
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Safety is the priority, obviously.
But it changes how teams prepare for the physical toll of the oregon high school football playoffs. You’ll see more "teaching sessions" and less old-school "Oklahoma drills."
Also, the "35-Point Rule" (the running clock) is staying. If a team is up by 35 in the second half, the clock doesn't stop. It’s meant to prevent running up the score, but in the playoffs, it can turn a comeback attempt into an impossible task.
Actionable Insights for the Next Season
If you're a parent, a player, or just a die-hard fan, here is how to navigate the road to the 2026 championships:
- Track the RPI early: Don't wait until October. Start looking at your team's RPI in September. A loss to a high-ranked team hurts less than a win against a bottom-tier team.
- Watch the Special Districts: For the smaller schools (1A-4A), special district play determines the automatic qualifiers. The league title is the only guaranteed ticket.
- The "Fifth Quarter" Rule: Keep an eye on younger players. New rules allow JV players to get limited varsity reps without losing their eligibility for the lower-level games. This is how depth is built for a deep playoff run.
- Know the Venues: Hillsboro Stadium and various high-profile high school turf fields (like Sherwood or Cottage Grove) are the standard hosts. If your team is traveling, plan for the weather—Oregon November is unpredictable.
The 2025 season proved that being the favorite means nothing once the bracket is set. Whether it was Lake Oswego’s defensive masterclass or Adrian’s 8-man dominance, the oregon high school football playoffs remain the ultimate test of grit in the Pacific Northwest.
Check the official OSAA website for the 2026 calendar and updated district alignments to see where your team stands before the first whistle blows this August.