Sibling rivalry pushes Donnerberg twins to be their best — and helps make West Linn a team to beat in Oregon 6A football

By Bob Lundeberg | Photo by Ken Waz  

Nothing matches the energy of a fall Friday night, but for West Linn’s Gus and Wiley Donnerberg, everyday practice drills can be nearly as competitive as varsity football games. 

The Donnerberg twins are having breakthrough junior seasons for the second-ranked Lions (5-1, 2-0 Three Rivers League), who play host to No. 6 Tigard (6-0, 2-0) this week in a game that could decide the TRL title. The friendly in-practice competition between the Donnerbergs has contributed to their rise as two-way starters and Division I prospects. 

“We’ve been each other’s biggest competitors every single year,” said Wiley, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound wide receiver and cornerback. Gus is a 6-4, 205-pound tight end and linebacker. The twins are the sons of Joe Donnerberg, a former all-state West Linn lineman who played at Oregon. 

“I can say that I want to beat Gus, and he can say he wants to beat me. If he makes a play on me during scout team, he might have a little more smack talk than usual. And I think that just gives me a little extra drive on the next play.” 

Added Gus: “We’ve been playing together since flag (football), and there’s always been a connection between us and a level of competitiveness between us. Whenever we go against each other in practice, it’s always a big deal. Everyone is watching to see if a little scrap might break out.”

The brothers have elevated each other in football and lacrosse — Gus plays defense, Wiley is a midfielder — and are reaping the rewards this fall. 

Wiley is the Lions’ second-leading receiver behind Mark Hamper with 22 receptions for 490 yards. Gus had his best statistical game of the season last week against No. 4 Tualatin, recording five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown with an interception on defense. Wiley also intercepted a pass and caught two touchdowns from star quarterback Sam Leavitt in the 42-30 road win.

First-year head coach Jon Eagle acknowledged he’s still getting to know most of his new players, but the Donnerbergs have been ideal team members on and off the field since Day 1 of his tenure.

“I tell you what, I can almost figure out who’s who now,” Eagle said of the twins. “When they are wearing their numbers, I can figure it out. They don’t say a lot and are pretty soft-spoken. … Physically, they are very long, lean and athletic. They have great work ethics, they don’t miss anything, are always on time and are just great locker room guys.”

The Donnerbergs have far more similarities than differences, but the brothers agree they have different personalities. Curiously, each listed himself as more outgoing and the other as more serious. Both are unafraid to be brutally honest.

On the field, the brothers hold three-star grades from 247Sports. Wiley is the state’s No. 7 prospect for the class of 2023; Gus is ranked 10th. 

While they haven’t discussed the possibility of playing college football together, they are both open to the idea. 

“It’s something we get asked about a lot, but we really haven’t talked about it,” Wiley said. “It would be cool to carry on our football careers together, but I don’t know. I think he and I might have different tastes in where we want to go and the area around us. I guess we’ll see where it ends up.”

Added Gus: “I’ve never really thought about it, but I do think it would be pretty cool, going and playing college football together.”

With plenty of time remaining to finalize college plans, the Donnerbergs are fully focused on bringing home West Linn’s first state title since 2016.

In Week 2, the Lions were stunned at home by Sheldon, 35-31. The Irish, now ranked No. 1 in Class 6A, returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and took advantage of a few West Linn mistakes to pull off the victory.

“That loss was the best thing that could’ve happened to our team, and we deserved it,” Wiley said. “They were able to pinpoint some of our weaknesses, and the past few weeks we’ve been really fixing all those little things that cost us.”

The Lions rebounded with a road win over Jesuit and have topped the 40-point mark in their past three games. The defense is also much-improved, Gus said. 

If West Linn gets another crack at Sheldon — potentially deep in the state playoffs — the Donnerbergs are confident the rematch would play out differently. 

“I’m really happy with how our team looks right now,” Gus said. “Every week we are putting in more work and getting better as a whole. I didn’t think our defense could’ve gotten more aggressive and fast, but it has. We just have to keep working and keep getting better.” 

Added Eagle: “I think the last couple of games, the kids have become believers in what we’re trying to do. We’re just really encouraged with where we’re at and we still think the sky’s the limit.”