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In all, 21 Lane County high school football teams are digging in for the 2025 season. And the season starts with a battle between a pair of perennial county powers.
Classes don’t start for most high school students in Eugene and Springfield until Sept. 4, but the football season waits for no one.
College football calls it “Week 0,” the unofficial opening weekend of the season when a select few teams play a game before a majority of them kick off their season in “Week 1.”
High school football just calls it a challenge.
“It’s a lot to get installed in a short period of time,” Marist Catholic head football coach Zach Loboy said.
But don’t think the Spartans, who kick off their season against the Churchill Lancers for the fourth straight season at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, aren’t excited to defend their 4A state title, no matter what day it is. The Spartans and their coach are ready for game action.
“I haven’t seen another-colored jersey for a really long time,” Loboy said.
The Spartans and Lancers have quite the rivalry going.
“Should be a good one — the last two years, we’ve beaten them by a total of four points,” said Loboy, who led Marist to its sixth state title in school history and a 12-0-1 record last season, his first as head coach after serving several seasons as an assistant.
The Spartans routed the Lancers 38-7 in 2022, but only squeaked past them the past two seasons in a couple of thrillers: 36-35 in 2023 and 33-30 last year.
This one is back on the Lancers’ turf, though, and the defending Midwestern League champions have a bunch of all-league players returning and will be tough to beat.
Zach Loboy, head coach of the Marist Catholic Spartans, talks to his team during practice in Eugene, Friday, Aug. 28, 2025. The Spartans are defending state champions. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Four other Lane County teams also play their first games of the season at 7 p.m. Friday:
Springfield hosts Mountain View at Silke Field;
Oakridge hosts Sheridan;
North Eugene heads to Corvallis to face Crescent Valley;
Thurston heads to Bend to face Caldera.
Most of the rest of the county’s high school squads are hosting or on the road for jamborees Friday, including the Sheldon Irish, who will scrimmage on the road against McMinnville at 6 p.m.
“Our guys are tired of going up against themselves at this point,” Irish head coach Tyler Martell said. “And we have so many new guys, it’ll be good for them to feel what a Friday night feels like speedwise.”
Here’s a look at all 21 teams in the county, whose schedules can be found here by conference and classification. Some of the listings do not include top players; in those cases, Lookout Eugene-Springfield was not able to contact coaches for comment.
Churchill Lancers
Conference: Midwestern League/5A Special District 4
Head coach: Layne Coffin (3rd year)
2024 record: 8-0 league; 9-2 overall
Big game: at Thurston, Sept. 19
Top players: Lukas Babbit, Sr., RB/LB; Charlie Dexter, Sr., TE/DE; Xander Mafoti, Sr., C; Lucas Gansen, Sr., QB; Tyler Howe, Jr., OL; TJ Wright, Sr., WR/DB
The Lancers won their first league title since 2018 last season, going undefeated in the Midwestern League after that opening nonleague loss to Marist, the eventual 4A state champion.
And a bunch of those 2024 players return this year, including Lukas Babbitt, the 6-foot, 228-pound linebacker who was the Midwestern League defensive player of the year with 64 tackles. Babbitt was also a second-team all-league running back, and The Oregonian lists him as the state’s 11th best player in its preseason list of the state’s top 250.
Also returning is tight end/defensive end Charlie Dexter, a 6-foot-5 senior, who played in the Les Schwab Bowl, the state all-star game, in June; all-state center Xander Mafoti; quarterback Lucas Gansen, a second-team all-league selection in 2024; and wide receiver/defensive back TJ Wright, who was honorable mention all-state last year.
Expect the Lancers to challenge for a state title in 2025.
Cottage Grove Lions
Conference: Sky-Em League/4A Special District 3
Head coach: Steve Turner (3rd year)
2024 record: 7-0 league; 9-1 overall
Big game: vs. Marist, Oct. 17
Top players: Leland Whiterock, Sr., DL; Trevor Cooper, Jr., WR
With a 9-0 record heading into the 3A state playoffs last year, the Lions were one-and-done in a first-round thumping, 46-7, from eventual state champion Burns. This season, Cottage Grove jumps to 4A and plans to contend for a Sky-Em League title against Marist.
The Lions will head to Sweet Home Friday night, Aug. 29, for a jamboree, and then open the season at Creswell in a nonleague contest Sept. 19. They don’t play a league game until they head to Junction City on Oct. 3.
Creswell Bulldogs
Conference: Mountain Valley Conference/3A Special District 3
Head coach: Chase Beach (1st year)
2024 record: 4-3 league; 4-5 overall
Big game: vs. Cottage Grove, Sept. 19
Top players: Hunter Mustin, Sr., RB/LB; Luke Bailey, Sr., DL
The Bulldogs head to Sutherlin Friday for a jamboree before opening the season with a nonleague contest at home against Cottage Grove. Creswell starts league play on Oct. 3 at home against Sisters.
First-year head coach Chase Beach replaces Scott Worsham at the helm.
The Bulldogs top player in 2025 is expected to be senior running back/linebacker Hunter Mustin, who was first-team all-league last year on both sides of the ball. Mustin rushed for 935 yards and scored 11 touchdowns and had a team-high 64 tackles on defense.
Some of Lane County’s 21 prep football teams open their 2025 seasons with games before Labor Day. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Crow Cougars
Conference: Mountain West League/1A Special District 3 (6-person)
Head coach: Nick Nevins
2024 record: 2-3 league; 2-5 overall
Big game: vs. Gilchrist (Homecoming), Oct. 17
The Cougars open the season Saturday, Aug. 30, with a jamboree at Siletz Valley that includes Mapleton and Elkton. They’ll play a nonleague contest on Sept. 5 at home against Mapleton before opening league play at home against North Lake on Sept. 19.
Elmira Falcons
Conference: Mountain Valley Conference/3A Special District 3
Head coach: Conrad Davis (1st year)
2024 record: 4-3 league; 4-5 overall
Big game: vs. Creswell, Oct. 10
Top players: Ali Garza, Sr., LB; Dallas Mark, Sr., CB; Braiden Agnes, Sr., OT; Talon Jerabek, Jr., QB; Danis Smajic, Sr., K
Conrad Davis is the new head coach, replacing Bo Highburger, as the Falcons host a jamboree Friday night against Scio. League play starts Oct. 3 at Pleasant Hill.
Junction City Tigers
Conference: Sky-Em League/4A Special District 3
Head coach: Tye Rauschert (1st year)
2024 record: 0-5 league; 1-8 overall
Big game: vs. Cottage Grove, Oct. 3
Top players: Kaleb Moore, Sr., OL/P;
The Tigers also have a new coach after winning just one game in 2024, as Tye Rauschert replaces Max Wall.
They open with a home jamboree Friday night and then have several nonleague matchups before league plays starts Oct. 3 with a home game against Cottage Grove.
Senior offensive lineman and punter Kaleb Moore is listed as the state’s 155th best player by The Oregonian. An all-state punter as a sophomore in 2023, Moore averaged 35.9 yards per punt last year.
Lowell Devils
Conference: East Cascades Conference/2A Special District 3
Head coach: Ray Yarborough (3rd year)
2024 record: 4-2 league; 6-4 overall
Big game: at Oakridge, Sept. 19
Top players: Ben Thurman, Sr., RB; Carter Harris, Sr., QB/DB; David Finch, Sr., OL
The Devils had a successful 2024 campaign before losing a first-round state playoff game to Gervais, 50-14, and now have to replace the league’s player of the year, running back JaMar Thurman.
Senior running back Ben Thurman and returning quarterback Carter Harris will have something to say about that.
Lowell heads to Harrisburg Friday night for a jamboree and starts league play on Sept. 19 at archrival Oakridge.
Mapleton Sailors
Conference: Mountain West League/1A Special District 2 (6-person)
Head coach: Jack Devereaux (1st year)
2024 record: (No team)
Big game: at Triangle Lake, Sept. 19
After the school’s few players played with Siuslaw last year, the Sailors head back to 6-person play with a Saturday, Aug. 30, jamboree at Crow before opening the season against those same Cougars, on the road again, in a nonleague contest Sept. 5.
League play starts Sept. 19 at Triangle Lake.
Marist Catholic Spartans
Conference: Sky-Em League/4A Special District 3
Head coach: Zach Loboy (2nd year)
2024 record: 5-0 league; 12-0-1 overall
Big game: at Henley, Sept. 12
Top players: Brody Buzzard, Sr., TE/LB; Jackson Skinner, Sr., RB/LB; Conner Harvey, Jr., RB; CJ Giustina, Sr., WR/DB; Brody Gilliam, Jr., QB; Cooper Kempf, Sr., OL
Can the 2025 Spartans do what no team in school history has and win back-to-back state titles?
“That’s always the goal,” head coach Zach Loboy said of winning another title after going 12-0-1 last year and beating Henley 30-6 in the title game. “But it’s a new team with a new mix of players.”
Marist graduated 19 seniors from the 2024 state champs, including quarterback Nick Hudson, who threw three TD passes in the championship game. Last season’s backup, Eli Martin, is in a three-way battle to start Friday against Churchill, along with junior Brody Gilliam, who started last season at North Eugene before transferring, and Sheldon transfer CJ Jones.
“If you want to see who starts, you’ll have to show up,” Loboy said.
The Spartans, with two of the best linebackers in the state in Brody Buzzard (also a three-time state wrestling champion at Harrisburg High) and Jackson Skinner, a Brown University commit, along with the return of standout running back Conner Harvey, likely will be in the mix to make history come November.
Marist Catholic players pause during practice Thursday, Aug. 28 in Eugene. The team opens its season with a Friday game against rival Churchill. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
McKenzie Eagles
Conference: Mountain West League/1A Special District 3 (6-person)
Head coach: Willy Kumle (2nd year)
2024 record: 1-5 league; 2-6 overall
Big game: vs. Crow, Sept. 26
The Eagles open league play Sept. 19 at Gilchrist and host Crow Sept. 26.
Mohawk Mustangs
Conference: Mountain West League/1A Special District 2 (8-person)
Head coach: Jeff Litle (7th year)
2024 record: 6-2 league; 6-4 overall
Big game: vs. North Douglas, Oct. 17
The Mustangs played in a jamboree at Camas Valley Thursday, Aug. 28, and open league play Oct. 3 at Yoncalla.
They won the league and made it to the 1A, 8-person state playoffs in 2024, where they lost in the first round to Sherman/Condon.
North Eugene Highlanders
Conference: Midwestern League/5A Special District 4
Head coach: Rick Raish (11th year)
2024 record: 4-4 league; 4-5 overall
Big game: vs. Churchill, Oct. 10
Top players: D’Mariyae Ireland, Jr., QB/DB; Riley Whitwood, Sr., RB/LB; Aidan Hibler, Jr., WR; Josiah Corsini, Jr., LB; Derek Earl, Jr., DB; Reed McNurlin, Sr., OL
The Highlanders kick off the season Friday at Crescent Valley, and it’s sure to be a kick, indeed, for North assistant coach Eric Johannsen, whose daughter, Mylee, has won the starting kicker job.
“I’m really excited to see how she does,” Johannsen said in a text message this week.
Mylee Johannsen played on the girls soccer team the last two seasons, but will focus on football this fall despite never having played the sport.
Leading the Highlander attack in 2025 will be junior D’Mariyae “Dae Dae” Ireland, who was an all-league selection last season at running back. But now Ireland is needed behind center after last season’s starter, Brody Gilliam, transferred to Marist.
Oakridge Warriors
Conference: East Cascades Conference/2A Special District 3
Head coach: John Taylor
2024 record: 0-6 league; 1-7 overall
Big game: Lowell, Sept. 19
The Warriors host Sheridan Friday night in a 7 p.m. contest to kick off their 2025 campaign. They open league play at home against Lowell.
Pleasant Hill Billies
Conference: Mountain Valley Conference/3A Special District 3
Head coach: Kenny Koberstein (1st year)
2024 record: 3-4 league; 3-6 overall
Big game: at Creswell, Oct. 24
Top players: Kai Davis, RB; Jacob Neely, Sr., WR/DB; Steven Bounds, Sr., QB
Kenny Koberstein is the Billies new head coach, replacing Jeremiah Heacock, as they start things off with a jamboree Friday night at Santiam Christian. They visit Cottage Grove for a Sept. 26 nonleague game and open league play against Elmira Oct. 3
Sheldon Irish
Conference: Southwest Conference/6A Special District 1
Head coach: Tyler Martell (2nd year)
2024 record: 8-0 league; 10-1 overall
Big game: at Willamette, Sept. 26
Top players: Cameron Gilhuber, Sr., WR/DB; Cam Thomas, Jr., WR/DB; Micah Ritchie-Tuisue, Sr., QB; Warren McKillop, Sr., RB; Barry Myles, Jr., WR; Jayden Morales, Sr., RB; Liam Stock, Jr., LB; Trey Duncan, Jr., DL; Chase Martin, Jr., OL/DL
With four state titles and four second-place finishes this century, the Irish expect nothing but success on the gridiron.
In 2024, they were a touchdown short of making another 6A title game, losing to eventual champion West Linn, 28-21. But almost all of the starters from last season are gone, either graduating or transferring to Willamette to play for former Sheldon coach Josh Line.
“It’ll be interesting to see how things play out for us,” second-year head coach Tyler Martell, who played on that 2007 state title team for the Irish, told Lookout Eugene-Springfield. “We’re inexperienced on both sides of the ball.”
Only defensive backs Cameron Gilhuber and Cam Thomas started last season, but it’s always been a next-man-up culture at Sheldon.
“I think our guys are just used to the Sheldon culture, which is they expect to win every time they go out, but you’re not going to just magically win because of the jersey,” Martell said.
Senior quarterback Micah Ritchie-Tuisue replaces Kelsen Sperry, and Martell expects big things from the kid with the big arm, especially with the likes of Gilhuber and junior Barry Myles at wideout.
“I really like our receiving corps,” Martell said.
Sheldon heads to McMinnville Friday night for a jamboree before taking on Lake Oswego on the road Sept. 5. The Lakers lost to West Linn in the 2024 title game and many expect them to win it all this season.
The big league game for the Irish comes Sept. 26 at Willamette, a contest that’ll be packed with emotion with Josh Line leading the early conference favorite Wolverines and all those former Irish players now out in Bethel.
Marist Catholic High School football players run drills during a practice Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 in Eugene. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Siuslaw Vikings
Conference: Far West League; 3A Special District 4
Head coach: Sam Johnson (7th year)
2024 record: 5-0 league; 9-1 overall
Big game: vs. North Valley, Sept. 12
Top players: Will Johnson, Sr., TE/DB; Jacob Mann, Sr., OL/DL
The Vikings had a heck of a season last year, heading to the 3A playoffs as the top seed before falling in the second round to North Valley, 55-22.
Returning in 2025 for Siuslaw is standout tight end/defensive back Will Johnson, whose older brother, Sam Johnson, is the head coach, while their father is the offensive coordinator.
The Oregonian ranks Will Johnson at the state’s 187th best player. He had over 1,000 yards receiving in 2024 and caught eight touchdown passes. He also had 53 tackles on defense.
The Vikings play at Marshfield Sept. 5 in a nonleague matchup and open league play Oct. 3 against South Umpqua.
South Eugene Axe
Conference: Midwestern League/5A Special District 4
Head coach: Eric Scott (1st year)
2024 record: 0-8 league; 0-9 overall
Big game: vs. North Eugene, Sept. 12
Top players: Gus Nelson, Sr., WR/DB; Dash Fortner, Jr., RB/DB; Henry Fausett, Sr., RB; Jackson Ingram, jr., DL
Can the Axe win a game in 2025? Maybe that Oct. 10 home date with Springfield? Hey, give South a break. It didn’t even field a team in 2021 or 2022.
New coach Eric Scott is about to find out the challenges of leading a team at a soccer school as the Axe heads to Corvallis Friday night for a jamboree and then heads up Interstate 5 to play Milwaukie Sept. 5 in a non-league game before archrival North Eugene drives across town on Sept. 12.
Springfield Millers
Conference: Midwestern League/5A Special District 4
Head coach: Frank Geske (3rd year)
2024 record: 2-6 league; 2-7 overall
Big game: vs. Thurston, Oct. 3
Top players: Noah Soto, Sr., QB; Kai Brusasco, Sr., OL/DL; Brady Lo’Ser, Sr., WR/K; Adam Hernandez, Jr., WR; Cooper Collier, Jr., DL
The Millers host Mountain View Friday night at Silke Field and start league play Sept. 19 against defending league champion Churchill, also at home. Springfield also has archrival Thurston at Silke Oct. 3.
Senior quarterback Noah Soto, second-team all-league in 2024, returns, along with senior lineman Kai Brusaco, who played in the Les Schwab Bowl in June.
Thurston Colts
Conference: Midwestern League; 5A Special District 4
Head coach: Justin Starck (23rd year)
2024 record: 6-2 league; 7-3 overall
Big game: vs. Churchill, Sept. 19
Top players: Matthew Newell, Sr., WR/DB; Payton Ferreira, Sr., TE/LB; Cruz Gray, Sr., RB/LB; Jordan Barr, Sr., C/DL; Caleb Jones, Sr., TE/DE; Emmit Distefano, Jr., QB; Hunter Bagwell, Sr., K; Justin Fisher, Sr., RB; Landon Cramer, Sr., DL
After losing in the first round of the 5A state playoffs last year, the Colts are ready for something more like 2018, 2019 and 2021, when they won back-to-back state titles and finished second in ’21.
Longtime head coach Justin Starck sure has plenty of returning talent to get it done.
The Colts have to replace all-state quarterback Noah Blair, but junior Emmit Distefano is up to the task, and he’ll be surrounded by the likes of wideout Matthew Newell, second-team all-state last season and ranked as the state’s 28th best player in The Oregonian poll.
Other all-league and all-state selections in 2024 return, including linebacker Payton Ferreira, running back/linebacker Cruz Gray, center Jordan Barr and tight end/defensive end Caleb Jones.
The campaign opens Friday at Caldera High in Bend, followed by the league-opener against Eagle Point Sept. 12. Defending league champ Churchill visits on Sept. 19 in a huge game for both teams.
Triangle Lake Lakers
Conference: Mountain West League; 1A Special District 2 (6-person)
Head coach: Derek Pennel
2024 record: 4-1 league; 5-4 overall
Big game: vs. Mapleton, Sept. 19
The Lakers’ first game is Sept. 6 at North Lake, and league play starts Sept. 19 at home against Mapleton.
Willamette Wolverines
Conference: Southwest Conference/6A Special District 1
Head coach: Josh Line (2nd year)
2024 record: 7-1 league; 8-2 overall
Big game: vs. Sheldon, Sept. 26
Top players: Tony Cumberland, Sr., DL; Zeke Thomas, So., QB; Kawai Chamberlin, Jr., TE/LB; Hunter Vaughn, Sr., WR; Maveryck Akers, RB/LB; Aiden Lewey, Sr., OT; TaeSean Tarusan, Sr., WR; Knox Smith, So., WR; Tripp Johansen, Jr., OT; Jonathan Morgan, Sr., K
What has Josh Line created in Bethel? If there’s a high school transfer portal, the former Sheldon coach, who starts his second year with the Wolverines with a trip to South Medford on Sept. 5, has found it.
The roster is loaded with players who played their first downs of high school ball elsewhere.
The list includes University of Oregon commit Tony Cumberland, ranked by The Oregonian as the state’s second-best player. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound defensive end was second-team all-league last season — after transferring from Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale, Arizona — with 78 tackles and six sacks.
Cumberland’s teammates include a bunch of other transfers, including quarterback Zeke Thomas, who threw for over 2,500 yards as a freshman at Crescent Valley in 2024; wideout Hunter Vaughn, who played three seasons of 8-person ball at North Douglas before catching two touchdowns in the Les Schwab Bowl in June; wideout TaeSean Tarusan, all-league at North Eugene last season; linebacker Kawai Chamberlin, second-team all-league as a sophomore at Sheldon last year; and offensive tackle Aiden Lewey, another Sheldon transfer who also played in the Les Schwab Bowl.
Oh, and standout running back Maveryck Akers started his high school play at Roseburg before playing for the Wolverines in 2024.
Marist Catholic Spartans line up during a practice in Eugene Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Prep sports schedule
FOOTBALL
Friday, Aug. 29
North Eugene at Crescent Valley, 7 p.m.
Thurston at Caldera, 7 p.m.
Mountain View at Springfield, 7 p.m.
Marist Catholic at Churchill, 7 p.m.
Sheridan at Oakridge, 7 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL
Friday, Aug. 29
Thurston vs. Baker at Mountain View Invitational, at Mountain View High School, 9:15 a.m.
Catlin Gabel at Pleasant Hill, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Springfield at Central High School Tourney, time TBA
Marist Catholic at Cascade Christian Invitational, time TBA
Creswell at Cascade Christian Invitational, time TBA
Oakridge vs. Lost River, North Douglas High School, noon
Oakridge vs. North Douglas, North Douglas High School, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 2
Cottage Grove at Stayton, 6 p.m.
Sweet Home at Junction City, 6 p.m.
Pleasant Hill at Siuslaw, 6 p.m.
Eugene Christian at Western Christian, 6 p.m.
Mohawk at Lowell, 6 p.m.
Mapleton at Waldport, 6 p.m.
Yoncalla at Crow/Northwest Christian Academy, 6 p.m.
Springfield at Willamette, 6:45 p.m.
Sheldon at Sheldon Tournament; matches begin at 9 a.m.
Ridgeview at Thurston, 6:45 p.m.
Marist Catholic at Churchill, 6:45 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Friday, Aug. 29
Junction City at La Grande, 3 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Junction City at Pendleton, 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 2
Elmira at North Bend, 3 p.m.
Willamette at North Eugene/Triangle Lake, 6 p.m.
Cottage Grove at Stayton, 6 p.m.
West Salem at Sheldon, 6:30 p.m.
Churchill at David Douglas, 6:30 p.m.
Sweet Home at Siuslaw, 6:30 p.m.
Marist Catholic at Valley Catholic, 7:15 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Friday, Aug. 29
Junction City at La Grande, 1 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Junction City at Pendleton, noon
Thurston at North Salem, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 2
Elmira at Sutherlin, 6 p.m.
Mountain View at Thurston, 6 p.m.
Marist Catholic at Churchill, 6 p.m.
Siuslaw/Mapleton at Sweet Home, 6 p.m.
Stayton at Cottage Grove, 6 p.m.
Sheldon at West Salem, 7 p.m.
CROSS-COUNTRY
Friday, Aug. 29
Sheldon and South Eugene at Night Meet, Wilsonville High School
Saturday, Aug. 30
Cottage Grove, North Eugene and Springfield at The Opener, Western Oregon University Ash Creek Preserve
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