FOOTBALL GAME-BY-GAME PREVIEWS
MARIST CATHOLIC SPARTANS (4-1) AT COTTAGE GROVE LIONS (1-4)
■ Game facts: Friday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m., CGHS
■ What2Know: The Lions play host to No. 4 Marist Catholic and star QB Nick Hudson, one of the top statistical quarterbacks in Class 4A. A Cottage Grove defense that has been susceptible to giving up points through the air will likely struggle against one of the top teams in the state.
■ Pierre’s take: While CG’s rushing duo of Clayton DeWitt and Gavin Grogan continue to carry the load offensively, the Lions have failed to score more than 18 points on the season; Marist’s lowest-scoring output of the season is 33 points.
SISTERS OUTLAWS (4-1) AT CRESWELL BULLDOGS (1-4)
■ Game facts: Friday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m., CHS
■ What2Know: A 38-14 loss at Siuslaw last week has Creswell on the verge of missing the postseason for the 12th time in a row. If the Bulldogs want to break their postseason drought, they’ll need to run the table, which starts with an upset over No. 8 Sisters this week.
■ Pierre’s take: While each side of the ball for Creswell has shown flashes of strong play – thanks to LB Victor Giffen and QB Darien Dewey – the Bulldogs have yet to put together a complete performance.
PLEASANT HILL BILLIES (3-2) AT LA PINE HAWKS (1-4)
■ Game facts: Friday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m., 51633 Coach Rd., La Pine
■ What2Know: Pleasant Hill is fourth in the Mountain Valley Conference – with the top-three teams getting automatic playoff bids. While a postseason bid could be the eventual goal, a win this week would get the Billies over their win total from a year ago.
■ Pierre’s take: Head coach Jeremiah Heacock continues to have the program trending in the right direction in his second year at the helm. A win at La Pine would tie the Billies’ second-most wins in a season in the past seven years.
SPRINGFIELD MILLERS (4-1) AT CHURCHILL LANCERS (2-3)
■ Game facts: Friday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m., 1850 Bailey Hill Rd., Eugene
■ What2Know: Springfield hopes to bounce back at Churchill this week after losing its first game of the season to Thurston last Friday. Despite being a game back in the Midwestern League title race, the Millers must stay focused on the task at hand or risk falling to fourth in the league with a loss.
■ Pierre’s take: Springfield coach Frank Geske said the loss to Thurston, “Could have been the best thing that could happen to us.” Look for a highly motivated Millers team to get a good bounce-back win at Churchill.
EAGLE POINT EAGLES (3-2) AT THURSTON COLTS (3-2)
■ Game facts: Friday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m., THS
■ What2Know: Three straight Midwestern League wins by three scores or more has Thurston in a familiar spot – atop the conference standings. This week, the Colts play host to Eagle Point – the only other 3-0 team in league play. Wins over Springfield and Eagle Point in back-to-back weeks would put Thurston in prime position to win its sixth-straight MWL title.
■ Pierre’s take: Thurston took it to rival Springfield last week with a balanced attack from quarterback Noah Blair. So far, none of the teams in league play have been able to contain the Colts’ skill players in Walker Bonar, Luke Newell, and Ethan Burkhead. Look for more of the same on offense to carry the Colts through this one.
FOOTBALL RECAPS
Siuslaw 38, Creswell 14
■ Recap: Creswell fell to 1-4 on the year with a loss at No. 11 Siuslaw. After Creswell senior Jaydon Warthen opened the scoring with an interception returned for a touchdown, Siuslaw scored the next 30 points. Hunter Mustin scored in the fourth quarter for the Bulldogs on a 58-yard fumble recovery.
■ Top performers: Colton Kaiser, 10.5 tackles; Victor Giffen, 10 tackles; Darien Dewey, 7/18, 94 yards; Jaydon Warthen, INT for TD; Hunter Mustin, 6.5 tackles, FR for TD.
Elmira 31, Pleasant Hill 21
■ Recap: The Billies came up just short against Mountain Valley Conference opponent Elmira (3-2). Pleasant Hill’s offense continued to play well, racking up over 300 yards of offense and more than 160 yards rushing, led by RB Braedon Hazel. QB Jacob Neely and WR Kaden Fisher connected through the air as Pleasant Hill fell to 3-2 on the season.
Cascade 46, Cottage Grove 0
■ Recap: Cottage Grove fell to No. 11 Cascade 46-0 on the road last week. Cascade jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, gaining more than 300 yards of total offense. Despite the loss, the Lions forced three turnovers on the night.
