COTTAGE GROVE (0-0) AT #5 NORTH MARION (0-1)
■ Just the facts: The Lions are on the road for their season-opener against the Huskies … Both schools classifications are 4A, but both football teams compete in Class 3A … Game is at 20167 Grim Rd. NE, Aurora, Ore.
■ Kicking off: After completing their weekend jamboree against Sweet Home and Newport, the Lions prepare for their first game in Class 3A. North Marion lost to Class 3A top-ranked Douglas last Friday 54-35. Coach Steven Turner, in his second season as head coach, looks for his Lions to continue learning and getting comfortable in his schemes.
CRESWELL (0-0) AT TAFT (0-0)
■ Just the facts: The Bulldogs face the Tigers at 3780 Spyglass Ridge Dr., Lincoln City, Ore. … Both teams enter the game unranked.
■ Kicking off: The Bulldogs competed in a jamboree at Sutherlin last Friday. Taft began the season with a jamboree at Santiam Christian. … After a home game vs. Sutherlin next week, the Bulldogs head to Cottage Grove, which moved from Class 4A to Class 3A in football for this season.
PLEASANT HILL (0-0) AT SUTHERLIN (0-0)
■ Just the facts: The Billies begin the season on the road, traveling to face the Bulldogs at 500 E. Fourth Ave., Sutherlin, Ore. … Both teams enter the game unanked.
■ Kicking off: The Billies competed in their opening jamboree at Cascade Christian last Friday. Sutherlin hosted a jamboree last week. … Pleasant Hill is in the third year of coach Jeremiah Heacock’s tenure, and have shown progress each of the past two seasons.
#10 SPRINGFIELD (0-1) AT #10 CHURCHILL (0-1)
■ Just the facts: The Millers open the regular season at the Lancers’ home stadium, 1850 Bailey Hill Rd., Eugene. … Both teams enter the season ranked No. 10.
■ Kicking off: The Millers go on to their first league game against Churchill this Friday after their 55-20 loss at Mountain View, a top-ranked team in Class 5A. … The Lancers lost 33-30 last week at Marist Catholic, a top-ranked team in Class 4A.
#1 THURSTON (1-0) AT SOUTH EUGENE (0-0)
■ Just the facts: The Colts go on the road – but not very far – to open the season against the Axe at 400 E. 19th Ave., Eugene. … South Eugene is unranked after its jamboree last week in Junction City.
■ Kicking off: Thurston coach Justin Starck enters his 22nd year at the helm, looking for fewer “messy errors” and penalties after the season-opening win at home on the new turf field. QB Noah Blair and WR Matthew Newell have already proven to be a potent combination for the Colts’ offense.
