COTTAGE GROVE – The Oregon State Activities Association (OSAA) football ad hoc advisory committee submitted a final recommendation on Jan. 23 to move Cottage Grove’s football program back to Class 4A from Class 3A.
The committee submitted its final recommendation to the executive board, which will vote on the proposal at its Feb. 3 meeting.
Cottage Grove High School would move to Class 4A-SD3 – Special District 3. The Lions played in the Class 3A Special District 3 this past season, against smaller schools such as Creswell and Pleasant Hill.
The move proved to be a positive experience for the Lions, who went undefeated against 3A opponents and won the SD3 league. Cottage Grove was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, losing to Burns.
Entering the 2024-25 season, the Lions had won only two games through the previous five seasons. The team finished 7-0 in the Class 3A SD3 conference this past season.
If the proposal to move Cottage Grove’s football team back to 4A is approved, it would compete against Crescent Valley, Junction City, Marist Catholic, Philomath, and Sweet Home.