THURSTON – Last season came to a crushing halt for the Thurston Colts. After a season riddled with injuries, they suffered a 42-18 setback to state runner-up Mountain View in a game in which coach Justin Starck was forced to play most of his JV team.
Nine months later the Colts have 24 seniors, a strong offensive line, and are coming off an offseason strength and conditioning program that focused on avoiding injuries.
“We are a stronger team,” Starck said. “We struggled in the front last year and had a hard time competing at the line of scrimmage. We’re much more of a physical team. So that should help a lot with injuries. That was really our Achilles heel.”
Avoiding injuries
The injury bug has been stinging the Colts for the past couple of seasons. While the Colts are known for their speed and athleticism, they’ve struggled with tackling, pass protection, offensive line protection, and physicality at times, Starck said. This was evident in their quarterfinal game against Wilsonville in 2023, where they were dominated by the Wildcats’ physicality. It was apparent again in ’24 against Churchill, when the Colts lost 32-13. Churchill comes in as the clear league favorite this year after claiming the Special District 4 title and reaching the quarterfinals in Class 5A last season.
“Churchill and those teams that could control the line of scrimmage cost us,” Starck said. “We struggled there. So I think that we’ll be better up front, and hopefully we can compete with Churchill this year.”
Though the Colts are looking more sturdy this year, an ACL injury claimed the season of the Colts’ top returner, Matthew Newell. Newell is one of the top receivers in the state and made some noise on the defensive side of the ball toward the end of last season. He was expected to be a big help in the secondary this fall before his injury.
Starck
Though the Colts are looking more sturdy this year, an ACL injury claimed the season of the Colts’ top returner, Matthew Newell. Newell is one of the top receivers in the state and made some noise on the defensive side of the ball toward the end of last season. He was expected to be a big help in the secondary this fall before his injury.
“He’s definitely our top returning player in terms of accolades and has the possibility of playing college football,” Starck said. “It’s impossible to replace Matt, but we just need guys to step forward and just do their best to fill that void.”
Players are stepping up
Thurston sees no shortage of talent on the roster this year. Cruz Gray and Caleb Jones will be important assets on the defense and will step in for Newell. In addition, there will be a bit of a youth movement in the secondary with Quinn Piquette and Leofatu Filipe. Piquette is a sophomore who qualified for the state track meet in the 100-meter dash last spring. He’s an explosive multi-sport athlete who might play cornerback and safety. Filipe will be an impact player on defense.
Thurston will be counting on its receiving corps, with top returner Caleb Jones and tight end Justin Fisher. Receiver Matthew Newell, one of the top prospects in the state, will miss his senior year due to injury. ALL PHOTOS BY JOSIE HEACOCK
On offense, Starck highlighted key players, including Jones as the top receiver and starting tight end Justin Fisher, along with running back Gray and quarterback Emmit Distefano.
Thurston also features one of its most stacked offensive lines in recent years, with Jordan Barr the anchor at center. With this talented offensive front, it may put Thurston back into the mix for a 5A title.
“Definitely excited about all five of the linemen,” Starck said. “Also, Jonathan Mills is our left tackle. He started every game last year as a junior, and so he’ll be very important. Matt Carter will be the right guard.”
Thurston will forgo a jamboree week and make the 124-mile drive to play its first game on Friday, Aug. 29, against Caldera. Last year, the Colts won 45-29 against the Wolfpack. But Starck expects a more competitive game this time around.
“I think they’re going to be improved, and it’ll be a good road trip,” Starck said. “It’ll be a good test for us. They competed well with us early in the game last year. Matt Newell made a couple of big plays, had a couple of long touchdowns in that game, and kind of broke it open. But when you take away those two plays, it was a really close game. So they’re a good quality opponent.”
THURSTON COLTS 2025
HEAD COACH
■ Justin Starck in his 23rd year at Thurston … 147-84 Thurston and career record
2024 SEASON
■ Recap: 7-3 overall, 6-2 in conference play … 3rd in Special District 4 … Lost to Mountain View 42-18 in the first round of playoffs … No.15 in Class 5A.
GAME INFO
■ Stadium: Thurston High School Football Field
■ Tickets: $6
TOP THREE GAMES
■ at Churchill, Oct. 17
■ at Silverton, Sept. 5
■ at Springfield, Oct. 3
Senior night
■ vs. Crater, Oct. 10
TEAM BREAKDOWN
■ Varsity returners: 25
■ Returning starters: Offense (5), Defense (6)
TOP RETURNERS
■ Cruz Gray, LB/RB, No. 8, 5-foot-11, 215 lbs, Sr.
Notes: Class 5A All-State linebacker and running back in the ‘24 season.
■ Caleb Jones, DE/TE, No. 13, 6-foot-1, 220 lbs, Sr.
Notes: Class 5A All-State defensive lineman and tight end in the ‘24 season.
■ Jordan Barr, OL/DL No. 54, 6-foot, 260 lbs, Sr.
Notes: Class 5A All-State offensive lineman and defensive lineman in the ‘24 season.
NOTABLE NEWCOMER
■ Leofatu Filipe, TE/DE No. 11, 6-foot-5, 240 lbs, So.
Notes: Filipe was a dominant freshman player last year. He earned a varsity letter as a freshman.
TEAM STRENGTHS
■ Offensive line
■ Defensive front 6
■ Overall athleticism
DID YOU KNOW?
■ Thurston coach Justin Starck leads his strongest Colts’ offensive line group since 2021, with Jordan Barr leading the way. Before Covid, the Colts sustained a strong group of offensive linemen that led them to back-to-back state championships from 2018-19. Within that strong unit, Justin’s son, Grant Starck, was the centerpiece. Grant went on to play college football at Nevada and Oregon State.
