THURSTON – With the band blaring, the sun setting warmly over the stadium, and the Colts charging across the field with their flag, Thurston’s return to Friday night lights opened with a dominant 47-6 home win over the Eagle Point Eagles to kick off the 2025 Special District 4 season.
Besides the victory, the Colts made it clear that they have that “chip on their shoulder.”
The Colts’ victory over Eagle Point provided a bit of redemption after losing 35-6 to the Silverton Foxes on the road last week.
The “Barn” was lit up with football spirit for the first time this season on Friday. ALL PHOTOS BY ADON ECCLES
Eagle Point’s defensive style was similar to the Foxes’ schemes, but with a difference in personnel.
“It always feels good coming back from a loss like that,” said head coach Justin Starck. “We worked really hard all week to get a good show and to play well and come back from that. We just lost that (Silverton) game in every facet. We were good at the line of scrimmage and the skill positions, but struggled at every spot. They’re just a really good team, and that sets the bar for us where we need to go.”
Justin Fisher opened the scoring eight minutes into the first quarter at 3rd-and-goal and found space from the outside to reach the end zone. Less than three minutes later, Camden Nosac intercepted a pass and returned it 27 yards to extend the lead to 14-0. Then, Fisher struck again with a 5-yard rushing touchdown. Suddenly, it was 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The Colts saw a variety of big plays and multiple scores. ALL PHOTOS BY ADON ECCLES
By halftime the Colts had already recorded 156 rushing yards and 153 receiving yards – more than 300 yards of total offense.
Quarterback Emmit Distefano was 6-of-13 passing for 153 yards and one touchdown. Fisher had 9 carries for 98 yards and two touchdowns and Logan Raube had two carries for 19 yards and one touchdown.
A more aggressive approach helped the Colts on both sides of the ball with sacks, safeties, and field goals. Soccer player and field goal kicker Samuel Castanza recorded a 39-yard field goal.
“Yeah, it was wild,” Starck said of the variety of big plays and multiple scores. “We’re really proud of the defense. They flew around, played really well. Also, proud of Justin Fisher who ran the ball really well. I’m super happy for Sam. The fact that we gave him the opportunity to cash it in at that range was great. Also, his kickoffs were deep and he was kicking to the end zone like he was feeling it tonight.”
Despite the week-to-week improvements, Starck said the team still has a long way to go until it gains back control of Special District 4. And even with the Colts’ offensive success, Starck pointed to missed opportunities. Thurston had several near-interceptions and fumbles while on offense.
ADON ECCLES / THE CHRONICLE
“There‘s still so many things we need to work on,” Starck said. “We’re not ready to reclaim the league yet, but I hope that we keep going in that direction – but we’re not there yet. Huge areas need improvement. We still have massive gaps in the run game and the missed blocks in our passing game … it’s not real strong right now.”
