In area football last week, Springfield edged out North Eugene 35-34 last Friday. Springfield’s ground game, led by Khamani James’ 180 yards and two touchdowns, powered an offensive explosion. The 35 points were the Millers’ most points scored since Oct. 11 last year. Millers head coach Frank Geske credited his stout offensive line’s impact. A number of conversions on 3rd- and 4th-and-long by the Highlanders allowed them to stay close. North Eugene elected to go for a potential game-winning two-point conversion with less than two minutes remaining, but the risk did not pay off.
Creswell dominated Willamina 56-6 last Friday. Injuries for Willamina forced this game to be played with “nine-man” rules. Three defensive TDs helped Creswell build a 50-0 halftime lead. Despite Creswell head coach Chase Beach playing his JV players the entirety of the second half, Bulldogs starters stuffed the stat sheet. Senior Luke Bailey had 7 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a TD. Hunter Mustin had another four-TD game.
Thurston defeated the Roseburg Indains 26-14. The Colts showed off a balanced attack, with 244 yards passing and two touchdowns from quarterback Emmit Distefano, and 112 yards and a touchdown on nearly 9 yards per carry from running back Justin Fisher. In contrast, the Indians ran for 230 yards but mustered only 41 through the air. An interception returned for a touchdown from Fisher put Thurston up 26-14 for a comfortable lead it did not relinquish.
PREVIEWS
SISTERS (3-1) AT CRESWELL (2-2)
Game facts: Friday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m. … The Outlaws are ranked No. 7 in Class 3A and the Bulldogs are No. 16.
What2Know: The Outlaws have won this matchup in all three years since the Bulldogs were promoted to Class 3A. Sisters has been successful under head coach Hayden Hudson, going 24-10 with playoff appearances the past three years. Creswell has not made the playoffs in three years competing at 3A, but head coach Chase Beach has his program headed in the right direction. Beach will need Luke Bailey to continue his pass-rushing dominance, and Hunter Mustin will attempt to put together his third consecutive game with both an offensive and defensive touchdown.
COTTAGE GROVE (1-3) AT JUNCTION CITY (2-2)
Game facts: Friday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m. … The Lions are No. 24 in Class 4A and the Tigers are No. 18.
What2Know: The Lions are looking to bounce back from three straight losses as league play begins. These two teams did not play last year, but the two years previous, the Tigers won both matchups by an average of 38 points. This is the league opener for both teams, and Homecoming for the Tigers. Lions running back Declan Monahan will look to keep the hot hand, coming off an 88-yard, two touchdown game last week.
ELMIRA (1-2) AT PLEASANT HILL (3-1)
Game facts: Friday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m. … The Falcons are No. 23 in Class 3A and the Billies are No. 13.
What2Know: This is the first league game of the season for both teams. Elmira has won the previous three matchups in the series by an average of 28 points. However, The Billies come into league play on a three-game win streak and fresh from a victory over Class 4A Cottage Grove. After shutting out Umatilla, Elmira will have to slow down Billies sophomore running back Kai Davis, who has three straight 100+ yard games and is averaging 151.3 yards per game during that stretch.
– Capsules by Eli Thomas, The Chronicle
