COTTAGE GROVE – With a one-and-done Class 3A season in 2024, the Cottage Grove Lions face the lofty challenge of returning to Class 4A this year.
Despite the unpredictability ahead, though, Steve Turner, in his third year with the Lions, remains staunchly grounded in his John Wooden-like approach to coaching: “Let’s take care of ourselves.”
“Just like last year, we’re building momentum game-by-game to get some confidence going into a league season knowing that guys are going to be bigger, faster, and stronger in that next phase of the season,” he said. “But right now, we’re building that momentum starting with the basics, the fundamentals, and the footwork.”
Turner
Easing into the schedule
With the help of creative scheduling, the Lions will have a gradual approach to their reintroduction to 4A opponents. The first four games are against teams the Lions played last year, starting with matchups against North Marion and Coquille, who were early non-league opponents. This will be followed by keeping local rivalries alive with Class 3A schools Creswell and Pleasant Hill.
The Lions also rejoin their previous 4A league in Special District 3. For the 2025 season, Special District 3 will include the Crescent Valley Raiders, the Junction City Tigers, the Marist Catholic Spartans, Philomath Warriors, and the Sweet Home Huskies.
The Raiders dropped down from 5A. The Tigers and Warriors have both remained in 4A since moving up from 3A in 2022, and the Huskies have been a stable 4A team for the past 10 years.
Similar to last year, Turner has been focusing on developing depth with the team – which is integral in a smaller classification with a smaller team. He’s been teaching his players to play two to three positions at times.
ADON ECCLES / THE CHRONICLE PHOTO
“We’re not playing 11 guys the whole first half,” Turner said. “We want to be able to put 18-19 guys out there so that we can be fresh in the second half. That’s our main goal for the first four games – to build depth. We have guys who are going to be playing two ways, but we also have guys whose role is to come in and give people a breather. We don’t have a first and second team. We have everybody as a first-team guy.”
In addition to developing this versatility, Turner said he’s been emphasizing the importance of roles and identifying where his players will excel in the scheme.
“My thing is, everybody has a job that they can do for us,” he said. “We want to include everybody … everybody has something important for us.”
Turner revealed that the offense will be built around Johnny Riley, Nick Walley, and Darby Ladd, who are also on defense, along with Ramon Munoz-Gonzalez.
Dual-threat standout
The Lions’ top returner, Trevor Cooper, who earned first-team all-league honors at tight end and helped the Lions win a league title, will be making some different noise on offense this year. The junior is a 6-foot-5 dual threat on the defensive line.
Cottage Grove players at the “Blue vs Gold” Game last week. ALL PHOTOS BY ADON ECCLES
“Trevor had some big plays last year, but we’re going to move him around,” Turner said. “He’s not going to be a tight end anymore. We want to utilize his ability and his size. He’ll play a little running back and wide receiver.”
The Lions play their jamboree game at Sweet Home on Aug. 29 at 6 p.m.
COTTAGE GROVE LIONS 2025
HEAD COACH
■ Steven Turner in his third year at Cottage Grove … 10-9 record at Cottage Grove … 130-98 career record
2024 SEASON
■ Recap: 9-1 overall, 7-0 in league play … 1st in Special District 3 … Lost to Burns 46-7 in the first round of playoffs … No. 6 in Class 3A
GAME INFO
■ Stadium: Herald White Stadium
■ Tickets: Adults ($5), high school students ($4), seniors ($3)
TOP THREE GAMES
■ at Junction City, Oct. 3
■ vs. Philomath, Oct. 9
■ vs. Marist Catholic, Oct. 17
TEAM BREAKDOWN
■ Varisty returners: 9
■ Returning starters: Offense (6), Defense (4)
TOP RETURNERS
■ Nick Walley, Off/ Def Tackle, No. 76, Sr.
Notes: First team all-league tackle in ‘24 and third-year starter.
■ Darby Ladd, Off Tackle, DE, No. 73, Sr.
Notes: Second team all league in ‘24 and third-year starter.
■ Trevor Cooper, Off/Def, No. 24, Jr.
Notes: First team all-league tight end in ‘24 and third-year starter.
■ Cameron “CJ” Dugas, DB/ RB, Sr.
Notes: Third-year starter at defensive back in ‘24, and second year as running back. Also, he earned all-league second team as a defensive back.
TEAM STRENGTHS
■ Three third-year starters on the O-line
■ Depth
■ Fast pace of play
DID YOU KNOW?
■ Steve Turner, now 70 years old, is a decorated Oregon high school football coach with nearly four decades of experience, including state championships at 4A Cascade (’15) and 5A Mountain View (’11). In his glory years, Turner was known for “running the wing-T, I-formation and spread offense.
