EUGENE –  As a team leader, Carter Bengtson believes one of his most important jobs is lifting up his fellow Cottage Grove runners, giving them all of the encouragement and gentle nudges they need to succeed.  On Thursday, during the combined Sky-Em 4A and 3A/2A/1A-SD4…

SPRINGFIELD – The Millers suffered their first league loss this season, falling 3-0 to North Eugene in boys soccer on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at Silke Field. Springfield, ranked 18th in Class 5A, had started its Midwestern League schedule with victories over league-leader Ashland and Churchill.…

PLEASANT HILL – Go bonkers, Billies backers!  The 2024 Class 3A Volleyball State Championship began this week, and Pleasant Hill – by virtue of winning the District 4 title Saturday – solidified its hold on the No. 1 seed at state. The Billies’ first match…

THURSTON – At Thurston’s previous home game, spectators witnessed the rare site of a team taking care of the Colts when Churchill came to The Farm.  It was a different story last week against North Eugene on Thurston’s Senior Night and last regular-season ome game…

PLEASANT HILL – Friday night’s homecoming game was a big night for Pleasant Hill as it faced its crosstown rival, Creswell. The Billies were not very gracious hosts, blanking the Bulldogs 36-0. The victory was due in large part to freshman running back Kai Davis,…

PREVIEWS VOLLEYBALL  Cottage Grove Lions (10-9, #9) ■ Setting up: Cottage Grove earned a postseason berth thanks to a third-place finish in the 4A Sky-Em league. After their home match with Manzama, the Lions wait to see where they are placed in the playoff brackets.…

COTTAGE GROVE – Don’t get spooked if you’re a local 4A cross country runner, because the postseason begins on Oct. 31, and Cottage Grove senior Carter Bengtson is putting his game face on.  Competing on his home course Saturday in the Lions’ annual Bramble Scramble,…

OSAA PLAYOFFS ■ Pleasant Hill: After standing on top of Class 3A with a record of 25-1 and 10-0 in the league, the Billies earn the No.1 seed in their playoff bracket thanks to a near-perfect regular season led by seniors Claire Crawford and Cheyenne…

COTTAGE GROVE – Most thought it would be a clear blowout – which it did turn out to be. But there were a few hiccups along the way. The unbeaten Lions were leading 7-0 in the first quarter when Madras was forced to punt. The…