QuickTake:

Thurston solidifies its hold on first place in its league with a win over Churchill. Also, Willamette, Springfield and Marist post wins in Lane County football action.

This story has been updated with additional scores.

After a sluggish first half, Thurston found its offense — and fought off a Churchill rally — to claim a 27-16 win in a key 5A league game Friday night.

The Colts were up 3-0 at halftime, but scored two touchdowns and added a field goal to climb to a 20-8 lead. The Lancers responded with a touchdown and a two-point conversion to close to 20-16. 

  • Landon Cramer (71) of the Thurston Colts lines up for the national anthem before the Colts take on the Churchill Lancers at Churchill High School in Eugene, Oct. 17, 2025. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
  • Justin Fisher (1) of the Thurston Colts carries the ball against the Churchill Lancers at Churchill High School in Eugene, Oct. 17, 2025. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
  • Bodie Bonar (6) of the Thurston Colts celebrates a touchdown against the Churchill Lancers at Churchill High School in Eugene, Oct. 17, 2025. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
  • Charlie Dexter (22) of the Churchill Lancers flies over Hunter Bagwell (2) of the Thurston Colts for a touchdown at Churchill High School in Eugene, Oct. 17, 2025. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
  • Bodie Bonar (6) of the Thurston Colts carries the ball against the Churchill Lancers in Eugene, Oct. 17, 2025. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
  • Lucas Gansen (9) of the Churchill Lancers carries the ball for a touchdown against the Thurston Colts in Eugene, Oct. 17, 2025. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
  • Emmit Distefano (12) of the Thurston Colts reacts to a penalty in Eugene, Oct. 17, 2025. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
  • The Thurston Colts take on the Churchill Lancers at Churchill High School in Eugene, Oct. 17, 2025. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
  • Hunter Bagwell (2) of the Thurston Colts jumps to intercept the ball against the Churchill Lancers in Eugene, Oct. 17, 2025. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
  • Caleb Jones (13) of the Thurston Colts goes to catch the ball against Mikey Johnson (19) of the Churchill Lancers at Churchill High School in Eugene, Oct. 17, 2025. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
  • Head coach Justin Starck of the Thurston Colts breaks down a huddle after a 28-17 win over the Churchill Lancers at Churchill High School in Eugene, Oct. 17, 2025. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA

But Thurston, playing on the road, added one more touchdown to close out the scoring and solidify its hold on first place in Special District 3. 

The Colts improved to 8-1 overall, 6-0 in league with the win and wrap up their regular season next Friday at 7 p.m. with a game at North Eugene. The Lancers fell to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in league and return to action next week at South Eugene. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Here are other scores from Thursday and Friday night prep football action:

Willamette 42, Dallas 27

The Wolverines ruined Homecoming for 5A power Dallas, posting a 42-27 nonleague victory Friday to remain undefeated. Willamette, now 7-0 overall and 6-0 in league, travels to North Salem Friday for a 7 p.m. league game. 

South Medford 21, Sheldon 0

South Medford traveled to Sheldon and shut out the Irish 21-0 Friday. Sheldon, now 2-5 overall and 2-4 in league, travels Friday to Grants Pass for a 7 p.m. game.

Crater 29, North Eugene 17

Playing on the road, the Highlanders fell to Crater 29-7. North Eugene (4-4 overall, 3-3 league) wraps up its regular season Friday at 7 p.m. with a home game against Thurston.

Springfield 20, Eagle Point 14

Playing at home, the Millers carved out a 20-14 victory over Eagle Point. Springfield (3-4 overall, 3-2 in league) faces a road test at Crater Friday at 7 p.m.

Roseburg 49, South Eugene 0

The Axe remained winless on the season, suffering a 49-0 shutout Friday at Roseburg. South Eugene (0-6 overall, 0-4 in league) entertains Churchill Friday at 7 p.m. 

Marist Catholic 35, Cottage Grove 0

Marist traveled to Cottage Grove and put together possibly its best win of the season, a 35-0 victory. Marist (3-4 overall, 2-1 league) entertains Philomath Friday at 7 p.m. The Lions (1-6 overall, 0-3 league) travel to Sweet Home Friday for a 7 p.m. kickoff. 

Philomath 27, Junction City 21

The Tigers suffered a tough 27-21 league loss Friday on the road at Philomath. Junction City (4-3 overall, 2-1 in league) entertains Crescent Valley in another league game Friday at 7 p.m. 

Pleasant Hill 18, Sisters 14

The Billies prevailed over Sisters in an 18-14 thriller played in Pleasant Hill. The Billies, now 6-1 overall and 3-0 in league, travel to Creswell Friday for a 7 p.m. game. 

Madras 56, Creswell 26

Playing at home, Madras defeated Creswell 56-26 in a Friday league game. Next week: The Bulldogs (3-4 overall, 1-2 league) entertain Pleasant Hill at 7 p.m. Friday.

Elmira 20, La Pine 0

The Falcons ruined La Pine’s Homecoming game by posting a 20-0 win Friday. Elmira, now 2-4 overall and 1-2 in league, entertains Madras at 7 p.m. Friday,

Siuslaw 45, Sutherlin 8

The Vikings roared into Sutherlin Friday and roared out with a 45-8 league victory. Siuslaw (4-2 overall, 2-0 in league) returns home Friday at 7 p.m. for a Homecoming game against Brookings-Harbor.  

Lowell 76, Monroe 6

Lowell romped to an easy home win over Monroe Friday. The Devils (6-1 overall, 5-0 league) have a nonleague game next Friday at St. Paul. 

Crow 53, Gilchrist 0

The Cougars rolled to a big Homecoming win Friday over Gilchrist. Crow entertains Days Creek next Friday for a 7 p.m. league game. 

North Douglas 36, Mohawk 12

North Douglas rolled to a 36-12 victory in the Mustangs’ Homecoming game Friday. Mohawk (1-5 overall, 0-1 in league) travels to Perrydale for a league game Friday at 7 p.m.

Days Creek 20, McKenzie 12

Playing on the road Friday, the Eagles lost a close one, 20-12, at Days Creek. McKenzie (0-7 overall, 0-5 in league) travels to North Douglas next Friday for a 7 p.m. nonleague game. 

Triangle Lake 52, C.S. Lewis Academy 12

The Lakers, the top-ranked team in the 1A six-player ranks, remained undefeated with a 52-12 road win Thursday over C.S. Lewis Academy, The Lakers (7-0 overall, 4-0 in league) host Jewell next Friday at 7 p.m. 

Reedsport 66, Mapleton 14

The Sailors ran into stormy waters during a road trip to Reedsport, falling 66-12. Mapleton (0-7 overall, 0-6 in league) hosts Alsea at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Yoncalla at Oakridge, canceled

Mike McInally is a Pacific Northwest journalist with four decades of experience in Oregon and Montana, including stints as editor of the Corvallis Gazette-Times and the Albany Democrat-Herald.