QuickTake:

The last two weeks of regular-season play will determine which teams will advance to the state playoffs — and which teams will head for the sidelines.

With two weeks left in high school football’s regular season, several Lane County football programs are positioned for shots at their respective league and state championships. Some of those teams, like 6A Willamette and Sheldon, must go through each other to get there in enticing matchups over the final two weeks.

We’ve broken down what each team needs over its final two weeks to clinch qualification and silverware.

Note: In the Oregon School Activities Association, tiebreakers are not standardized and vary by league. 

6A-Special District 5

  • Lane County teams which can win league: Willamette, Sheldon
  • Lane County teams which can qualify for state bracket: Willamette, Sheldon
  • Lane County teams out of picture: None

Willamette and Sheldon, both of Special District 5, are still in the picture for the league title. Special District 5 sends two automatic qualifiers to the state bracket, and the Wolverines (5-2 overall, 3-0 league) and the Irish (6-1, 2-0) occupy those spots right now. The Irish can match the Wolverines, who’ve already mathematically qualified from the league, at 3-0 this week and book their spot in the postseason; Willamette plays a nonleague game before the two meet next Friday night in the regular season finale, which could determine the league title.

At-large bids: Nine best teams by OSAA ranking qualify alongside the seven league champions for the Championship bracket; remaining eight teams qualify for Columbia Cup secondary bracket.

5A-Special District 5

  • Can win league: Thurston
  • Can qualify for state bracket: Thurston, Churchill, Springfield (needs an at-large bid)
  • Out of picture: North Eugene

In Special District 5, Thurston (6-1, 5-0) has clinched the top spot with two weeks remaining by virtue of its head-to-head advantage over Churchill. The Colts have a bye before facing Roseburg next Friday. Second-place Churchill (4-1, 4-3) has one league and one nonleague game remaining and has clinched the league’s second automatic bid on head-to-head while third-place Springfield (5-2, 2-2) has two league games left but needs an at-large bid to qualify because it lost to both Thurston and Springfield. North Eugene (0-6, 0-4) is out of contention.

At-large bids: Next six best teams by OSAA ranking, including guaranteed spot for better second-place team from SD1 or SD2 by OSAA ranking

4A-Special District 3

  • Can win league: Junction City, Marist Catholic
  • Can qualify for state bracket: Junction City, Marist Catholic
  • Out of the picture: Cottage Grove

In Special District 3, Junction City (5-2, 4-1) needs help to win the league or to qualify for the 16-team tournament. A win next week against Marist Catholic (3-4, 2-2) would help the Tigers and put the Spartans on the brink of elimination, but the full consequences of that game won’t be obvious until this week is over, which includes a matchup between top-three teams in Sweet Home and North Bend. Cottage Grove (1-6, 0-5) is out of the picture.

At-large bids: Next two best teams by OSAA ranking

3A-Special District 3

  • Can win league: Pleasant Hill
  • Can qualify for state bracket: Pleasant Hill, Creswell
  • Out of the picture: Elmira

In Special District 3, the two qualifying spots are still up for grabs. Pleasant Hill (5-2, 3-0) is currently undefeated in league with two league games remaining. If any of the three 1-2 teams (Sisters, Creswell and Madras) lose this week, they’ll be out of contention. The final-week Pleasant Hill-Klamath Union matchup will decide the league title. Elmira (1-6, 0-3) is out of the picture.

3A-Special District 4 

  • Can win league: Siuslaw-Mapleton (but would need to jump Sutherlin in OSAA ranking)
  • Can qualify for state bracket: Siuslaw-Mapleton
  • Out of picture: None

In Special District 4, Siuslaw-Mapleton (5-2, 1-1) needs to separate from a pack of three 1-1 teams with one league game left to secure one of the two spots. A share of the league title is still possible, but would involve top-ranked Sutherlin dropping its final game against Douglas this Friday and falling below the Vikings in the OSAA rankings. The other two teams — Douglas and Brookings-Harbor — face off in the final week; Brookings-Harbor could sink the Vikings’ hopes for an automatic bid to the 14-team tournament with a win in their matchup this Friday.

At-large bids: Next two best teams by OSAA ranking.

2A-Special District 3

  • Can win league: Lowell
  • Can qualify for state bracket: Lowell, Oakridge (needs an at-large bid)
  • Out of picture: None

In Special District 3, Lowell (7-0, 3-0) could secure the top spot in the league with a win this weekend over Waldport. Oakridge needs to win out and hope for an at-large spot amid a league with three 1-2 teams entering this week. In all, 16 teams qualify for the tournament.

At-large bids: Next four best teams by OSAA ranking.

1A-8-Special District 2

  • Can win league: No local teams
  • Can qualify for state bracket: Mohawk (likely needs an at-large bid)
  • Out of picture: No local teams

In Special District 2, Mohawk (5-3, 2-2) must win its final game Friday against Camas Valley and hope Perrydale loses both its remaining matchups to have any chance at an automatic bid via a three-way tie, but more likely will need an at-large bid. In all, 14 teams qualify for the playoffs. 

At-large bids: Next four best teams by OSAA ranking.

1A-6-Special District 2 

  • Can win league: Triangle Lake
  • Can qualify for state bracket: Triangle Lake
  • Out of the picture: None

In Special District 2, Triangle Lake (3-3, 3-0) can lock in the top spot with a win in its final league matchup against Falls City this Friday. If the Lakers lose that game, they have to hope either Eddyville Charter loses its one remaining game or Falls City loses on the final day. Just 10 teams advance to the postseason.

1A-6-Special District 3

  • Can win league: No local teams
  • Can qualify for state bracket: Crow (needs an at-large bid)
  • Out of the picture: McKenzie

In Special District 3, Crow (5-2, 2-2) needs to win both of its final two games and hope for an at-large bid because of its head-to-head loss to North Lake. The Cougars travel to Days Creek in a matchup of playoff hopefuls this week, then host Powers on the final day. McKenzie (2-6, 1-4) is out of the picture. Just 10 teams qualify for the postseason.

At-large bids: Next two best teams by OSAA ranking.