The last two seasons, there was no shortage of drama when 4A Marist Catholic opened the season with white-knuckle, nonleague wins over 5A Churchill.
In 2023, Marist Catholic prevailed 36-35 in overtime when host Churchill fumbled on the potential game-winning two-point conversion. Last year, the Spartans got the go-ahead touchdown pass with 15.8 seconds left in a 33-30 home win
So when reigning state champion Marist Catholic, ranked No. 1 in the OSAAtoday 4A coaches poll, kicks off the season Friday at 5A No. 9 Churchill, the Spartans anticipate plenty of resistance.
“We have a lot of respect for their team,” Marist Catholic coach Zach Loboy said. “The last couple years we've played them, we've been really impressed.”
Last year's game turned into a showcase for Spartans receiver Aaron Bidwell and Churchill running back Ceville Pasi, who each scored five touchdowns. Both have graduated, though, opening the door for some new blood.
Marist Catholic needs to find a replacement for quarterback Nick Hudson, who threw 40 touchdown passes last season. Last year's backup, senior Eli Martin, is competing with juniors CJ Jones and Brody Gilliam – transfers from Sheldon and North Eugene, respectively – for the starting job.
Each has their strength. Martin knows the system and gets the ball out quickly. The 6-foot-4 ½ Jones has the biggest arm. And the 6-1, 210-pound Gilliam, North Eugene's starter the last two seasons, is a dual threat.
“He gives us a little bit different dimension,” Loboy said. “He's a decent-sized kid, so he carries a little bit of a load with him. He's not the guy who's going to slide and go down, he's going to try to run you over.”
The Spartans bring back junior tailback Conner Harvey, who broke out last season by rushing for 1,231 yards and 24 touchdowns. The 5-7, 180-pound Harvey ran for 177 yards in the state championship win over Henley.
“He's a little sparkplug,” Loboy said. “We expect really big things from him this year. He's got a really good motor. He's tough to bring down with the first shot. He's got some really good swivelly hips and some good vision.”
The key for Marist Catholic's offense is the rebuilt offensive line. Senior Cooper Kempf is the only returning starter.
On defense, the Spartans have a dynamic combination at linebacker with seniors Brody Buzzard and Jackson Skinner, both first-team all-state last season. The Brown-bound Skinner had 11.5 sacks in 2024. Buzzard is a three-time state wrestling champion for Harrisburg but attends Marist Catholic.
“They both look great. Maybe the two best linebackers in 4A,” Loboy said. “They're both 6-3, 210 pounds, long and rangy. We've got some things dialed up for them, for sure.”
Churchill won its first league title since 2018 and made the 5A quarterfinals last year. The Lancers feature senior Lukas Babbitt, a first-team all-state linebacker who will be the team's top running back this season now that Pasi has moved on to Eastern Oregon.
“He looks like he's going to be a big threat,” Loboy said. “We'll have our work cut out for us trying to stop the run with him carrying the ball.”
Marist Catholic will get a good idea of where it stands in the first month of the season. After visiting Churchill, the Spartans go to No. 6 Tillamook and No. 3 Henley.
“It's going to be a fun next several weeks,” Loboy said.
A look at other top match-ups from Week 0:
Friday
Sprague at 5A No. 2 Summit, 7 p.m.: Sprague had a banner 2024, improving from 2-7 to 9-2 and making the 6A Open quarterfinals. The Olympians graduated key skill players, though, and an early test against perennial 5A power Summit will be revealing.
Kamehameha (Hawaii) at 6A No. 1 West Linn, 7 p.m.: The reigning 6A Open champion Lions begin their final season under coach Jon Eagle with a game against the Warriors, who split their first two games. West Linn has electric senior running back Viggo Anderson, who rushed for 1,279 and 15 touchdowns last year.
5A No. 4 Silverton at Coeur d'Alene (Idaho), 7 p.m.: The Foxes, 5A semifinalists last year, hit the road to play the Vikings, who made Idaho's 6A semifinals last year. Coeur d'Alene lost its opener at Rigby 38-7. Silverton is home to face No. 5 Thurston next week.
4A No. 5 Philomath at 4A No. 9 Stayton, 7 p.m.: The longtime Oregon West rivals are split into different special districts this season, but keep their series alive with a nonleague opener. Last year, Philomath won at home over Stayton 49-14.
4A No. 6 Tillamook at 4A No. 7 Estacada: The teams play in the regular season for the third year in a row since Estacada defeated the Cheesemakers 32-8 in the 2022 state final. Tillamook won at Estacada 48-22 in 2023 and the Rangers countered last year, taking the opener 30-6 on the road.
4A No. 10 Pendleton/Nixyaawii at 4A No. 4 Scappoose, 7 p.m.: Pendleton is looking for some payback for last season's opener, when Scappoose defeated the Buckaroos 49-35 on their home field. The Indians went on to make the semifinals and Pendleton reached the quarterfinals.
2A No. 3 Heppner at 1A-8 No. 4 Crane, 7 p.m.: Heppner plays its first game under coach Rob Wilson, the successor to Greg Grant, who led the Mustangs to 29 conference titles and three state championships in 35 seasons. Both teams were semifinalists last year.
1A-8 No. 1 Adrian at Tri-Valley (Idaho), 7 p.m. MT: Adrian blitzed to the state title last year, going 12-0 and outscoring foes 529-84. The Antelopes could have their hands full with Tri-Valley, which went 10-2 last year and made Idaho's 1A semifinals.
Saturday
2A No. 1 St. Paul vs. 2A No. 2 Oakland at Harrisburg HS, 12 p.m.: A rematch of last year's state championship game, won by St. Paul 28-20. The game was tied 20-20 when St. Paul got the go-ahead touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.
3A No. 2 Cascade Christian vs. 3A No. 4 Vale at Summit HS, 5 p.m.: Vale avenged a 27-26 loss to Cascade Christian in the 2023 quarterfinals with a 29-6 win in last year's opener at Summit, ending the Challengers' 26-game winning streak. Vale was state runner-up last season.
jerryu@osaa.org
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