5 takeaways from final week for Eugene-area high school football

Eugene-area high school football teams delivered great performances in the final week of the regular season.

Here are five key takeaways from this week's games.

Marist Catholic wins consecutive Special District 3 league title

JUNCTION CITY — Junior quarterback Nick Hudson threw three touchdown passes that gave Marist Catholic a 22-16 victory over Junction City (7-2, 5-1) and led the Spartans to back-to-back Special District 3 league titles on Friday night.

The win likely gives Marist (8-1, 6-0) high seeding in the Class 4A playoffs that begin next week.

"It's exciting for the school more than anything, I'm such a small piece in all of this," Marist head coach Charlie Landgraf said. "So, for them to come out and perform the way they did, I'm super excited for the kids, for the community, for the administration, for the parents and for everyone."

In a high-stakes contest, both teams came up with crucial plays to keep the game scoreless at the end of the first quarter. Junction City earned a touchback on Marist's opening drive. In response, Marist stopped the Tigers on fourth down from the Spartans' own 35-yard line.

Junction City committed its first of two turnovers to start the second quarter.

Hudson connected with junior Kaden Erlenbush on a 63-yard touchdown pass with 4:30 left before halftime.

Junction City's second turnover allowed Marist to recover it on the Spartans' own 49-yard line. Three minutes later, Erlenbush added another TD catch from 37 yards out, giving Marist a 14-0 lead at halftime.

"Our biggest problem was we turned the ball over too many times in the first half ... and you can't do that against a good football team," Junction City head coach Max Wall said. "It was one of those games, but I'm proud of the kids. They played hard, and I couldn't ask for anything more."

While Junction City's offense stayed radio silent, the defense turned up the heat when defensive back Tylen Franks made a leaping deflection intended for Marist's Brady Bidwell on fourth down in front of the end zone with 5:51 left in the third quarter.

An interception from Franks led to a 10-yard rushing touchdown from Grant Barnes. Senior quarterback Cooper Rothenberger connected with Avery Thomas on the two-point conversion, cutting Junction City's deficit to 14-8 with 11:19 left in the game.

After a string of good passes and a fourth down conversion, Marist found itself on Junction City's own 5-yard line.

Marist then took a time out, at first intended for the field goal but took a second time out. What looked like another attempt at the field goal resulted in a penalty for loss of five yards.

On fourth down, Hudson connected with running back Aiden Hazen on a 10-yard touchdown pass. Erlenbush caught the two-point conversion, extending Marist's lead to 22-8 with 4:18 left in the game.

"I've been telling Nick (Hudson) all week, 'Hey, if there's nothing there (to pass to), I'm going to release out and I'm going to try to find you,'" Hazen said. "Luckily enough, he found me and that was my first high school receiving touchdown. So, it felt great."

On the next drive, Rothenberger connected with Levi Walker on a 36-yard fourth-down touchdown pass. Keivon Riley rushed for two points, cutting Junction City's deficit to 22-16 with 2:06 left in the game.

While Marist laid low on offense, Junction City regained possession of the ball with 1:10 left in the game.

Junction City first converted on fourth down followed by Franks' 12-yard reception to convert third down, putting the Tigers within Marist's own 40-yard line with five seconds left in the game.

Rothenberger threw a Hail Mary pass, hoping to land in Franks' hands but was instead deflected by Marist's CJ Giustina as the game ended.

"I was a little unsure, but we figured a way out of it in the end zone," Hudson said on what he felt in those final seconds.

Thurston tops Churchill for SD2 league title

Junior quarterback Noah Blair threw six touchdown passes and rushed for one to lift Thurston to a 48-28 victory over Churchill (3-6, 3-4) and earn the Special District 2 league championship at Churchill on Friday night.

Walker Bonar caught three of those TDs from 43, 18 and 14 yards out, Lombel Doreen caught two and Matt Newell caught a 9-yard TD late in the game.

No. 8 Thurston (7-2 overall) hosts No. 9 Dallas (6-3) in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs on Friday. Time is to be determined.

West Salem stuns Sheldon in final league game of season

Sheldon dropped its final home game of the regular season 42-21 to West Salem (5-4) on Friday night.

No. 12 Sheldon (6-3 overall) will play at No. 5 Lakeridge (7-2) in the first round of the Class 6A state playoffs on Friday. Time is to be determined.

Springfield dominates Eagle Point

Springfield defeated Eagle Point 42-14 to close out the regular season at home on Friday night.

No. 4 Springfield (8-1 overall) hosts No. 13 Lebanon (5-4) in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs on Friday. Time is to be determined.

Other Week 9 action

Elmira defeated Valley Catholic 42-13. The Falcons finish the regular season with a 7-2 overall record.

Edith Noriega is a sports reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at ENoriega@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter at @Noriega_Edith.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Marist football, Thurston, Springfield dominate regular season finale