Thurston High continued its strong start to the season with a decisive 47-22 victory over rival Springfield on Friday, Sept. 25. The Colts (3-1, 2-0 in league) showcased a versatile offense, using four different players to throw passes, three of which resulted in touchdowns.
Multiple passers spark offense
Quarterback Emmit Distefano, a recent commit to George Fox University, contributed a 9‑of‑15 passing effort for 103 yards, a touchdown and an interception. The other three passers each found the end zone, underscoring the coaching staff’s emphasis on creative play‑calling.
Defensive highlights seal the win
Thurston’s defense turned the tide with two pick‑sixes. Sophomore Rocco Folino intercepted Springfield quarterback Brayden Wickersheim and ran 17 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, extending the lead to 34-14. Earlier, Quinn Piquette returned an interception 50 yards for a score, giving the Colts a comfortable halftime advantage.
Linebacker Leofatu Filipe also made an impact, recording a first‑half sack on Wickersheim and helping to stifle Springfield’s rushing attack.
Coach Starck emphasizes grit and fun
“It’s just a gritty win,” head coach Justin Starck said. “It’s a rivalry game, a lot of emotions, and we knew they’d come out strong. We took their best shot and felt we endured that and took over the second half.” The coach highlighted the team’s enjoyment of the game despite the high stakes, noting that the players “had fun” even while executing complex plays.
Key offensive moments
Springfield opened the scoring with a flea‑flicker from Josiah Stroud to Dakota Short for a 35‑yard touchdown. Thurston answered with a fake punt pass from Brody Baker to Ridge Lindsey in the second quarter, a play the team had practiced for two weeks. Later, Distefano rolled left and delivered a pass to Bentlee Davenport, who helped push the lead to 28-15.
Backup quarterback Dean Knowles added a final touchdown, pairing with 22 rushing yards from Kash Jensen to seal the win.
Looking ahead
Thurston will host Crater High next Friday, while Springfield prepares to host Churchill. Both teams remain competitive in the league, with Thurston aiming to build on its momentum and Springfield seeking to rebound after its first loss of the season.
The game’s high‑scoring nature and creative play‑calling provided an exciting showcase for local high‑school football fans, reinforcing the importance of rivalry games in fostering community spirit and school pride.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
