With Greater Albany Public Schools preparing to welcome students back for the new academic year, local high school athletics are officially back in full swing. While the standard regular season across Oregon kicks off on September 4, the OSAA (Oregon School Activities Association) calendar allowed select non-league contests to begin early.
Athletic fields, courts, and courses lit up as West Albany High School and South Albany High School launched their 2026 fall athletic schedules with Week 1 football action on Friday, August 28.
Week 1 Football Recaps
West Albany Bulldogs (5A)
- Opponent: Mountain View Cougars (Bend, OR)
- Final Score: Mountain View 13, West Albany 10
- Game Summary: Taking on top-ranked Mountain View, the Bulldogs locked into a gritty, defensive battle. Trailing 13–3 at halftime, West Albany surged back in the third quarter with a rushing touchdown to narrow the deficit to 13–10. The Bulldogs' defense shut out the Cougars in the second half, but Mountain View managed to hold on through the fourth quarter to secure the narrow win.
South Albany RedHawks (5A)
- Opponent: North Eugene Highlanders
- Final Score: South Albany 28, North Eugene 7
- Game Summary: South Albany delivered a strong, complete performance in their season opener against North Eugene. Demonstrating strong execution on both sides of the ball, the RedHawks controlled the tempo throughout the game. South Albany kept the Highlanders contained all night to secure an impressive 28–7 victory to open their fall run.
Fall Sports Schedule Across Albany
Football is just one piece of the action kicking off across town this week:
- Soccer (Boys & Girls): Non-league matches begin this week as local squads gear up for Mid-Willamette Conference competition.
- Volleyball: Varsity and junior varsity teams are hitting the court for opening tournament play.
- Cross Country: Runners are lacing up for their first regional meets on local courses.
How to Support Local Student-Athletes
Community support plays a huge role in local high school athletics! Residents, families, and alumni can support local student-athletes by attending games, purchasing athletic booster passes, or volunteering at concession stands throughout the fall season.
Check school athletic departments for complete game times, ticket sales, and venue information for West Albany and South Albany athletics.
South Albany Redhawks: https://www.saredhawks.com
West Albany Bulldogs: https://osaa.org/schools/173