JOSEPH — Last November, the Joseph Eagles faced off against the Echo Cougars for the state 1A six-man football crown; the Eagles claimed an early lead, but Echo rallied to win that game, 47-40, and the state title. 

On Friday, Sept. 6, the Eagles get another shot at the Cougars as Joseph travels to Echo in an early test for both schools. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.

It’s the season opener for the Cougars, but the Eagles already have collected a victory, an impressive 46-13 nonleague drubbing of Triangle Lake on Friday, Aug. 30 at the Dufur Classic at Condon High School.

Meanwhile, the Wallowa Cougars and the Enterprise Outlaws open their seasons this weekend.

Wallowa goes on the road Friday for its first game, a 7 p.m. bout against Prairie City / Burnt River. The Panthers (1-0) dominated Siletz Valley, 68-0, in their opening game, played on Saturday, Aug. 31. 

The Outlaws open their season with a nonleague game Friday at Cove. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Cove, which plays in 1A Special District 2, opened its season on Friday, Aug. 30 with a one-sided 46-14 win over Sherman/Condon at the Dufur Classic in Condon.  

Due to its success in the eight-man ranks (which included a playoff win last year against Cove), the Outlaws have been bumped up to 2A Special District. League foes include Grant-Union, Heppner, Irrigon, Riverside, Stanfield and Weston-McEwen/Griswold.

The Outlaws will play games this season against each of their league opponents, starting with a game on Friday, Sept. 20 at Grant Union.