Willamette High Football Tested by Difficult Early Schedule
The team strategically faced state champions to prepare for their upcoming Southwest Conference season opener.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Football
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After opening the 2026 season with a 0-2 record, the Willamette High School football team secured consecutive wins to build momentum. The team intentionally scheduled back-to-back games against state champions to identify player roles and improve team discipline.
Why it matters
By competing against high-level programs early in the year, the coaching staff aimed to sharpen the roster for success within the Southwest Conference. This difficult nonconference stretch was designed to foster team confidence before the start of league play.
Willamette recorded a 54-31 victory against Jesuit, bolstered by three touchdowns from Zeke Thomas. Defensive leader Kawai Chamberlin has contributed a team-high 35 tackles this season.
The players
Kawai Chamberlin
He is a defensive standout for Willamette who has committed to play at Oregon State.
Zeke Thomas
He is a talented player who previously committed to Boise State before decommitting.
Willamette High School
This is a secondary educational institution located in Eugene that fields competitive sports teams.
The details
Willamette suffered initial losses of 34-7 to Lake Oswego and 33-12 to Silverton before finding success against Sherwood and Jesuit. The squad integrated new transfers including Conner Harvey, Sterling Holland, and Derek Earl while preparing to face North Medford in their next conference matchup.
Timeline
Willamette last claimed a league title in 2007 before their 2025 championship.
The team participated in nonconference football games throughout September 2026.
Season Trajectory
The school is adapting to a massive shift as their conference has shrunk from nine members down to five. This reduction in the Southwest Conference size changes the path to the postseason and puts immense pressure on each league game.
Willamette enters its conference opener against North Medford with a balanced 2-2 record after proving it can score effectively against top teams. The defense, anchored by Chamberlin, must maintain its current tackle pace to secure a winning start to the league schedule.
The takeaway
Strategically challenging yourself against top-tier competition can expose necessary improvements early in a season. Focusing on consistency and discipline remains the most effective way to prepare for high-stakes league play.
Further reading
For more updates on local sports, visit the Football section.
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