Marshfield and North Bend’s football teams return to this side of the mountain for the upcoming Fall Prep season.  After playing in a Special District that took the Pirates and Bulldogs up to the Klamath Basin to face three-league opponents, the OSAA realignment brought both teams back this season to play teams closer to the Coast.  In the 4A Special District 3, Marshfield and North Bend will be challenged by Cottage Grove, Junction City, Marist Catholic, South Umpqua and Sweet Home.  The Pirates open August 28th at the Cottage Grove Jamboree.  On Sept. 4th, Marshfield hosts Philomath in their home opener preseason game, before traveling the next week Sept. 11th to Eureka, CA.  League play starts the following week, Sept. 18th at home to South Umpqua.  North Bend, under new head coach Ryan Goll, plays at Sutherlin August 8th to open the season.  The home opener is Sept. 4th against Astoria.  Defending 3A champ Cascade Christian comes to Vic Adams Field, Sept. 11th, and then league begins at Cottage Grove, Sept. 17th.