2026 Preview: North Eugene Highlanders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome to Prep Redzone Oregon's 2026 Football Season Preview series! Over the next several weeks, I'll be highlighting programs from around the state as we count down to kickoff. Let's be honest, 6A football gets plenty of attention, so this series is all about shining a light on the outstanding players, coaches, and programs throughout Oregon's smaller classifications. Over the summer, I reached out to head coaches across the state to learn more about their teams heading into the season. These previews are built using their insight, giving fans a look at each program's expectations, players to watch, and goals for 2026. Every article is based on the coaches who took the time to respond, helping tell the story of their program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">2026 North Eugene Highlanders</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Eugene enters the 2026 season looking to take the next step in 5A Special District 5 after finishing 4-5 and missing the playoffs a year ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Rick Raish will have a veteran group to work with this fall, including several seniors who have already established themselves as contributors on both sides of the football. With experience returning at quarterback, linebacker, the offensive line, and the secondary, the Highlanders have a foundation to build around as they look to turn last season's 4-5 record into a playoff push.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players to Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1591872"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8f3397f0da4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ireland will be one of North Eugene's most important returning players this season. The senior returns as the Highlanders' quarterback while also holding down the strong safety position defensively. He enters the season as a returning First Team selection at strong safety, giving North Eugene an experienced two-way contributor to build around. With his senior season ahead, Ireland should be one of the leaders of the Highlanders on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2346824,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8f3397f0e4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Church gives North Eugene another experienced senior up front. The returning guard earned Honorable Mention recognition last season and will be back to help lead the offensive line in 2026. With several returning seniors on the roster, his experience will be valuable as the Highlanders work to establish offensive consistency.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2346830,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8f3397f0edc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Engelmann brings experience at two important positions for the Highlanders. The senior returns as an offensive tackle and defensive end, giving North Eugene a veteran presence along both sides of the line of scrimmage. His trench production will be an important part of the Highlanders' plans this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2346822,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8f3397f0e04"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hough returns for his senior season in the middle of the North Eugene defense. The linebacker earned Honorable Mention recognition last season and will be counted on to provide experience at a key position. As one of the Highlanders' returning seniors, Hough should play an important role in anchoring the defense this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2346832,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8f3397f0f21"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tena will provide experience in the middle of the North Eugene defensive front. The senior returns at nose guard and should be one of the veteran pieces the Highlanders lean on defensively. His presence in the interior will be important as North Eugene looks to build around its returning senior core.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2346826,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8f3397f0e97"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson is one of the younger players Raish specifically identified as being on the rise heading into the season.The junior will contribute at both wide receiver and free safety, giving North Eugene another player capable of making an impact on both sides of the ball. After continuing to develop, Anderson could be in line for a bigger role in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Eugene may not enter the 2026 season with the same level of attention as some of the top programs in 5A, but the Highlanders have a group of experienced players who can give them a chance to compete in Special District 5. After finishing 4-5 and narrowly missing out on the postseason last year, North Eugene will look to use that returning experience to make a push in 2026. North Eugene opens up the season on the road against South Albany on August 28th.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->