The Madras High School White Buffaloes football program wrapped up its annual youth skills camp last week, with young players from across Jefferson County spending three days at Madras Football Stadium building fundamentals and getting their first taste of the gridiron under clearing — if still smoky — late-summer skies.
The camp, held August 11 through 13, drew approximately 25 to 30 participants each day. Coaches and returning varsity players led drills covering passing routes, blocking technique, and defensive positioning, giving younger athletes a chance to connect with the program ahead of their own high school careers.
Fall Practice Gets Underway
With the youth camp in the books, attention now turns to the varsity squad. Fall sports practice for Oregon high schools traditionally kicks off in mid-August, and the White Buffaloes are expected to be on the field in full pads this week as they prepare for their 2026 season opener.
Madras High competes in the Intermountain Conference — one of the more competitive classifications in Central Oregon — and the White Buffaloes will be looking to improve on last year's performance. Details on the official schedule and season opener date are expected to be released shortly through the school's athletics page.
A Community Tradition
The pre-season skills camp has become a community staple in Madras, helping to grow the pipeline of young players who come up through the program. For many Jefferson County kids, spending a summer morning at the stadium catching passes is an early touchstone with school sports culture.
The camps also give incoming freshmen a chance to learn the White Buffaloes' system before the pressure of official practice begins — a benefit coaches say pays dividends once the regular season starts.
Stay tuned to the Madras Bulletin for schedule updates and previews as the 2026 football season approaches. Go Buffaloes.