Fall is arriving early at Madras High School — at least on the practice fields. The White Buffalos kicked off fall sports practice in mid-August, with football, volleyball, soccer, and cross country teams beginning their 2026 campaigns under the late-summer sun and, more recently, under a haze of wildfire smoke.
It is the kind of start that tests character: heat, smoke advisories, and the knowledge that outdoor practice windows may be cut short on unhealthy air quality days. But coaches and athletes across Jefferson County have pushed forward, intent on building toward what they hope will be a strong postseason run.
Football Preview
The Madras White Buffalos football program enters the 2026 season with a mix of returning experience and promising younger players stepping into key roles. The team plays in the Tri-River Conference, one of Oregon’s smaller-school leagues, where Jefferson County rivalries with Culver, Crook County, and other Central Oregon schools provide some of the most anticipated matchups of any fall.
Home games at Madras High School draw strong community support, with families from across Jefferson County — including Culver, Metolius, Crooked River Ranch, and Warm Springs — turning out on Friday nights. The first home game of the season will bring a welcome dose of community energy after a summer dominated by fire and smoke headlines.
Volleyball and Cross Country
The Madras volleyball program returns with a solid core and eyes on a deep league run. Cross country, always one of the county’s signature fall sports given the region’s wide-open terrain, opens its season with several multi-school invitationals over the next month.
A Big Decision Looming: OSAA Reclassification
Perhaps the biggest storyline hanging over Madras athletics this fall is the ongoing Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) reclassification discussion. Proposals released last fall would move Madras High School into the Greater Oregon League, a shift that would reshape the school’s athletic conference affiliations across all sports.
The Greater Oregon League draws together schools from across rural Eastern and Central Oregon, and a move there would mean new rivals and longer travel for Madras student-athletes. A final OSAA decision on reclassification is expected later this school year, with any changes taking effect for the 2027-28 school year.
In the meantime, the White Buffalos are focused on the season at hand. Schedules, scores, and roster information are available through the Madras High School Athletic Department and OSAA.org.
Support Your Buffalos
The Madras community has a proud tradition of showing up for its student-athletes. After a summer of hardship — wildfires, smoke, drought, and the lingering weight of an extended fire season — a packed set of bleachers at a Friday night game is exactly the kind of renewal that a small-town community needs. Go Buffalos.