The Eugene-Springfield area has been spoiled in riches with the headlining seven-headed monster backfield of the 2025 Oregon Ducks squad. While the numbers at the back end of the unit have dropped and the starters have shone deeper into the season, the big four of senior running back Noah Whittington (336 yards), freshman Dierre Hill Jr. (329 yards), freshman Jordan Davison (250 yards), and junior Jayden Limar (249 yards) have dominated college football.
It turns out this region of Oregon has this luxury at the high school level as well.
The Thurston Colts of Thurston High School, led by head coach Justin Starck in his 23rd season, have built a four-man running back room that terrorized the Special District 4 league of 5A Oregon high school football.
Early on in their game against the No. 25-ranked North Eugene Highlanders, sophomore running back Quinten Fisher took a handoff and bowled his way from the goal line into the endzone to give the Colts an early 6-0 lead.
Later on in the rivalry action, senior star running back Justin Fisher took a handoff within the Highlander five-yard line and made a signature hard cut outside, then another cut in as he used the hole created by the offensive line and scooted in for the score. This made it 26-0 and was the dagger as Thurston would go on to win 26-6.
This is a small sample of the diversity of the Colts crew. To open that North Eugene game, Starck called on Quinten Fisher to start in the backfield, then switched to Justin Fisher on the second play, then went back to Quinten. To cap the drive, Quinten took it in for the score. This back and forth is jarring at any level of football, as seen with the Ducks.
“It’s good to have a committee of running backs for health reasons,” Starck said.
The stats don’t lie. Justin Fisher, the small-framed, quick-cutting leader of this bunch, has 854 yards on 116 carries and seven touchdowns going into the playoffs. It’s truly spectacular to watch Fisher run the ball. The senior takes handoffs, bounces off his dominant offensive line and speeds outside, and when opponents and fans think he’s going to step out of bounds as he approaches the sideline, he steers upfield and nearly defies physics by staying in bounds and picking up more yards by toe tapping the sideline.
“He’s a cerebral player,” Starck said. “He understands football and understands what he needs to do. We’re really proud of him.”
It’s not all speed in this running back room. While not getting involved very much in the North Eugene game, senior running back Cruz Gray brings the thunder to the bunch. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound back goes over tacklers and is a force on the offensive end, and at his middle linebacker post on defense. It’s not just muscle running for Gray. Once the big man gets into open space, he can fly. Cruz has put up 268 yards on 57 attempts and six touchdowns on the year.
Three weeks ago, these two running backs had their senior night at Silke Field on Oct. 25. Thurston dominated the rest of the season, so the seniors should be able to get another experience at their home high school field.
“They’re a great group of boys,” Starck said after senior night. “They know we love them. We’re challenging them to go out and win this and give yourself an opportunity to play here again in the playoffs.”
The future of this running back room could be junior Logan Raube. He’s another short, quick back, sitting at 5-foot-8, 145 pounds. His season stats hold at 127 yards on 34 attempts and three touchdowns.
The younger and final tailback is a more recent producer, Quintin Fisher. His quick strides and head-down running have been a late-season spark for the Colts. He has seven carries for 63 yards and a touchdown on the year, and with his increased use, those numbers will surely go up as postseason play begins.
The old offensive line has become the unsung heroes, as they are with any team. Senior left tackle Jonathan Mills, senior left guard William McClusky, senior all-state center Jordan Barr, senior right guard Matt Carter and junior right tackle Parker Edwards have all pulled their weight, and are the reason these running backs have gaping holes they can exploit all game.
This lethal running back room now waits for their playoff matchup, which will take place on Nov. 7. Thurston went perfect in league play and will look to peak at the right time as competitive 5A football looms. The Colts have won eight straight, but their one loss is highlighted due to it being against a quality team they might have to see again, the Silverton Foxes.