The crack of shoulder pads is back at Madras High School. With summer winding down and the school year just around the corner, the Madras White Buffaloes football program has opened fall camp, giving players their first structured looks at the 2026 season ahead.
It’s an important time of year in Jefferson County — football season is a community tradition, and Friday night games at Madras High have long been a gathering point for families across the county, from Culver to Crooked River Ranch.
Back to School, Back to the Gridiron
Jefferson County School District 509J schools return to session shortly, with students and athletes juggling the end-of-summer transition. For Buffaloes players, fall camp is the critical window to install schemes, build chemistry, and work through conditioning before the first regular-season kickoff.
Oregon high school football teams are permitted to hold official practices beginning in mid-August under Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) rules, with the regular season typically beginning in early September.
Tri-River Conference Competition
The White Buffaloes compete in the Tri-River Conference, one of Oregon’s more competitive mid-size school leagues. The conference includes programs from across Central and Eastern Oregon, and playoff positioning hinges on performance in league play in October.
Madras has historically fielded competitive teams and has a proud football tradition. Fans can follow schedule updates, scores, and stats at MaxPreps (search “Madras White Buffaloes”) and on the OSAA website at osaa.org.
Other Fall Sports Underway
Football isn’t the only fall sport gearing up at Madras High. The school’s cross country, volleyball, and soccer programs are also holding preseason practices. Jefferson County Middle School (JCMS) fall athletics are similarly underway for younger students.
The Jefferson County School District Activities office encourages parents and students to check the district website at jcsd.k12.or.us for current sports schedules, eligibility requirements, and athletic clearance information ahead of the new school year.
Community Support
After a summer marked by evacuations, wildfire smoke, and drought stress, local sports offer a welcome return to normalcy and community connection. Boosters and community members are encouraged to come out and support Madras student-athletes when the season opens.
The Madras Bulletin will have full coverage of the White Buffaloes and other Jefferson County athletic programs throughout the fall season. If you have a sports tip, score, or athlete story to share, email us at news@madrasbulletin.com.