Echo's Mack Murdock (5) attempts to block Elkton quarterback Anthony Alimenti's pass during their 1A 6-man semifinal game Nov. 18, 2023, in Hillsboro. The Cougars will play Joseph for the state title Nov. 25, 2023, in Hermiston.

HERMISTON — The Echo football team already has made school history by reaching the 1A 6-man state title game. Winning that championship game would mean the world to the Cougars.

“It’s surreal to think about playing for a title,” said four-year starter Dom Curiel. “Now that we are in the championship game, it feels amazing, to be honest. We wanted to play in Hermiston. It’s like having a home game.”

The 10th-ranked Cougars (8-3) will take on No. 4 Joseph (9-1) on Saturday, Nov. 25, for the state title at Kennison Stadium.

“I have watched every film of their games,” Joseph coach Damian Huff said of Echo. “I hope to be ready for what they have to throw at us.”

The Cougars hadn’t won a playoff game since 1987 when they knocked off No. 7 Alsea 38-6 on Nov. 3. They followed with a 46-18 victory over No. 2 Powers, then knocked off No. 3 Elkton 34-19 to reach the title game.

Echo has won seven games in a row after starting the season 1-3.

“It’s fun,” Echo senior Sam Wyse said of the turnaround. “The biggest difference is we are having fun with it. That’s a huge part of what opened it up for us. This is an honor and an opportunity not many people get.”

It’s the first trip to a championship game since 2008 for Joseph — a 48-36 loss to Imbler in the 1A title game. The Eagles are on an eight-game win streak after taking down Prairie City/Burnt River 33-19 in the semifinals last week.

“That was one of the best games we have played all year, against one of the best teams in the state,” Huff said. “We didn’t make a lot of mistakes, which is why the outcome was what it was. There are things I would like to clean up. We scored late against Prairie and then the defense let up. We need to make sure all six kids on the field are going 100% until the game is over.”

Saturday’s game is a rematch of the first week of the season — a 52-28 victory for the Eagles.

Echo coach Thomas VanNice said neither team is the same as they were Sept. 1.

“They are very disciplined,” VanNice said of the Eagles. “Last week, they had no penalties and we had 17. We have to be more disciplined. They always have something new. We have to show up and play. Fortunately, we have been doing that.”

Huff said the Cougars have gotten better each week since they last played.

“Their offense was already pretty dangerous, and they have only gotten better,” Huff said. No. 4 (Wyse) is in the backfield. He is a tough kid. He scored a couple of touchdowns on us in Week 1. I know they will put the ball in his hands and Dom’s hands. I hope we have scouted enough to slow them down.”

Wyse ran for 141 yards and two touchdowns against Elkton, while Curiel ran for 28 yards and a touchdown, caught three passes for 107 yards and one touchdown, and threw for one touchdown.

Last week, Curiel drew attention from the Elks, leaving his teammates more open.

“I am more than willing to do what the team needs me to do,” Curiel said. “Pass, block, run the ball or be a team player. I just love to score and like getting my teammates involved. I like to win.”

The Cougars have been putting in the work to make that happen.

“We have been watching film and making sure we have everything under wraps,” Wyse said. “We still have Dom at quarterback for certain plays, but we didn’t have Creed (Russell) at center. We are not the same team they saw before.”

It’s those changes that have the Cougars in the title game.

“It’s surreal,” VanNice said of playing for a title. “It’s something you strive to do as a player. As a coach with this group, it’s amazing.”