ELGIN — The Cove football team’s 54-24 victory over Elgin on Friday, Oct. 27, set two things in motion. The Leopards secured a position in the 1A 8-man playoffs while the Elgin loss put an end to a season that started well and ended with successive losses.

Cove (5-4 overall, 3-3 1A 8-man Special District 2) departed off the bus in Elgin in a must-win situation. A victory meant the season continued while a loss translated to the end of the year. Leaving Elgin with the victory, Cove now prepares for a trip to Enterprise (6-2 overall) on Nov 3 for a first-round state playoff game. Kickoff between the Outlaws and Leopards is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Enterprise.

The Leopards join Crane, Imbler and Adrian as the fourth team from the Special District 2 playing for a state title.

The loss drops Elgin to 3-5 overall for the year including a 1-5 1A 8-man Special District 2 record, tied for fifth in the final league standings.

The Huskies started the year with three straight victories only to finish with five losses.

Coach Kirt McClure guided a young squad this year and will see the loss of only three seniors, James Cupp, Owen Johnson and Ty McLaughlin to next season. Elgin is scheduled to return seven juniors along with 10 sophomores as the Huskies hit the field for the 2025-25 season.