In December, 2025, the Oregon School Activities Association approved new classification and districting for the next four-year time block, 2026-30.
The band is back together once more. Four years after Cowapa League mainstays Banks and Valley Catholic dropped down to 3A, the pair are set to return in 2026.
In addition, with Oregon High School athletics having six classifications broken up by enrollment size, the Braves and Valiants dropped down to 3A due to each school having less than 300 total students for grades 10-12.
The highest division, 6A, has an enrollment floor of 1,026; 5A is 581 to 1,025 students; 4A is 281 to 580; 3A is 141 to 280; 2A is 66 to 140 students; and 1A is anywhere from 10 to 65 students. Though each classification has certain number caps, schools can play up or down in any division they please.
With Banks and Valley Catholic returning to 4A, the Cowapa League will now have six teams for all sports except football, where there will be seven. St. Helens made the move up to 5A and are being replaced by Banks and Valley Catholic. So the league now consists of Astoria, Seaside, Scappoose, Tillamook, Banks and Valley Catholic.
Other teams moving up to 4A this season alongside Banks and Valley Catholic include Cascade Christian, Taft, Elmira, North Valley and South Umpqua.
Both Astoria Athletic Director Howard Rub and Seaside Athletic Director Chad Clouse were happy to see Banks and Valley Catholic return to 4A. Even though the competition is going to be fierce, both teams were described as Cowapa mainstays.
“Banks and Valley Catholic were always games that we scheduled due to their proximity to us,” Clouse said. “Seaside High School is happy to still be in 4A and it’s good to get the original Cowapa League back.”
Rub agrees. “I wish Banks had never dropped down,” Rub said. “But every four years they look at different parameters on how they’re going to set the numbers. In the grand scheme of things it’s a good process since a lot can change within a community in four years. We’ve been fortunate that our enrollment has stayed pretty steady, but that could change in the future just like in a lot of communities where things fluctuate and change.”
Currently, the enrollment numbers for Cowapa League schools when counting grades 10-12 are as follows: Astoria 414; Banks 281; Scappoose 526; Seaside 299; Tillamook 462; and Valley Catholic 297.
For most sports, the rules will not change regarding playoff qualification. According to last season’s rules, the top two teams from each league earned an automatic qualifying bid to the playoffs, then the OSAA rankings would determine the four highest third-place teams. However, football will see massive changes due to redistricting.
Instead of leagues, the schools will be divided into five Special Districts. Astoria, Seaside, Banks, Tillamook, Scappoose and Valley Catholic will be joined by Taft and 5A Woodburn in the 4A Special District 1. Due to Taft having recent success in multiple 3A sports, the school chose to move up to 4A and Woodburn is a 5A school playing down for football.
According to Rub, football teams have the option every two years to move up or down depending on success. Since Woodburn has struggled at the 5A level, the Bulldogs will be playing 4A hoping for a program reset. With more teams playing, that means the top three schools from each District will earn automatic qualifying spots. Then the highest ranked fourth-place team in the OSAA football rankings will claim the final postseason spot.
“The good thing is we are going to have six Special District games this year which will continue to make our league stronger,” Clouse said. “Our league is going to be extremely competitive this year. Taft had a good year last year, Woodburn has a new coach and they’re playing down to be more competitive.”
Rub said, “it’s going to help our league tremendously because you go from five league games to six. Having a seven-team league for football is a little odd, but OSAA recently has allowed bye weeks on the schedule which can be a good thing for football programs.”
Despite the extra competition, Clouse said the student athletes at Seaside are looking forward to the challenge.
“Our expectation for Seaside remains the same,” Clouse said. “Go out there and compete to their ability. The athletes have worked really hard to get to where they are at and it’s time to work hard on the field.”
“For the most part, the kids I’ve talked to are happy to have Banks and Valley Catholic back.”
Fall sports are set to begin on Thursday, Aug. 27 with volleyball and soccer. Local fans will get their first look at the football teams on Friday, Aug. 28 as Astoria hosts Stayton at 6 p.m., then Seaside will travel to Warrenton for a 7 p.m. contest.