NORTH BEND — Bill Masei doesn’t beat around the bush when discussing last year’s game against Cottage Grove.

The eighth-year coach vividly remembers the details — the four turnovers; the rough weather; falling behind 35-0 — all components of an abysmal evening that ended with a 40-12 loss.

“We played horribly,” Masei recalled. “It’s not that they were that much better than us — we just made them look like world beaters.”

The Bulldogs would go on to win six of their final nine games while taking second place outright in the Far West League and reaching the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs.

But the Cottage Grove loss lingered with Masei, judging by his excitement for Friday’s rematch set against the backdrop of North Bend High School celebrating its 100th anniversary and dedicating the new artificial surface in the football stadium.

“Only time will tell if the game is going to be different, but I know we’re not going to let ourselves play as bad as we did last time,” Masei said. “They were a little bigger; a little faster than us last year, but we’re a much better team this time around.”

North Bend (1-1) is playing its first home game of the season on the newly resurfaced Vic Adams Field after opening with road matches against Marshfield and Newport — whom the Bulldogs beat 32-22 last week.

The game plan for Friday’s 7 p.m. game is simple, according to Masei — win with whatever works.

“We’re going to hit them with everything we have,” Masei said. “If we have to run the ball for 336 yards or pass for 300 yards, we’re ready to do it. We’ll go with what gets the job done.”

Last week it was the Bulldogs triple-threat backfield. Against Newport, North Bend threw the ball just five times while tailbacks Shawn Mitchell and Lane Seals sprinted to their second consecutive 100-yard outings. Kale Forrester, the fullback, added 86 yards on the ground.

Mitchell highlighted the win with a team-best 166 yards and three rushing touchdowns

“We played pretty well,” Masei said before referring to two turnovers his team committed. “We just need to protect the ball better. We’re still working on that.”

Cottage Grove (1-1), one of the more consistent programs in the powerful Sky-Em League, visits North Bend in the wake of a 12-7 win over Scappoose last week. The Lions lost to Class 5A Willamette in the opener.

The Lions entered the season off a strong 2006 campaign that saw them take third in league and advance to the second round of the OSAA Class 4A playoffs. Their season ended with a 55-7 loss to Siuslaw, the eventual state champion.

On offense, Cottage Grove runs multiple sets centered on its vaunted option attack. The Lions totaled 269 yards of total offense against Scappoose, including 170 yards rushing.

Masei likens Cottage Grove’s quarterback to Brogan Oswald, Marshfield’s dual-threat QB.

“He’s very athletic,” Masei said. “He does it all for them just like Brogan. He likes to run and throws a good ball.”

For the second straight week, Masei will have to work with a depleted roster. The Bulldogs have been hit hard with injuries and will likely be without several starters, Masei said. The injured include offensive/defensive lineman Brandon Huber (knee) and wide receiver/defensive back Luke Clark (leg).

“We’re more hurt than we were last week, and last week we were pretty dinged up,” Masei said. “So injuries and depth are a major concern in this game. The kids are excited though. It’s going to be a big night for the program ... and it’s going to be nice to finally get to play on the new turf.”

The Bulldogs are back on the road to face Phoenix next week before wrapping up nonleague play against Hidden Valley at home, Sept. 28.

Notes: As part of the celebration, a historical walking tour of the high school will begin at 5:20 p.m., led by history teacher Steve Greif. The stadium will be dedicated during halftime ceremonies and the centennial will be celebrated with refreshments and a look back at the school’s first 100 years in the gymnasium after the game.