Week 9 Washington high school football preview: 3 storylines, game predictions, top statewide matchups

Lake Stevens has managed the 4A Wesco for a decade, however the Vikings may be in for his or her largest check throughout that span Friday once they host top-ranked Glacier Peak.

Additionally, there are a couple of league championships at state in Class 3A, notably the Larger Spokane League, the Larger St. Helens League, the Pierce County League and the Wesco.

Here’s a fast recap of final week’s highlights, and a look ahead to Week 9 storylines and video games to observe:

THREE THINGS WORTH REVISITING FROM WEEK 8

Eastside Catholic completes excellent run by way of Metro League

In back-to-back seasons, No. 2 Eastside Catholic not solely gained the 3A Metro League title, it didn’t drop a sport to a league foe.

However this fall, it was completely different as most of the coaches felt this was as gifted and deep the league had been in years.

The Crusaders fended off all challenges, capped by a 41-21 residence victory final Friday over Rainier Seashore.

“You aren’t taking part in mediocre groups,” Eastside Catholic coach Dominic Daste mentioned. “You’re taking part in groups which can be large and bodily.”

And but, Daste admitted that if any person had requested him over the summer season if he thought his crew would sport an 8-0 file at this level – he actually was on the fence.

“We did not play nicely in camp,” he mentioned. “However for us, our large objective was to get higher each week, and we proved that.”

Not surprisingly, the Crusaders are ranked No. 1 within the WIAA’s RPI system within the Class 3A ranks. They’re off this week, however might host playoff video games by way of the state semifinals.

“Every crew has to show it to themselves,” Daste mentioned. “In 2019, we did it (win 3A title) … however we do not have JT (Tuimoloau) working round right here anymore. We have now a unique group of fellows who need to show they’ll do it.”

Southridge earns ‘signature win’ in epic comeback over Kennewick

Matt Johnson is aware of what it is like to walk down the hallway on a Monday morning as a participant after a giant victory. He collected these frequently at Tumwater Excessive College earlier than occurring to varsity and the NFL.

Southridge’s 38-37 victory over reigning Class 3A runner-up Kennewick certified as such.

And it wasn’t simply the win – it was the best way wherein the Suns did it, erasing a 13-point deficit within the last 4 minutes to stun the Lions.

“It is an enormous win for our program, an enormous win for our seniors,” mentioned Johnson, the varsity’s second-year coach. “Positively a signature win. There is a completely different feeling round college this week.”

The play that gained it for the Wing-T-based Suns was a move play out of a timeout – an 18-yard landing from Austin Guier to H-back Gunnar Beauchamp with 35 seconds remaining.

“That was the decision within the huddle,” Johnson mentioned. “The quarterback needed it. Our youngsters needed it.”

With the victory, Southridge claims the highest 3A seed from the Mid-Columbia Convention within the round-of-32 playoffs.

“There is a actually good vibe at our faculty proper now,” Johnson mentioned.

River View wins first 2B EWAC championship in twenty years

Kris Welch lived quite a lot of good instances as a participant at River View Excessive College in Kennewick, together with a visit to the state quarterfinals in 2009.

However he by no means obtained to expertise a league championship – till Friday because the coach at his alma mater.

Miguel Farias rushed for 216 yards and each touchdowns, and River View gained its first league title in 21 years with a 14-12 victory over Columbia of Burbank.

“They simply took the bull by the horns,” Welch mentioned.

Columbia of Burbank is filled with big-play firepower, however the Panthers restricted quarterback Michael Lenke to 41 passing yards on an evening of periodic downpours.

“Our back-end protection was on level,” Welch mentioned. “We needed to bait Lenke to make use of his legs to beat us … as a result of our protection can swarm.”

After the win, Welch mentioned the crew stayed on the visiting area for some time to soak within the second. On the bus residence – and at apply this week – his gamers had been nonetheless “smiling from ear to ear.”

“They’re robust, robust soccer gamers,” Welch mentioned.

REWIND SBLIVE’S WEEK 8 COVERAGE

Fri: (3A) Mount Spokane 31, (4A) Gonzaga Prep 27

GAME STORY 

Fri: (3A) Ferndale 28, (3A) No. 7 Stanwood 7

GAME STORY & HIGHLIGHTS

Fri: (3A) No. 1 Yelm 58, (3A) Peninsula 14

GAME STORY | PHOTO GALLERY

Fri: (3A) No. 2 Eastside Catholic 41, (3A) No. 9 Rainier Seashore 21

GAME STORY

Sat: (3A) No. 5 Lincoln 42, (3A) Lakes 28

GAME STORY & HIGHLIGHTS | PHOTO GALLERY

Sat: (4A) Graham-Kapowsin 35, (4A) No. 2 Emerald Ridge 25

GAME STORY

TOP STORYLINES TO FOLLOW IN WEEK 9

State sport of the yr on faucet – No. 1 Glacier Peak vs. No. 2 Lake Stevens

It’s a little bit of a preview of the playoffs earlier than they formally begin.

The highest two Class 4A groups within the state shall be battling it out for the 4A Wesco title Friday when top-ranked Glacier Peak takes a go to to Lake Stevens.

Because the starting of the season, it’s felt like all roads result in the opposite squad with these two groups. Even when each fell in common season contests alongside the best way. The second and last vacation spot is right here.

Lake Stevens not solely has the 4A Wesco title to play for, however the Vikings’ 53-game convention profitable streak will meet its hardest check all yr. A win would additionally give Lake Stevens an astonishing ninth consecutive league title (not counting the pandemic-shortened season in spring 2021).

In the meantime, Glacier Peak is trying to declare its first-ever 4A Wesco championship.

Each squads are available in with undefeated league data and Division I expertise on their rosters. The Vikings are led by Notre Dame commit Jayden Limar within the backfield and the Grizzlies have do-it-all athlete Washington State commit Trey Leckner.

Glacier Peak averages 40 factors a sport whereas Lake Stevens averages 38.0 ppg (not counting a forfeit).

‘Battle of the Bell’ … and GSL title, high seed all at stake

Mount Spokane is in a very good place after upsetting Gonzaga Prep final week.

The Wildcats are within the driver’s seat for not solely the outright Larger Spokane League title, but additionally the 3A GSL high seed within the first week of the playoffs.

Solely downside for Mount Spokane is its opponent, Mead, additionally has these issues at stake. The winner will declare the 3A GSL high seed regardless, however the Panthers would earn a share of the general league title with a win.

“This Friday evening is the explanation the Mead College District constructed this stadium,” Mead coach Keith Stamps mentioned. “It’s two nice soccer groups, the place shall be offered out and there’s so much on the road. It’s fairly cool.”

The stakes, paired with the rivalry, are going to make for a can’t-miss evening in northern Spokane.

Mount Spokane has gained the previous three video games within the rivalry.

Incomes that high seed out of the GSL into the state’s spherical of 32 is vital, Stamps mentioned.

“That’s an vital piece. I feel the winner of this sport goes to be at residence (in Week 10), for certain,” he mentioned. “It’s an vital sport. When these numbers come out on Sunday, I feel there’s going to be a big distinction between who wins and who loses so far as the trail to advance.”

Evergreen of Vancouver in hunt for 3A GSHL

To place it merely, it’s been a really very long time since Evergreen of Vancouver has been within the dialog for the 3A Larger St. Helens League title.

However that’s proper the place the Plainsmen are on the finish of the common season with Kelso coming to city.

“We’re nonetheless not all the best way the place we wish to be, clearly, however to be taking part in for a league title and be 6-2 proper now – I’m actually enthusiastic about that,” Evergreen coach Christian Swain mentioned.

It’s been an extended journey for the Plainsmen to return to this stage. The final time Evergreen posted a file higher than .500 was 2008.

The uncertainty the pandemic introduced additionally made it exhausting for a rebuilding crew to search out some consistency, Swain mentioned.

With all of that in thoughts, he added he couldn’t be happier with the path this system is headed in his fourth yr main it.

Upending preseason co-favorite Kelso for the 3A GSHL title can be an amazing finish to the common season, however Swain is aware of it’s going to be a slugfest.

“Kelso could be very bodily. They’re large up entrance and really disciplined,” Swain mentioned. “You sort of know what’s coming yearly, they’re simply actually good at what they do.”

TOP WEEK 9 GAMES ON TAP

(4A) No. 1 Glacier Peak Grizzlies (7-1) at (4A) No. 2 Lake Stevens Vikings (6-2)

7 p.m. Friday at Lake Stevens Excessive College

Skinny: Lake Stevens going for its ninth consecutive 4A Wesco title and Glacier Peak goes for its first in program historical past.

Stay streaming hyperlink: STSPN

SBLive Washington’s decide: Glacier Peak, 35-30

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(3A) No. 5 Lincoln of Tacoma Abes (8-0) at (3A) No. 7 Spanaway Lake Sentinels (7-1)

7 p.m. Friday at Artwork Crate Area, Spanaway

Skinny: Up for grabs is the 3A PCL crown, and this can be a matchup of excellent sign callers – Lincoln’s Gabarri Johnson and Spanaway Lake’s Dempsy James.

Stay streaming hyperlink: None

SBLive Washington’s decide: Lincoln, 28-13

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(3A) Mead Panthers (7-1) at (3A) Mount Spokane Wildcats (7-1)

7 p.m. Friday at Union Stadium, Mead

Skinny: The 3A/4A Larger Spokane League title is on the road, however so is the league’s high 3A seed into the playoffs.

Stay streaming hyperlink: NFHS

SBLive Washington’s decide: Mead, 21-17

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(3A) Kelso Hilanders (6-2) at (3A) Evergreen of Vancouver Plainsmen (6-2)

7 p.m. Friday at McKenzie Stadium, Vancouver

Skinny: Kelso is conversant in high-leverage, late-season video games, which could possibly be the distinction on this 3A GSHL title showdown.

Stay streaming hyperlink: None

SBLive Washington’s decide: Kelso, 35-20

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(3A) No. 8 Ferndale Golden Eagles (6-2) at (3A) No. 6 Monroe Bearcats (8-0)

7 p.m. Friday at Monroe Excessive College

Skinny: The Golden Eagles take a go to to Monroe with the 3A Wesco title on the road for the second consecutive yr.

Stay streaming hyperlink: None

SBLive Washington’s decide: Ferndale, 41-35

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(2A) No. 1 Lynden Lions (8-0) at (2A) No. 4 Anacortes Seahawks (8-0)

7 p.m. Friday at Rice Area, Anacortes

Skinny: The reigning champion towards the up-and-comer is for all of the marbles within the 2A Northwest Convention.

Stay streaming hyperlink: YouTube

SBLive Washington’s decide: Lynden, 24-21

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