Week 10 Washington high school football preview: 3 storylines, game predictions and matchups to follow around the state
Welcome to the fall 2021 WIAA play-in football playoffs where teams largely face off in winner-to-state, loser-out contests in the round of 32.
Here is a quick recap of last week’s highlights, and a look forward to Week 10 storylines and games to follow:
THREE THINGS WORTH REVISITING FROM WEEK 9
Wearing the 4A KingCo championship tattoo
Fifth-ranked Eastlake received its 4A KingCo championship T-shirts on Friday - a day after defeating Bothell, 21-3. But the real question is, can this relatively playoff-inexperienced group handle having that top-dog target on its back in the postseason? "Yeah, it's been a long time," said coach Kyle Snell, referring to the Wolves' first league title since 2001. "But I think they are bought in ... and will turn that focus onto Curtis without the (label) being too much pressure."
If the 'Wildcat' works, why go away from it?
With QB Grayson Murren (leg) out indefinitely, No. 2 Lake Stevens added a wrinkle to its offense in the 4A Wesco showdown against Glacier Peak - the direct-snap "Wildcat" primarily with dynamic RB Jayden Limar, who rushed for 203 yards in the team's 34-28 win. Even though touted QB Kolton Matsen returns this week, coach Tom Tri said the direct snap will again be part of the game plan against Emerald Ridge. "It's what we have to do" Tri said. "If teams stop it, they stop it."
Monroe wins 3A Wesco, and gets next-day shock
On Saturday, Monroe traveled north to defeat Ferndale, 29-27, to win the 3A Wesco title for the first time in three decades. And the next-day reward bracket announcement? Traveling to face 3A PCL third seed Lakes in this week's round-of-32 playoffs. "I don't know the (selection) process, but winning our league didn't matter," Bearcats coach Scott Darrow said. "But we thought it should have mattered more." Good news - Monroe has been better on the road (4-1) this fall.
REWIND SBLIVE’S WEEK 9 COVERAGE
Thu: (4A) No. 6 Eastlake 21 (4A) No. 4 Bothell 3
OBSERVATIONS & HIGHLIGHTS | PHOTO GALLERY
Fri: (4A) Camas 17, (4A) No. 10 Union 7
Fri: (4A) No. 2 Lake Stevens 34, (4A) No. 9 Glacier Peak 28
Fri: (4A) No. 3 Gonzaga Prep 28, (3A) No. 7 Mount Spokane 20
Fri: (3A) No. 9 Spanaway Lake 32, (3A) Lakes 21
Fri: (3A) No. 2 Yelm 43, (3A) Central Kitsap 6
Sat: (4A) Puyallup 42, (4A) Bellarmine Prep 7
Sat: (3A) No. 3 Kennewick 27, (4A) No. 8 Richland 7
SBLive Washington podcast: What we learned in Week 9
(Listen to the episode here, leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe wherever you get podcasts)
TOP STORYLINES TO FOLLOW IN WEEK 10
Top-notch No. 2 seeds going at it in do-or-die game
Central Valley coach Ryan Butner looks at all the Class 4A play-in games this week and knows the most difficult matchup is arguably the Bears-Richland crossover game between No. 2 seeds from the GSL and MCC. "The top teams out of our leagues are very tough," Butner said. "So we are battling it out right away." Signal callers Luke Abshire (Bears) and Cameron Kitchens (Bombers) are carrying up-and-down offenses, so the outcome could be decided on who has the bigger day.
So, this is what the view on the other side looks like
Huge underdog facing a No. 1 team that runs the Wing-T offense? That is what first-year Southridge coach Matt Johnson is looking at with his team meeting top-ranked Bellevue in the 3A round of 32 this weekend. But he's been on the other side of it, too, as a former standout at Tumwater (2003-06). "They've always talked about Bellevue and Tumwater as the gold standard of the Wing-T," he said. The Suns snapped a 26-game league losing streak to reach the postseason.
Toughest game of the weekend? It could be in 1B ranks
Of all the playoff matchups going on this weekend, only one pits a pair of top-10 RPI teams - Lummi (No. 5) at Quilcene (No. 6) in Class 1B. And neither coach is thrilled about it. "I would think both teams have to be in the top five or six in the state," Quilcene coach Trey Beathard said. "But occasionally, this stuff happens." The Rangers' lone loss was to Lummi, 28-22, in Week 2 - but that was without standout RB Bishop Budnek, who was still recovering from offseason surgery.
TOP THREE WEEK 10 4A GAMES ON TAP
North Creek Jaguars (5-4) at Kennedy Catholic Lancers (7-2)
1 p.m. Saturday at Highline Memorial Stadium, Burien
Skinny: Kennedy Catholic has the pedigree with three consecutive 4A NPSL titles, but the Jaguars have QB Kennedy McGill, who has produced 2,500 yards of total offense and 34 touchdowns.
Live streaming link:Eli Sports Network.
SBLive Washington’s pick: Kennedy Catholic, 37-33.
—
No. 10 Puyallup Vikings (7-2) at Mount Si Wildcats (5-4)
7 p.m. Saturday at Mount Si High School, Snoqualmie
Skinny: Feels a little like 2018 when these two schools met in the 4A quarterfinals. Vikings motivated again to show selection committee they should be the higher seed (and playing at home).
Live streaming link:Mount Si channel.
SBLive Washington’s pick: Puyallup, 27-21.
—
Kamiak Knights (7-1) at Skyview Storm (5-4)
7 p.m. Saturday at Kiggins Bowl, Vancouver
Skinny: In terms of the WIAA's RPI index, these are the highest-rated teams playing each other in the round of 32. Knights were furious to be sent on 4-hour drive south, but a win would ease their anguish.
Live streaming link: TBD.
SBLive Washington’s pick: Skyview, 23-20.
—
TOP THREE WEEK 10 3A GAMES ON TAP
Kelso Highlanders (7-2) at Auburn Riverside Ravens (7-0)
7 p.m. Friday at Memorial Stadium, Auburn
Skinny: In a few critical areas, both stylistically and schematically, these two teams are very similar - especially up front as both defenses like to get after it and pressure the backfield.
Live streaming link: TBD.
SBLive Washington’s pick: Auburn Riverside, 21-17.
—
Mead Panthers (3-5) at No. 2 Yelm Tornados (8-0)
2 p.m. Saturday at Yelm High School
Skinny: For a high seed, the Tornados sure cannot be ecstatic about facing this vastly-improved Panthers team from the GSL - who has four losses to top-10 opponents, including three in 4A.
Live streaming link:NFHS Network.
SBLive Washington’s pick: Yelm, 26-14
—
Liberty of Issaquah Patriots (7-2) at No. 9 Spanaway Lake Sentinels (4-1)
7 p.m. Saturday at Art Crate Stadium, Spanaway
Skinny: Only round-of-32 matchup in 4A or 3A between two schools that played already (19-14 Sentinels win). Spanaway Lake has speed and size edge, but Liberty LB Mason Carr gobbles up ball carriers.
Live streaming link: TBD.
SBLive Washington’s pick: Spanaway Lake, 24-19.
SBLive Washington podcast: Week 10 previews, predictions
—
(Featured file photo by Vince Miller)
