Week 7 Washington high school football preview: 3 storylines, game predictions, top statewide matchups
Is this the weekend Chiawana puts a nice bow on its Mid-Columbia Conference championship run? ... Is the Skyview-Camas game the best bet for the 4A GSHL title? ... And which team - Garfield and Rainier Beach - will stay alive in the Metro League championship hunt?
Here is a quick recap of last week’s highlights, and a look forward to Week 7 storylines and games to follow:
THREE THINGS WORTH REVISITING FROM WEEK 6
Photo by Vince Miller
2019 state champion Eastside Catholic keeps clearing hurdles
There's something to be said for having been there, done that.
In Week 5, the Crusaders drove the length of the field for the game-winning touchdown in the final minute to edge O'Dea, 24-17.
And last weekend, after being tied at halftime with Garfield, the Crusaders rode Brady McKelheer and company to a 30-10 victory over the Bulldogs to remain alone in first place in the Metro League.
"The Metro League is like murderer's row," Eastside Catholic coach Dominic Daste said. "Week in and week out, we have to prepare like it's everybody's 'Super Bowl.'
"But our kids believe we always have a chance."
The McKelheer-John Thompson (first-year offensive coordinator) partnership has also worked out swimmingly. Thompson came on board in early August after Michael Bumphus left for full-time media broadcasting work.
"Personality-wise, John and Brady are similar in demeanor," Daste said. "It also helps them that there was some familiarity with them before (at Elite Training Academy)."
Montesano's upset of No. 1 Eatonville shakes up 1A EvCo - and state
Terry Jensen has coached in a lot of big games - most notably the 2012 state championship game where his Montesano group shocked Royal.
And a 42-21 victory Friday over then-No. 1 Eatonville was pretty high on his list.
"Well, it was fun, I am not going to lie about that," Jensen said. "You only have four (1A EvCo) games, so you have to let the kids celebrate and then you go back to work."
The game was tied at 21-all when the Bulldogs drove 74 yards in four minutes for the go-ahead touchdown late in the first half on backup quarterback Jaxson Wilson's 5-yard strike to Kaleb Ames.
Montesano then marched 85 yards to open the second half for another touchdown, taking control of the game.
"(Wilson) is a gamer-type kid who came in last year as a sophomore and filled in ... and did a good job," Jensen said. "We have a lot of confidence in him."
Mount Spokane's comeback win keeps GSL title hopes alive
The craziness started in Week 5 when Mount Spokane played its first overtime game in almost a decade, losing to visiting Post Falls of Idaho.
And last Friday, Wildcats' coach Terry Cloer was just hoping his team could get it to another overtime, trailing by two touchdowns at half to Greater Spokane League rival Central Valley.
Well, the Wildcats did, trying the game late in the third quarter on Thomas Haberman's 70-yard touchdown to Bradley Runge - and winning it 35-28 in overtime at Union Stadium.
Ethan Keene scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in the extra period for the Wildcats, who then pushed Central Valley's offense back - and preserved the victory on Boden Gardner's interception.
"It was big," Cloer said. "Last week, losing that game in overtime and then coming back ... and if we had lost another one in overtime, that would have been tough."
Mount Spokane still has Gonzaga Prep (Oct. 20) and Mead (Oct. 28) remaining on the schedule.
REWIND SBLIVE’S WEEK 6 COVERAGE
Photo by Vince Miller
Fri: (4A) No. 4 Lake Stevens 41, (4A) No. 9 Eastlake 16
Fri: (3A) No. 2 Eastside Catholic 30, (3A) No. 8 Garfield 10
Fri: (1A) No. 4 Lynden Christian 30, (1A) No. 3 Nooksack Valley 7
Sat: (2A) No. 7 Othello 28, (2A) No. 3 Prosser 17
Sat: (4A) Skyline 19, (4A) North Creek 15
TOP STORYLINES TO FOLLOW IN WEEK 7
Photo by Sean Carter
Round-robin elimination tournament in 3A PCL
Whether it is fate, or just the work of a benevolent schedule-maker - the 3A PCL's heavy hitters all play one another in the final three weeks of the regular season.
And it starts Saturday - Spanaway Lake at sixth-ranked Lakes.
Then, it is matchups for both schools against preseason favorite and defending league champion Lincoln of Tacoma, led by quarterback Gabarri Johnson.
"I love how the schedule turned out," Spanaway Lake coach Cameron Robak said. "The last couple of years, it seemed like we played one of those teams in the beginning, and the other one at the end.
"This is a nice little three-week schedule."
The Sentinels-Lancers game Saturday could very well come down to the production of the standout tailback duos - D'Aryhian Clemons and Laron Paige of Spanaway Lake, and Leo Pulalasi and Ki'Marree Washington of Lakes.
Class 1A powerhouse Royal coming to Tacoma ... in October
When Royal comes for an extended weekend in Tacoma, it is usually in December - for the Class 1A state championships.
But for a change, the No. 3 Knights are taking a long bus ride to "Grit City" this weekend to play 2A SPSL member Foss. Game time is 1 p.m. Saturday at Mount Tahoma Stadium.
"We needed a game ... and there were very few options at the time. But Foss called," Royal coach Wiley Allred said. "It's a good opportunity to get on a bus and take a long ride."
The reigning state champions are hoping to make at least another trip to the city later in the season - even after a 21-14 home loss to Lynden Christian on Sept. 24.
"It was good to see our team under stress," Allred said. "And I think the coaching staff and the kids gained confidence from that loss."
Undefeated South Whidbey preparing for big showdown
The last time South Whidbey started a season 6-0, coach Luke Hodson was a player on the team.
It was also the last time the Falcons beat their scheduled opponent Friday - eighth-ranked King's - in 2008.
"There are some parallels between that team and this team," Hodson said. "Back then, we were really physical and had the same identity of wanting to grind it out by controlling the line of scrimmage."
Now in his third season, Hodson has installed two different looks at South Whidbey - the spread and Wing-T.
And recently, Hodson said he has liked what he's seen from his team out of the Wing-T formation, led by quarterback Josh Sterba, who was a wide receiver a year ago.
"It's more of that mentality I like, I would say," Hodson said.
The winner Friday is likely the 1A Emerald Sound champion.
TOP WEEK 7 GAMES ON TAP
Photo by Ken Nowaczyk
(4A) Camas Papermakers (3-3) at No. 9 (4A) Skyview Storm (5-1)
7 p.m. Friday at Kiggins Bowl, Vancouver
Skinny: Papermakers been most irritable hurdle for Storm in pursuit of 4A GSHL title over the years, having lost 11 in a row in the series. Is this when skid ends?
Live streaming link: NFHS.
SBLive Washington's pick: Skyview, 30-27.
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(3A) Southridge Suns (4-2) at No. 7 (4A) Chiawana Riverhawks (6-0)
7 p.m. Friday at Edgar Brown Stadium, Pasco
Skinny: Riverhawks have never lost in series (9-0 all-time), but this isn't your older brother's Suns squad. which has outscored opponents, 138-14, in past three wins.
Live streaming link: NFHS.
SBLive Washington's pick: Chiawana, 27-17.
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No. 10 (3A) Garfield Bulldogs (5-1) at (3A) Rainier Beach Vikings (5-1)
2 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium, Seattle
Skinny: College-bound athletes everywhere - from all sports - including at quarterback with Garfield's EJ Caminong and Rainier Beach's Chance Guadiz.
Live streaming link: NFHS.
SBLive Washington's pick: Garfield, 21-20.
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