Week 8 Washington high school football preview: 3 storylines, game predictions, top statewide matchups
With league titles still on the line for most, Week 8 looks to be one of the most pivotal heading into the final weeks of the regular season.
There's plenty at stake in Class 3A this week before district crossover games next week.
Second-ranked Eastside Catholic has a chance to wrap up the 3A Metro League this week with a win - and Stanwood can win the 3A Wesco North by beating Ferndale.
Here is a quick recap of last week’s highlights, and a look forward to Week 8 storylines and games to follow:
THREE THINGS WORTH REVISITING FROM WEEK 7
Photo by Vince Miller
Kent-Meridian snaps three-year losing streak
For the first time since 2019, Kent-Meridian got itself in the win column.
A 32-29 victory over Thomas Jefferson put an end to a 31-game losing streak. The Royals' last win had come in Week 9 of the 2018 season against Nathan Hale.
"It was amazing. We've been close in a couple games this year and it's just one of those things where you kind of start to self doubt," Kent-Meridian coach Justin Callander said. "The kids worked hard and they never gave up."
For a split second, though, Thomas Jefferson thought it had won the game.
Clinging to a three-point lead with less than a minute left in the game, Kent-Meridian punted to the Raiders who muffed the punt, picked up and ran it back for a touchdown. Or so the they thought.
Muffed punts can't be advanced, so the touchdown was erased. A few plays later, Thomas Jefferson missed the game-tying field goal attempt and Callander was taking a Gatorade bath.
It's the second time this season a losing streak of more than 30 games ended with Fort Vancouver snapping its own 30-plus streak in September.
"It's that culture of, 'We are going to win and we are good enough to compete with the other schools,' We're starting to get there," Callandar said.
Rainier Beach running back Scottre Humphrey joining best in state?
Following a 21-15 win over Garfield, Rainier Beach coach Corey Sampson took to Twitter to agree with a statement.
Scottre Humphrey is the best running back in the state, the original tweet said.
"He's big, he's physical, he's fast, he's durable and can catch the ball out of the backfield and do a lot of things that just make your offense better," Sampson said. "I just feel like he's one of those backs that's been underrated this whole time when I feel he's the best back in the state of Washington. Maybe I'm biased, but that's how I feel."
Humphrey ran for 224 yards and two touchdowns in Rainier Beach's win over Garfield and is now at 1,314 rushing yards on the season.
And he's doing it all in his first year as the true lead back in the Vikings' offense.
"We always knew he could carry the ball 20-35 times a game, but we've had so much talent on our offensive side the last couple of years," Sampson said. "We've been giving the ball to everybody, but it's his time where we're going to depend on him and let him carry the load now."
Rainier Beach will look to capture at least a share of the 3A Metro League title with Humphrey leading the way against No. 2 Eastside Catholic this week.
Camas scores 22 points in under seven minutes to pull off improbable comeback
Down 19 points in the fourth quarter to No. 9 Skyview isn't a pretty place to be, but Camas coach Jack Hathaway said there was "zero" panic on the Papermakers' sideline.
"Nobody was freaking out or losing their composure," Hathaway said.
Quarterback Taylor Ioane overcame his two interceptions with 360 yards passing and three touchdowns, including the game-winner to Konnor Limnell with 7.6 seconds to go in the game.
"At this point in his career, (Ioane) has seen a lot," Hathaway said. "He kept at it and made a bunch of good throws late in the game."
Setting up that game-winning score were two scoring drives with time ticking down in the final quarter.
The first was an 11-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard rushing score from Reid Tennant.
Camas, still down by more than one score, went for the onside kick which Trenton Swanson brought down, setting up another scoring drive.
A three-and-out from Skyview gave Camas the ball back with just under three minutes remaining where it orchestrated the game-winning possession.
After an 0-3 start this season, the Papermakers are now 4-3 and in the driver's seat for the 4A GSHL title once again.
REWIND SBLIVE’S WEEK 7 COVERAGE
Photo by Ken Nowaczyk
Fri: (3A) Auburn 46, (3A) Kentlake 13
Fri: (4A) No. 7 Chiawana 21, (3A) Southridge 20
Fri: (4A) Camas 36, (4A) No. 9 Skyview 33
Sat: (3A) Rainier Beach 21, (3A) No. 10 Garfield 15
Mon: (3A) Spanaway Lake 16, (3A) No. 6 Lakes 15
TOP STORYLINES TO FOLLOW IN WEEK 8
Photo by Todd Milles
Checking in on Lynden, unbeaten 2A champion
It hasn't been a cakewalk for top-ranked Lynden by any means, but after seven weeks the Lions are 7-0 – something the other five defending state champions can't say.
"We knew with those first five games against Ferndale, W.F. West, Squalicum, Sedro-Woolley and Sehome, I told people we could be 2-3, 3-2, pick your number and we'd still be a really good team with a chance to do something special," Lynden coach Blake VanDalen said.
Lynden cruised against Ferndale, W.F. West and Squalicum, but those games against Sedro-Woolley and Sehome required comeback efforts as did last week's 35-23 win over Burlington-Edison. But as good teams do, the Lions found a way to get it done.
Assuming Lynden wins this week against 2-5 Lakewood, the Lions' Week 9 matchup against No. 4 Anacortes will likely decide the 2A Northwest Conference champion.
"It's kind of a playoff before the playoffs," VanDalen said.
Regardless of what happens, if the Lions are to make a repeat run at the Class 2A title, they'll be without starting left tackle Dane Gatterman the rest of the way because of a broken collarbone.
The rest of the team is healthy, though, and ready for the postseason to arrive once again.
"I'm very proud and pleased with the kids, but at the same time we're definitely not satisfied because we've got several of our goals we still have not achieved," VanDalen said.
Yelm and Peninsula meet in 3A SSC clash to likely decide league champion
Nothing will be official until the end of next week, but Yelm and Peninsula both know the winner of Friday's matchup is more than likely going to win the 3A South Sound Conference.
Peninsula serves as Yelm's biggest threat in the conference, but will the Seahawks have enough to upend the Tornados?
"They are incredibly disciplined," Yelm coach Jason Ronquillo said of Peninsula. "The way they execute, the way they run to the ball, how they sprint to the sideline for timeouts – you can tell they are very well-coached because of the details that show up on tape."
Yelm has scored at least 44 points in every game this season and the Tornados have outscored their opponents 406-41.
Leading up to this point in the season, Yelm has blown by opposing teams, but this will be the first time in awhile the Tornados take the field against a team with as much at stake as them.
For Ronquillo's squad, there's a little bit of added pressure with the league title virtually being on the line, but that's not a bad thing.
"I think the pressure adds to the fun," he said. "Both teams are very privileged to be in this position."
Gonzaga Prep and Mount Spokane meet for GSL title inside track
The Bullpups checked one box last week beating Central Valley to claim the 4A Greater Spokane League's top seed in the Week 10 crossover.
The next box they can check off is the overall GSL title, which they can set themselves up for nicely with a win over Mount Spokane this week.
A win secures the Bullpups at least a share of the league title regardless of what happens in their Week 9 game against Lewis and Clark.
"It's exciting and there's a purpose to why you play," Gonzaga Prep coach Dave McKenna said. "Everyone starts at the beginning of the year wanting that. For our kids to go and have the chance to earn that is special."
Gonzaga Prep's only loss this season remains to nationally-recognized St. John's (D.C.). Other than that, the Bullpups have shown they are still the top dog in the GSL, boasting a perfect league record.
The Bullpups' win last week gave them the top seed out of the 4A GSL in the Week 10 crossover game. The Wildcats could earn the top 3A seed with a win over Mead next week.
Mount Spokane is right there behind them. The Wildcats lone blemish this season also came from an out-of-state opponent, a 23-17 loss to Post Falls (ID).
"It's going to boil down to execution," McKenna said. "We have to tackle well, we can't give up the big play, have to sustain blocks and can't get out played physically."
TOP WEEK 8 GAMES ON TAP
Photo by Vince Miller
(3A) No. 9 Rainier Beach (6-1) at No. 2 Eastside Catholic (7-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday at Eastside Catholic High School, Sammamish
Skinny: Eastside Catholic wraps up 3A Metro League title with a win, but Rainier Beach wants in on that just as badly.
Live streaming link: NFHS
SBLive Washington's pick: Eastside Catholic, 24-20
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(3A) Ferndale (5-2) at No. 7 Stanwood (7-0)
7 p.m. Friday at Bob Larson Stadium, Stanwood
Skinny: Playing for the 3A Weso North title, both teams have playmakers capable of changing the game at any moment.
Live streaming link: TCSN
SBLive Washington's pick: Stanwood, 42-28
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(3A) Mount Spokane at (4A) No. 3 Gonzaga Prep
7 p.m. Friday at Bullpup Stadium, Spokane
Skinny: Bullpups have earned 4A GSL top crossover seed and Mount Spokane is still vying for 3A spot - but outright league title could be decided Friday.
Live streaming link: NFHS
SBLive Washington's pick: Gonzaga Prep, 38-30
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