Former Wolverine David DeCastro recently announced he would forgo his final season of NCAA eligibility in favor of entering the 2012 NFL Draft and some prominent national sources believe that choice will pay off.

DeCastro took in a Bellevue practice during the Spring

ESPN.com Pac-12 blogger Ted Miller notes that draft analysis originator Mel Kiper Jr. has DeCastro ranked 13th on his Big Board and his counterpart Todd McShay has him 15th. Miller also throws in some superlatives at the end, including saying DeCastro may be the best guard the Pac-12 has produced in a decade. 

I’ve avoided posting updates everytime someone says David DeCastro is good at football, mostly because that happens 10,000 or so times every time he takes the field. But as a regular reader of the Pac-12 Blog, Miller’s regional ties as the former Husky beat guy for the Seattle PI and the input from the two go-to names in NFL Draft analysis, I thought it was worth mentioning.

As you know by now if you’ve read Kevin Endejan’s column, the sports sections at the Bellevue and Issaquah-Sammamish Reporter newspapers are getting an overhaul.

Kevin is joining the news side of things and also picking up some higher level editorial responsibilities and I will be splitting my time between Bellevue and Issaquah-Sammamish in sports. I don’t anticipate it will be easy and I can only promise I will do the best job I can to keep the coverage at the level Kevin has worked at.

But there will be some changes.

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It’s down to the semi-finals and we’re just going with picks for the final two weeks of the playoffs. I’ll have a more in-depth look at Bellevue-Kamiakin later in the week and hopefully get a chance to talk with someone more familiar with the Braves, but until then cast your votes here and tell us who is moving on to the state finals.

Skyline vs. Woodinville
Kevin – Skyline 28-17
Josh – Skyline 24-13

Lake Stevens vs. Skyview
Kevin – Skyview 38-30
Josh – Lake Stevens 40-38

Kaimiakin vs. Bellevue
Kevin – Bellevue 35-14
Josh – Bellevue 42-0

O’Dea vs. Camas
Kevin – Camas 28-24
Josh – O’Dea 14-10

W.F. West vs. Lynden
Kevin – Lynden 35-21
Josh – Lynden 44-20

Prosser vs. Archbishop Murphy
Kevin – Prosser 24-20
Josh – Archbishop Murphy 35-30

Week 12 results
Kevin: 9-3
Josh: 9-3
Readers: 8-4

Year to date
Kevin: 114-30
Josh: 109-35
Readers: 116-28

We’re down to the last three weeks of football playoffs with a host of local teams still in action. The headliner is obviously Bellevue and Lakes, but I’m almost more excited to see if Interlake can get over the hump against Lynden and find their way to the 2A semi-finals. Onto the picks.

BIG 5

Lakes vs. Bellevue
Kevin – This is a matchup people have talked about since the start of the season (unfortunately it’s in the state quarterfinals). The question is, will it live up to the hype? On one side is the disciplined machine that is nationally-ranked Bellevue. The other side, Lakes, presents some of the best athletes in the state with running back Levonte Littlejohn, receiver Cedric Dozier and lineman Zach Banner. Historically, the the well-oiled machine has won this battle. I don’t see it going any differently this time. Bellevue might bend, but never breaks. The same can’t be said for Lakes.
Pick: Bellevue 31-21
Josh – There has been a lot of talk about how the Lakes defense, after experiencing Bellevue’s offense first hand last year in the semi-finals and facing consecutive Wing-T offenses the past two weeks, will be more prepared and better positioned to get some stops this time around. I don’t think that will make a difference. Simply put, Nathan Hale and Mountain View are not Bellevue. No one is. If the Wing-T’s major flaw was ineffectiveness against opponents the second and third times around, Bellevue would not still be winning conference titles, let alone building the program to the level it sits at currently. KingCo foes like Sammamish and Newport have vacillated between the Wing-T and other three-back, option based offenses for years. But stopping the Totems has never helped anyone stop the Wolverines. The simple fact is that Lakes, while as talented as any team in the state, is going to face the same adjustment period everyone else faces when matching up with the Bellevue offense. The first couple drives of the game will end only one of two ways: a Bellevue touchdown, or a Bellevue turnover. The most important unit in this game is the Bellevue secondary, a group that has not allowed a scoring play of over 20 yards all season. That includes wins over top college quarterback prospects Max Browne, Jeff Lindquist and Luke Falk. The safeties, Michael Carlson and Budda Baker, do a great job of keeping plays in front of them and never allowing a quarterback to take the top off their defense with a big play through the air. Without a deep threat, it’s tough to make any headway against a solid front and well-drilled linebacking corps. Lakes is going to score some points, but they are going to work for whatever they get. In the end, despite what national pundits believe, Bellevue heads back to the Dome.
Pick: Bellevue 38-24

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Back to the BIG 5 this week with a ton of area teams still alive. I’ll be at Eastside Catholic-Bellevue on Friday and am really interested to see how the Crusaders deal with the Wing-T and how Bellevue slows down Chevy Walker. Interlake faces a stiff tests against Franklin Pierce and after a grind of a regular season, is finally confronted with the state opportunity they have been craving since last year’s loss to Archbishop Murphy.

BIG 5

Mead vs. Skyline
Kevin – Obviously, living on this side of the mountains, I haven’t seen Mead. I know they a fly-sweep offense with a ton of motion — and they will pound the ball on the ground. This could be a challenge for Skyline as its one real weakness this season has been stopping the run. That said, I doubt the Panthers have seen a passing offense quite like that of the Spartans. The contrasting styles should equal a very competitive and entertaining game. Even with the long road trip, I give Skyline and its coaching staff a slight edge in this game. They’ve been there before and they will come prepared.
Pick: Skyline 31-28
Josh – On the only road trip Skyline took this season to Lake Oswego, the Spartans’ defense surrendered seven touchdowns. To one running back. As Kevin said, that could be a problem against a run-oriented Mead attack. But the Skyline defense hasn’t been carved up like that since and with Browne leading the passing attack, the offense should be able to do some damage. This game kind of represents the whole 4A tournament to me. A couple of really solid teams, both with impressive resumés and an outcome that could go either way. Call it KingCo bias, call it ignorantly siding with history, call it whatever you want, but I like the Spartans.
Pick: Skyline 35-30

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Here’s The Reporter’s look at the final football rankings of the season, breaking down the final 16 teams in the 4A, 3A and 2A classifications.

There are only 14 teams ranked in 2A because there are two qualifying games remaining Tuesday between West Valley Spokane-East Valley Yakima and Ellensburg-Cheney.

4A
1. Bellarmine Prep (10-0)
2. Woodinville (10-0)
3. Eastlake (9-1)
4. Ferris (9-1)
5. Federal Way (10-0)
6. Mead (9-1)
7. Lake Stevens (10-0)
8. Kentlake (10-0)
9. Skyline (7-3)
10. Skyview (8-2)
11. Olympia (9-1)
12. Bethel (8-2)
13. Central Valley (8-2)
14. Union (8-2)
15. Kentwood (8-2)
16. Edmonds-Woodway (6-4)

3A
1. Bellevue (10-0)
2. Lakes (10-0)
3. O’Dea (10-0)
4. Kamiakin (10-0)
5. Meadowdale (10-0)
6. Camas (9-1)
7. Seattle Prep (9-1)
8. Kennewick (9-1)
9. Mercer Island (8-2)
10. Kennedy Catholic (9-1)
11. Eastside Catholic (7-3)
12. Mountain View (8-2)
13. Mount Si (7-3)
14. Southridge (7-3)
15. Capital (7-3)
16. Hazen (7-2)

2A
1. Lynden (10-0)
2. Prosser (9-1)
3. Tumwater (7-1)
4. North Thurston (9-1)
5. Lakewood (9-1)
6. Archbishop Murphy (9-1)
7. Othello (8-2)
8. Deer Park (9-1)
9. Sequim (9-1)
10. Franklin Pierce (8-2)
11. W.F. West (8-2)
12. Steilacoom (7-3)
13. Interlake (4-6)
14. Lindbergh (6-3)

* West Valley Spokane and East Valley Yakima along with Ellensburg and Cheney are squaring off Tuesday night for the final 2A state playoff berths.

Playoffs! Nothing brings out the competitive juices, like a little win-or-go-home and from here on out, that’s all we’ve got.

Per usual throughout the past decade, Bellevue is primed for another run at a 3A title, though coach Butch Goncharoff told me earlier this week it is likely the toughest road one of his groups have faced throughout that dominant run. An opening round game against Glacier Peak, a potential matchup with Eastside Catholic or WesCo runner-up Oak Harbor followed by a trip south to take on a Lakes team many people are saying is their most talented ever. And that’s all before the semi-finals, which, could include a trek across the Cascades to face an Eastern Washington opponent and what would be a decidedly partisan crowd. Then of course, the challenge of a state title game and everything that comes with, likely against 3A number two O’Dea.

For the Saints, things kickoff against a White River team that should pose little resistance before likely facing 2A SPSL champion Franklin-Pierce in round two. Archibishop Murphy, Lakewood, Tumwater, Lynden, Prosser and a host of other talented, physical teams that won’t sweat the Saints 3A resumé are also lurking throughout the bracket. Things fell apart against Murphy last year in the quarters, but a more experienced, comfortable and confident Interlake team has the potential to stir things up.

We’re not going with the BIG 5 this week, but there are still score picks and polls and you can check out my look at the Glacier Peak-Bellevue and Interlake-White River games, which include conversations with Aaron Swanney of the Everett Herald and Grizzlies’ coach Rory Rosenbach.

Onto the picks.

2A
White River vs. Interlake
Kevin – Interlake 28-17
Josh – Interlake 42-28

3A
Bellevue vs. Glacier Peak
Kevin – Bellevue 42-14
Josh – Bellevue 45-6

Mercer Island vs. Ferndale
Kevin – Mercer Island 35-21
Josh – Mercer Island 45-22

Oak Harbor vs. Eastside Catholic
Kevin – Oak Harbor 34-22
Josh – Eastside Catholic 30-20

Peninsula vs. Mount Si
Kevin – Peninsula 28-21
Josh – Peninsula 35-21

4A
Skyview vs. Issaquah
Kevin – Issaquah 35-32
Josh – Issaquah 40-10

Eastlake vs. Jefferson
Kevin – Eastlake 42-7
Josh – Eastlake 35-6

Skyline vs. Monroe
Kevin – Skyline 38-7
Josh – Skyline 50-20

Bethel vs. Bothell
Kevin – Bethel 35-28
Josh – Bethel 30-21

Woodinville vs. Curtis/Kentridge
Kevin – Woodinville 35-14
Josh – Woodinville 28-13

Week 9 results
Kevin: 10-2
Josh: 9-3
Readers: 10-2

Year to date
Kevin: 80-18
Josh: 76-22
Readers: 80-18

BIG 5
Woodvinville vs. Eastlake
Kevin – For the first time since 2004 the KingCo 4A championship is guaranteed to go to someone other than Bothell or Skyline, and it should be an entertaining matchup. No. 1-ranked Eastlake and No. 4 Woodinville are very successful in their run-first offensive approaches. Tailbacks Ryan Lewis (Eastlake) and Alec Schwend (Woodinville) have reaped the rewards of dominant offensive lines. Both teams are also stingy on defense. The advantage has to go to the Wolves in this one, however. Playing in a much tougher KingCo Crest Division, Eastlake is more battle-tested. The Wolves also possess more weapons in terms of speed.
Pick: Eastlake 38-20
Josh – Since Kevin just old us when the last time someone other than the Cougars or Spartans won the league title was, I’ll go with another KingCo fun-fact. It was Lake Washington that won the title back in 04, when the entire KingCo picture looked very different. As for this game, It’s hard to pick against Eastlake at this point, fresh off a win over Skyline and riding the legs of Ryan Lewis and dual-threat ability of quarterback Keegan Kemp, who could be the most underrated player in the conference. That being said, you have to respect what Woodinville has done this season with wins over Mount Si, Monroe (a WesCo North playoff team) and Bothell to clinch the league title and also gain some Northshore bragging rights. I don’t think it will be a runaway by any stretch of the imagination and the Wolves could struggle early in a championship game on a short week, trying to recreate the emotion they played with just six days earlier. But I think Dales’ squad gets it done.
Pick: Eastlake 34-24

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Some interesting games with major playoff implications this week as Bellevue travels to Mount Si, Liberty hosts Interlake, Newport faces Issaquah and of course, Eastlake and Skyline facing off in what should be one of the best prep football games in the state this year. 4A KingCo will be set for the Week 10 crossover games after this week. 3A is pretty much a formality at this point, with something drastic needing to occur to knock Bellevue, M-I and Mount Si from the top three spots.

BIG 5

Eastlake vs. Skyline
Kevin – This one’s for all the marbles in the KingCo Crest with the winner moving on to face Woodinville for the KingCo 4A Championship. These teams have contrasting offensive strengths and have struggled defensively to stop what the other is good at. Eastlake’s offense is run-heavy behind Ryan Lewis and Keegan Kemp, averaging 254 rushing yards per game. Skyline’s offense is pass-heavy behind junior quarterback Max Browne, averaging 342 passing yards per game. Both teams certainly have the motivation. Eastlake has never defeated Skyline (in five attempts). Skyline is used to being ranked No. 1 and doesn’t like sharing a limelight that historically belongs to the Spartans. Who will be able to rise up and make the big stop on Friday? I see this being a high-scoring affair. The team with the least amount of mistakes wins.
Pick: Eastlake 42-38
Josh – This should be one of the most competitive, well played games of the year. Both teams should be confident in their identity and devoid of silly mistakes at this point in the season. Max Browne gets a lot more attention, but Eastlake signal-caller Keegan Kemp is also a solid passer and is dangerous when he decides to take off and run. I would say the Wolves have the advantage because of Ryan Lewis and their run game, but Browne and the passing attack of the Spartans is so dynamic and precise, it can overcome the lack of a dominant rushing performance. I’m going to make a prediction, but pretending like I know who is going to win this game is a farce. But for the perception of Washington high school football and assuming both teams make deep playoff runs, I hope it’s a good one.
Pick: Eastlake 35-34

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I’m heading out of town tonight, so I won’t be at any of the three prep football games happening with Bellevue teams. I’ll still have scores and highlights online later tonight after talking with coaches and you can find out predictions and make some of your own here. For now, here are some thoughts heading into tonight.

Interlake heads back home on the heels of last week’s Crossroads Cup win over Sammamish with the hopes of earning the kind of victory that can completely change the perception of a season. Obviously the Saints deal with some unique playoff circumstances being the only 2A team in 2A/3A KingCo (as things are currently classified). Each win Interlake earns over a 3A or 4A opponent in the regular season counts as two points in the standings, which are then counted against the teams in 2A Seamount (Lindbergh, Evergreen, Foster, Renton) to find out who gets the three playoff spots to the District playoff round. Currently, Lindbergh and Renton both have two league wins while Foster and Evergreen both have one. If the Saints can pick up a win over beleaguered Lake Washington tonight, they will have set themselves up nicely to get one of those three spots with four points in the standings and only two weeks to play. If they can win tonight and beat either Liberty or Juanita, due to the schedules amongst those four Seamount teams, they are going to get in for sure.

Speaking of teams who need a win…

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