From the Sidelines

Wow, what a week last week was. Surprises – Liberty doesn’t put up a fight against Bellevue and Bellarmine Prep has an amazing comeback against Bothell. Non-surprise: Skyline and Curtis both roll.

Skyline Spartans (11-1) vs. Curtis Vikings (12-0)
Joel – When everyone filled out their Class 4A brackets, this was the game etched in stone. Almost everybody knew Skyline would meet Curtis in the semifinals. Last week I predicted Kasen Williams would have a big game and he responded with 10 catches for 241 yards and three touchdowns to go with a fumble return for a touchdown. Max Browne is already looking like one of the best quarterbacks in the state. Curtis’ Rahmel Dockery is one of the state’s most dynamic players, but I think the strength – and playoff experience – of the Spartans propel the back to the 4A title game. Pick: Skyline 28-21
Kevin – Well, here it is. The 4A matchup that everybody has wanted to see this season. No. 2-ranked Curtis is looking for revenge after getting blown out 49-14 by the Spartans in last year’s quarterfinals. No. 1 Skyline, which is one game away from earning a shot at a fourth straight state title, wants to show the power still lies in KingCo. Both schools have rabid supporters, which should generate an exciting atmosphere at the Tacoma Dome. I expect the intensity to translate into a great game on the field. The Spartans have struggled with slow starts in their last three games — all contests affected by weather. The Spartans know the Tacoma Dome well, however, and it suits their high-tempo pass game perfectly. I expect a fast Skyline start and never look back. Pick: Skyline 35-14

Ferris Saxsons (12-0) Bellarmine Prep Lions (12-1)
Joel – I’m probably not the only one who thought this matchup would be between Ferris and Bothell. But the Lions stunned the Cougars last week, rallying from a halftime deficit to reach the semifinals. As a reward they get the Saxons, which haven’t had a chink in their armor this year. They proved last week against Chiawana they can win in low-scoring grind-it-out games. I think we’re going to see that again this week. Pick: Ferris 21-20
Kevin – Bellarmine is the surprise team of the 4A playoffs after knocking off Bothell last week. Can the Lions keep it up this week? It will be a tall task having to travel to snowy Spokane to face an undefeated Ferris team. I covered a similar game two years ago and conditions weren’t pleasant at Joe Albi this time of year. Bellarmine has tallied over 4,000 yards of offense this season, but Ferris’ defense has been stellar, allowing under 10 points a game. The weather combined with the travel could be too much for the Lions to overcome. Pick: Ferris 28-14

Lakes Lancers (11-1) vs. Bellevue Wolverines (11-1)
Joel – Year after year, Lakes gets the same rap: big regular season, swift playoff exit. The Lancers haven’t lost since a week three loss to Capital by just seven points. I think many people are discounting how talented the Lancers are because they’ve really only been challenged in three games this year. I think this will be a closer game than most think, but I see the Wolverines pulling out the win. They’ve won in varying ways this season – close games, tight games, coming from behind – and they are battled tested. Pick: Bellevue 35-14
Kevin – The machine that is Bellevue has done nothing but gain momentum since starting the playoffs. The Wolverines have outscored opponents 147-21 over the last three games behind their dominant Wing-T offense. Lakes is riding momentum after earning a tough overtime win at Camas last week, but this is a whole different kind of challenge. Pick: Bellevue 28-7

Kamiakin Braves (12-0) vs. Capital Cougars (12-0)
Joel – Another semifinal I thought we’d see, this should be a great game. Kamiakin has rolled through its schedule this year and the Braves thoroughly handled Mount Spokane last week. I fully expect Kamiakin to represent Eastern Washington in the championship game, beating the Cougars at Lampson Stadium in Kennewick – their home field. Pick: Kamiakin 35-21
Kevin – This is a great semifinal matchup between two undefeated programs. There hasn’t been a more dominant team east of the mountains than Kamiakin, which has outscored opponents by an average of 42-10 this season. Capital has displayed equal dominance, beating opponents by an average of 43-9. Something has to give Saturday afternoon. Who has played tougher teams? Who is more battle-tested? We will find out soon enough. Pick: Kamiakin 24-20

East Valley Knights (8-5) vs. Tumwater Thunderbirds (11-1)
Joel – The surprise of the playoffs, East Valley rather easily knocked off year-long top-5 Prosser last week. Can the magic continue? I don’t think so. Tumwater upset No.2 Lynden in the first round and should cruise to another win this week. Pick: Tumwater 44-15
Kevin – Where has East Valley come from? The Knights entered the playoffs with the worst record of any 2A team at 5-5. They have now rattled off seven straight wins, however, after starting the season 1-5. Tumwater is also on a roll, winning its last 11 games. It’s a long road for the Thunderbirds to travel, but they have proven they can win away from home after knocking off second-ranked Lynden in the first round. Pick: Tumwater 28-13

Mark Morris Monarchs (8-3) vs. Archbishop Murphy Wildcats (12-0)
Joel – Archbishop Murphy rushed for over 500 yards against Interlake last week. Over 500 yards. Think about that. The Wildcats, the wire-to-wire No.1 ranked team, should end Mark Morris’ surprising run. Pick: Archbishop Murphy 44-21
Kevin – Archbishop Murphy has remained atop 2A all season, and it’s going to take a major upset from Mark Morris to knock the Wildcats off the pedestal. Head coach Dave Ward just has too many weapons to be stopped now. Pick: Archbishop Murphy 35-14

Year to date
Kevin: 98-27
Joel: 98-27
Readers: 95-27-3

Year to date
Kevin: 98-27
Joel: 98-27
Readers: 95-27-3