From the Sidelines

As we near the end of the season, Issaquah/Sammamish sportswriter Kevin Endejan is catching up to me. A 15-2 week from Kevin last week cost me a game again – moving his record to 123-32. My 14-3 week moved me to 127-28 with the season winding to the close.

Another great slate of match ups this week, so we’ll jump right into it.

Class 3A
Glacier Peak Grizzlies (9-2) vs. Bellevue Wolverines (9-2)
Joel: Glacier Peak went down to Lacey last week and put a hurting on the undefeated Blazers of Timberline. Can they knock off back-to-back giants? I’m thinking no. Although the second-year school has been great thus far, they haven’t faced a team like Bellevue yet this year. The Wolverines won’t be fooled with screens and fancy passing plays. They’ll stick to their Wing-T and run to their hearts content. Pick: Bellevue 42-21
Kevin – These two teams do things completely opposite when it comes to offense. Bellevue will run every which way with its dominating Wing T, while Glacier Peak loves to air it out. Quarterback Zach Richter has passed for over 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns. In order for the Grizzlies to be successful, they will need to be accurate and limit mistakes. If not, the Wolverines will control the clock and the game. Pick: Bellevue 35-21

Liberty Patriots (10-1) vs. Lindbergh Eagles (10-1)
Joel: Lindbergh’s had a magical season, but Liberty is playing as well as any team in the state right now. Even without top receiver Jake Bainton in the second half of last week’s game, the Patriots came back from a huge deficit to knock off O’Dea. With all the weapons Liberty has on offense, I see them streaking past Lindbergh for a huge semi-final matchup with Lakes. If Liberty’s defense can rattle Lindbergh freshman quarterback Matt Stuart, they’ll take this one. Pick: Liberty 35-14
Kevin – Liberty earned two big road wins over tough 3A opponents, Camas and O’Dea, to move into the state quarterfinals. Lindbergh has received an easier road with home games against Bainbridge and Ferndale. The Patriots and Eagles have one common opponent, Juanita. Liberty defeated the Rebels 28-21, while Lindbergh lost 46-10. Everything adds up to a big win for the Patriots. Pick: Liberty 35-7

Mount Spokane Wildcats (10-1) vs. Lakes Lancers (11-0)
Joel: All season, I’ve heard great things about Mount Spokane – how they’ve knocked off all of these great 4A teams on the east side of the state. That being said, Lakes is the real deal. Each year we see Lakes roll undefeated, then sputter out in the playoffs. In fact – this could, and I think will be, their closest game all season. I see Lakes getting the win, but this one could easily go either way. Pick: Lakes 35-33
Kevin – Both teams have cruised through their respective divisions in a dominating fashion. Lakes has averaged nearly 50 points per game this season, while allowing just six per game. Mt. Spokane has averaged 39 per game, while allowing 12. The Wildcats’ lone loss came to 4A Ferris, which could very well be on its way to the state semifinals. No doubt, this will be the toughest matchup for Lakes this season. Will the long road trip play a factor? Doubtful. Pick: Lakes 35-14

Union Titans (10-1) vs. Meadowdale Mavericks (11-0)
Joel: Union’s come a long way since its loss to the Foothills (Calif.) in September. Meadowdale trailed early last week against Columbia River. I think Union and receiver Mitch Saylor take this one, setting up a rematch of last year’s state finals – Bellevue vs. Union. Pick: Union 14-10
Kevin – Meadowdale has shined in a weak WesCo 3A. This week’s matchup with Union, however, doesn’t bode well for the Mavericks. The Titans are on a mission to return to the state semifinals, and they are quite simply a more tested team. This one won’t be close. Pick: Union 38-7

Class 4A

Auburn Trojans (11-0) vs. Skyview Storm (9-3)
Joel: Skyview has a great passing offense, but last week I watched Mark Morris employ a great strategy to stop Interlake’s prolific passing attack: keep them off the field. Auburn can run, run and run some more. The key will be their offense making long drives that eat lots of clock. In the end, the Trojans grind it out, forcing Skyview to make the most of each possession. Pick: Auburn 21-7
Kevin – Skyview has rolled over SPSL teams the last two weeks, crushing Federal Way and Bethel. The Storm will look to make it three SPSL victims in a row this week at home against undefeated Auburn. And I think, without University of Washington-bound Chris Young, the Trojans are susceptible to what some might consider an upset. Pick: Skyview 32-28

Ferris Saxons (8-3) vs. Eisenhower Cadets (11-0)
Joel: When was the last time Eisenhower made it this far in the state tournament? The answer – 17 years ago, when the Cadets lost to Kennewick in the quarterfinals. Ferris has been here before. They’re on a roll. And I think they knock off Eisenhower in Yakima. Pick: Ferris 21-20
Kevin – Ferris appears to have gotten hot at the right time. Eisenhower avoided near upsets the last two weekends. I think the Saxons will finally hand the Cadets a loss. Pick: Ferris 28-20

Skyline Spartans (9-2) vs. Curtis Vikings (11-0)
Joel: Jake Heaps threw seven touchdowns – SEVEN! – in one half last week against South Kitsap. Curtis barely outlasted Central Kitsap by five points. Skyline rolls again. Pick: Skyline 54-13
Kevin – Skyline has been a different team since its loss to Bothell. The Spartans are determined to get their rematch with the Cougars in the state semifinals. Skyline crushed previously undefeated South Kitsap 63-14 a week ago. Expect a similar result as another undefeated falls this week. Pick Skyline 52-14

Bothell Cougars (11-0) vs. Issaquah Eagles (8-3)
Joel: The Eagles are one of the state’s hottest teams, but no one is playing as well as Bothell right now. Pick: Bothell 21-17
Kevin – Issaquah’s turnaround has been incredible. Since Grant Gellatly’s return two games ago, the senior running back has rushed for 400 yards and eight touchdowns. The Eagles were without the services of Gellatly in their week-one, 36-14 loss to the Cougars. These teams have both vastly improved. Behind a slew of turnovers, Issaquah fell in a 21-0 hole last week against Jackson, before battling back for a 48-28 win. The Eagles can’t do that this week. If they can keep it close early, it could be interesting. Pick: Bothell 28-21.