From the Sidelines

It’s do or die this week. It’s the round of 32, with teams across the state vying for a spot in the state playoffs. There are definitely some intriguing matchups, including six Bellevue, Sammamish and Issaquah teams still alive (hence the Big 6). Here’s a look at what we think will happen this week.

BIG 6 MATCHUPS
No.8 Eastlake Wolves (7-2) at Jackson Timberwolves (4-5)
Joel – One thing’s been proven this year: the WesCo does just not compare to KingCo. WesCo teams struggled mightily against teams from the KingCo conference. In fact, Jackson was drubbed by Skyline just a few weeks ago. Eastlake, with its powerful running game with Kyle Lappano, wins this one going away. Pick: Eastlake 45-13
Kevin – Eastlake has already flexed its muscle against two WesCo opponents this season, beating Snohomish and Mariner by a combined score of 103-13. I don’t see much changing this Saturday. Expect the Wolves to pound the football with running back Kyle Lappano and keep the Timberwolves off balance with the occasional throw from quarterback Keegan Kemp. Pick: Eastlake 38-7

Issaquah Eagles (7-2) at No.9 Olympia Bears (8-1)
Joel – This is a tough one. Issaquah will be playing without starting quarterback Ethan Kalin, but it didn’t hurt them much last week. But Olympia is a much different team from Woodinville. We’ll find out how good they are Saturday. I still think Issaquah, with Taylor Wyman and Jack Gellatly have enough firepower to win this one. Pick: Issaquah 26-14
Kevin - This should be an extremely competitive game. Issaquah is still trying to find itself after losing starting quarterback Ethan Kalin for the season. The Eagles have focused more on the run the last two games and have found success behind senior Taylor Wyman and freshman Jack Gellatly. Olympia will be a much stiffer test than last week’s opponent, Woodinville, but I think head coach Chris Bennett will have his Eagles ready. Pick: Issaquah 28-24

Central Kitsap Cougars (6-3) at No.1 Skyline Spartans (8-1)
Joel – The Cougars surprised Eastlake at the beginning of the year, but still lost three games throughout the season. Skyline is looking much like the reigning state champions that they are. Spartans just have too many weapons to go down this early in the playoffs. Pick: Skyline 42-20
Kevin – Central Kitsap is 1-0 against KingCo competition after beating Eastlake 13-10 in week one. The Cougars base their offense behind the run game and controlling the clock ‚something recent Skyline opponents Eastlake and Bothell tried but failed at. Central Kitsap hasn’t seen the likes of sophomore quarterback Max Browne, or the talented Spartan receiving corps. Pick: Skyline 38-14

Joel - How many teams in the state with four losses have had them all come to top-10 teams in the state? I think Newport may very well be the only ones. The Knights are healthy and sport a more than healthy running game – lighting up No.1 Skyline for more than 300 yards earlier this year. Kentlake has plenty of athletes, but Newport’s ability to grind out the clock will be the difference. Pick: Newport 24-14
Kevin -If there’s a better 5-4 team in the state, I’d like to hear about them. Newport has held its own in a very tough KingCo Crest division. Kentlake’s two losses have come to two of the SPSL’s best in Kentwood and Auburn. The Falcons possess a lot of talent, but it’s hard to pick against a team as battle-tested as the Knights. The ability to run and control the clock gives Newport the edge in this one. Pick: Newport 28-21

Bainbridge Spartans (7-2) at No.1 Bellevue Wolverines (8-1)
Joel – This version of the Wolverines comes battle tested. A close loss to Skyline and big, close wins against Juanita, Mount Si and Liberty has this Bellevue squad knowing how to win. This game is where we’ll see the difference between a KingCo team and a Metro League team. Besides, it’s a bad idea to count against the Wolverines in the playoffs. Bellevue goes back to state with a big win. Pick: Bellevue 35-10
Kevin – Bainbridge fared well in a weaker Metro division, but Bellevue is leaps and bounds beyond anything the Spartans have seen this season. I expect the Wolverines to put up a ton of yards on the ground and cruise through to the 3A tournament. Pick: Bellevue 38-7

Interlake Saints (2-8) at Clover Park Warriors (5-4)
Joel – No, your eyes are not deceiving you. Interlake really is one game away from the state playoffs with a 2-8 record. This team is about as battle tested as a 2A team can be though: off their eight losses, three came to top-10 3A teams and a fourth came to a 4A playoff team (Newport). The Saints blew out North Mason Tuesday night thanks to Jordan Todd’s seven touchdowns, but couldn’t slam the door late and almost let the Bulldogs back into the game. They can’t do that Saturday. Still, I think the Saints have a real shot at the upset. Pick: Interlake 42-34
Kevin – Interlake might just be coming around. The Saints earned a play-in victory Tuesday afternoon against North Mason to get them into Saturday’s game. While Interlake has struggled they have faced some of the toughest talent around. That experience will certainly give them a chance to sneak into the 2A state tournament. On the other hand, Clover Park plays in a very weak division. I smell upset. Pick: Interlake 21-17

OTHER GAMES
4A
Lake Stevens Vikings (7-2) at No.2 Curtis Vikings (9-0)
Joel – Curtis 56-21
Kevin – Curtis 35-14

Edmonds-Woodway Warriors (6-3) at Auburn Trojans (7-2)
Joel – Auburn 21-0
Kevin – Auburn 42-20

Beamer Titans (4-5) at Skyview Storm (7-2)
Joel – Skyview 28-13
Kevin – Skyview 35-7

Gig Harbor Tides (6-3) at Rogers Rams (8-1)
Joel – Rogers 41-30
Kevin – Rogers 28-21

Bethel Braves (6-3) at Marysville-Pilchuck Tomahawks (6-3)
Joel – Bethel 26-23
Kevin – Bethel 32-28

Union Titans (7-2) at No.4 Bothell Cougars (7-2)
Joel – Bothell 32-30
Kevin – Bothell 28-14

Heritage Timberwolves (3-6) at No.6 Kentwood Conquerors (9-0)
Joel – Kentwood 49-20
Kevin – Kentwood 42-7

Kentridge Chargers (4-5) at Bellarmine Prep Lions (8-1)
Joel – Bellarmine Prep 23-13
Kevin – Bellarmine Prep 35-17

Graham-Kapowsin Eagles (6-4) at Arlington Eagles (7-2)
Joel – Graham-Kapowsin 14-13
Kevin – Graham-Kapowsin 28-24

No.7 Gonzaga Prep Bullpups (7-2) at No.10 Richland Bombers (8-1)
Joel – Richland 28-27
Kevin – Gonzaga Prep 20-14

Wenatchee Panthers (5-4) at No.3 Ferris Saxons (9-0)
Joel – Ferris 35-7
Kevin – Ferris 35-0

Central Valley Bears (6-3) at No. 5 Chiawana Riverhawks (8-0)
Joel – Chiawana 26-13
Kevin – Chiawana 38-7

3A
Bonney Lake Panthers (7-2) at Meadowdale Mavericks (6-3)
Joel – Bonney Lake 25-10
Kevin – Bonney Lake 24-21

Everett Seagulls (6-3) at No.6 Lakes Lancers (8-1)
Joel – Lakes 56-14
Kevin – Lakes 35-14

Shorecrest Scots (4-4) at No.5 Juanita Rebels (8-1)
Joel – Juanita 37-0
Kevin – Juanita 42-3

Rainier Beach Vikings (5-4) at No. 3 Camas Papermakers (9-0)
Joel – Camas 35-21
Kevin – Camas 35-0

No.8 Liberty Patriots (6-3) at Kennedy Catholic Lancers (7-1)
Joel – Liberty 31-24
Kevin – Liberty 32-22

Mount Si Wildcats (5-4) at No. 9 Glacier Peak Grizzlies (8-1)
Joel – Mount Si 17-14
Kevin – Mount Si 28-21

Mountain View Thunder (7-2) at Timberline Blazers (6-3)
Joel – Mountain View 33-13
Kevin – Mountain View 28-27

Wilson Rams (3-6) at Ferndale Golden Eagles (7-2)
Joel – Ferndale 45-0
Kevin – Ferndale 35-7

Peninsula Seahawks (5-4) at No.10 O’Dea Irish (8-1)
Joel – O’Dea 37-6
Kevin – O’Dea 42-14

Hazen Highlanders (6-2) at Franklin Quakers (7-2)
Joel – Franklin 20-13
Kevin – Franklin 35-33

Nathan Hale Raiders (5-4) at No.2 Capital Cougars (9-0)
Joel – Capital 55-7
Kevin – Capital 45-0

University Titans (5-4) at Eastmont Wildcats (6-3)
Joel – University 21-20
Kevin – Eastmont 28-20

Kennewick Lions (7-2) at No.7 Mount Spokane Wildcats (8-1)
Joel – Mount Spokane 35-22
Kevin – Mount Spokane 34-17

Kelso Hilanders (6-3) at Seattle Prep Panthers (7-2)
Joel – Seattle Prep 35-28
Kevin – Seattle Prep 24-20

Southridge Suns (4-5) at No.4 Kamiakin Braves (9-0)
Joel – Kamiakin 45-17
Kevin – Kamiakan 38-14

2A
Burlington-Edison Tigers (6-3) at Lakewood Cougars (7-2)
Joel – Lakewood 14-10
Kevin – Burlington-Edison 24-17

Washington Patriots (4-5) at No.7 Sequim Wolves (8-1)
Joel – Sequim 56-25
Kevin – Sequim 34-20

No.9 Centralia Tigers (7-2) at Mark Morris Monarchs (6-3)
Joel – Centralia 35-33
Kevin – Mark Morris 28-24

Cedarcrest Wolves (5-4) at Anacortes Seahawks (6-3)
Joel – Anacortes 28-10
Kevin – Anacortes 21-14

Kingston Buccaneers (6-3) at No.8 Lindbergh Eagles (6-2)
Joel – Lindbergh 45-24
Kevin – Lindbergh 32-10

Foster Bulldogs (5-3) at Eatonville Cruisers (7-2)
Joel – Eatonville 26-20
Kevin – Eatonville 22-18

No.5 W.F. West Bearcats (8-1) at R.A. Long Lumberjacks (7-2)
Joel – W.F. West 14-7
Kevin – W.F. West 24-12

Squalicum Storm (7-2) at No.1 Archbishop Murphy (9-0)
Joel – Archbishop Murphy 49-17
Kevin – Archbishop Murphy 35-7

Sumner Spartans (7-2) at Port Angeles Roughriders (8-1)
Joel – Port Angeles 21-20
Kevin – Port Angeles 34-28

Bellingham Red Raiders (5-5) at No.2 Lynden Lions (9-0)
Joel – Lynden 45-0
Kevin – Lynden 35-7

RESULTS
Year to date
Kevin: 79-22
Joel: 79-22
Readers: 77-21-3