From the Sidelines

After covering football in the area for four seasons, it does not surprise me in the least to see six of eight schools in our coverage areas reach state. The competition is that good.

Now we’ll see who can keep going, and who gets bounced early.

BIG 6 MATCHUPS
Eastlake Wolves (8-2) at Curtis Vikings (10-0)
Joel – Tough, tough call here. On one hand you have the Wolves, who escaped the treacherous KingCo 4A league with just one loss to Skyline (their other came in the opening week to Central Kitsap). On the other hand you have the Curtis Vikings, the team that held the No.2 ranking in 4A all season long. But have the Vikings faced a team as physical as the Wolves all year? I think this is the game where we find out how good Curtis really is. I’m taking the Vikings in a close game, but would not be surprised if they are upset by the plucky Wolves and running back Kyle Lappano. Pick: Curtis 21-17
Kevin – I’m still not sold on the SPSL, or Curtis. The Vikings probably should have ran away with last week’s preliminary round game against Lake Stevens, but squeaked out a 31-14 win. It was 24-14 until a late touchdown. Eastlake had an off-game as well, battling a slew of penalties to earn a 35-14 win over Jackson. The first thing head coach Gene Dales told his team is that they’ll need to turn the intensity level around quickly this week. I fully expect this game to come down to the wire. But until I see the SPSL prove it can hang with a KingCo team, I have a hard time picking against the Wolves. Pick: Eastlake 28-24

Rogers Rams (9-1) at Skyline Spartans (9-1)
Joel – No.1 Skyline had a bit of a scare last week, trailing 14-2 at halftime to Central Kitsap before rallying to win. Something tells me that coach Mat Taylor will have his team fired up after that slow start. Max Browne has been incredible at quarterback for the Spartans this year. And state is when big players step up – so watch out for WR Kasen Williams to have a big game. Pick: Skyline 23-13
Kevin – Skyline survived a major scare last week, edging Central Kitsap 16-14. If I’ve noticed one trend while covering Skyline the last three years, whenever the Spartans stumble, they always respond in a big way. I look for quarterback Max Browne, the offensive line, and the talented corps of receivers to have a big night. Pick: Skyline 34-14

Timberline Blazers (7-3) at Bellevue Wolverines (9-1)
Joel – Tough to count against Bellevue in the early rounds of the playoffs, especially a week after they dismantled Bainbridge without four of their starters. The only way I see Timberline escaping with a win is if the Wolverines are caught looking forward to a potential rematch with Liberty in the quarterfinals. But coach Butch Goncharoff keeps his team grounded (bad pun notwithstanding) and I’m sure they’ll be ready to play. Running back Joey Mangialardi looks to be back to form after suffering a concussion against Juanita. The senior scored three touchdowns last week and helped Bellevue roll up 365 yards on the ground. Pick: Bellevue 42-14
Kevin – Look no further than last week’s 54-7 romp of Bainbridge‚ Bellevue is in playoff mode. The Wolverines continue to successfully spread the ball around in their multifacted Wing-T attack. I expect them to roll again. Pick: Bellevue 45-7

Newport Knights (6-4) at Chiawana Riverhawks (9-0)
Joel – Newport, as one coach told me, is playing their best football at the right time of the season. Chiawana has been solid all year, but face their first test from the tough KingCo league. No one has slowed down the Newport rushing attack this year; only the Knights have stopped themselves. I expect James Dupar, Louis Jachim, Eric Rodan, Isaac Dotson and company to have a big game on the ground and pull off the upset. Pick: Newport 21-14
Kevin – Word on the street is that the Chiawana defense is susceptible to the run. That’s bad news for any team facing Newport. The Knights are one of the best ground teams in 4A, if not the state. It’s a long trip to Pasco and the Riverhawks are obviously the class of the Big Nine‚ so it’s not going to be a cakewalk. I still like the KingCo 4A team in this case. Pick: Newport 28-21

Marysville-Pilchuck Tomahawks (7-3) at Issaquah Eagles (8-2)
Joel – You just can’t count out the Eagles. Coming off a 2OT thriller against Olympia, the pesky Eagles are battle-tested with playoff games: they’ve played three already. Their reward for beating Olympia is a matchup they should be able to handle in Marysville-Pilchuck. Backup quarterback Braden Bouwman has been steady in his elevation to the starting position thus far. Pick: Issaquah 34-20
Kevin – If the stats I found were accurate, Marysville-Pilchuck has 3,154 yards of total offense this season‚ 2,950 of which has come on the ground. If Issaquah’s defense can hone in on the Tomahawks’ run game, and the Eagles can keep progressing as an offensive unit behind back-up quarterback Braden Bouwman, I don’t see this game being very close at all. Pick: Issaquah 42-14

Port Angeles Roughriders (9-1) at Interlake Saints (3-8)
Joel – The Saints have shown what they can do after a rough regular season. They dispatched North Mason on Tuesday and then dismantled Clover Park Saturday. Junior running back Jordan Todd has been absolutely terrific (aided by great play from his offensive line), scoring 18 touchdowns in his last three games. The Saints think teams should know by now that they are real. I have to agree. Pick: Interlake 35-21
Kevin – Port Angeles is 9-1 this season, but it also has to be taken into account which conference the Roughriders play in. Interlake has shown its last two games that playing the best KingCo 3A teams‚ some of the best teams in the state‚ they are ready for prime time in 2A. I expect the Saints and running back Jordan Todd (18 touchdowns in his last three games) to keep trucking along. Pick: Interlake 34-21

OTHER GAMES
4A
Auburn Trojans (8-3) at Skyview Storm (8-2)
Joel – Auburn 21-13
Kevin – Auburn 27-24

Bothell Cougars (8-2) at Kentwood Conquerors (10-0)
Joel – Bothell 43-35
Kevin – Bothell 32-24

Bellarmine Prep Lions (9-1) at Arlington Eagles (7-2)
Joel – Bellarmine Prep 14-7
Kevin – Bellarmine Prep 28-17

Richland Bombers (9-1) at Ferris Saxons (10-0)
Joel – Ferris 21-20
Kevin – Ferris 32-14

3A
Meadowdale Mavericks (7-3) at Lakes Lancers (9-1)
Joel – Lakes 35-28
Kevin – Lakes 42-14

Juanita Rebels (9-1) at Camas Papermakers (10-0)
Joel – Juanita 27-20
Kevin – Juanita 24-14

Liberty Patriots (7-3) at Mount Si Wildcats (6-4)
Joel – Liberty 35-14
Kevin – Liberty 28-27

Ferndale Golden Eagles (8-2) at O’Dea Fighting Irish (9-1)
Joel – O’Dea 42-37
Kevin – O’Dea 35-21

Franklin Quakers (8-2) at Capital Cougars (10-0)
Joel – Capital 44-13
Kevin – Capital 42-7

University Titans (6-4) at Mount Spokane Wildcats (8-1)
Joel – Mount Spokane 25-7
Kevin – Mount Spokane 28-10

Kelso Hilanders (7-3) at Kamiakin Braves (10-0)
Joel – Kamiakin 35-14
Kevin – Kamiakin 28-7

2A
Burlington-Edison Tigers (7-3) at Sequim Wolves (10-1)
Joel – Sequim 35-17
Kevin – Sequim 28-14

Tumwater Thunderbirds (9-1) at Lynden Lions (10-0)
Joel – Lynden 42-17
Kevin – Lynden 30-10

East Valley Knights (5-5) at Clarkston Bantams (6-3)
Joel – Clarkston 21-10
Kevin – Clarkston 28-17

Othello Huskies (8-3) at Prosser Mustangs (9-1)
Joel – Prosser 45-30
Kevin – Prosser 32-14

Anacortes Seahawks (6-3) at Lindbergh Eagles (7-2)
Joel – Lindbergh 35-6
Kevin – Anacortes 28-20

Foster Bulldogs (7-3) at Mark Morris Monarchs (6-3)
Joel – Mark Morris 21-10
Kevin – Mark Morris 35-14

W.F. West Bearcats (9-1) at Archbishop Murphy Wildcats (10-0)
Joel – Archbishop Murphy 45-20
Kevin – Archbishop Murphy 32-14

RESULTS
Year to date
Kevin: 85-22
Joel: 85-22
Readers: 83-21-3