From the Sidelines

We didn’t do too bad.
Considering the fact that Issaquah/Sammamish sportswriter Kevin Endejan and I attempted to pick 32 playoff games, we didn’t look too bad – each of his with an identical 24-8 record.
You’d think things would get easier this week, but that’s not the case – as the round of 32 usually features some pretty one-sided matchups. This week are some tougher games, and a great weekend for football fans to get out there and watch some quality play.

Overall, here’s how we look:
Joel Willits: 113-25
Kevin Endejan: 108-30

Class 2A
Interlake Saints (8-3) vs. Mark Morris Monarchs (9-1)
Joel – The Saints are in for a dog fight. Mark Morris has averaged over 46 points per game in their nine-game winning streak and feature a powerful running attack based out of the Wing-T. But as coach Sheldon Cross told me Thursday, this is where the Saints conference schedule comes into play – playing Class 3A state qualifiers Liberty, Bellevue and Mount Si (in a game they dominated), has the Saints playing at full speed. With wide receiver Dylan Amell at full strength, I see the Saints moving on. Pick: Interlake 44-37
Kevin – Mark Morris is on a nine-game win streak, and a one-point loss to Kelso from being undefeated. Interlake has earned a reputation for having one of the most explosive offenses in the state. Should be a shootout. Pick: Mark Morris 32-28

Class 3A
Bellevue Wolverines (8-2) vs. Mount Si Wildcats (6-4)
Joel – Yes, Mount Si has been playing good football as of late. But Bellevue last week showed it’s not ready to give up the keys to the 3A title – especially after a 1-2 start had everyone talking about how their day was done. I see this game as a statement game – I see Bellevue pounding Mount Si early and often, and winning big. Pick: Bellevue 42-7
Kevin- Mount Si battled toe-to-toe with Bellevue in week four, losing 28-14. Bellevue was struggling to find an identity at that point in the season. That’s not the case this time around. Pick: Bellevue 42-14

Lindbergh Eagles (9-1) vs. Ferndale Golden Eagles (8-2)
Joel – Freshman quarterback Matt Stuart has the non-golden Eagles playing great football, as Lindbergh rolled over Bainbridge 44-6. This is a home game for Lindbergh – and I again expect Stuart and superb playmaker Frank Cange to get it done – although in a close one. Pick: Lindbergh 21-18
Kevin- I wasn’t sold on Lindbergh last week, but their impressive 44-6 win over Bainbridge showed they can be successful outside of the Seamount. Ferndale hasn’t displayed the dominance of previous years. Pick: Lindbergh 35-21

O’Dea Fighting Irish (9-1) vs. Liberty Patriots (9-1)
Joel – Talk about a great matchup. I’ve thought all year the Irish have been underrated – their only loss coming to 4A No. 1 Bothell – but they run into No. 5 Liberty, whose only loss came to 3A No. 1 Bellevue. Talk about a match of the titans. For Liberty – who had to come from behind to beat Camas last week – this one’s a tough test. But I expect Trey Wheeler, who has really formed a great bond with Jake Bainton and Chandler Jenkins, to keep the Patriots rolling. Pick: Liberty 24-14
Kevin- This is one of the top games of the weekend with  Liberty squaring off against O’Dea. The Fighting Irish have only lost to Bothell, while Liberty’s one defeat came to Bellevue. O’Dea will run, run, and run some more. Liberty will try to air it out with the arm of Trey Wheeler. Pick: O’Dea 24-20

Lakes Lancers (10-0) vs. North Thurston Rams (7-3)
Joel – Lancers win this one, and it’s not close. Maybe they’ll be tested next week. They haven’t been yet. Pick: Lakes 45-0
Kevin- Lakes hasn’t been tested yet this season, and it’s likely the trend will continue. Pick: Lakes 42-7

Mount Spokane Wildcats (9-1) vs. Hanford Falcons (4-6)
Joel – Hanford should be happy just to make the state playoffs, because they’re going home after this one. Pick: Mount Spokane 35-6
Kevin- This shouldn’t be much of a contest. Mount Spokane has rolled over opponents this season. Hanford has skated by. Pick: Mount Spokane 35-7

Timberline Blazers (10-0) vs. Glacier Peak Grizzlies (8-2)

Joel – Another great game. The Grizzlies just won’t go away, but beating the Blazers on their home field? Not going to happen. Timberline wins – and gets to face Bellevue next week in the game of the year for both squads. Pick: Timberline 14-10

Kevin- Glacier Peak is a resilient team. But beating No. 4 Timberline at home will be the toughest task the WesCo Grizzlies have faced this season. Pick: Timberline 35-14

Meadowdale Mavericks (10-0) vs. Columbia River Chieftains (5-5)
Joel – Columbia River scored a major victory by upsetting Seattle Prep last week, but they’ll fall short against Meadowdale. Pick: Meadowdale 35-14
Kevin- Meadowdale should keep its perfect record flawless for one more week. The Mavericks will cruise behind the running attack of Naji Moore-Taylor (1,340 yards, 23 TDs) to victory. Pick: Meadowdale 28-7

Union Titans (9-1) vs. Capital Cougars (7-3)
Joel – The only time I’ve seen Union this year was their loss to California’s Foothill High School. This is a team loaded with talent, and when they’re clicking, they’re hard to stop. Wide receiver Mitch Saylor is the real deal. Pick: Union 24-18
Kevin- Capital’s record can be deceiving. The Cougars have lost close contests to No. 5 O’Dea, No. 4 Timberline and to a solid 4A Olympia team. Can they finally get over the hump against No. 3 Union? Pick: Union 24-21

Class 4A
Marysville-Pilchuck Tomahawks (10-0) vs. Auburn Trojans (10-0)
Joel – Marysville-Pilchuck’s Austin Denton – only 622 yards from a state record for rushing yards in a season (he has 2,055) – is questionable for this one. We know Auburn’s Chris Young (a 1,000-yard rusher) is done for the year due to discipline. But Auburn has another 1,000 yard guy in Alphonse Wade, and unbelievably, Austin Embody is just 34 yards away from joining Wade. Needless to say, Auburn is going to ground this one out. Pick: Auburn 28-21
Kevin- This is a perfect example of how messed up the playoff brackets are this year. Two undefeated teams playing each other in the first round should never happen. Auburn is missing one of its top players in Chris Young. But the Trojans still hammered Kamiak, 42-7, last week. Marysville beat the same Kamiak team 14-3 earlier in the season. This speaks to the power of the conferences. Pick: Auburn 32-14

Skyview Storm (8-2) vs. Bethel Braves (9-1)
Joel – Kevin and I are going to disagree on this one, but I see Bethel, a big, physical team led by Oregon State recruit Happy Iona knocking off the storm and getting a shot at Auburn. Pick: Bethel 34-24
Kevin- Skyview is a team that’s caught fire of late, slamming Federal Way 56-14 last week. Bethel has won eight straight. This should be a close battle, but I see another SPSL team falling at the hands of Skyview. Pick: Skyview 28-24

Ferris Saxons (7-3) vs. Kamiakin Braves (8-2)
Joel – Once again, the Saxons look great late in the season. Unlike years past, they barely squeaked into the playoffs this year. As a former Richland Bomber, I’m very familiar with Kamiakin – and the CBBN’s past struggles against the GSL. Pick: Ferris 28-12
Kevin- Watch out. Ferris appears to have awoken. The Saxons knocked off previously undefeated Wenatchee last weekend. Now they get to host Kamiakan. Pick: Ferris 28-7

Eisenhower Caders (10-0) vs. Southridge Suns (9-1)
Joel – Talk about a great matchup. Eisenhower was tested by Walla Walla last week, but Southridge is on another level than the Blue Devils from the city so nice, they named it twice. Still, Ike holds on. Pick: Eisenhower 35-28
Kevin- The Cadets survived a scare last week. If they want to keep their record flawless they’ll have to be more prepared this week. I think they will. Pick: Eisenhower 35-14

South Kitsap Wolves (10-0) vs. Skyline Spartans (8-2)
Joel – Skyline is as motivated as a team can be after losing for the first time in two years to a team from Washington, Bothell, in the KingCo Championship two games ago. The Wolves haven’t seen a team with their talent yet. Pick: Skyline 37-14
Kevin- South Kitsap has yet to see a team with anywhere near the talent of Skyline’s defense or offense. I expect the Spartans continue to roll through the playoffs in their quest for a rematch with Bothell. Pick: Skyline 38-7

Curtis Vikings (10-0) vs. Central Kitsap Cougars (7-3)
Joel – In a match between two teams I haven’t seen this season, I think Curtis pulls this one out and continues its unbeaten season. Pick: Curtis 21-7
Kevin- Don’t sleep on Central Kitsap. The Cougars made a great run to the semifinals last season. Curtis has been tested in three of its games this season. This will be the best opponent the Vikings have seen in a while. Pick: Curtis 28-24

Jackson Timberwolves (10-0) vs. Issaquah Eagles (7-3)
Joel – After hearing about last week’s Jackson-Eastlake game, I lost a little confidence in the Timberwolves. Plus, Issaquah is getting back Grant Gellatly, who scored five touchdowns last week, back to full health. Pick: Issaquah 35-31
Kevin- I watched Jackson last week. They benefited from five Eastlake miscues. If Issaquah is smart with the ball, and can find a way to stop the Wildcat formation, I see the more battle-tested Eagle squad knocking off the Timberwolves. Recently-returned running back Grant Gellatly provides the balance to the Issaquah offense, which makes them a danger to anyone. Pick: Issaquah 32-28

Bothell Cougars (10-0) vs. Rogers Rams (7-3)
Joel – Bothell in another route. Pick: Bothell 41-14
Kevin- Nobody has found an answer for the Cougars this season. The trend will continue this week. Pick: Bothell 35-7.