From the Sidelines

Latrelle Dukes scores the winning touchdown in Bellevue's 21-14 win over Juanita. Chad Coleman/Bellevue Reporter

As we keep rolling into the season, we are now at the point where playoff positioning starts to take shape. This week features several games with big playoff implications. Eastlake-Issaquah should determine the Crest’s No.2 team (barring further upsets in the season). Newport can’t afford a loss to a seemingly-inferior Redmond squad. Interlake, with all of one win, is still alive for a 2A playoff spot, but that window will likely close with a loss to Lake Washington.

RESULTS
Year to date
Kevin: 54-17
Joel: 53-18
Readers: 52-16-3

BIG 5 MATCHUPS

Eastlake Wolves (5-1) at Issaquah Eagles (5-1)
Joel: Eastlake, to me, has been a team flying under the radar. Anytime you have a strong rushing attack – like the Wolves do with Kyle Lappano – you can stay in games, grinding down the clock and taking advantage of opponents mistakes. I’m not sure of the health of Issaquah quarterback Ethan Kalin, but I do know this – the Eagles have been one of the most consistent teams in recent years. But I like this Eastlake team. I like the upset. Pick: Eastlake 35-27
Kevin – There’s a lot on the line in this KingCo Crest matchup as the winner will grab sole possession of second place in the division with one week remaining. These two teams couldn’t be more similar. Both have junior quarterbacks, who not only mobile, but have the ability to get the ball down the field. Both teams have enormous lines, and both teams can run the ball effectively out of the backfield. The one question mark for Eastlake might lie in the defensive backfield. They’ve proven they can stop the run, but the Wolves have yet to face a team that will air it out as much as the Eagles. In Eastlake’s game against Newport, they allowed the Knights ‚Äî a team who primarily runs the ball ‚Äî to score on a 65-yard pass play. On several other attempts, Newport receivers either dropped balls, or didn’t quite turn their heads in time. If they want to be successful, the Wolves will need to tighten up the pass defense, especially against one of the league’s top receivers, Evan Peterson. Pick: Issaquah 21-17

Juanita Rebels (5-1) at Mount Si Wildcats (4-2)
Joel: I watched Juanita hang in with the state’s No.1 team last week, grinding it out against Bellevue and coming up just short. I like what this Rebels team has – a rushing attack that chews up the yardage and a defense that’s as tough as they come. Mount Si has quietly embraced its role as the conference’s sleeper team, but I see the Rebels bouncing back to get a big win in this one. Pick: Juanita 28-12
Kevin – Juanita is licking its wounds after last week’s tough, 21-14, loss to top-ranked Bellevue. Despite the defeat the Rebels proved they can play with the best the 3A has to offer. And they’ll certainly be hungry to get back on track. Mount Si is certainly no slouch, and you can never count the Wildcats out on their home turf. They know they need this win in order to keep hopes of a league championship alive. Expect a hard-fought battle in the trenches, and another game that comes down to the wire. Pick: Juanita 28-24

Woodinville Falcons (3-3) at Inglemoor Vikings (3-3)
Joel: This one is all about seeding. Bothell’s locked up as the Crown’s No.1 team. Woodinville and Inglemoor are fighting for the second spot for crossover games. I like what Woodinville’s young offense has been able to do, and I like the Falcons, who have been playing well lately, to win this one in a close battle. Pick: Woodinville 21-20
Kevin – This is a battle for second place in the KingCo Crown, a spot that could be crucial come playoff time. Both of these teams have had similar seasons so far, beating up on weaker opponents while coming up a few touchdowns short to Crown leader, Bothell. This should be a regular shootout of neighboring schools. Pick: Woodinville 32-28

Interlake Saints (1-5) at Lake Washington Kangaroos (2-4)
Joel: It’s not often that a 1-5 team has a game with playoff implications, but Interlake isn’t your typical KingCo 3A team. As a 2A team, they can make the playoffs if they’re record finishes in the top-three of the Seamount League. Each Saints win over a 3A or 4A opponent equals 1.5 wins in the eyes of their final Seamount record. So if they were to win this game over the Kangs, Interlake would be looking at a 3-win season in the Seamount. That’s huge. Coach Jason Rimkus knows this is a must win. The Saints finally have quarterback Matt Malos and running back Jordan Todd both healthy and the results were immediate – Todd rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown and Malos tossed four touchdown passes in Interlake’s 41-14 win over Sammamish. Pick: Interlake 28-14
Kevin – OK, I’m not quite where to start with this one. These are two teams who have obviously struggled this season. They both have a common opponent in Sammamish. Interlake is coming off a 41-14 win over the Totems, while Lake Washington beat Sammamish 38-14 earlier this season. Interlake is healthy for the first time since the second week of the season as the Saints got back quarterback Matt Malos and running back Jordan Todd. Momentum could be the difference in this one. Pick: Interlake 35-28

Skyline Spartans (5-1) at Jackson Timberwolves (3-3)
Joel: No one has been able to slow Skyline down since the Spartan’s opening-game loss to Liberty. Quarterback Max Browne has been better and better each week, and the Spartans have rolled. I don’t see that changing when Wesco opponent Jackson faces off with Skyline Friday. Pick: Skyline 35-7
Kevin – The KingCo has dominated WesCo this season in crossover games, and it’s highly doubtful that will change this week when top-ranked Skyline rolls into Everett to face Jackson. The Timberwolves are down in talent after a couple of successful seasons, while the Spartans are just hitting their stride. Skyline sophomore quarterback Max Browne has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes (116 of 167) for 1,668 yards, 20 touchdowns and three interceptions. Look for Browne to have a big night facing a team that doesn’t see much passing. Pick: Skyline 42-14

Roosevelt Roughriders (2-4) at Ballard Beavers (1-5)
Joel: Roosevelt 20-7
Kevin: Roosevelt 24-10

Redmond Mustangs (2-4) at Newport Knights (3-3)
Joel: Newport 35-7
Kevin: Newport 35-14

Sammamish Totems (0-6) at Bellevue Wolverines (5-1)
Joel: Bellevue 42-14
Kevin: Bellevue 55-0

Eastside Catholic Crusaders (4-2) at Blanchet Braves (1-5)
Joel: Eastside Catholic 30-15
Kevin: Eastside Catholic 35-7

Liberty Patriots (4-2) at Mercer Island Islanders (2-4)
Joel: Liberty 28-14
Kevin: Liberty 38-14