From the Sidelines

Last week saw Issaquah/Sammamish sportswriter Kevin Endejan and myself agree on every game, and we both finished 9-2. Our readers, on the other hand, went 10-1.

Here are our season standings:
Joel Willits 58-13
Kevin Endejan 54-17

I had a feeling this week we’d have a bit more diverse picks, but I was mistaken. We really have very similar picks, with the only exception being the Newport-Eastlake game. This week has all the makings of a upset week, with many of the favorites taking on contenders. A point here or there makes all the difference. So with that in mind, here’s our poll question of the week, and our picks.

No. 3 Bellevue Wolverines (4-2, 3-0) vs. No. 8 Juanita Rebels (5-1, 2-1)
Joel – Last week I watched the Juanita offense run wild over Interlake. The Rebels also displayed a passing attack that, not dominant, could get the job done when it counted. But the Wolverines are getting healthy – and that means trouble for the rest of KingCo. Hard to pick against the reigning state champions until someone in the state beats them. Pick: Bellevue 35-21
Kevin – Bellevue is the reigning 3A champion. Sure they suffered some tough out-of-state losses this season, but they are still one of the best 3A teams in the state. Expect the Wolverines’ Wing-T to run over the Rebels. Pick: Bellevue 35-14

Interlake Saints (5-1, 3-1) vs. No. 2 Liberty Patriots (6-0, 3-0)
Joel – For the first time all season, I saw the Saints come up short last week against Juanita. Although they didn’t give up – they still scored 14 in the final quarter – their defense finally met a powerful offense teamed with a strong defense. That’s a combo Liberty has and more. For the first time this season, I have to pick against Interlake. Liberty is looking like the state’s best team. Pick: Liberty 35-27
Kevin – Two of the most explosive offenses in the state collide Friday when Interlake and Liberty square off. The one huge difference in this game lies on the defensive end of the ball. Liberty has allowed just 48 points in six games. Interlake has allowed nearly three times the point total at 151. I expect it to be close, but defense helps win the game. Pick: Liberty 42-38

Mount Si Wildcats (3-3, 1-2) vs. Sammamish Totems (1-5, 0-4)
Joel – Mount Si barely slid by Mercer Island last week, 21-13. I think the home field advantage proves to be the difference in this one. Pick: Mount Si 21-12
Kevin – Mount Si has had an up-and-down season, but one thing is for certain: the Wildcats play well on their home field. Expect Mount Si’s balanced offense to control the clock and grind out another win. Pick: Mount Si 28-7

Ingraham Rams (1-4, Metro League) vs. Mercer Island Islanders (1-5)
Joel – Ingraham has been the whipping boy of the Metro League. Mercer Island is looking stronger each week. I see the Islanders and quarterback Jeff Lindquist getting the win in this one. Pick: Mercer Island 35-12
Kevin – Mercer Island has struggled to find victories this season, but they have played well in one of the toughest, if not the toughest division in 3A. The Rams have struggled in a weak division. Islander quarterback Jeff Lindquist will have a heyday. Pick: Mercer Island 35-7

KingCo 4A
Newport Knights (4-2, 2-1) vs. Eastlake Wolves (3-3, 0-3)
Joel – Newport coach Mike Miller told me the keys for his team would be to not turn the ball over, to control the clock and to play bend-but-don’t-break defense. Eastlake is playing for its season. Newport is playing for clinched playoff spot. Pick: Newport 21-20
Kevin – One team (Newport) could clinch a playoff berth. The other (Eastlake) needs a win to keep its postseason hopes alive. This game will feature a high level intensity from both teams. Who will want it more? My guess is Eastlake has a larger chip on its shoulder after losing its first three conference games. The Wolves held Skyline to 21 carries for 65 yards (3 yards per carry) last week, and Newport will run a lot behind the Wing-T. Expect Eastlake to rise to the occasion and spoil Newport’s homecoming. Pick: Eastlake 35-20

No. 1 Skyline Spartans (5-1, 3-0) vs. No. 10 Issaquah Eagles (4-2, 3-0)
Joel – Issaquah quarterback Ryan Bergman is coming into his own after last week’s 26 of 35, 494 yard and six touchdown performance. But on the other side of the fence sits the quarterback who is already here, Jake Heaps. With Heaps under center, the Spartans have not lost to an in-state opponent. While the Eagles gave them a scare in last year’s state title game, experience, and Skyline’s defense, proves the difference. Pick: Skyline 35-10
Kevin – Rivalries don’t get more heated than this. And the timing of the game couldn’t get much better. Issaquah has caught fire, winning four straight games, after losing its first two. Skyline continues to dominate opponents on both sides of the ball. With first place in the Crest on the line, I expect to see energized performances from both teams. That being said, Skyline is considered one of the top teams in the nation for a reason — they are fast, strong and efficient. If someone is going to knock the Spartans off, they will need the benefit of mistakes; just as California powerhouse Oaks Christian did earlier this season. With a game of such a high magnitude, I doubt Skyline will lack focus on Friday night. Pick: Skyline 35-20

Garfield Bulldogs (2-4, 0-3) vs. Redmond Mustangs (1-5, 1-2)
Joel – Garfield’s been shutout two-straight games. They’ve had trouble scoring points against teams not named Roosevelt. Redmond and quarterback Michael Conforto should score enough points to keep ahead of the Bulldogs. Pick: Redmond 21-6
Kevin – Garfield has been outscored 147-7 in its last three games. Redmond is playing for its playoff lives. A win will keep the Mustangs’ hopes of a three-way tiebreaker for the third and final KingCo Crest spot alive. Motivation will guide Redmond to victory. Pick: Redmond 28-14

Inglemoor Vikings (4-2, 3-0) vs. No. 2 Bothell Cougars (6-0, 3-0)
Joel – Two teams with undefeated conference records meet up. The team with the overall undefeated record stays perfect. Bothell wins this one and I’m not sure it will be close. Pick: Bothell 42-21
Kevin – Bothell is playing like one of the best teams in the state. The Cougar defense has allowed just 24 points the whole season, averaging out to four points per game. There is no reason why Bothell won’t continue to roll against Crown rival Inglemoor. Pick: Bothell 48-7

Woodinville Falcons (2-4, 1-2) vs. Lake Washington Kangaroos (1-4, 1-1)
Joel – Woodinville has proven it can score some points – putting up 62 against Roosevelt and 42 against Newport – and Lake Washington has had trouble stopping powerful offenses. Woodinville takes this one. Pick: Woodinville 42-14
Kevin – Woodinville’s two league losses have come to strong opponents. Lake Washington has one of the more anemic offenses in the league. This could get ugly fast. Pick: Woodinville 48-6

Ballard Beavers (1-5, 1-2) vs. Roosevelt Roughriders (1-5, 0-3)
Joel – Ballard picked up a big win last week, beating Lake Washington on the road. Now the Beavers face Roosevelt, who lost to Lake Washington. Looks like Ballard has a chance to be 2-2 in conference play. Pick: Ballard 14-13
Kevin – Two struggling squads makes this a tough pick. This game could really go either way. I’ll give Ballard the edge with momentum coming off its first win of the season. Pick: Ballard 22-20

Other games of interest

Eastside Catholic Crusaders (3-3, 2-1) vs. No. 7 O’Dea Irish (5-1, 3-0)
Joel – Eastside Catholic will have a big crowd for this annual game between two of the perennial Metro contenders. But Keenan Forch, Jerry Jordan and the Irish are just too powerful this season for the rebuilding Crusaders. Pick: O‘Dea 31-22
Kevin – Eastside Catholic proved once already this season, when the Crusaders beat 2A powerhouse Archbishop Murphy, they can win big games at home. Can Eastside rise to the occasion against league foe O’Dea this Friday? Crusader coach Jason Gesser will have his guys prepared. It will certainly be a hard-fought battle. The depth of O’Dea could be the difference in this one. Pick: O’Dea 35-21