From the Sidelines

Can the playoffs really be here already? It seems like just yesterday I was out at the high schools, talking to coaches and players for season preview articles. And now we’re talking about league championship games and crossover playoffs.
There’s no better time of the year than this. Each game becomes do or die – win or go home. Those stakes usually bring out the best in teams. It’s an exciting time to be a high school sports reporter.

BIG 5 MATCHUPS
No.3 Bothell Cougars (7-1) at No.1 Skyline Spartans (7-1)
Joel – No stranger to the KingCo championship game, these two teams have got to be used to seeing each other. For Bothell, Skyline has been Goliath; David won the championship game last year before the giant reasserted itself in the semifinals. Skyline sophomore quarterback Max Browne has made the loss of Jake Heaps seem like a quick bandaid pulled off. His composure in the pocket and decision making is downright scary for a sophomore. Bothell, hit with a spat of injuries over the course of the year, again plays the underdog. Pick: Skyline 28-21
Kevin – This is the third straight year these two teams have faced one another for the KingCo 4A title, with Skyline winning in 2008 and Bothell in 2009. Rosters might be completely different, but not much else has changed. Sophomore quarterback Max Browne has kept Skyline’s pass tradition alive and well (166 for 229, 2342 yards, 29 TDs, 5 INTs), while Bothell running back Luke Proulx is bowling over opponents (115 carries, 1,395 yards, 12 TDs). This game will no doubt come down to who can slow down the others’ strength. Skyline has shown its defense is susceptible to the run after allowing Newport 348 rushing yards three weeks ago and Eastlake’s Kyle Lappano to go for a school record 250 yards last week. Bothell has yet to face a pass-heavy team, so there’s no telling how their secondary will stack up against Skyline. I think home-field advantage, and the arm of Browne will carry the Spartans on Friday. Pick: Skyline 35-24

No.1 Bellevue Wolverines (7-1) at No.8 Liberty Patriots (6-2)
Joel – This has been the closest year Bellevue has come to not steamrolling their league competition since the new KingCo 3A/2A league took shape three seasons ago. I can’t remember the last time the Wolverines won two conference games by just a touchdown, but Juanita and Mount Si both hung close with the Wolverines. Liberty is hungry and a win in this game would make everyone forget about their losses to Juanita and Issaquah. Plus, a win creates a three-way tie for the league title. But Bellevue has a knack for stepping up and making big games blowouts. Pick: Bellevue 35-17
Kevin – Bellevue can lock up the KingCo 3A title with a victory over Liberty, while a loss would create a possible three-way tie between Juanita, Liberty and Bellevue (assuming Juanita beats Interlake). I’ve seen Liberty twice this season, and there’s little doubt it has a ton of talent with the three-pronged attack of quarterback Trey Wheeler, running back Chandler Jenkins and receiver Jake Bainton. Bellevue continues to do what it does best by running the ball with a plethora of backs, occasionally throwing the defense off with a pass from Kendrick Van Ackeren. This should be a real battle. Pick: Bellevue 28-24

Inglemoor Vikings (5-3) at Newport Knights (4-4)
Joel -  Newport may be the best 4-4 team in the state. Every single on of their losses has come from a ranked team (Skyline, Bothell, Eastlake, Issaquah). Their defense is better than they get credit for and really, on one, not even Skyline, has been able to stop their rushing attack. The only thing stopping Newport has been themselves. QB Isaac Dotson was banged up last week against Issaquah. If he’s healthy, I expect Newport to take out Inglemoor. Pick: Newport 28-14
Kevin – This loser-out matchup should show just how big of a difference there is between the KingCo Crest and the KingCo Crown this season. Bothell has been the class of the Crown, but other than that, Crest teams have been inconsistent. Newport is a scrappy team that can flat out run the ball. Quarterback Isaac Dotson and back James Dupar have combined for nearly 1,500 yards on the ground this season, while the Knights have gone for 2,489 total yards on the ground. Pick: Newport 35-21

Woodinville Falcons (4-4) at Issaquah Eagles (6-2)
Joel – Is Braden Bouwman Ethan Kalin? No. But the senior backup is going to be the man now after Kalin dislocated his elbow last week against Newport. Bouwman did enough to win against Newport and he’ll have to do the same against a Woodinville team with major potential. But Issaquah has a potent rushing attack keyed by Taylor Wyman and a young freshman in Jack Gellatly, who had a breakout game last week against Newport. Pick: Issaquah 42-14
Kevin – Issaquah hit a major bump in the road last week when starting quarterback Ethan Kalin dislocated the elbow on his throwing arm putting him out for the rest of the season. The Eagles still possess a ton of talent to support backup Braden Bouwman. With the emergence of freshman running back Jack Gellatly and experienced senior running Taylor Wyman, the Eagles should be able move the ball on the ground and look for Bouwman to make the short, high-percentage passes. Woodinville has struggled this season, but is always dangerous with quarterback Brett Arrivey taking snaps. The Falcons lost to the  Eagles in the exact same loser-out game last season. I’m sure they haven’t forgotten. This could be close early, but expect Issaquah to pull away. Pick: Issaquah 35-14

Roosevelt Roughriders (3-5) at No.8 Eastlake Wolves (6-2)
Joel – Not much to this one. Eastlake already beat Roosevelt once, and they’ve gotten nothing but better as the year has gone on. Pick: Eastlake 44-0
Kevin – Eastlake has already encountered this week’s opponent, Roosevelt, beating the Roughriders 42-7 in week three. The Wolves continue to build momentum behind their running attack, and quarterback Keegan Kemp looks stronger week after week. I expect a similar outcome to the early-season meeting. Pick: Eastlake 45-14

OTHER GAMES
Lake Washington Kangaroos (3-5) at Mercer Island Islanders (3-5)
Joel – Mercer Island 35-7
Kevin – Mercer Island 28-14

Sammamish Totems (1-7) at Mount Si Wildcats (4-4)
Joel – Mount Si 35-20
Kevin – Mount Si 42-14

No.5 Juanita Rebels (7-1) at Interlake Saints (1-7)
Joel – Juanita 30-21
Kevin – Juanita 35-7