Ryland Spencer Predictions
NEI Official 4A Top 10
1. Skyline (3-0) @ Roosevelt (2-1)
After last weeks 71-20 win over a VERY good Coeur d’Alene team, I am not sure the Spartans can be stopped. They are clicking on all cylinders and I would really hate to have to game plan against them. The Roughriders are going to have to be good on the ground and keep the Skyline offense off the field. I just don’t see that happening. Spartans party in the shadow of the Space Needle, 52-10.
2. Mead (3-0) @ Mt. Spokane (1-2)
The Mead Panthers are looking more and more like the best team in eastern Washington. They are putting up a ton of points and Davian Barlow is rushing for a ton of yards. The Wildcats of Mt Spokane have had a rough go as of late and it continues this week. Mead runs wild, 44-13.
3. Federal Way (3-0) @ Bethel (2-1)
I really like the Bethel Braves, but I don’t see anyone in the SPSL South stopping Federal Way. They are simply too fast and too deep. Bethel will hang much like Graham-Kapowsin did last week. Once the Eagles get going they will again pull away. FW stays undefeated, 45-20.
4. Camas (3-0) @ (3A) #9 Lakes (1-2)
The Lakes Lancers have had a BRUTAL schedule to this point. All 4 non-conference opponents are playoff caliber teams and Lakes will recover once they get to league play. Camas QB Reilly Hennessey is 128 yards short of 1,000 through just 3 games. The Papermakers have a chance to put Lakes into VERY unfamiliar territory. I think Lakes gets it going this week and it will carry them into league play. Lakes gets back on track, 34-31.
5. Bellarmine Prep (2-1) vs South Kitsap (3-0)
One of the best games this week. Both teams are 1-0 in the Narrows 4A after winning last week. Bellarmine Prep is one of the most talented teams in the state and only loss was in a shootout to Lakes. I like Bellarmine Prep in this game, 35-21.
6. Skyview (2-1) @ Enumclaw (2-1)
Hornets RB Mauricio Portillo rushed for 200+ yards and 6 TDs last week. I am officially back on the Skyview train. They have answered questions I had about them and done so in convincing fashion. As much as I do honestly like Enumclaw they don’t win this game. Skyview rolls at Pete’s Pool, 42-17.
7. Kentwood (3-0) vs Kent-Meridian (1-2)
Kent-Meridian beating Kentlake in week two was a real shocker. I watched the Royals practice a few times and was REALLY impressed with QB Quincy Carter and WR Cartez Green. Right now the SPSL North looks like it goes through Kentwood. They have the best defense in the league and will only get better. I just don’t see how KM can win. Conks over power the Royals, 42-10.
8. Issaquah (2-1) @ Newport (1-2)
Well this is an interesting matchup. You’ve got a Issaquah defense that appears to be one of the better in the state, and you got a Newport offense that just put up 42 on a good Woodinville squad. I think the key here is the play of Eagles RB Jack Gellatly. I think he could easily go for 200+ yards a game for the next 4 weeks. Gellatly carries the Eagles to a win, 40-28.
9. (tie) Bothell (0-3) vs Eastlake (1-2)
I hope to attend this game. Bothell has played the #1 team at 4A, 3A and 2A. They get a bit of a break this week, but still have to play a good Eastlake team. The Wolves got interem head coach Pat Parnell a win in his first try over Seattle Prep and did it in shut out fashion. I like the Wolves in the long run, but not against Bothell. Cougars finally get into the win column, 34-13.
9. (tie) Gonzaga Prep (3-0) vs Shadle Park (1-2)
The Bullpups are starting to look like a team that might be able to challenge Mead for the GSL’s #1 seed. The Highlanders of Shadle Park and QB Brett Rypien can score some points, but have a hard time keeping their opponent from doing the same. This looks like a week that GP RB Griffin Hare could really get loose for some yards. Bullpups stay undefeated, 40-14.
NEI Official 3A Top 10
1. Bellevue (3-0) vs Lake Washington (2-1)
Honestly, what do I say that you don’t already know? Bellevue is ranked nationally for a reason. They probably could’ve put up triple digits last week. This week is much of the same. LW will probably make the playoffs as all they gotta do is be better than Sammamish in league play. Bellevue goes off, 70-7.
2. Mt Si (3-0) @ Interlake (1-2)
Interlake finally gets to come home for a game after playing their first three on the road. I was told they committed 30 penalties last week against Liberty. They will have to be more disciplined this week of Mount Si will rip them apart. The Wildcats finally gave up points last week. The first team defense still has yet to give up a point and they might not do it this week. Wildcats scratch off another win, 37-3.
3. Meadowdale (3-0) vs Shorecrest (1-2)
Meadowdale continues to show they are legit. They have so many weapons it is almost scary. RB Morgan Masanda is a kid I talk about every week and for good reason… The kid is a STUD! A player that is really turning heads is DB Josiah Evans who now has 5 INTs through three games. Mavericks continue to roll, 38-7.
4. Eastside Catholic (3-0) vs Bainbridge (1-2)
I like the future out on Bainbridge Islane, but that can’t really help them right now against Eastside Catholic. The Crusaders are impressive. They put up yards in bunches, but have also probably allowed more than the coaches would lie. This week the Crusaders own both sides of the ball and win 35-7.
5. O’Dea (2-1) @ Seattle Prep (1-2)
A disappointing start to the season for Seattle Prep doesn’t get any easier this week. O’Dea’s last loss to Seattle Prep came all the way back in 1980! As much as I like Tere’ Calloway and Charlie Brennan at Seattle Prep, I just don’t see how they can hang with the Irish for a full game. O’Dea continues the streak 37-13.
6. Glacier Peak (3-0) @ Montlake Terrace (1-2)
The Grizzlies continue to impress. QB Chris Becerra is getting better with each week and might have a shot a conference offensive player of the year. The Hawks of Montlake Terrace had a bit of a rough start to the season. I can’t imagine a team with Devante Downs and Mason Stone being down for very long though. GP survives a scare, 34-33.
7. Kamiakan (2-1) vs Southridge (3-0)
This wasn’t one many people saw as a big game at the beginning of the season, but Southridge has managed to get three close wins to really set up a good matchup. I think Kamiakin is still one of the best teams at the 3A level and will have a good run come playoff time. Braves jump out early and Suns can’t recover this time. Kamiakin wins 35-17.
8. Mercer Island (2-1) vs Sammamish (0-3)
I am not sure what to think of Mercer Island. They put up a good fight against a good Coeur d’Alene team that got absolutely BLASTED by Skyline last weekend. Risely Lesko is a player we all really like and he does some great things. I think this week he is gonna really go off. Look for some huge numbers from Risley as the Islanders win big, 52-7.
9. (tie) Shelton (3-0) @ Yelm (3-0)
This is a game I would love to attend. Both teams feature awesome RBs in Shelton’s Ralph Kinne and Yelm’s Jacob Swilley. This game is going to feature a lot of rushing yards and I think Shelton comes out with more. Both backs go for 200+, but Shelton wins, 35-24.
9. (tie) Ferndale (3-0) @ Burlington-Edison (3-0)
I think both of these teams have a lot to prove. Both teams have put up a lot of points and yards in the first three weeks, but have also given up their fair share. One of them is going to have to step up and play some defense this week. I think Ferndale is better than they appear. The Eagles have big play ability and can score on almost any play. Ferndale wins 45-38.
9. (tie) Lakes (1-2)
See Camas above.
9. (tie)Kennedy (1-1)
Kennedy Catholic got a rare week off last week after what appears to be a scheduling mixup. Evergreen is a program that has had some good players come through, but frankly right now they don’t have the horses. Kennedy wins a tune-up game before Hazen, 50-10.
Scott Eklund Predictions
Camas at Lakes – This one should be a good one. Lakes is loaded with talent and finishing up with one of the toughest non-conference schedule’s in the state this year. Camas is 3-0 after jumping up to the 4A level and they haven’t missed a beat, outscoring their opponents 139-41. This should be a good one, but in the end, Camas will likely be too much for the Lancers. Camas 31 – Lakes 24.
Kent-Meridian vs. Kentwood – This will be a home game for Kentwood, but it will be played on the campus of Kent-Meridian where French Field resides. The Conqs are currently 3-0 after their blowout win over Mt. Rainier last week and are showing no signs of slowing down. To counter, KM is led by one of the top underclass athletes in the state in Quincy Carter who is a dual-threat quarterback, but is probably a better runner at this point. Conqs win, but Carter could make things interesting. Kentwood 37 – Kent-Meridian 21.
Edmonds-Woodway at Jackson – Edmonds-Woodway is loaded with talented players, but on offense they are led by the hard-running of Desmond Young and defensively, Matt Cuzzetto is always around the ball. Jackson fell to a very good Glacier Peak squad last week, but they too have big-play potential with QB Conor Plaisance at the helm of their attack. This one could be one of the best of the weekend with Jackson coming out on top. Jackson 34 – Edmonds-Woodway 28.
Nathan Hale at Rainier Beach – Hale has been a pleasant surprise over the past couple years, making the playoffs 5 of the past six seasons under head coach Hoover Hopkins. So far this year, they are 2-1 and played a good Roosevelt squad tight for most of last week’s game. Rainier Beach is loaded with talent and they have several big time playmakers in RB Marquis Davis, WR/S Keiwuan Miller, RB Davontae Porter and QB Robert Calloway. I see Beach getting a relatively easy win. Rainier Beach 38 – Nathan Hale 17.
Evergreen at Kelso – The Hilanders are 3-0 after defeating rival R.A. Long last week. This week, they take on a tough Evergreen squad which defeated Prairie last week, behind the running of tailback’s Jamaree Jones and Justice Murphy who rushed for 231 yards and two touchdowns between them. Kelso is strong up front with a load of upper-classmen including Kaleb Rahn who loves to get after people on defense. Kelso gets to 4-0 with the win. Kelso 40 – Evergreen 21.
Burlington-Edison at Ferndale – The Golden Eagles blew out Garfield last week, showing that they can grind it out on the ground against an athletic team, rushing for 330 yards in the win. BE won a shootout over Mount Vernon last week, behind their own ground game that accounted for 278 yards while limiting MV to just 34 yards rushing. Which one comes out on top? I think it will be Ferndale, but it wasn’t an easy decision. Ferndale 28 – Burlington-Edison 24.
South Kitsap at Bellarmine Prep – South Kitsap puts its 3-0 record under first-year head coach Eric Canton on the line vs. a very talented Bellarmine Prep squad at the Lions’ new stadium. BP is led by Colorado-bound QB Sefo Liufau who is both a running and passing threat, although he prefers to sit back in the pocket and let his playmakers do what they do best – make plays. SK has used a fast and aggressive defense to get after their opponents and gotten enough plays from their offense to get their their three wins. This is the week when the Wolves fall from the ranks of the unbeaten, but it will be a very good game. Bellarmine Prep 31 – South Kitsap 28.
Gonzaga Prep at Mead – This is the game that will likely decide the GSL 4A champion as both are undefeated and both look like they are poised for a deep run in the playoffs. Mead is loaded with talent, including Notre Dame-bound DE/TE Danny Mattingly and playmakers like brothers Davian and Darien Barlow. The Bulldogs counter with a solid ground-game of their own led by Griffin Hare who has over 350 yards and six touchdowns on the ground already. Mead gets the win, but GP makes it interesting. Mead 35 – Gonzaga Prep 31.
Shelton at Yelm – The battle of undefeateds should be an interesting one as Shelton has playmakers like TE David Ajamu who is a mismatch the moment he walks on the field and RB Ralph Kinney who isn’t flashy, but racks up yards in big chunks. Yelm uses a dynamic running game, which is averaging over 300 yards per game to just pound opponents into submission. Since the game is at Yelm, I’m going to go with the home team, but this matchup is so close it could go either way. Yelm 31 – Shelton 27.
Tumwater at Capital (Saturday) – Even though they dropped down to 2A over the summer, Capital has yet to play against a 2A opponent, instead playing three 4A schools (Bothell, Newport and Olympia) and beating all three rather soundly. Now, in their first Evergreen 2A game, they face one of the perennial powerhouses in the classification in Tumwater whose only loss came from undefeated Shelton from 4A as well, so this should be a very interesting matchup. Tumwater never seems to have any standouts, choosing to get by on discipline and hard-nosed football, although this season they do have Washington-bound Jaimie Bryant starting both ways along the line. Capital is a senior-laden team, relying on the running of Kai Van Sickle to keep the chains moving. Defensively, they are led by the likes of Mat Cox and Derek Chase who are both getting looks from college coaching staffs. This should be a great battle, but in the end, Capital will just have too much for Thunderbirds and will remain undefeated. Capital 30 – Tumwater 17.
