My Schedule
Thursday – Tahoma Bears (2-0) @ Federal Way Eagles (0-2) 7:00 pm
Friday – Mercer Island Islanders (1-1) @ Bellevue Wolverines (2-0) 7:00 pm
Saturday – West Valley (Yakima) Rams (1-1) @ Ballard Beavers (1-1) 1:00 pm (Seattle Memorial)
Saturday – Camas Papermakers (2-0) @ Rogers Rams (1-1) 4:00 pm (Sparks Stadium)
Saturday – Nooksack Valley Pioneers (2-0) @ Cascade Christian Cougars (2-0) 7:00 pm (Sunset Chev Stadium)
Thurday’s Top Games
There are only five games on the schedule for Thursday night, with the top matchup appearing to be the Tahoma Bears travelling to take on the Federal Way Eagles. The Bears are coming off a huge offensive performance against Rogers, while the Eagles are reeling and injury plagued.
This will be my first opportunity to see Tahoma QB/DE Amandre Williams play in a live game. Williams was the week two NEI Elite Performance winner, after throwing for 579 yards in a win over Rogers.
The Yelm Tornadoes and University Titans are both 2-0 on the young season, with tough week three matchups. Yelm travels up the road to open Narrows conference play against a tough Timberline team coming off a loss to 2A #2 Tumwater. University takes on an 0-2 Ferris team, that will be desperate to get back on track as they begin GSL 4A play.
The Kentlake Falcons (1-1) are home for the second straight Thursday, as they play host to the Mount Rainier Rams (0-2). Kentlake put up 56 points last week, and should have no trouble doing much of the same this week.
Friday’s Top Games
Root Sports will be out at Wildcat Stadium in Snoqualmie for a Kingco 4A matchup between the Mount Si Wildcats (2-0) and Skyline Spartans (2-0), the game will start on Root at 8:30. This is a good test for both teams, as neither has really been truly tested thus far. Through the first two week, Skyline RB Rashaad Boddie has run wild offensively, it will be interesting to see what the Mount Si defense does to try and contain him.
Friday night I will be producing the broadcast from Bellevue where the Wolverines (2-0) take on the Mercer Island Islanders (1-1). You can view that game online via the NFHS Network, that link is Right Here .
The biggest game in the 3A classification is at West Seattle Stadium. The #2 ranked O’Dea Fighting Irish (2-0) play host to the #4 ranked Marysville Pilchuck Tomahawks (2-0). This game puts the state’s top two ranked RB’s from the 2015 class against each other, as O’Dea’s Myles Gaskin (Washington Commit) and MP’s Austin Joyner (Washington State Commit) will go head to head. This is a game that will be won and lost in the trenches.
Another big 3A game takes place at Ingersoll Stadium in Olympia when the #3 ranked Lincoln Abes (2-0) take their high powered offense to play new Narrows League member Capital (1-1). Seems weird to say this game could have playoff implications in week three, but it very well could. These are two of the better teams in the Narrows.
Top game in 2A looks to be the matchup between the Lynden Lions (2-0) and Squalicum Storm (2-0). The Storm, under new head coach Nick Lucey, are averaging over 50 points per game, but have yet to face an opponent like Lynden. The Lions offense is clicking, and they may not even be playing their best football yet. If Squalicum is a player, we will find out this week.
Another big Northwest Conference game is a rivalry matchup between the Burlington-Edison Tigers (2-0) and the Sedro-Woolley Cubs (2-0). The two teams have only given up a combine 13 points this season (BE – 6, SW – 7), while also averaging 30+ ppg offensively. This game should be an absolute beauty.
The SPSL 3A is generally regarded as being wide open this year. Two teams that come up a lot in terms of league champion talk are the Auburn Trojans (1-1) and the Peninsula Seahawks (1-1). The two meet this week at Auburn Memorial Stadium. Peninsula RB Major Ali will be a key factor in this game, and is beginning to emerge as one of the top backs in 3A.
In the SPSL South, the Bethel Braves are 2-0, and face their toughest test thus far when the Puyallup Vikings (1-1) come to town. The Braves have a good shot at snagging a playoff spot, and this game could go a long way to determining if they are in the round of 32.
Another 2-0 team looking to prove they belong are the Lynnwood Royals. They travel to take on league favorite Glacier Peak (2-0) in a game that could really change the landscape in Snohomish County. QB Justin Cachopo and company will have to be on their game if they want to beat GP, who come in ranked 9th in 3A.
Saturday’s Top Games
There is a pretty good set of games on day three, with the top game coming in the 1A classification.
Nooksack Valley (2-0) makes the trip from the Canadian Border to play Cascade Christian (2-0) at Sunset Chevrolet Stadium in Sumner. These are two top 10 teams, with two of the state’s top athletes. Cascade Christian senior Mason Tobeck has multiple scholarship offers, while Nooksack senior Tanner Myhre is one of the top duel-threat QB’s around. CC’s Robert Terhune had over 250 all-purpose yards, and is a player to keep an eye on when it comes to All-State and Player of the Year awards.
The Renton Indians are 2-0 under new head coach Tim Tramp, and look to be one of the most improved teams in the state. They open league play with week when they travel to Highline Stadium to take on the Kennedy Catholic Lancers (1-0) who got a win last week in the Memorial Football Classic, after a week one bye.
West Valley (Yakima) makes their second trip west to Seattle Memorial Stadium, and are looking for a better result, after being shutout week one vs Mount Spokane. Their opponent the Ballard Beavers (1-1) are coming off a tough loss last week, in which they held a halftime lead.
A game I will be attending Saturday night is the Camas Papermakers (2-0) vs the Rogers Rams (1-1), at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. Camas has been hot to start the season, while Rogers is coming off a tough loss, even though they compiled over 500 yards of offense. It will be interesting to see if the Griffen Stacy to Kyler Ooley can continue to eat up yards for the Rams.
