Week four has come and gone. There were some tremendous performance, a couple major upsets, and we are now left with just seven undefeated teams. For an updated look at the standings from around the state, head on over to WaPrepZone.com .
This week I attended four games, with two 4A teams, featuring a Friday night SPSL South matchup between Curtis and Graham-Kapowsin.
Game Recap
When the schedule came out, many people looked at the game between Cutis and Graham-Kapowsin as the game that would decide the league title… Fast forward to week four and you have two teams not where they want to be.
The Curtis Vikings started the season with losses to two of the state’s top teams, while GK started hot before dropping an OT game to Emerald Ridge in the first week of SPSL play.
Art Crate Field’s home stands were packed full of Eagle fans ready to make some noise for their team, and they did plenty of that throughout the night.
While the game was sloppy early, the GK combination of Shannon Edwards rushing, and Trevor Asbjornsen passing would really prove to be too much for the Vikings to handle.
Edwards scored twice, but his hard running style and ability to gain the tough yards inside, really set up the play-action pass, and Asbjornsen would make the Vikings pay.
Asbjornsen finished the night with 295 yards through the air, and two scores, while Edwards would pile up 143 yards on the ground, and three touchdowns.
When coaches talk about having a form of balance to their offense, they are usually talking about the type of performance the Eagles handed out on Friday night.
Graham-Kapowsin’s defense was equally impressive, as the first teamers didn’t allow a point all night. Curtis scores on a fumble return just before the end of the first half, and added a rushing touchdown late in the game against the second string.
It was an all-around tremendous performance by Graham-Kapowsin.
My Notes
It is a lot of fun watching GK lineman Foster Sarell. Just a sophomore, Sarell is possibly the state’s top offensive lineman, regardless of age. His ability to move, while standing about 6-foot-6 and 310-pounds, is almost unbelievable. The Eagles use him in double power situations, where he is one of two blockers pulling from left to right. You can watch his highlights Right Here .
I am a big fan of GK TE/DE Donald Walkinshaw. I think he is the most underrated TE in the state. If he was given more/any opportunities to catch the ball, more people would know his name. He stands 6-foot-4, 240-pounds, and sports a 4.0 GPA. Walkinshaw is the definition of “student-athlete.”
If you like power-football, like I do, you will like Curtis RB Peyton Spencer. I said on the broadcast that I would give him more carries, and I stand by that. He may not have the great top end speed, but he is very tough to bring down between the tackles, and does have a enough burst to hit the edge.
There was an unusual amount of injuries in the game, including the aforementioned Peyton Spencer. Most didn’t look to be much more than coming out of the game, but Graham-Kapowsin DL Malik Asagai left the game, and did not return. He was on the sideline later with the assistance of crutches.
One thing I noticed, and maybe I am over thinking, but Graham-Kapowsin warmed up four quarterbacks before the game, with three seeing action. I can’t remember seeing four warming up at once before. The four were Trevor Asbjornsen (’15), Gage Hansen (’17), Alex Kearney (’17) and Trysten Gese (’18).
I want to give a shout-out to the Graham-Kapowsin parents and athletic department. Running a broadcast can be very hard to do, and the amount of support we got was unbelievable. We needed a table, they had a table ready to go. We needed to cut off some of the stands for our camera setup, there was no argument. You would be amazed at how hard that can be sometimes.
The only game recap I find from the game is from The Dispatch News, and can be found Right Here .
Next week: Graham-Kapowsin Eagles (3-1) @ Spanaway Lake Sentinels (1-3); Curtis Vikings (1-3) vs Puyallup Vikings (1-3).
Other 4A Notes/Links
Safety in football has been a big topic of discussion the last few years, as some think we are not doing enough to protect those who play. If you are in that boat, you will enjoy an article from the Los Angeles Times, that the Everett Herald picked up over the weekend. Read it Right Here .
Speaking of injuries… You will have a hard time finding a more unlucky team this year in the injury department than the Federal Way Eagles. Already without Jared Pulu and Charlie Taumoepeau, the lost Chris Tuiasosopo, Andrzej Hughes-Murray and Bobiono Sims, to injury during their win over Jefferson. They have been hit very hard by the injury bug all season, and may be the best two loss team in the state.
The Greater St. Helens League has been a three team race for the past few years. This year is starting to look like it maybe much of the same as Camas, Union and Skyview are once again tough teams. Tim Martinez from The Columbian has the story Right Here … Another article by Martinez can be seen Right Here , and shows you the Power Rankings for the GSHL, including all classifications.
Greg Lee of NWprepsNow.com writes Here about the struggles thus far of the Greater Spokane League following their split to separate 3A and 4A conferences. NWprepsNow.com also puts together a Power Rankings for their coverage area, which also includes North Idaho, that can be seen Right Here .
Since we do not do a 2A in review, I want to post this link here. The Prosser Mustangs are one of the top 2A teams in the state, and are putting up some huge offensive numbers. The credit is being given to their offensive line, cue Scott Enyeart celebration, and you can read about them Right Here .
The Monroe Bearcats are 4-0 and may not be playing their best football. They hammered a Jackson team that many thought could challenge for the Wesco 4A title. Read the game report Right Here .
Bethel is the only undefeated team left in the SPSL South, and it took a late defensive stand to keep it that way this week, as the Rogers Rams tried to play spoiler. Kevin Manning of the Puyallup Herald has the story Right Here .
The Cody Anderson and the Emerald Ridge Jaguars might just be the most surprising story of the young season. After taking a few lumps in the first two weeks, they have reeled off two wins to start SPSL South play, including a win over rival Puyallup. Kevin Manning again with the game recap, Right Here .
Don’t look now, but the Olympia Bears might be for real. They got a convincing 38-6 win over Timberline this week, and Meg Wochnick from The Olympian has that story Right Here .
This Week’s 4A Top Ten
1. Bothell Cougars (4-0)
2. Union Titans (4-0)
3. Camas Papermakers (4-0)
4. Kentwood Conquerors (4-0)
5. Gonzaga Prep Bullpups (4-0)
6. Skyline Spartans (3-1)
7. Chiawana Riverhawks (3-1)
8. Lake Stevens Vikings (3-1)
9. Gig Harbor Tides (3-1)
10. (T) Federal Way Eagles (2-2)
10. (T) Mount Si Wildcats (2-2)
Roll Tides!!!
Roll Tides!!!