Heraldnet.com
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009 1:58 am
LocalNorthwestNation & WorldPoliticsSpecial ReportsPhotosColumnistsMultimedia 
Blog
Double Team
Fall 2009 All-Wesco Teams
Podcasts:

High School Football
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Twitter Updates
    Latest gallery

    Archbishop Murphy state soccer championship
    November 21. 2009 (11 photos)
    [More Herald photos]
     
    WEEK IN REVIEW
    Tuesday
    Lynnwood police seek hit-and-run driver
    Laundry fire sparks concerns over smoke detectors
    Early morning gunfire wounds 2 in Everett
    Monday


    Economy may silence Everett Symphony's season
    Inmates with mental illness bring extra costs t...
    Help with heating bills late to arrive this year
    Sunday


    Nurse seeks help healing hidden wounds of wars
    Count drags on long after the election's over
    Groups work to help those in uniform
    Saturday


    Nearly 30 kids adopted during annual event in S...
    Gold Bar couple admit animal cruelty in puppy m...
    Arlington area man's arrest in alleged burglar'...
    Friday


    Nearly 2,000 turn out for Stevens Pass opening day
    Victim of alleged burglary now a suspect in kil...
    Shelter asks for diaper donations during holida...
    Thursday


    Safety long a concern for road involved in fata...
    State budget's $2 billion hole will require dee...
    County considers building for disaster response...
    Wednesday


    Jury will decide accident or murder in girl's s...
    Marysville rejects idea of a much later start f...
    Flu’s full force shocks an Edmonds man an...
     

    ADVERTISEMENT

    High Schools   Print This Article  Email This Page  Subscribe Now! facebook digg reddit del.icio.us fark stumble

     
    ADVERTISEMENT

     
    HIGH SCHOOL SCORES AND SCHEDULES:
    By sport:
    By date:
    By school:    • Stadium map
    By league:
    STANDINGS:
    CONTACT THE HERALD
    Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.)
    E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com
    Kevin Brown, Sports Editor
    kbrown@heraldnet.com
     
    Published: Friday, November 13, 2009

    FOOTBALL FORECAST: Battle of unbeatens highlights first week of state-playoff action

    Sportswriters love it when teams like Marysville-Pilchuck and Auburn meet. Rarely does the ball leave the quarterback's hand except when it's thrust into the grip of a running back.

    There are few of those annoying, game-delaying incompletions. The clock runs. Deadline is met.

    Of course, all such contests are decided at the line of scrimmage. The superior offensive line carries the day. Those speedster running backs aren't going anywhere if they can't get through or around the line.

    M-P's line has been a cohesive group so far this season. Now, we'll see if it can handle third-ranked Auburn.

    Here's a look at tonight's game and the rest of this week's playoff schedule:

    Marysville-Pilchuck vs. Auburn

    When: 7:30 tonight

    Where: Auburn Memorial Stadium

    Records: Both teams are 10-0.

    Last week: Despite losing leading rusher Chris Young to a suspension, Auburn rolled over Kamiak 42-7 in a 4A Quad-district playoff game. RB Austin Embody had a career-high 220 yards rushing and scored four TDs. Alphonse Wade ran for 148 yards and two TDs.

    Eighth-ranked M-P amassed 389 rushing yards on 44 carries in a 49-24 Quad-district victory over Graham-Kapowsin. But M-P's top rusher, Austin Denton, who has run for more than 2,000 yards this season, injured an ankle.

    On paper: Auburn has a solid reputation as a state playoff performer. Last season, while making its third straight state appearance, it lost in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Skyline. M-P not so much. Last year, the Tomahawks lost to Issaquah in their first postseason game. They got over the qualifying hump this year, but are making their first state appearance since 1989.

    Predictions: John McDonald picks Auburn 28-21. Mike Cane picks Auburn 28-21. Tom Lafferty picks Auburn 24-22.

    Issaquah vs. Jackson

    When: 7 p.m. Saturday

    Where: Everett Memorial Stadium

    Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)

    Records: Issaquah is 7-3, Jackson 10-0.

    Last week: RB Grant Gellatly rushed for 150 yards and five TDs to lead Issaquah to a 42-10 4A Quad-district playoff win over Kentwood.

    Taylor Mead ran for two TDs, returned a kickoff for a touchdown and returned an interception to the 1, setting up a TD plunge by Riley Carr in Jackson's 38-15 Quad-district victory over Eastlake.

    On paper: Issaquah reached the state final last season, knocking off M-P en route to a 20-15 championship game loss to Skyline. Jackson couldn't get past the first round, losing to Ferris 24-7. But the fourth-ranked Timberwolves are in ascendancy while Issaquah may not be quite as good as it was last year.

    Predictions: John McDonald picks Jackson 35-21. Mike Cane picks Issaquah 28-27. Tom Lafferty picks Jackson 14-7.

    Columbia River vs. Meadowdale

    When: 6 p.m. Saturday

    Where: Edmonds Stadium

    Records: Columbia River is 5-5, Meadowdale 10-0.

    Last week: Columbia River QB Neil Daly threw for two TDs and ran for two more — all in the first quarter of a 41-18 3A Quad-district playoff win over Nathan Hale.

    QB Danny McDonald was 17-for-24 for 237 yards and four TDs in Meadowdale's 45-20 Quad-district victory over Renton.

    On paper: Both of these teams are perennial playoff squads. Columbia River has advanced eight of the past 11 years, reaching the quarterfinals last season. Meadowdale is making its third straight state appearance. The Mavericks lost in the first round last season to Capital. Perhaps the difference is Meadowdale is playing at home.

    Predictions: John McDonald picks Meadowdale 28-27. Mike Cane picks Meadowdale 31-20. Tom Lafferty picks Meadowdale 28-10.

    Glacier Peak vs. Timberline

    When: 7 p.m. Saturday

    Where: South Sound Stadium

    Records: Glacier Peak 8-2, Timberline 10-0.

    Last week: RB Jordan Radcliffe rushed for 209 yards and Quinton Sison intercepted Kennedy Catholic QB Jason Thompson three times to lead Timberline to a 51-24 3A Quad-district playoff win.

    Glacier Peak stopped Peninsula's two-point conversion try in the second overtime to preserve a 49-48 Quad-district victory. QB Zach Richter threw for 454 yards and six TDs.

    On paper: Glacier Peak, in just its second year of existence, is making its first state playoff appearance. Timberline has been there seven times in 11 years, including last year when it lost in the first round to Union. The Grizzlies have won some thrillers, like last week's double-overtime victory. But their defense allows far too many points to have much success at the state level.

    Predictions: John McDonald picks Timberline 45-42. Mike Cane picks Timberline 42-35. Tom Lafferty picks Timberline 42-21.

    R.A. Long vs. Archbishop Murphy

    When: 1 p.m. Saturday

    Where: Goddard Stadium

    Records: R.A. Long is 8-2, Murphy 9-1.

    Last week: R.A. Long QB William Yordy threw a 38-yard TD pass to Dylan Hopkins with 3:21 to play to pull out a 16-14 3A Quad-district playoff win over Tumwater. It was the first playoff win in program history and R.A. Long will be making its first-ever state playoff appearance.

    Seven backs combined for 369 rushing yards on 46 carries and the Murphy defense intercepted two passes and forced five punts in a 28-0 district playoff win over Mount Baker.

    On paper: Murphy got to the semifinals last year and has been to 2A state five of the past six seasons. It took forfeitures for the use of an ineligible player to boot the Wildcats out of the tournament in 2007. They should go deep again.

    Predictions: John McDonald picks Murphy 26-12. Mike Cane picks Murphy 27-14. Tom Lafferty picks Murphy 21-14.

    Saturday's game

    1A state playoff: Onalaska (9-1) at King's (7-3), 7 p.m.

    Herald Prep Writer Mike Cane and KRKO broadcaster Tom Lafferty were 6-0 last week. Herald Prep Editor John McDonald was 5-1. Cane and Lafferty are 30-9 this season. McDonald is 29-10.

    1. Early morning gunfire wounds 2 in Everett
    2. Father guilty of manslaughter in girl's death
    3. ZZ Top fans get Everett buzzing
    4. Crash devastating for toddler
    5. Snohomish County budget passes, with a caveat
    6. Fall 2009 Wesco All-League Teams
    7. Laundry fire sparks concerns over smoke detectors
    8. Two people injured in Highway 9 collision
    9. Northrop: Boeing's 767 ‘no longer commercially viable'
    10. Lynnwood police seek hit-and-run driver
    Enterprise Newspaper Snohomish County Business Journal
    Holiday Lightings & Santa Sightings
    Ruling in the pool
    Archbishop Murphy takes title
    A season of performing arts
    Budget numbers have official fuming
    Wildcats move on to 2A semifinals
    Holiday Bazaars & Fairs Calendar
    Edmonds’ Westgate Chapel serves up hospitality for holiday
    Mavericks fall
    The Enterprise Online Newspaper


    15% Off
    All Repairs!

    $5 Off
    Stylecut

    $1 off French Dip
    $4.99 Burger Basket

    20% Off Dinner
    Up to $75 Value!

    $2 OFF
    at Box Office

    25% off Bath & Groom
    New Customers

    Lube, Oil & Filter
    Buy 1 - Get 1 FREE

    Oil - Snohomish County
    Low Prices - Fill Now!

    FREE 6 lb. Pad w/
    30yd Carpet Purchase

    $5 OFF
    Lunch or Dinner
    TODAY'S TOP JOBS
     View All Top Jobs 
    Top Cars
    Top Homes

    ADVERTISEMENT