Issaquah at Lake Stevens
Where: Lake Stevens High School
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Key Players: Issaquah—Cam Humphrey, sr., QB; Bryce Hughes, jr., RB/DB; Kyle Densley, sr., RB/LB; Joe Nelson, jr., WR/DB; Conner Pederson, sr. WR/DB; Connor Smith, sr., OL/DL; Jake Collins, sr., TE/DL. Lake Stevens—Jacob Eason, sr., QB; Riley Krenz, sr., TE/FS; Andrew Grimes, sr., RB/DE; Sam Burke, sr., RB/LB; Hunter Eckstrom, jr., WR/DB; Michael Nelson, sr., T/DE; Lars Eklund, sr., T/DL; Asi Tupua, sr., RB/DE; Ian Schneider, sr., WR/DB.
Records: Issaquah 7-3. Lake Stevens 10-0.
Radio: KRKO 1380 AM
Twitter: @Krueger_David
What you need to know: The No. 2-ranked Vikings enter the state tournament with one of the most balanced offenses in the state, though they could be without senior running back Andrew Grimes (1,049 yards, 22 touchdowns), who will be a game-time decision after suffering an injury last week in a Class 4A quad-district win over Tahoma. If Grimes can’t go, senior running back Asi Tupua (803 yards, seven TDs) will take his place. And, of course, the Vikings have senior quarterback Jacob Eason to lead the passing game. Eason, one of the highest-rated high school quarterbacks in the country, has thrown for 2,659 yards and 34 touchdowns, with just five interceptions.
Herald Pick: Lake Stevens
Black Hills at Archbishop Murphy
Where: Goddard Stadium (Mariner H.S.)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Key Players: Black Hills—Christian Williams, jr., QB/FS; Conner Furu, jr., RB/OLB/DB; T.J. Borden, sr., MLB; Jordan March, sr., RB/DB; Jewell Day, sr., WR/DB; Cameron Berndson, sr., RB/OLB; Mark Melendres, sr., SB/DB; Gabe Adamson, sr., WR/SS. Archbishop Murphy—Anfernee Gurley, jr., RB/DB; Kerry Jackson, sr., RB/LB; Jesus Echevarria, jr., OL/DL; Jackson Yost, jr., OL/DL; Ben Hines, soph., RB/LB; Kyler Gordon, soph., WR/DB; Connor Johnson, jr., QB.
Records: Black Hills 9-1. Archbishop Murphy 10-0.
Twitter: @aaronlommers
What you need to know: No. 4-ranked Archbishop Murphy has given up just 47 points in 10 games this season, but should be in for its toughest test yet in Black Hills. The ninth-ranked Wolves’ only loss this season came to No. 1 Tumwater, 42-14 on Oct. 23. As impressive as the Wildcats’ defense has been this season, their offense has been equally effective, averaging 47.5 points per game. The Wildcats’ running game is led by senior Kerry Jackson, who has rushed for 885 yards and 15 touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Anfernee Gurley leads the passing game with 24 catches for 607 yards and eight touchdowns.
Herald Pick: Archbishop Murphy
Port Townsend at King’s
Where: King’s High School
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Key Players: Port Townsend—David Sua, sr., QB/MLB; Berkley Hill, jr., QB/FS; Detrius Kelsall, soph., RB/LB; Ezra Easley, sr., RB/OLB; Wesley Wheeler, sr., RB/DL; Carson Marx, jr., WR. King’s—Caleb Perry, jr., RB/DB; Jake Welch, sr., WR/DB; Jack McCleod, sr., OL/DL; Duncan Cull, sr., TE/DL; Edmund Sundquist, sr., TE/DL; Cooper Wright, sr., RB/LB; Ryne Badgley, sr., OL/DL; Joe Green, fr., WR/LB; Koa Wilkins, sr., QB/DB.
Records: Port Townsend 10-0. King’s 9-1.
Webcast: www.soundsports.net
Twitter: @heraldnetpreps
What you need to know: The Knights’ only loss this season came at the hands of unbeaten Archbishop Murphy, a game that decided the Cascade Conference championship. Much of the third-ranked Knights’ success this season came without senior quarterback Koa Wilkins, who was injured in the first game of the year. Wilkins returned against Archbishop Murphy on Oct. 23 and played in last week’s playoff win over Lynden Christian. A healthy Wilkins could go a long way toward helping the Knights get past the undefeated and No. 8-ranked Redhawks and back into the state quarterfinals for the fifth consecutive season.
Herald Pick: Port Townsend
Ballard at Glacier Peak
Where: Snohomish High School
When: 7 p.m., Saturday
Key Players: Ballard—Davine Tullis, sr., QB/DB; Antoine Patton Jr., sr., RB/FS; Simon Robinson, jr., WR/DB; Elijah Davis, sr., WR/DB. Glacier Peak—Andrew McCoy, sr., TE/LB; Justin Guffey, sr., WR/DB; Iain Black, sr., RB/LB; Dexter Carter, sr., RB/DB; Malaki Fifita, jr., OL/DL; Colton Bunt, jr., WR/DB; Devyn Rainbow, sr., QB; Ayden Ziomas, fr., QB; Zach Argue, sr., WR/LB; Ricky Kranz, jr., WR/LB
Records: Ballard 8-2. Glacier Peak 9-1.
Webcast: www.stspn.com
Twitter: @Krueger_David
What you need to know: The Grizzlies only loss this season came to Bellevue, which will be their opponent in the 3A state quarterfinals next week should both teams win their state openers. Before the Grizzlies can start thinking about a rematch with the Wolverines — who beat Glacier Peak 24-6 on Oct. 2 — they first have to get past a tough Ballard team. The Beavers’ only in-state loss this season came to defending 3A state champion Eastside Catholic two weeks ago by a score of 40-3. The Grizzlies’ Ziomas has passed for 1,652 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, with the bulk of those numbers coming over his past five games (1,089 yards, nine TDs). Overall, he’s completing 68 percent of his throws (101-for-148).
Herald Pick: Glacier Peak
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
