High school football: Capsules for Week 10 playoff games
Published 8:00 pm Thursday, November 1, 2018
With state-playoff spots on the line this week, several local high school football teams are striving to end lengthy droughts.
One-time state powerhouse Snohomish is seeking its first state berth in more than a decade, and both Shorewood and South Whidbey are looking to continue their massive turnarounds by reaching state for the first time in more than a quarter-century.
Below are capsules for all Week 10 playoff games involving local teams. With the exception of the Class 1B level, the winners advance to their respective 16-team state tournaments, while the losers are eliminated.
The state-playoff brackets will be determined Sunday by seeding committees, instead of the traditional draw format of years past.
CLASS 4A
No. 2 LAKE STEVENS vs. KENTLAKE
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Lake Stevens H.S.
Recent history: Lake Stevens routed Kentlake 51-0 in last year’s Week 10 playoffs.
Lake Stevens: 9-0 overall, 7-0 conference; Wesco 4A No. 1 seed
About the Vikings: Lake Stevens claimed its sixth consecutive Wesco 4A title during another season of dominance, outscoring opponents by nearly 35 points per game. The Vikings’ balanced and high-scoring spread offense is led by a powerful offensive line, which paves the way for a rushing attack that averages 7.7 yards per carry and more than 250 yards per game. Cornerback Kasen Kinchen has seven interceptions on defense, anchoring a unit that allows just 14.2 points per contest. Lake Stevens is seeking its seventh state berth in eight years.
Kentlake: 6-3 overall, 2-3 conference; North Puget Sound League No. 7 seed
About the Falcons: Kentlake finished fourth out of five teams in the NPSL’s Valley Division — the second of the league’s three tiers. The Falcons beat Tahoma in a loser-out game last week to advance to the Week 10 playoffs. Since an injury to quarterback Hudson Potts, Kentlake has leaned on running back Dashaun Leon, who averages more than 150 all-purpose yards per game.
Herald pick: Lake Stevens
No. 9 GLACIER PEAK vs. EASTLAKE
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium (Snohomish H.S.)
Webcast: STSPN.com
Glacier Peak: 8-1 overall, 6-1 conference; Wesco 4A No. 2 seed
About the Grizzlies: Glacier Peak has outscored opponents by 27.7 points per game, with its only loss being a three-point defeat to No. 2-ranked Lake Stevens. Dual-threat quarterback Ayden Ziomas has accounted for more than 2,400 yards and 35 touchdowns in eight games, including 11 touchdown passes to Evan Mannes. After allowing 38.1 points per game last year, the Grizzlies are yielding just 13.7 per contest this season. GP is seeking its first state berth at the 4A level.
Eastlake: 7-2 overall, 3-1 conference; KingCo 4A No. 4 seed
About the Wolves: Eastlake’s only two losses came to top-ranked Union and sixth-ranked Mount Si. The Wolves allow just 16 points per game and have held every opponent except Union to 21 points or less. Eastlake is seeking its sixth state berth in nine years.
Herald pick: Glacier Peak
MONROE vs. No. 5 GRAHAM-KAPOWSIN
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Art Crate Field (Spanaway)
Monroe: 4-5 overall, 4-3 conference; Wesco 4A No. 2 seed
About the Bearcats: It’s been an up-and-down season for Monroe, which graduated a slew of talent from last year’s historic state-quarterfinal team. All nine of the Bearcats’ games have been decided by double digts, with Monroe winning four and losing five. Do-everything Efton Chism III has 751 yards receiving, 12 touchdown catches, two kickoff-return scores and four interceptions on defense. He even played quarterback last week, tossing three TD passes and running for another. The Bearcats are seeking their third consecutive state berth.
Graham-Kapowsin: 8-1 overall, 7-1 conference; South Puget Sound League 4A No. 2 seed
About the Eagles: Graham-Kapowsin is led by University of Washington commit Dylan Morris, the seventh-ranked senior quarterback in the nation according to 247Sports.com. The four-star recruit has thrown for 1,869 yards and 20 touchdowns, including 895 yards and eight TDs to leading receiver Malaki Roberson. The Eagles’ only loss was a seven-point defeat to third-ranked Puyallup. G-K is seeking its fifth consecutive state berth.
Herald pick: Graham-Kapowsin
CLASS 3A
No. 9 SNOHOMISH vs. GARFIELD
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium (Snohomish H.S.)
Radio: KRKO 1380 AM
Webcast: STSPN.com
Snohomish: 7-2 overall, 6-0 conference; Wesco 3A No. 1 seed
About the Panthers: Snohomish went unbeaten in Wesco 3A South play and rallied for a 30-27 win over North champion Squalicum last week to claim Wesco 3A’s top overall seed. Speedy running back Tyler Massena has totaled 1,580 yards from scrimmage and 27 offensive touchdowns, leading a rushing attack that averages 7.2 yards per carry and nearly 300 yards per game behind a powerful offensive line. The Panthers, who have lost in the Week 10 playoffs each of the past three seasons, are seeking their first state berth since 2007.
Garfield: 2-6 overall, 1-4 conference; Metro League No. 5 seed
About the Bulldogs: After graduating a talented senior class from last year’s 3A state-semifinal team, Garfield played a challenging regular-season slate and finished fifth out of six teams in the ultra-competitive Metro League Mountain Division. Garfield is led by five-star linebacker Sav’ell Smalls, the third-ranked junior in the nation according to 247Sports.com. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound recruit has offers from numerous major college programs, including Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State.
Herald pick: Snohomish
ARLINGTON vs. BETHEL
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Arlington H.S.
Arlington: 7-2 overall, 4-2 conference; Wesco 3A No. 3 seed
About the Eagles: Dual-threat quarterback Anthony Whitis rallied Arlington to three comeback victories in the final minutes of regulation or overtime, leading the Eagles to a second-place finish in the Wesco 3A North. Whitis has accounted for more than 2,500 total yards and 31 touchdowns, including 13 touchdown passes to Griffin Gardoski. Arlington is seeking its first state berth since 2012.
Bethel: 6-3 overall, 5-2 conference; Pierce County League No. 3 seed
About the Braves: Bethel finished third in the PCL, behind 3A top-10 teams Lakes and Lincoln. The Braves nearly upset No. 2-ranked O’Dea earlier this season, but a holding call on the game’s final play nullified what would’ve been a game-winning touchdown. Bethel’s defense is led by the safety tandem of brothers Peter and Will Latu, both of whom have offers from Arizona State. Will, a four-star recruit, is ranked among the top 50 sophomores in the nation by 247Sports.com.
Herald pick: Bethel
SHOREWOOD vs. LAKE WASHINGTON
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Shoreline Stadium
Shorewood: 5-4 overall, 4-2 conference; Wesco 3A No. 4 seed
About the Thunderbirds: Just two years removed from back-to-back winless campaigns in conference play, Shorewood’s long-struggling program has undergone a massive turnaround and is having its best season in ages. After playing an independent schedule last year, the T-Birds finished second in the Wesco 3A South this season with a 4-2 league record, doubling their conference win total from the previous six years combined. Shorewood is seeking its first state berth since 1990.
Lake Washington: 3-6 overall, 3-2 conference; KingCo 3A No. 2 seed
About the Kangaroos: After an 0-6 start, Lake Washington won its final three games to claim KingCo 3A’s second and final Week 10 playoff berth. The Kangaroos have struggled offensively, averaging just 14.8 points per game and managing seven points or less four times. Lake Washington is seeking its first state berth since 2003 and just its third in program history.
Herald pick: Shorewood
No. 7 OAK HARBOR vs. No. 9 TIMBERLINE
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: South Sound Stadium (Lacey)
Oak Harbor: 7-2 overall, 4-2 conference; Wesco 3A No. 5 seed
About the Wildcats: Oak Harbor’s two losses were by a combined nine points, with one of the defeats coming in overtime. The Wildcats average 40.6 points per game, led by a Wing-T rushing attack that churns out more than 350 yards per contest. Do-everything player Dorian Hardin has 1,437 total yards from scrimmage and 19 offensive touchdowns, along with four interceptions on defense and a kickoff-return score. Oak Harbor is seeking its third state berth in five years.
Timberline: 7-2 overall, 6-1 conference; South Sound Conference No. 2 seed
About the Blazers: Timberline finished tied atop the SSC standings with Peninsula, but took the league’s No. 2 seed by virtue of a one-point loss to the Seahawks. Dual-threat quarterback Hunter Campau has accounted for more than 2,300 total yards and 30 touchdowns. The Blazers allow just 14.6 points per game and are seeking their third consecutive state berth.
Herald pick: Oak Harbor
SHORECREST vs. No. 2 BELLEVUE
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Bellevue H.S.
Shorecrest: 5-4 overall, 4-2 conference; Wesco 3A No. 6 seed
About the Scots: Shorecrest overcame a midseason three-game losing skid to reach five wins for just the third time since 2006, which was the last time the program advanced to the state playoffs. The Scots are making their first Week 10 playoff appearance at the 3A level since 2010.
Bellevue: 9-0 overall, 5-0 conference; KingCo 3A No. 1 seed
About the Wolverines: Perennial powerhouse Bellevue has shut out four of its nine opponents and allows just 11.3 points per game. The Wolverines have forced 19 turnovers on defense, including five interceptions and a forced fumble by Jalen Love. Bellevue, which has attempted just 17 passes all season, relies on a Wing-T rushing attack that averages more than 325 yards per contest. Alex Reid leads the Wolverines’ stable of backs with 1,035 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns.
Herald pick: Bellevue
CLASS 2A
No. 9 ARCHBISHOP MURPHY vs. SEHOME
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Archbishop Murphy H.S.
Archbishop Murphy: 4-2 overall, 3-1 conference; 2A Northwest/Sea-King Bi-Distrct No. 2 seed
About the Wildcats: Archbishop Murphy has played just six games this season, due to a Week 3 cancellation, a Week 5 bye and last week’s first-round playoff bye. The Wildcats finished second in the ultra-competitive Northwest 2A Sky Division and suffered their only two losses to 2A top-ranked Hockinson and second-ranked Lynden. Archbishop Murphy has reached the state semifinals each of the past three seasons.
Sehome: 6-3 overall, 4-1 conference; 2A Northwest/Sea-King Bi-Distrct No. 7 seed
About the Mariners: After playing an independent schedule last year in an effort to rebuild its struggling program, Sehome has secured its first winning season since 2004. Two weeks ago, the Mariners beat Bellingham in the regular-season finale to claim a three-way share of the Northwest 2A Lake Division title. The teams then squared off again last week, with Sehome rallying past Bellingham in a loser-out bi-district contest to advance to the Week 10 playoffs. The Mariners are seeking just their second state berth since 1999.
Herald pick: Archbishop Murphy
LAKEWOOD vs. BURLINGTON-EDISON
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Burlington-Edison H.S.
Recent history: Two weeks ago, Burlington-Edison pulled in front with 20 straight second-half points and beat Lakewood 39-33 in the regular-season finale for both teams. Neither team has played since, as Anacortes forfeited last week’s bi-district playoff game to Lakewood and Burlington-Edison is coming off a first-round bye.
Lakewood: 5-4 overall, 0-4 conference; 2A Northwest/Sea-King Bi-Distrct No. 6 seed
About the Cougars: Lakewood went 5-0 in non-league play, but lost all four games in the ultra-competitive Northwest 2A Sky Division. Dual-threat quarterback Jared Taylor has accounted for more than 2,200 total yards and 29 touchdowns, while throwing just four interceptions. After losing in the Week 10 playoffs four of the past five years, Lakewood looking to break through and earn its first state berth since 2012, and just the program’s third since 1994.
Burlington-Edison: 3-5 overall, 2-2 conference; 2A Northwest/Sea-King Bi-Distrct No. 3 seed
About the Tigers: Burlington-Edison finished third out of five teams in the Northwest 2A Sky Division. In the win over Lakewood two weeks ago, Axel Wilhonen rushed for 164 yards and five touchdowns on 23 carries. The Tigers have topped 20 points just three times this season, but have yielded more than 20 points just twice. After eight state berths in a decade from 2005 to 2014, Burlington-Edison is looking to end a streak of three consecutive Week 10 playoff losses.
Herald pick: Burlington-Edison
CLASS 1A
CEDAR PARK CHRISTIAN vs. MOUNT BAKER
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: Juanita H.S.
Cedar Park Christian: 7-1 overall, 5-0 conference; North Sound Conference No. 1 seed
About the Eagles: Under second-year coach Butch Goncharoff, Cedar Park Christian claimed the inaugural North Sound Conference title to earn the program’s first-ever league championship. Zach Wilkins has rushed for nearly 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 8.1 yards per carry to complement a CPC defense that allows less than 12 points per game. The Eagles have won six straight since their only loss, a four-point defeat to Blaine. CPC is seeking just its second state berth in program history.
Mount Baker: 6-4 overall, 3-3 conference; Northwest Conference 1A No. 3 seed
About the Mountaineers: Mount Baker advanced to the Week 10 playoffs with a 61-0 rout of Granite Falls in a play-in game Tuesday night. The Mountaineers’ four losses have come by a combined 16 points, including a one-point defeat to 2A second-ranked Lynden. Jason Lee has rushed for nearly 1,000 yards, leading a Baker ground attack that averages 260 yards per game. The Mountaineers are seeking a return trip to state after a streak of five consecutive state appearances was snapped last season.
Herald pick: Mount Baker
KING’S vs. No. 7 LYNDEN CHRISTIAN
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: King’s H.S.
King’s: 4-5 overall, 4-1 conference; North Sound Conference No. 2 seed
About the Knights: After starting the season with four non-league losses by at least 18 points apiece, King’s went 4-1 in conference play. The Knights managed just 77 points combined in their first seven games, but totaled 82 points the past two weeks in wins over Sultan and South Whidbey. King’s, which made seven consecutive state appearances from 2009 to 2015, is looking to end a two-year state drought.
Lynden Christian: 7-2 overall, 4-2 conference; Northwest Conference 1A No. 2 seed
About the Lyncs: Lynden Christian split the NWC 1A crown with Meridian, earning a share of the program’s first league title since 2001. The Lyncs allow just 12.1 points per game and have posted three shutouts. Lynden Christian is seeking its first state berth since 2007.
Herald pick: Lynden Christian
SOUTH WHIDBEY vs. No. 8 MERIDIAN
When: 4 p.m. Friday
Where: Civic Stadium (Bellingham)
South Whidbey: 6-3 overall, 3-2 conference; North Sound Conference No. 3 seed
About the Falcons: Just two years removed from back-to-back winless seasons in conference play, South Whidbey has undergone a massive transformation since the return of longtime coach Mark Hodson and several assistants last season. After playing an independent schedule last year in an effort to rebuild the program, the Falcons finished third in the North Sound Conference this season to earn their first Week 10 playoff berth since 2009. South Whidbey is seeking its first state trip since 1992.
Meridian: 6-3 overall, 4-2 conference; Northwest Conference 1A No. 1 seed
About the Trojans: Meridian, last year’s 1A state runner-up, split the NWC 1A crown with Lynden Christian. Dual-threat quarterback Dawson Logan, who was a receiver the past two seasons before changing positions, has accounted for more than 2,100 total yards and 25 touchdowns. The Trojans are seeking their 20th state berth in the past 24 years.
Herald pick: Meridian
CLASS 1B
DARRINGTON vs. EVERGREEN LUTHERAN
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Darrington H.S.
Implications: The winner of this loser-out 1B Quad-District playoff game advances to face No. 2-seeded Quilcene in a winner-to-state contest next Friday.
Recent history: Darrington routed Evergreen Lutheran 44-0 in Week 2 this season, holding the Eagles to just 88 yards of total offense.
Darrington: 2-7 overall, 0-6 conference; 1B Quad-District No. 7 seed
About the Loggers: Darrington moved to eight-man football this season to combat low participation numbers. The Loggers won two of three non-league games, but lost all six league contests against state powers Naselle, Neah Bay and Lummi Nation by double digits.
Evergreen Lutheran: 2-6 overall, 2-3 conference; 1B Quad-District No. 10 seed
About the Eagles: Evergreen Lutheran has been outscored by 32.7 points per game and held to single digits in five of their eight contests.
Herald pick: Darrington
