The quad-district football playoffs, which get under way tonight, traditionally produce their share of mismatches.
But they also deliver some intriguing combinations.
An example of the latter is Central Kitsap vs. Mountlake Terrace. Central Kitsap was a state semifinalist last season and has qualified for the state playoffs each of the past two seasons. Terrace, on the other hand, is making the first postseason appearance in school history.
Central Kitsap has to be favored, but not like, say, Bothell in its game against Stanwood. In fact, Terrace just might be able to ride the emotional high of its advance to the playoffs to an upset victory.
Here’s a look at the weekend schedule:
Stanwood vs. Bothell
When: 7 tonight
Where: Pop Keeney Stadium
Records: Stanwood is 4-5 overall. Bothell is 9-0.
Last year: RB Patrick Otterbech rushed for 145 yards and two TDs to lead Bothell to a 41-7 4A quad-district victory over Bethel.
Players to watch: Bothell RB Luke Prouix has rushed for 1,188 yards. QB Mitchell Muller has thrown for 1,234.
On paper: Stanwood is in way over its head against undefeated and top-ranked Bothell, which is coming off a huge win over defending state champion Skyline.
Predictions: John McDonald picks Bothell 49-7. Mike Cane picks Bothell 42-14. Tom Lafferty picks Bothell 44-7.
Mount Baker vs. Archbishop Murphy
When: 7 tonight
Where: Snohomish Veterans Memorial Stadium
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM) following Silvertips hockey.
Records: Mount Baker is 5-4 overall. Archbishop Murphy is 8-1.
Last year: Murphy blasted Bellingham 44-0 in its 2A District 1 playoff game.
Players to watch: Murphy QB Austin VanderWel has nearly 1,100 yards total offense (537 rushing, 562 passing). RB Alex Martinez has rushed for 936 yards.
On paper: Mount Baker rushed for 324 yards last week in its victory over Squalicum, avoiding a play-in game. And the Mountaineers scored both times they threw the ball. They’ll need that sort of production to upset a powerful Murphy squad.
Predictions: John McDonald picks Murphy 35-14. Mike Cane picks Murphy 34-12. Tom Lafferty picks Murphy 42-12.
Graham-Kapowsin vs. Marysville-Pilchuck
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Snohomish Veterans Memorial Stadium
Records: Graham-Kapowsin is 6-3 overall. M-P is 9-0.
Last year: Issaquah held M-P star RB Austin Denton to 36 yards rushing and eliminated the Tommies with a 36-18 quad-district victory.
Players to watch: Denton has rushed for 1,919 yards and a school record 24 TDs.
On paper: Graham-Kapowsin is pretty balanced between the run and pass. But it hasn’t been particularly effective stopping the run, which is the key to beating M-P.
Predictions: John McDonald picks M-P 28-21. Mike Cane picks M-P 28-21. Tom Lafferty picks M-P 28-18.
Eastlake vs. Jackson
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Everett Memorial Stadium
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)
Records: Eastlake is 6-3 overall. Jackson is 9-0.
Last year: Brian Morse intercepted a pass in his own end zone and Jackson then drove to a game-winning 8-yard TD run by running back Riley Carr in a 16-10 4A quad-district win over Tahoma.
Players to watch: Jackson QB Andy Gay is 125-for-180 for 1,840 yards and 18 TDs. Carr has 628 yards rushing and 15 TDs but did not play running back the past two weeks because of an injury. RB Trai Patrick has filled in admirably for Carr, gaining 331 yards on 46 carries.
On paper: Eastlake doesn’t have a lot of depth to its running game, but the Wolves have a 1,000-yard passer in QB Kelby McCorkle and four receivers with 10 or more catches. Still, they’re no match for Jackson in a passing contest.
Predictions: John McDonald picks Jackson 28-14. Mike Cane picks Jackson 24-14. Tom Lafferty picks Jackson 35-7.
Central Kitsap vs. Mountlake Terrace
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Edmonds Stadium
Records: Both teams are 6-3 overall.
Players to watch: Terrace QB Brandyn Eckhart has thrown for 939 yards and nine TDs. RB Casey Ellersick has rushed for 867 yards and 11 TDs.
On paper: Central Kitsap has won four straight since starting the season 2-3. Mountlake Terrace is making its first postseason appearance and has produced the finest season in school history. I think the Hawks will feed on the excitement and keep it going another week and reach the state playoffs.
Predictions: John McDonald picks Terrace 21-17. Mike Cane picks Central Kitsap 30-24. Tom Lafferty picks Central Kitsap 14-7.
Renton vs. Meadowdale
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Edmonds Stadium
Records: Renton is 6-3 overall. Meadowdale is 9-0.
Last year: RB Naji Moore-Taylor ran for 171 yards, helping Meadowdale amass 481 yards of offense in a 47-14 3A quad-district win over Nathan Hale.
Players to watch: Moore-Taylor has rushed for 1,198 yards and 22 TDs. QB Danny McDonald is 90-for-151 for 1,349 yards and 13 TDs. WRs Sam Werner (637) and Connor Hamlett (485) have combined for more than 1,100 yards receiving.
On paper: Renton has thrown just 39 passes all season. The Indians have out-rushed opponents by an average of 105 yards per game. To keep up that average, they’ll have to stop Moore-Taylor. No one’s done it yet.
Predictions: John McDonald picks Meadowdale 21-10. Mike Cane picks Meadowdale 24-21. Tom Lafferty picks Meadowdale 24-13.
Other games tonight
4A Quad-district playoff: Kamiak (4-5) at Auburn (9-0), 7 p.m.
2A District 1 playoffs: Blaine (6-3) at Cedarcrest (8-1), South Whidbey (5-4) at Burlington-Edison (7-2), 7 p.m.
Non-conference: Bellingham (1-8) at Lakewood (3-6), Sultan (2-7) at Sehome (0-9), 7 p.m.
Pacific Coast League: Crescent (6-3) at Highland Christian (2-5), 6 p.m.
Saturday’s games
4A Quad-district playoffs: Lake Stevens (5-4) at Bethel (8-1), 7 p.m.
3A Quad-district playoffs: Glacier Peak (7-2) at Peninsula (8-1), Everett (5-5) vs. Lakes (9-0) at Harry Lang Stadium, 7 p.m.
Herald Prep Editor John McDonald, Herald Prep Writer Mike Cane and KRKO broadcaster Tom Lafferty were 5-1 last week. All three guessers are 24-9 this season.
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