Look beyond this weekend’s quarterfinals and you can see the Tacoma Dome.
That’s the goal for the two Wesco 3A —Meadowdale and Glacier Peak — and two Cascade Conference —Archbishop Murphy and King’s — teams still playing. This week’s winners move on to the semifinals, which, for most west side teams, are contested at the T-Dome.
Only one of the four has been there before. Murphy lost to eventual state champion Lynden in last year’s semifinals and has reached the semis three times in five years.
Of course, Glacier Peak has had just two years in which to achieve the milestone. Qualifying for the state playoffs in such a short span is an accomplishment in and of itself.
Meadowdale and King’s have much longer histories and yet neither has reached the goal. The closest either has come is to lose in the quarterfinals. Meadowdale was booted by O’Dea in 2007, King’s by Murphy in 2002.
The opponents have a much richer past. Union, which hosts Meadowdale Saturday, was the 3A runner-up last season, losing to Bellevue in the final. Bellevue, Glacier Peak’s challenger, practically calls the Dome home. It has won six championships in eight years.
Nooksack Valley, which plays King’s tonight, has not reached the semis since 1975, but the Pioneers are in the quarterfinals for the second year in a row. King’s is in the state playoffs for the first time since that 2002 season.
W.F. West is making its second try for the semis in four years. It lost to Lynden in the 2006 quarterfinals. The Bearcats are having a special season. Their 11 wins are the most in school history.
Here’s a look at tonight’s game and the rest of this week’s playoff schedule:
Nooksack Valley at King’s
When: 7 tonight
Where: Woolsey Stadium
Records: Nooksack Valley is 9-2. King’s is 8-3.
Last week: Nooksack Valley QB Tyler Perry completed 22 of 34 passes for 306 yards and WR Anthony Reese caught eight of them for 121 yards and five TDs in the Pioneers’ 49-21 win over La Center.
King’s blocked Onalaska’s extra-point attempt in overtime and went on to score a TD and kick its PAT for a 28-27 win. QB Thomas Vincent rushed 26 times for 133 yards and two TDs and completed nine of 23 passes for 158 yards and two TDs. Vincent has an incredible 55 TDs (36 passing, 19 rushing) this season.
On paper: Both teams have done the heavy lifting of playing in leagues with larger classification schools. One of Nooksack’s two four-point losses was to 3A Sedro-Woolley. Two of King’s three losses were to 2A schools Archbishop Murphy and Cedarcrest.
Predictions: John McDonald picks Nooksack 28-21. Mike Cane picks Nooksack 34-28. Tom Lafferty picks Nooksack 14-7.
Archbishop Murphy vs. W.F. West
When: 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Tumwater H.S.
Records: Archbishop Murphy is 10-1. W.F. West is 11-0.
Last week: W.F. West QB Ben Ternan ran for 102 yards and two TDs and completed 12 of 20 passes for 135 yards and three TDs in a 38-20 win over Blaine.
Murphy QB Austin VanderWel completed six of 13 passes for 112 yards and a TD. WR Jacob Clark caught five passes for 86 yards and a TD in the Wildcats’ 35-10 win over R.A. Long.
On paper: Murphy has such great offensive balance and can throw so many running backs at you, but Alex Martinez is the go-to guy.
Predictions: John McDonald picks Murphy 22-21 OT. Mike Cane picks Murphy 20-14. Tom Lafferty picks Murphy 21-14.
Meadowdale vs. Union
When: 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: McKensie Stadium, Vancouver
Records: Union is 10-1. Meadowdale is 11-0.
Last week: Union WR Mitch Saylor caught a 44-yard TD pass and had a 40-yard reception to set up another TD in Union’s 30-12 win over Capital.
Meadowdale came from behind with 20 unanswered points to beat Columbia River 27-17. RB Naji Moore-Taylor had 28 carries for 164 yards and two TDs.
On paper: Union is trying to get back to the title game for the second straight year. Meadowdale is trying to get to the semifinals for the first time in school historty.
Predictions: John McDonald picks Union 35-14. Mike Cane picks Union 28-24. Tom Lafferty picks Meadowdale 28-27.
Bellevue vs. Glacier Peak
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Snohomish Veterans Memorial Stadium
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)
Records: Both teams are 9-2.
Last week: Bellevue scored on its first play from scrimmage, intercepted three passes and recovered a fumble in its 49-17 win over Mt. Si.
Glacier Peak scored 31 unanswered points in a 38-24 come-from-behind win over Timberline. DB Austin Wirtz returned an interception 78 yards for a TD to stop a Timberline drive early in the fourth quarter and give the Grizzlies a 13-point lead.
On paper: Bellevue, the defending state champion, has not lost to an in-state opponent since falling to O’Dea in the 2007 state semifinals and has won the championship six times in eight years. Glacier Peak must take chances to pull off the upset, but the Grizzlies are nothing if not gamblers.
Predictions: John McDonald picks Bellevue 48-24. Mike Cane picks Bellevue 28-21. Tom Lafferty picks Bellevue 42-14.
Herald Prep Writer Mike Cane was 4-1 last week. KRKO broadcaster Tom Lafferty and Herald Prep Editor John McDonald were 3-2. Cane is 34-10 this season. Lafferty is 33-11. McDonald is 32-12.
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