Playoff berths – who wants ‘em? They’re up for grabs tonight.
In the Western Conference 4A, Kamiak can clinch one of the top three spots in the conference with a victory on the road at Edmonds-Woodway.
Win or lose tonight at Oak Harbor, Snohomish will get a shot at the conference championship next week when the Panthers host Sehome. The Mariners are already assured no worse than a tie for second place. With victories over Edmonds-Woodway and Kamiak already in its possession, Snohomish can do no worse than second even if it loses its last two games.
Kamiak assures itself of no worse than a third-place finish if it beats Edmonds-Woodway. But if the Warriors win and take care of business next week against Mountlake Terrace, they’re in and the Knights are out.
Because they did not meet during the regular season, any tie between Kamiak and Sehome would require a tiebreaker.
In the Kingco 4A, Bothell can move into second place with a victory over Lake Washington tonight. Even if they lose tonight, the Cougars can do no worse than a tie for third by beating Roosevelt next week. But they must hope that tie is with Eastlake, not Redmond, because Bothell beat Eastlake but lost to Redmond.
The second- and third-place teams in the Wesco 4A and Kingco 4A play off Nov. 7 for two state berths.
In the Wesco 3A, Lake Stevens can clinch the conference championship by beating Everett tonight. A Lake Stevens win, coupled with an Arlington victory, would put the Vikings and Eagles in the playoffs.
If Everett and Arlington win and all three teams win again next week, there will be a three-way tie between Arlington, Everett and Lake Stevens, necessitating a tiebreaker.
Next week’s Ferndale-Mount Vernon winner will clinch the Northwest 3A title and a state berth. The loser will play off against the Wesco 3A runnerup on Nov. 7 for a state berth.
Here’s a look at the weekend schedule:
Kickoff: 7:30 tonight at Everett Memorial Stadium (KRKO radio, 1380 AM).
Records: Lake Stevens is 5-0 in league, 6-1 overall. Everett is 4-1, 5-2.
Last year: Lake Stevens 26-0.
Players to watch: Lake Stevens quarterback Nolan Perkl completed 10 of 14 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns last week in a 42-10 victory over Jackson. Running back Matt Williams had 21 carries for 171 yards.
Everett running back Ben Challman carried 12 times for 172 yards and three TDs last week in a 58-8 victory over Lynnwood. Brian Price rushed for 87 yards and picked off three passes.
Breaking down the game: Last year against Everett, Perkl threw for 162 yards and two touchdowns and the Vikings held the Seagulls to 96 total yards. Lake Stevens has to hope for a repeat performance by its defense. Its goal should be to stop Challman, limit the Everett offense and use its balanced offense to spread the Seagull defense. Everett needs to control the line of scrimmage in order to move the ball on the ground. It would help if Price had another big game in the defensive backfield. Last year he intercepted two passes against the Vikings.
Little-known fact: Lake Stevens brothers Matt and Nik Williams totaled 288 yards last week.
Pick: Lake Stevens 26-14.
Kickoff: 8 tonight at Edmonds Stadium.
Records: Kamiak is 5-1, 6-1. Edmonds-Woodway is 4-2, 5-2.
Last year: Kamiak 20-3.
Players to watch: Kamiak quarterback Ryan Jones completed 12 of 16 passes for 216 yards and three TDs last week in a 52-7 victory over Shorecrest.
Edmonds-Woodway running back Landon Hall carried 18 times for 252 yards and three TDs last week in a 42-14 victory over Shorewood. Matt Sanchez was in on 13 tackles.
Breaking down the game: Kamiak can pass, E-W can run. The team that produces the most defensive stops wins this one. Last year it was Kamiak, which outgained E-W 401-132. But the Warriors were missing six starters, including their leading rusher, due to academic ineligibility. They should be at full strength this year and hungry for their first-ever playoff berth.
Little-known fact: Edmonds-Woodway has never reached the postseason. Edmonds last went to state in 1985, Woodway in 1988.
Pick: Kamiak 14-10.
Kickoff: 7:30 tonight at Memorial Stadium.
Records: Snohomish 6-0, 7-0. Oak Harbor is 2-4, 2-5.
Last year: Snohomish 14-6.
Players to watch: Snohomish quarterback Josh Rodland completed four of seven passes for 135 yards and three TDs and ran for a score last week in a 42-14 victory over Cascade.
Oak Harbor’s Tony Hall caught a 62-yard touchdown pass from Brent Lang in last week’s 23-13 loss to Marysville-Pilchuck.
Breaking down the game: Snohomish had too many weapons for Kamiak and too many for Cascade. There’s no reason to believe they don’t have enough to deal with Oak Harbor. But it’s tough to play at Oak Harbor. Even in years when the Wildcats have had losing records, they’ve either upset or come close to upsetting a frontrunner. Last year they had Cascade in a scoreless tie through three quarters before succumbing 14-0. Snohomish doesn’t dare look past Oak Harbor to its showdown next week with Sehome.
Little-known fact: Snohomish last went 9-0 in league in 1986.
Pick: Snohomish 35-12.
Wesco 4A: Cascade (3-3, 4-3) vs. Mariner (1-6, 1-6) at Goddard Stadium, Shorecrest (0-6, 0-7) vs. Marysville-Pilchuck (2-4, 2-5) at Quil Ceda Stadium, Mountlake Terrace (2-4, 2-5) vs. Shorewood (2-4, 3-4) at Shoreline Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
Kingco 4A: Lake Washington (6-1, 6-1) vs. Bothell (5-2, 5-2) at Pop Keeney Stadium, Woodinville (3-4, 3-4) at Eastlake (4-3, 4-3), Juanita (1-6, 1-6) vs. Franklin (1-6, 1-6) at Seattle Memorial Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
Wesco 3A: Monroe (1-4, 1-6) vs. Lynnwood (0-5, 0-7) at Edmonds Stadium, 5 p.m.; Jackson (2-3, 3-4) at Stanwood (2-3, 3-4), Meadowdale (2-3, 2-5) at Arlington (4-1, 6-1), 7:30 p.m.
Northwest 3A: Anacortes (3-2, 4-3) at Burlington-Edison (0-5, 1-6), Bellingham (0-5, 1-6) vs. Squalicum (1-4, 2-5) at Bellingham Civic Stadium, Ferndale (5-0, 7-0) at Lynden (3-2, 4-3), Sedro-Woolley (3-2, 4-3) at Mount Vernon (5-0, 7-0), 7:30 p.m.
Kingco 3A: Interlake (2-5, 2-5) at Bellevue (4-3, 4-3), Cedarcrest (3-4, 3-4) at Skyline (7-0, 7-0), Issaquah (2-5, 2-5) at Mercer Island (6-1, 6-1), Liberty (0-7, 0-7) at Sammamish (2-5, 2-5), Newports (5-2, 5-2) at Mount Si (4-3, 4-3), 7:30 p.m.
North Cascades: Nooksack Valley (0-6, 1-6) at Blaine (3-4, 3-4), Sultan (3-3, 3-4) at Granite Falls (0-6, 0-7), Lakewood (4-2, 5-2) at Meridian (6-0, 7-0), Mount Baker (3-3, 4-3) at South Whidbey (2-4, 2-5), 7:30 p.m.
Northwest A: Concrete (2-1, 4-3) at Coupeville (2-1, 4-3), Friday Harbor (0-3, 0-6) at LaConner (2-1, 6-1), 7:30 p.m.
Non-conference: Sehome (7-0) at Tahoma (6-1), Lynden Christian (7-0) at Emerald Ridge (0-7), 7:30 p.m.
Kingco 4A: Redmond (4-3, 4-3) vs. Roosevelt (1-6, 1-6) at Seattle Memorial Stadium, 8 p.m.
Northwest A: Darrington (1-2, 4-3) at Orcas Island (2-1, 6-1), 1 pm.
Chinook A: King’s (3-0, 6-1) at Tacoma Baptist (3-0, 6-0), 7 p.m.
