CLASS 2A SEMIFINAL
No. 1 Archbishop Murphy (12-0) vs. No. 4 Lynden (11-1)
When: 1 p.m., Saturday
Where: Everett Memorial Stadium
Archbishop Murphy: 1st in Cascade Conference; beat North Kitsap 34-0 in first round, beat Tumwater 48-10 in quarterfinals
About the Wildcats: Making its eighth state semifinal appearance since becoming a Class 2A program in 2004, Archbishop Murphy is seeking its fourth-ever trip to the 2A state-title game and first-ever 2A state championship. The top-ranked Wildcats have outscored their opponents 355-16 in seven games this season, with their other five scheduled contests forfeited by opponents due to player-safety concerns. Murphy avenged last year’s semifinal loss to Tumwater by dispatching the Thunderbirds last week in the quarterfinals. The Wildcats forced five Tumwater turnovers and pulled away with 38 unanswered points, including a pair of third-quarter interception returns for touchdowns. Murphy’s stifling defense has allowed just 10 first-half points this season while forcing 26 turnovers and returning seven for scores. Junior receiver Kyler Gordon has 11 total touchdowns, including a team-high seven touchdown catches. Senior receiver Anfernee Gurley also has 11 touchdowns, including three special teams returns for scores. Senior quarterback Connor Johnson has completed 68.4 percent of his passes for 1,201 yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions, and will be looking to bounce back from throwing two interceptions last week. Senior running back Collin Montez has nine rushing touchdowns and three defensive scores.
Lynden: 1st in Northwest Conference; beat Black Hills 31-21, beat West Valley (Spokane) 34-21
About the Lions: Lynden is making its ninth Class 2A state semifinal appearance in the last 11 years, which includes a stretch of six state titles in eight seasons from 2006 to 2013. The Lions are coached by Curt Kramme, who has guided the program to 248 wins and seven state championships in his 26 seasons at the helm. Lynden missed the state playoffs last season for the first time since 2005, but the fourth-ranked Lions have returned to familiar territory this fall behind a strong defense (15.3 points allowed per game) and the emergence of senior quarterback Jacob Hommes. Kramme said that Hommes, a first-year starter, has improved more from junior to senior year than likely any player he’s ever coached. The dual-threat quarterback has accounted for a combined 3,083 yards and 42 touchdowns — throwing for 1,688 yards and 22 touchdowns while rushing for 1,395 yards and 20 scores. Hommes totaled five touchdowns — three rushing and two passing — to lead Lynden past West Valley (Spokane) in last week’s quarterfinals. The Lions beat 2A state quarterfinalist Sedro-Woolley earlier this season on their way to capturing the Northwest Conference title. Lynden suffered its lone loss in a seven-point non-league defeat to 3A state qualifier Ferndale.
Herald pick: Archbishop Murphy
CLASS 3A SEMIFINAL
Meadowdale (10-2) vs. No. 1 O’Dea (12-0)
When: 4 p.m., Saturday
Where: Pop Keeney Stadium (Bothell)
Meadowdale: T-1st in Wesco 3A South; beat Kelso 24-20 in first round, beat Peninsula 34-29 in quarterfinals
About the Mavericks: After suffering four state quarterfinal losses in the last decade, Meadowdale finally broke through the barrier last week and earned the program’s first-ever trip to the semifinals. The Mavericks have shown a flair for the dramatic this postseason, winning all three games by five points or fewer. After rallying past Lakeside in the district crossover round, Meadowdale earned a first-round victory over Kelso with a game-winning 48-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-19 with 57 seconds to go. The Mavericks then punched their ticket to the semifinals last week by racing to a 20-point halftime lead and holding on for a quarterfinal win over eighth-ranked Peninsula. Senior quarterback Drew Tingstad completed 13 consecutive passes and tossed four touchdowns in last week’s win, while senior tight end Zach Plummer had a team-high nine catches for 104 yards and two scores. Tingstad has thrown for 3,005 yards, 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season to lead a Meadowdale team that’s averaging 36.3 points per game. Senior receiver Haelin Roberts has totaled 1,098 yards receiving and nine touchdown catches, while senior running back Kela Marshall has rushed for 1,274 yards and 13 touchdowns in the Mavericks’ balanced attack.
O’Dea: 1st in Metro League; beat Ferndale 42-21 in first round, beat Lincoln 28-20 in quarterfinals
About the Fighting Irish: After missing the Class 3A state playoffs last season for the first time since 1993, O’Dea has advanced to the state semifinals this fall for the fourth time in the last decade. The top-ranked Fighting Irish beat two-time defending 3A state champion and fellow semifinalist Eastside Catholic on their way to the Metro League title, snapping the second-ranked Crusaders’ 32-game in-state winning streak. O’Dea also earned a non-league road win over 4A state semifinalist Skyview earlier this season. The unbeaten Fighting Irish are averaging 37.8 points per game and yielding just 13.4 per contest. Junior running back Jamyn Patu has rushed for 1,541 yards and 13 touchdowns to lead the high-powered O’Dea ground attack.
Herald pick: O’Dea
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