Will Oak Harbor feel Bothell’s wrath?

Vengeance is a powerful incentive.

The Bothell Cougars have been waiting almost a year for another shot at the Oak Harbor Wildcats.

When you lose in a championship game, as the Cougars did last year to Oak Harbor, you feel like you still have something to prove.

Oak Harbor, however, has been to the pinnacle. Of course, teams are always motivated to win, but the Wildcats may not want it as badly as Bothell does.

And yet Oak Harbor may just be the more talented team. It’s hard to believe the Wildcats could graduate one of the most prolific passers in Wesco history (WSU’s Marshall Lobbestael) and come up with one just as productive (Johnny Encinas).

Here’s a look at the title rematch and the weekend’s other playoff contests:

Oak Harbor vs. Bothell

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: Pop Keeney Stadium

Records: Both teams are 11-0 overall.

Last year: Oak Harbor beat Skyview 26-22. Bothell beat Pasco 43-40 in nine overtimes. Oak Harbor and Bothell went on to meet in the final. Oak Harbor running back Chris Valencia ran 18 times for 107 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown in Oak Harbor’s 21-14 victory.

Last week: Oak Harbor quarterback Johnny Encinas completed 23 of 34 passes for 271 yards and a TD in a 30-21 win over Olympia. Bothell scored 17 points off turnovers in a 31-17 win over Central Kitsap.

Players to watch: Oak Harbor RBs Donovan Hunt and Valencia have combined for more than 1,000 yards rushing. Encinas is 170-for-280 for 2,216 yards and 28 TDs. WR Rodrick Rumble has 10 TD catches.

Jonathan Kirchner is Bothell’s leading rusher with 727 yards in his first 10 games. WR Ben Moschel has 27 catches for 553 yards and six TDs. QB Johnny Hekker is 107-for-186 for 1,562 yards and 18 TDs.

Breaking down the game: Oak Harbor has a slight edge at quarterback. If the Wildcats can avoid turnovers, they can remain on track toward a second straight title game appearance. If Bothell knocks the ball loose, the Cougars will be the ones making a return trip to the Tacoma Dome.

John McDonald’s pick: Oak Harbor 21-17.

Mike Cane’s pick: Oak Harbor 24-20

Tom Lafferty’s pick: Oak Harbor 28-7.

Eastlake vs. Edmonds-Woodway

When: 5 p.m. Saturday

Where: Seattle Memorial Stadium

Records: Eastlake is 10-1 overall. E-W is 11-0.

Last year: Eastlake lost to Gonzaga Prep 21-20. E-W beat Woodinville 13-3.

Last week: Eastlake RB Taylor Lappano ran 14 times for 122 yards and a TD in a 48-14 win over Cascade. E-W QB Kyle McCartney was 11-for-15 for 208 yards and four TDs and ran for 57 yards in a 37-13 win over Snohomish.

Players to watch: Eastlake QB Ryan Robertson is averaging 250 yards a game passing. WR Cory Mackay has 13 TD catches.

McCartney is 78-for-117 for 1,505 yards and 17 TDs. WR Antoinne Wafer has 34 catches for 706 yards and 11 TDs. RB Tony Heard has 212 carries for 2,003 yards and 26 TDs.

Breaking down the game: McCartney can’t match Robertson’s numbers, but Eastlake has no one like Heard. E-W may not be able to stop Eastlake’s passing game, but the Wolves won’t be able to stop the E-W offense, either. And practicing against its own prolific passing game should help the Warriors defend against Eastlake’s air attack.

John McDonald’s pick: E-W 42-35.

Mike Cane’s pick: E-W 35-28

Tom Lafferty’s pick: E-W 14-13.

O’Dea vs. Meadowdale

When: 7 tonight

Where: Edmonds Stadium

Records: O’Dea is 11-0 overall. Meadowdale is 7-4 (all four losses were to 4A playoff teams)

Last year: O’Dea lost to Kennedy 21-6. Meadowdale was eliminated in the qualifying round.

Last week: O’Dea RB Johri Fogerson ran 18 times for 212 yards and three TDs in a 35-3 win over Auburn. Meadowdale QB Matt McDonagh threw 6 yards to TE Jabob Clampitt for the game-winning TD in a 20-19 win over Evergreen.

Players to watch: Fogerson has 155 carries for 1,955 yards and 25 TDs.

McDonagh is 42-for-94 for 639 yards and four TDs. Clampitt has 21 catches for 330 yards and three TDs. In four games RB Naji Moore-Taylor has 75 carries for 530 yards and eight TDs.

Breaking down the game: O’Dea has what appears to have an unstoppable back in Fogerson. But are the Irish one-dimensional? If Meadowdale manages to contain Fogerson — and that’s a big if — does O’Dea have other weapons to draw on? Can the Meadowdale offense keep pace? The Mavericks have held their own against the likes of E-W and Oak Harbor. They can play with O’Dea.

John McDonald’s pick: O’Dea 28-14.

Mike Cane’s pick: O’Dea 28-21

Tom Lafferty’s pick: O’Dea 34-21.

Prep Editor John McDonald and KRKO broadcaster Tom Lafferty were 3-4 on their picks last week. Herald Writer Mike Cane was 1-6. McDonald is 37-17 on the season. Cane and Lafferty are 36-18.