When going gets tough, the tough get going.
Three local teams will try to keep their postseason alive this weekend.
Jackson and Meadowdale go on the road in the first round of the state football playoffs while Archbishop Murphy hosts Black Hills at Goddard Stadium at Mariner High School in south Everett.
Ticket prices are $8 for adults, $6 for students and senior citizens.
Black Hills at Archbishop Murphy
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday at Goddard Stadium.
Records: Black Hills 7-3, Archbishop Murphy 10-0
Last year’s result: Archbishop Murphy 49, Black Hills 7.
Last week’s results: Archbishop Murphy 44, Bellingham 0; Black Hills 42, Hockinson 14.
Players to watch: Black Hills Cody Peterson rushed for 205 yards on 30 carries and scored four touchdowns in Black Hills win last week over Hockinson, the No. 1 seed from the Greater St. Helens League. Archbishop Murphy is led by quarterbacks Austin VanderWel and Jake Downs who have J.D. Melton and Jake Robinette to throw to. Jeremy Rick, Kelso Wilkins and Randy Gordon shore up the Murphy running attack.
Breakdown: The Wildcats blew out Black Hills last year in a nonleague game, but the Wolves appear to be much improved. If the Wildcats can contain Peterson and their offense continues to roll a state quarterfinal appearance will be assured.
Enterprise pick: Archbishop Murphy 35, Black Hills 20. Meadowdale at Capital
Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday at Ingersoll Stadium in Olympia. Records: Meadowdale 6-3, Capital 7-3.
Last year’s result: Did not play.
Last week’s results: Meadowdale 47, Nathan Hale 17; Capital 7, Bishop Blanchet 0.
Players to watch: Meadowdale’s Naji Moore-Taylor rushed for 171 yards and two touchdowns of 91 and 34 yards against Nathan Hale. Quarterback Matt McDonagh completed 9-of-12 passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns. Capitalsenior running back Riley Wallrushed for 162 yards on 26 carries including a 7-yard touchdown run.
Breakdown: Capital averaged more than 30 points per game this season despite only putting up seven points against Blanchet. If that game proves to be an anomoly, it could be a high-scoring game between two offenses which, albeit inconsistent at times, can run and throw. Meadowdale is on a roll now with wins over Everett and Nathan Hale and would like nothing better than to return to the quarterfinals with a win on the road. How well the Meadowdale defense plays against the run might be another key to the outcome.
Enterprise pick: Meadowdale 34, Capital 31.
Jackson at Ferris
Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday, Joe Albi Stadium, Spokane.
Records: Jackson 9-1 overall; Ferris 9-1.
Last year’s result: Did not play.
Last week’s results: Jackson 16, Tahoma 10; Ferris 34, Pasco 14.
Players to watch: Jackson’s defense led by safety Bryan Morse will have to step up against the spread offense of Ferris led by 6-4 junior quarterback Connor Halliday. Jackson will need its quarterback Andy Gay and running backs Taylor Cox and Riley Carr to step up after the Tahoma defense slowed them down last week.
Breakdown: Jackson is known for its high-powered offense but its defense came up big last week against Tahoma. The defense will face a Ferris team that runs the spread offense and throws the ball 75 percent of the time. The Saxons, who made the state semifinals last year, run a similar offense to Glacier Peak and their bread-and-butter is the short passing game which includes a variety of screens. “They’re well-coached,” Jackson coach Joel Vincent said. “They seem to be pretty similar in physical size to us.” If the Jackson offense can get rolling, especially its passing game, and the defense can apply some pressure to Halliday and get some interceptions, Jackson will have a shot on the road.
“We’re happy to be in and playing anywhere against anyone,” Vincent said.
Enterprise pick: Ferris 27, Jackson 21.
Year: 51-17.
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