Week 4 prep football previews, predictions
After last week’s cloak-and-dagger meeting with the Prep Proletariat, our discussion this week had to be done over the phone. Apparently, PP was laid up after injuring himself last week.
When I asked how he had hurt himself, PP said he was kicking his own rear end.
“Every week, I have advisers who give me tips,” PP said. “In Week 2, they had given me a lot of bad advice, and I took it. Last week, they gave me good advice, and I ignored it.”
Specifically, the Prep Proletariat was talking about his decision to pick Battle Ground over Skyview.
“My advisers told me all about history,” he said. “They said go with Skyview. Skyview has history on its side. Skyview is the safe pick. But I went with my gut, then got kicked there.”
Despite that big gaffe, the Prep Proletariat went 10-3 last week to move his season record to 32-10 (76 percent).
The Prep Proletariat goes into Week 4 a little bit wiser. And this week, the Score Czar, the Prep Proletariat’s prognosticating rival, weighs in with his picks.
Friday’s games
4A Greater St. Helens League
HERITAGE (2-1, 0-1) vs. SKYVIEW (2-1, 1-0)
When, where: 5 p.m., Kiggins Bowl
Last week: Heritage lost to Evergreen 47-31; Skyview beat Battle Ground 44-9
About Heritage: RB Kalani Umiamaka is the leading rusher in the region with 456 yards on 62 carries in six TDs. He also had a 77-yard kickoff return for a TD last week against Evergreen. … Evergreen scored seven TDs last week against Heritage, but two came on special teams and one on defense. All of Evergreen’s TD plays traveled at least 21 yards.
About Skyview: The Storm dominated last week’s game against Battle Ground on the line. Three Skyview rushers gained at least 56 yards. QB Zac Shomler passed for 230 yards, including six passes for 135 yards and 3 TDs to Bryson Enge. On defense, the Storm held Battle Ground QB Gunner Talkington, who had almost 500 yards passing and rushing the previous week, to less than 200.
Prep Proletariat says: Skyview established that it remains in the upper echelon of the 4A GSHL, and that’s not good news for the Timberwolves.
Prediction: Skyview 38-13
Score Czar: Skyview 22-15
EVERGREEN (2-1, 1-0) vs. CAMAS (3-0, 0-0)
When, where: 7 p.m., Doc Harris Stadium, Camas
Last week: Evergreen beat Heritage 47-31; Camas beat Rogers-Puyallup 68-0
About Evergreen: The Plainsmen’s big-play capability returned last week after going on hiatus the previous week against Todd Beamer. Billy Nelson scored two TDs on kickoff returns, one on a fumble return and one on a 31-yard run. But you don’t beat Camas with big plays. You need to possess the ball and steadily move the chains. Evergreen threw two interceptions and allowed 141 yards to Heritage’s Kalani Umiamaka.
About Camas: The Papermakers seem to be getting better and better. Since allowing a late TD in Week 1 against Chiawana, Camas outscored its opponents 117-6. QB Liam Fitzgerald was very efficient last week, completing 15 of 19 passes for 254 yards and four TDs. His 682 passing yards rank second in the county. WR James Price leads the county with 19 catches and 306 yards.
Prep Proletariat says: Let’s play connect the scores again: Camas beat Rogers 68-0, Rogers beat Todd Beamer 28-21, Todd Beamer beat Evergreen 33-0. Sorry, Plainsmen.
Prediction: Camas 48-6
Score Czar: Camas 34-3
BATTLE GROUND (1-2, 0-1) vs. MOUNTAIN VIEW (0-3, 0-1)
When, where: 8 p.m., McKenzie Stadium, Evergreen HS
Internet radio: elisportsnetwork.com
Last week: Battle Ground lost to Skyview 44-9; Mountain View lost to Union 52-21
About Battle Ground: The Tigers are capable of moving the ball. We’ve seen that. But stopping other teams has been a problem. Battle Ground has given up an average of almost 39 points a game. Now they get a Mountain View team capable of moving the ball. RB Bailey Buckner put a little life into the Tigers’ ground attack last with 74 yards.
About Mountain View: So the Tigers thought they had defensive problems? The Thunder have allowed an average of 47 points a game. RB Preston Jones is seventh in the region in rushing with 326 yards, and that’s after missing Week 1. QB Lex Reese has passed for 522 yards.
Prep Proletariat says: This game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. They’d better hope so, because it might not end until midnight. Should be a good one. But after last week, I can’t pick Battle Ground.
Prediction: Mountain View 38-30
Score Czar: Battle Ground 34-31
3A Greater St. Helens League
FORT VANCOUVER (1-2, 0-0) vs. PRAIRIE (0-3, 0-1)
When, where: 7 p.m., District Stadium, Battle Ground HS
Last week: Fort Vancouver lost to White Salmon 13-3; Prairie lost to Kelso 10-7
About Fort Vancouver: Good news for Fort is Trappers have averaged 31 points a game the past weeks. Bad news is they only managed three last week. Key turnovers turned the tide against the Trappers against White Salmon.
About Prairie: The offense has been a big issue for the Falcons. After being shut out in their first two game, they managed only 112 yards of offense against Kelso and seven points. Look for QB Denzel Hamiel to try to make plays on the Trapper defense.
Prep Proletariat says: Wow. This is a hard one. Just got to believe that playing at home, the Falcons will take necessary steps to win this one.
Prediction: Prairie 19-13
Score Czar: Fort Vancouver 23-0
2A Greater St. Helens League
MARK MORRIS (0-3, 0-1) vs. HOCKINSON (3-0, 0-0)
When, where: 7 p.m., Nautilus Field, Hockinson HS
Last week: Mark Morris lost to R.A. Long 42-0; Hockinson beat Castle Rock 48-0.
About Mark Morris: What is going on with the Monarchs? Not only did Mark Morris suffer its first loss to R.A. Long in almost a decade, the Monarchs were routed. Not only is Mark Morris the only winless team in the 2A GSHL, the Monarchs have been outscored 112-6.
About Hockinson: The Hawks are the opposite to the Monarchs. They are 3-0. They have outscored opponents 117-3. The Hawks have two players in the top eight of rushers in the region: Tommy Harshaw (378 yards) and Austen Johnson (301). QB Mitch Lines has been efficient, completing 16 of 23 passes.
Prep Proletariat says: Mark Morris has won four of the past five meetings, most by handsome margins. But this year belongs to the Hawks.
Prediction: Hockinson 48-6
Score Czar: Hockinson 38-0
WOODLAND (3-0, 1-0) vs. RIDGEFIELD (2-1, 0-1)
When, where: 7 p.m., Ridgefield Stadium, Ridgefield HS
Last week: Woodland beat Hudson’s Bay 50-0; Ridgefield lost to Washougal 26-14
About Woodland: The Beavers are just plain good. They are the only team in Southwest Washington that has yet to allow a point. Freshman QB Wyatt Harsh made an impressive debut, passing for 211 yards. He hasn’t added much to that total, because he hasn’t had to. RB Eli Whitmire has rushed for 411 yards. And the defense has been outstanding.
About Ridgefield: Two things stung the Spudders last week: Turnovers and big plays. Ridgefield threw three interceptions, and they gave up big runs of 70+ yards. They also completed only 7 of 32 passes. They won’t be able to do that against Woodland.
Prep Proletariat says: Ridgefield is much improved from its 0-9 season last year. But it also appears Woodland is improved from its 9-2 season.
Prediction: Woodland 48-6
Score Czar: Woodland 32-0
WASHOUGAL (2-1, 1-0) vs. R.A. LONG (2-1, 1-0)
When, where: 7 p.m., Longview Memorial Stadium, R.A. Long HS
Last week: Washougal beat Ridgefield 26-14; R.A. Long beat Mark Morris 42-0.
About Washougal: Brandon Casteel had a huge game last week, rushing for 292 yards and three TDs. He even added a 26-yard reception. The defense has played well. They’ll need both in top form against the Lumberjacks.
About R.A. Long: After being shut out 32-0 by Columbia River, R.A. Long has outscored foes (Kelso, Mark Morris) 64-3. QB Owen Bertram completed 10 of 13 passes for 216 yards and 4 TDs vs. Mark Morris. The Lumberjacks defense produced a safety and TD.
Prep Proletariat says: Washougal will find it harder to break off big plays against the Lumberjacks.
Prediction: R.A. Long 27-6
Score Czar: R.A. Long 16-12
Non-league games
SPANAWAY LAKE (1-2) vs. UNION (3-0)
When, where: 5 p.m., McKenzie Stadium, Evergreen HS
Internet radio: elisportsnetwork.com
Last week: Spanaway Lake lost to Curtis 35-21; Union beat Mountain View 52-21
About Spanaway Lake: QB Ramon Gutierrez had a TD pass and run against Curtis. Spanaway has shown the ability to put points on the board. That ability will be challenged this week.
About Union: Union has had a different star of the running game each week. Last week, it was Caleb Browning, who rushed for 215 yards. Jack Bauer rushed for 124 yards. In previous games, Alex Berfanger led the ground game. QB Nolan Henry has passed for 419 yards.
Prep Proletariat says: Union beat Curtis 24-7 and didn’t play its best. If Spanaway couldn’t stop Curtis, it doesn’t figure to stop the Titans.
Prediction: Union 45-14
Score Czar: Union 38-10
BLACK HILLS (2-1) vs. COLUMBIA RIVER (3-0)
When, where: 7 p.m., Chieftain Stadium, Columbia River HS
Last week: Black Hills lost to North Kitsap 26-7; Columbia River beat Centralia 36-20
About Black Hills: The Wolves, a 2A team from Tumwater, got off to their best start since 2005 by beating a pair of 1A teams (Montesano, Rochester). QB Chase Morrow, who had thrown for 576 yards and 8 TDs in those two games, told The Olympian he didn’t know how long his run would last but he didn’t want it to end. Against North Kitsap, a ranked 2A foe, it ended. He completed 14 of 38 passes for 135 yards.
About Columbia River: Black Hills is the fourth of five 2A teams Columbia River will face to open the season. QB Gabe Evenson has passed for 444 yards. The River defense tightened up in the second half last week, producing five turnovers against Centralia.
Prep Proletariat says: Playing exclusively 2A teams, we can’t be sure just how good Columbia River is. But we know enough to know the Chieftains can beat 2A teams.
Prediction: Columbia River 34-13
Score Czar: Columbia River 27-6
STEVENSON (1-2) vs. RAINIER (0-3)
When, where: 7 p.m., Rainier (Ore.) HS
Last week: Stevenson beat Estacada 24-7; Rainier lost to Seaside 47-8
About Stevenson: Luke Nichols stepped in at QB for the injured Colton Van Pelt and led the Bulldogs to their first win of the year last week. Nichols threw for 156 yards, which included a long TD pass play to Brandon Campbell. Josh Anderson led the rushing game with 84 yards.
About Rainier: Rainier gave up 340 yards of rushing last week against Seaside. QB Casey Tripp, who had led the Columbians offense early in the season, was limited to 40 yard passing.
Prep Proletariat says: Rainier is winless against a tough early-season schedule. Health could be key for Stevenson.
Prediction: Rainier 20-14
Score Czar: Stevenson 27-3
LA CENTER (0-3) vs. HUDSON’S BAY (1-2)
When, where: 8 p.m., Kiggins Bowl, Discovery MS
Last week: La Center lost to Tumwater 41-0; Hudson’s Bay lost to Woodland 50-0
About La Center: It’s been a very rough opening for the 1A Wildcats. They have played three 2A teams. All three are ranked in the AP state Top 10. To make matters worse, La Center has missed several starters for one reason or another. Coach John Lambert hopes that things will begin to improve for his Wildcats.
About Hudson’s Bay: After an emotional, come-from-behind win in Week 1 against Fort, the Hudson’s Bay offense has struggled to find the scoreboard. The Eagles rushed for a net -10 yards last week against Woodland, and threw four interceptions. It’s hard to score when you’re doing that.
Prep Proletariat says: It’s hard to imagine a team that has been outscored 113-3 going on to be a league champion. But it would not be hard imagining La Center doing just that.
Prediction: La Center 23-13
Score Czar: Hudson’s Bay 23-8
Other games, Friday
Non-league: Castle Rock (0-3) at King’s Way Christian (0-3), 6 p.m.
Non-league: Kelso (1-2) at Centralia (2-1), 7 p.m.
Non-league: Bow Valley, B.C. (2-0) at Kalama (1-2), 7 p.m.
Non-league: White Salmon (2-1) at Riverside, Ore. (0-3), 7 p.m.
