Week 8 football preview: Battle Ground vs. Heritage

When, where: 5 p.m. Friday at McKenzie Stadium (Class 4A Greater St. Helens League game).

Radio: KVAL 1550 AM and www.1550talk.com.

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Last meeting: Heritage won 62-6 on Oct. 22, 2010 in Battle Ground.

Last week: Battle Ground lost to Union 42-6; Heritage lost to Camas 59-6.

Battle Ground (4-3, 1-2): Despite consecutive losses to Skyview and Union by a combined score of 118-6, the Tigers’ playoff hopes are still very much alive. If Battle Ground beats Heritage, the Tigers will clinch their first playoff berth since 2006 and winning regular season since 2003. … A win would give Battle Ground the No. 3 seed to the state preliminary round where the Tigers would play the WesCo Conference No. 1 team. The Tacoma News-Tribune projects that team to be 10th-ranked Lake Stevens. … QB Ian Humphrey has passed for 824 yards and 9 TDs.

Heritage (1-6, 0-2): The Timberwolves come into this game on five-game losing streak. Heritage has lost those five games by an average margin of 42 points. … Heritage still remains in the hunt for a playoff spot. If Heritage beats Battle Ground, then Evergreen next week, the Timberwolves would claim the No. 3 berth to the postseason. … QB Joey Cooper completed 10 of 19 passes for 129 yards vs. Camas, completing passes to seven different passes. … WR E’Lon Mack has 34 receptions for 395 yards.

Bottom line: This is a tough call. Both teams have suffered lopsided losses to Skyview and Union. Both have a win over a 2A GSHL team. The win-loss records of Heritage’s other opponents is 16-5; for Battle Ground, it’s 5-20.

Columbian’s pick: Battle Ground.

Fans’ pick: Battle Ground.