Week 2 prep football preview, picks
Somebody pointed out last week that they thought we got our pick wrong in the Camas-Oregon City game.
Not that we didn’t pick Camas to win — we did — we just didn’t pick the Papermakers to win big — and they did.
Yes, our predicted score was a little off. But really not that much.
Think of it: We predicted Camas would win 23-20. Camas won 63-20. So we were really just one number off. Bob Barker would be proud.
We simply misread the tea leaves.
We were closer on others. We said Ridgefield would beat Rochester 27-7. The Spudders won 29-7. We said Toledo would beat Stevenson 48-6. Toledo won 49-8.
Other scores weren’t quite as close. But that doesn’t really matter.
It’s all about who won the game. I mean, this isn’t college football, for cryin’ out loud. Style points don’t matter in high school football (nor should they).
We simply throw the scores in there to stir the pot, encourage discussion and debate, get folks fired up for the games.
If we pick your team to win a close one, and you win in a blowout, good for you.
If we pick your team to lose by a large margin and you keep it close, good for you.
If we pick your team to win by 30 and you win by a field goal, why are you making us look bad?
But the all that matters is who wins and who loses. Last week, we correctly hit on 13 of 14 winners.
Bottom line: A good Week 1.
And now it’s off to Week 2, which can be harder to predict than Week 1, as you may be led to misinterpret Week 1 results.
So here we go:
FRIDAY’S GAMES
Battle Ground (1-0) vs. Prairie (1-0)
When, where: 7 p.m., District Stadium, Battle Ground
Last week: Battle Ground beat R.A. Long 41-27; Prairie beat Rainier (Ore.) 23-20.
Game notes: The teams are 2-2 since becoming non-league rivals. But Prairie has enjoyed the most recent success, winning the past two. … The Falcons had an uneven opener on offense. Prairie completed 11 of 28 passes and no rusher gained more than 21 yards, although the workload was spread around several players. … Instead, Prairie depended on its defense to produce turnovers and hold Rainier to 222 rushing yards. … Battle Ground will pose a greater challenge. The Tigers’ Kevin Haynes rushed for 316 yards and four TDs last week … Tigers QB Ian Humphrey passed for 157 yards.
Columbian’s take: Prairie has been working on getting bigger and stronger up front to match their speed outside. The Falcons will be tested by Haynes. Prediction: Battle Ground 27-21
Canby (0-1) vs. Camas (1-0)
When, where: 7 p.m., Doc Harris Stadium, Camas
Last week: Canby lost to Tigard 40-13; Camas beat Oregon City 63-20.
Game notes: Canby boasts of an offensive line that averages 256 pounds. Yet the Cougars could get little going on the ground against Tigard last week. … Leading rusher Jace Cates had 56 yards on three carries, but 42 came on one run. Devon Fortier had 6 carries for 38 yards, but 33 came on one run. .. Starting QB Sam Stelk, who transferred from Tigard, went 3 for 9 for 23 yards. … The numbers for the Papermakers were far more impressive: QB Reilly Hennessey 415 yards passing, RB Nate Beasley 92 rushing and 99 receiving, WR Zach Eagle 176 receiving.
Columbian’s take: Canby was picked to finish second in the Three Rivers League. Oregon City, last week’s opponent for Camas, was picked fourth in that league. Not that preseason predictions mean a whole lot. Prediction: Camas 38-14
Evergreen (1-0) vs. Mountain View (0-1)
When, where: 8 p.m., McKenzie Stadium
Radio: KKOV 1550 AM.
Last week: Evergreen beat Fort Vancouver 40-0; Mountain View lost to Union 35-7.
Game notes: Evergreen snapped a 13-game losing streak last week. Now, the Plainsmen will look to snap another skid. They haven’t beaten Mountain View since 2007. … Justin Straup led Evergreen with 149 yards rushing on five carries and three TDs. His three TDs runs accounted for 145 of his yards. … Carl Falls led Mountain View’s rushing attack against Union, gaining 60 yards on 12 carries. Austin Mace added 53 yards on seven carries. … The Thunder look to use the running game as their main offensive weapon. QB Luke DuChesne completed just 2 of 6 passes for 22 yards, even though Mountain View was down 28-0 by halftime.
Columbian’s take: Evergreen’s win over Fort showed that the Plainsmen have improved. How much they have improved will be revealed against Mountain View. Prediction: Mountain View 20-13
Kelso (1-0) vs. Heritage (0-1)
When, where: 5 p.m., McKenzie Stadium.
Radio: KKOV 1550 AM.
Last week: Kelso beat Mark Morris 17-7; Heritage lost to Columbia River 40-34.
Game notes: Kelso followed a familiar formula of ball-control offense and stifling defense to beat Mark Morris last week. … RB Taylor Radcliffe rushed for 124 yards on 16 carries. … QB Aaron Adams showed he could be a threat with his arm and feet. … Mark Morris didn’t have a rusher gain more than 25 yards off the Hilanders. … For Heritage, the strategy is throw, throw, throw. … QB Loren Standiford passed for 305 yards against River. His two favorite targets were Tim Hergert (10 catches, 145 yards) and E’Lon Mack (6-97). … But the Timberwolves only managed 58 yards on the ground, with much of those yards coming on Standiford scrambles or end around by the receivers.
Columbian’s take: This will be a battle of styles. A low-scoring game favors Kelso; high-scoring game favors Heritage. Prediction: Heritage 23-17
Columbia River (1-0) vs. Skyview (0-1)
When, where: 8 p.m., Kiggins Bowl.
Last week: Columbia River beat Heritage 40-34; Skyview lost to Central Catholic 27-9.
Game notes: Columbia River piled up some impressive numbers against Heritage: Clayton Frank passing (277 yards), Remick Kawawaki running (126), Frank running (130). … Skyview’s defense will poses a greater challenge. … Special teams plays really hurt Skyview in its opener, leading to an early hole. … Last week’s opponent, Central Catholic, is now ranked No. 2 in Oregon 6A. … Central Catholic held the Storm to 29 yards in their first four possessions. .. QB Jordan Berni passed for 177 yards and ran for 75 more. … Last year, on their way to reaching the 4A state title game, Skyview had to rally to beat River 36-29 in Week 8.
Columbian’s take: Central Catholic was a good test for Skyview. Skyview is a good test for Columbia River. Prediction: Skyview 28-20
Hockinson (1-0) vs. Fort Vancouver (0-1)
When, where: 5 p.m., Kiggins Bowl.
Last week: Hockinson beat Elma 40-21; Fort Vancouver lost to Evergreen 40-0.
Game notes: Big plays played a big role in Hockinson’s Week 1 win: a 90-yard blocked field goal return, a 60-yard run, and 40-yard interception return and 46-yard pass play. … Big plays really hurt Fort against Evergreen. … Fort rushed for a negative-24 yards as a team against Evergreen. … Hockinson RB Thomas Kirschenbaum rushed for 138 yards on 17 carries. … QB Jess Krahn passed for 147.
Columbian’s take: It’s not often when a 2A school suits up more players than a 3A school. But that will likely be the case this week. Prediction: Hockinson 33-7
Union (1-0) vs. Jesuit (0-0)
When, where: 7 p.m., Jesuit High School, Portland.
Last week: Union beat Mountain View 35-7; Jesuit beat McMinnville 63-21.
Game notes: The Crusaders are ranked No. 1 in Oregon 6A. … RB AJ Glass rushed for 327 yards on 25 carries and five TDs for Jesuit. … Glass rushed for more than 2,000 yards last year behind a talented offensive line. … Lineman Andrew Kirkland had committed to the University of Washington. Teammate Doug Brenner, a tight end/defensive lineman, has received offers from Oregon, Oregon State, Wyoming and Air Force. … Union is No. 9 in Washington 4A, according to the Seattle Times and Tacoma News Tribune. … Union RB Leon Siofele 118 yards on 13 carries and scored four TDs vs. Mountain View. He figures to have a tougher time against Jesuit. … If that happens it will put more pressure on QB Nolan Henry, who completed 12 of 18 passes for 100 yards last week.
Columbian’s take: Skyview lost 27-9 to Central Catholic, Oregon’s 6A No. 2 team. Union gets to measure itself against No. 1. Prediction: Jesuit 27-17
Hudson’s Bay (0-1) vs. Mark Morris (0-1)
When, where: 7 p.m., Longview Memorial Stadium.
Last week: Hudson’s Bay lost to Washougal 50-0; Mark Morris lost to Kelso 17-7.
Game notes: Mark Morris had a rough time moving the ball against Kelso. .. Hayden Tapani led the Monarchs with 25 yards rushing. Austin Smith and Ryan Littlefield had 24 each. QB Hayden Tilton passes for 89 yards. Kalama transfer Austin Johnson caught four passes for 66 yards. … Devon Casey had six carries for 62 yards to lead Bay last week. … Passing continues to be a sore spot for the Eagles. Last week, they completed three passes for a negative-9 yards and threw three interceptions.
Columbian’s take: Bay had trouble with on 2A GSHL team last week. They’ll have trouble with another this week. Prediction: Mark Morris 48-6
Kalama (0-1) vs. Ridgefield (1-0)
When, where: 7 p.m., Ridgefield High School.
Last week: Kalama lost to Woodland 55-6; Ridgefield beat Rochester 29-7.
Game notes: Ridgefield has long been know as a solid running team. But QB Gunnar Long showed he can move the ball through the air last week. Long completed 17 of 24 passes for 242 yards. He did throw three interceptions, however. … RBs Matt Cushwa (8 carries, 64 yards) and Clayton Farr (13-57) gave the Spudders balance on offense. … Farr also caught eight passes for 72 yards. … K Dalton Ries was 3-for-3 on FG attempts. … Graduation and transfers have left Kalama with a very young lineup. … RB Tony Vigoren rushed for 63 yards last week, although much of those yards came against Woodland’s second team.
Columbian’s take: Ridgefield lost to a much better Kalama team last year 33-14. But that was last year. Prediction: Ridgefield 48-6
Washougal (1-0) vs. Tenino (1-0)
When, where: 7 p.m., Tenino High School.
Last week: Washougal beat Hudson’s Bay 50-0; Tenino beat Raymond 26-7.
Game notes: Tenino rolled up 317 yards of offense last week. … Raymond’s lone TD came on a kickoff return. … Mac Shaw, a second-team all-league QB at Rainier (Wa.) last season, transferred to Tenino this season. That led to Devante Harris, last year’s all-purpose QB, to move to WR this year. … Harris caught two TD passes from Shaw last week, and ran for another TD. … Stephen Camden and Bobby Jacobs provided a one-two punch for Washougal. Camden rushed for 116 yards and four TDs, while Jacobs ran for 158 yards and one TD. … With running like that, the Panthers didn’t need to pass much. But Guy LaRue and Chase Duey were a combined 4 for 4 passing for 30 yards.
Columbian’s take: It’s kind of odd when a 2A team plays a 3A team and then a 1A team and the 1A team provides the bigger test. Prediction: Washougal 28-21
Trico League games
La Center (1-0, 1-0 Trico) vs. Stevenson (0-1, 0-1)
When, where: 7 p.m., Stevenson High School.
Last week: La Center beat Ilwaco 56-6; Stevenson lost to Toledo 49-8.
Game notes: La Center routed Ilwaco in the opener, and it could have been much worse. … La Center rolled up 295 yards on the ground last week, led by Wyatt Aguirre’s 81 yards on two carries. … QB Dylan King completed 4 of 4 passes for 86 yards and two TDs. … Stevenson was led by Zack Irwin’s 44 yards rush and one TD in a loss to Toledo. … The Bulldogs remain a young team that looks to improve as season progress. … La Center won last year’s meeting 30-0.
Columbian’s take: La Center is off and rolling to solid season. Prediction: La Center 48-6
Seton Catholic (0-1, 0-1) vs. Ilwaco (0-1, 0-1)
When, where: 7 p.m., Ilwaco High School.
Last week: Seton Catholic lost to Castle Rock 62-7; Ilwaco lost to La Center 56-6.
Game notes: Austin Woody rushed for 97 yards on 11 carries last week against La Center, but 51 yards came on a fourth-quarter TD run against La Center’s reserves. … The Fishermen trailed 49-0 at halftime last week. … Seton was outnumbers and outsized by Castle Rock last week. The Cougars used 15 players in the game. That’s 11 starters and four subs, both ways. … Seton had 92 yards of total offense.
Columbian’s take: Seton should have better success against Ilwaco, but the Fishermen have experience on their side. Prediction: Ilwaco 27-13
Woodland (1-0, 1-0) vs. Castle Rock (1-0, 1-0)
When, where: 7 p.m., Castle Rock High School.
Last week: Woodland beat Kalama 55-6; Castle Rock beat Seton Catholic 62-7.
Game notes: Woodland enjoyed its introduction back into Class 1A by rolling over Kalama. … The Beavers have 79 players in the program. … Cy Whitmire led Woodland with 139 yards and two touchdowns against Kalama … Receiver Kyle Hendrix caught three passes for 59 yards and two TDs … Austin Moore (6 carries, 155 yards) and Levi Godinho (8-134) led the attack for the Rockets against an overmatched Seton Catholic squad. … Castle Rock piled up 530 yards of offense, 529 of it on the ground. …The Rockets attempted only two passes.
Columbian’s take: This should be a better matchup for both teams. But Woodland’s size and strength should carry the day. Prediction: Woodland 33-19
