Week 7 prep football preview, picks
A 10-2 week last week improved our season mark to 66-14.
Still looking for the perfect week, or perfect score:
Here are the Week 7 previews:
FRIDAY’S 4A GSHL GAMES
Camas (6-0, 2-0) vs. Union (5-1, 2-0)
When, where: 8 p.m., McKenzie Stadium
Radio: KKOV 1550 AM or www.1550talk.com.
Last week: Camas beat Evergreen 77-28; Union beat Battle Ground 28-7.
Game notes: This is the first meeting between two schools separated by four miles since 2009, when they were both 3A GSHL teams. Union won that game 35-31 on its way to playing in the 3A title game. … Union has won two of three meetings in the rivalry. … Union allowed 48 points in its loss to Jesuit, 68 points in its five wins. … Camas gave up 21 points in second half last week, after taking 63-7 halftime lead. … Union’s Leon Siofele has scored 13 rushing TDs this season.
Columbian’s take: Another big game in the 4A GSHL. And a rivalry game. But Camas is the team to beat … until someone beats them. Prediction: Camas 31-21
Heritage (1-5, 0-2) vs. Battle Ground (5-1, 1-1)
When, where: 7 p.m., District Stadium, Battle Ground HS.
Last week: Heritage lost to Skyview 46-7; Battle Ground lost to Union 28-7.
Game notes: Heritage is giving up an average of 46.3 points a game. … Heritage has allowed five 100-yard rushers this season. … That’s not a good stat when facing Kevin Haynes’ who leads county with 978 rushing yards. He has been limited to 87 yards in past two games, but only had three carries in blowout win over Evergreen.
Columbian’s take: For a team that struggles to bring down runners on first contact, this is a terrible matchup for Heritage. Prediction: Battle Ground 48-6
Evergreen (2-4, 0-2) vs. Skyview (4-2, 1-1)
When, where: 8 p.m., Kiggins Bowl.
Last week: Evergreen lost to Camas 77-28; Skyview beat Heritage 46-7.
Game notes: Evergreen’s 2-1 start has been lost in a couple of lopsided losses in league play. … Skyview is 3-0 at Kiggins Bowl, winning by average margin of 39 points. … Skyview has won last nine games at Kiggins Bowl … Skyview’s last home league loss came on Oct. 16, 2008 against Evergreen.
Columbian’s take: Storm are on the move toward locking up No. 2 seed in 4A GSHL and hoping to get some help to get back into league title hunt. Prediction: Skyview 48-6
FRIDAY’S 3A GSHL GAMES
Prairie (2-4, 1-1) at Columbia River (3-3, 2-0)
When, where: 7 p.m., Chieftain Stadium, Columbia River HS
Last week: Prairie beat Hudson’s Bay 54-6; Columbia River beat Kelso 27-20 in 2OT.
Game notes: Columbia River might have save its league title hopes by bouncing back from letting Kelso rally from 20-6 first-quarter lead to tie the game at 20-20. Clayton Frank’s TD pass to Dante Coleman in second OT won it. … Frank completed 19 of 24 passes against Kelso … Prairie got its running game going against Hudson’s Bay. Tyler Duncan rushed for 146 yards. Nick Gawley rushed for 142.
Columbian’s take: With Bay on schedule next, Chieftains can’t look past Prairie as it takes aim on Week 9 game vs. Mountain View. Prediction: Columbia River 27-13
Hudson’s Bay (0-6, 0-2) vs. Mountain View (4-2, 2-0)
When, where: 8 p.m., McKenzie Stadium.
Radio: KKOV 1550 AM or www.1550talk.com.
Last week: Hudson’s Bay lost to Prairie 54-6; Mountain View beat Fort Vancouver 49-0.
Game notes: Mountain View has posted back-to-back games with 49 points in league play. … The Thunder had 11 different players carry the ball in last week’s win over Fort. … Hudson’s Bay has scored 20 points total all season.
Columbian’s take: Mountain View keeps rolling. Prediction: Mountain View 48-6
Kelso (5-1, 1-1) vs. Fort Vancouver (0-6, 0-2)
When, where: 5 p.m., Kiggins Bowl.
Last week: Kelso lost to Columbia River 27-20 in 2OT; Fort Vancouver lost to Mountain View 49-0.
Game notes: The Trappers have allowed no fewer than 40 points in all of its games this season. … The last Fort Vancouver win over Kelso came in 1998. … Kelso was a missed PAT away from improving to 6-0 last week against River.
Columbian’s take: Kelso continues its streak against Fort. Prediction: Kelso 48-6
FRIDAY’S 2A GSHL GAMES
Ridgefield (5-1, 2-0) vs. Mark Morris (5-1, 2-0)
When, where: 7 p.m., Longview Memorial Stadium, RA Long HS.
Last week: Ridgefield beat Washougal 56-3; Mark Morris beat Hockinson 41-9.
Game notes: Spudders have been a tough team to figure out. They have won 29-7, 34-7, 56-6, 42-18, and 56-3. But fell behind 47-8 in first half against River Ridge. They eventually lost that one 61-40. … Ridgefield has been very impressive in first two 2A GSHL with lopsided wins over Hockinson and Washougal. … Over course of five-game winning streak, Mark Morris has allowed 28 total points. … This will be a battle of Ridgefield’s offense vs. Mark Morris’ defense. Although it should be noted that Mark Morris has scored 42 and 41 in past two games.
Columbian’s take: The Spudders have made me look bad twice this season when picking them or against them. But I’ll lean toward them again. Prediction: Ridgefield 33-27
R.A. Long (4-2, 2-0) vs. Hockinson (3-3, 0-2)
When, where: 7 p.m., Nautilus Field, Hockinson HS.
Last week: R.A. Long beat Aberdeen 27-20; Hockinson lost to Mark Morris 41-9.
Game notes: Hockinson’s defense has struggled since the start of league play, giving up 42 and 41 points. The Hawks won’t get a break against the potentially explosive Lumberjacks, who have won three in a row. … If Hawks get up on R.A. Long, they don’t want to let up. R.A. Long rallied from down 23-6 vs. Washougal. The Jacks trailed Aberdeen 21-7 last week. … After scoring an average of 47.6 points in first three games, Hawks have averaged 12.7 in past three.
Columbian’s take: The Hawks are in a funk right, and R.A. Long has the confidence. Prediction: R.A. Long 27-19
Washougal (3-3, 0-2) vs. Aberdeen (1-5, 0-2)
When, where: 7 p.m., Stewart Field, Aberdeen HS.
Last week: Washougal lost to Ridgefield 56-3; Aberdeen lost to R.A. Long 27-20.
Game notes: Aberdeen joined the 2A GSHL to take a breather from 2A Evergreen Conference, after a difficult season last year … Both teams have been victimized by R.A. Long comebacks in league play. … Washougal has been outscored 84-11 since start of fourth quarter against R.A. Long two weeks ago. … Washougal’s Bobby Jacobs has rushed for 850 yards and 8 TDs this season.
Columbian’s take: The Panthers faltered badly in last long road trip to Tenino. They’ll fare better this time. Prediction: Washougal 27-13
FRIDAY’S 1A TRICO GAMES
Stevenson (3-3, 3-3) vs. Woodland (5-1, 5-0)
When, where: 7 p.m., Woodland HS
Last week: Stevenson beat Ilwaco 46-0; Woodland beat Toledo 35-12.
Game notes: Stevenson, which was outscored 136-14 in first three games, has outscored opponents 126-0 in past three games. … But the stat is more a testament to spread between the top teams and bottom teams in the Trico. … It’s also speaks to how Stevenson has improved. … Zach Irwin rushed for 200 yards last week. … Woodland is one of those top-tier teams in the Trico. Beavers hope to get past Bulldogs and White Salmon to take their shot at La Center for league title.
Columbian’s take: The Bulldogs have improved. But not enough to beat Woodland. Prediction: Woodland 41-13
La Center (6-0, 6-0) vs. Seton Catholic (0-6, 0-6)
When, where: 7 p.m., Doc Harris Stadium, Camas
Last week: La Center beat Tenino 40-6; Seton Catholic lost to White Salmon 50-10.
Game notes: In past two games, Seton has taken an early 3-0 lead on an Erik Powell field goal. … Powell might the best kicker in Clark County this side of Camas’ Roldan Alcobendas. … La Center did not attempt a pass in its impressive win over previously unbeaten Tenino. We wouldn’t expect Wildcats to pass the ball much in this one either.
Columbian’s take: Made mistake to pick against Wildcats last week. No morePrediction: La Center 48-3
