Week 3 high school football previews, predictions
Going 9-3 in picks last week brought the season record to 18-7.
Not bad, not bad. But check out some of the predicted scores.
Columbia River over Skyview: Predicted 31-24, actual 29-24.
Mountain View over Evergreen: Predicted 27-21, actual 24-17
Prairie over Battle Ground: Predicted 38-28, actual 34-28
Still looking for that perfect predition. Maybe it happens this week.
THURSDAY’S GAME
NON-LEAGUE GAME
CAMAS (2-0) vs. AUBURN MOUNTAINVIEW (1-1)
When, where: 7 p.m. Thursday, at Auburn Memorial Stadum
Live webcast: www.nfhsnetwork.com
Last week: Camas beat Canby (Ore.) 48-7; Auburn Mountainview beat Mt. Tahoma 52-0.
Last meeting: Camas beat Auburn Mountainview 45-14 on Sept. 14, 2012
Stat pack: Auburn Mountainview, Gresch Jensen 25-for-37 passing for 354 yards, 4 TDs, 20 rushes, 95 yards; Joey Cassano 13 catches, 208 yards, 3 TDs. Camas, Reilly Hennessey, 32-of-55 passing, 609 yards, 6 TDs; Cole Zarcone, 12 rushes, 96 yards, 1 TD; Zach Eagle, 13 catches, 256 yards, 1 TD.
Game notes: Auburn Mountainview was a playoff team last year, despite going 3-6. The Lions this year are a younger team, depending on several sophomores. They lost 49-7 to Sumner, a good 2A team, but a 2A team all the same. Meanwhile, Camas has crushed a couple of ranked Oregon teams.
The pick: Camas 48-6
FRIDAY’S GAMES
NON-LEAGUE GAMES
PENINSULA (0-2) vs. UNION (1-1)
When, where: 5 p.m. at McKenzie Stadium
Internet broadcast: www.portlandsportsbeat.com
Last week: Peninsula lost to Gig Harbor 27-20; Union lost to Jesuit (Ore.) 33-7
Last meeting: Union won 28-21 on Sept. 14, 2012
Stat pack: Union, Nolan Henry 19-for-33 passing, 248 yards, 1 TD; Leon Siofele, 25 rushes, 377 yards, 2 TDs; Ethan Beniga, 9 catches, 142 yards, 1 TD
Game notes: The Seahawks from Gig Harbor went 9-3 last season and reached the 3A state quarterfinals. Peninsula does not appear to be as strong in 2013. Meanwhile, Union is looking to regroup after a frustrating loss to Jesuit and gain some steam heading into league play.
The pick: Union 31-17
SKYVIEW (0-2) vs. LAKES (0-2)
When, where: 7 p.m., Harry Lang Stadium, Lakewood
Last week: Skyview lost to Columbia River 29-24; Lakes lost to Bellarmine Prep 16-14
Last meeting: Skyview won 35-14 on Sept. 14, 2012
Stat pack: Skyview, Zac Shomler 14-of-20 passing, 213 yards, 3 TDs; Nate Arriola 36 rushes, 175 yards, 1 TD; Jacob Dennis 15 catches, 231 yards, 1 TD; Lakes, Kemonee Jenkins 10-for-14 passing, 54 yards, 26 rushes, 112 yards; Caleb Lyons, 22 rushes, 112 yards.
Game notes: It’s been a rough couple of years since Lakes had one of the top 3A programs in the state. Lakes is a 3A school playing its third 4A opponent, while Skyview is a 4A school playing its third 3A opponent. Makes it hard to say which team has the edge, so we’ll give it to the Lancers at home.
The pick: Lakes 24-21
EVERGREEN (1-1) vs. PRAIRIE (2-0)
When, where: 7 p.m. at District Stadium, Battle Ground
Last week: Evergreen lost to Mountain View 24-17; Prairie beat Battle Ground 34-28.
Last meeting: Evergreen won 28-14 on Sept. 14, 2012
Stat pack: Evergreen, Brandon Bea, 26-of-45 passing, 292 yards, 2 TDs; Rey Green 8 rushes, 179 yards, 2 TDs; Justin Straup 23 rushes, 177 yards, 4 TDs; Justice Murphy 15 catches, 167 yards, 1 TD; Prairie, Tyler Armstrong 13-of-27 passing, 312 yards, 5 TDs; Dallas Goodpaster, 32 rushes, 216 yards, 3 TDs; Denzel Hamiel, 34 rushes, 204 yards, 3 TDs; Jason Bracken 7 catches, 183 yards, 3 TDs.
Game notes: Prairie is aiming for its first 3-0 start since 1997. These two teams have a lot of similarities. Both would prefer to run the ball, but have shown the ability to strike through the air. Missed opportunities near the goal line hurt Evergreen last week, while Prairie rallied from a lackluster first half to beat Battle Ground. Look for another competitive game, but we’ll give the edge to the home team.
The pick: Prairie 30-27
HERITAGE (1-1) vs. ENUMCLAW (1-1)
When, where: 7 p.m. at Enumclaw High School
Last week: Heritage beat Kelso 25-7; Enumclaw lost to Central Kitsap 27-24
Last meeting: Enumclaw won 54-35 on Sept. 14, 2012
Stat pack: Heritage, Loren Standiford 27-for-47, 390 yards, 4 TDs; Tiger Geesling, 12 catches, 138 yards, 1 TD; E’Lon Mack 10 reception, 170 yards, 1 TDs.
Game notes: Enumclaw came a fumbled lateral away from opening 2-0 with a win over 4A Central Kitsap. Last year, the Hornets used their running game to score a lopsided win over Heritage. The Timberwolves are stronger on defense, yet not as explosive on offense. Heritage has not yet hit its stride on offense.
The pick: Enumclaw 20-17
COLUMBIA RIVER (2-0) vs. MARK MORRIS (2-0)
Where, when: 7 p.m., Longview Memorial Stadium.
Last week: Columbia River beat Skyview 29-24; Mark Morris beat Hudson’s Bay 55-8
Last meeting: Mark Morris won 20-6 on Sept. 14, 2012
Stat pack: Keigan Baker 212 rushing yards; Columbia River, Jonathan Branson, 32 rushes, 216 yards, 3 TDs; 27-of-47 passing, 251 yards, 3 TDs; Nathan Hawthorne 9 catches, 107 yards, 2 TDs.
Game notes: Columbia River is trying to refocus on the job at hand after a whirlwind week set off by the wild finish in its win over Skyview. River has not started 3-0 since 2005. Mark Morris is aiming for its third consecutive win over a 3A GSHL team, although early foes Kelso and Hudson’s Bay are not 3A powerhouses. Mark Morris is potent on the ground and through the air. River’s strength is in the read-option of QB Jonathan Branson.
The pick: Columbia River 34-24
WASHOUGAL (2-0) vs. FORT VANCOUVER (0-2)
Where, when: 7 p.m., Kiggins Bowl
Live TV: Fort Sports, cable Ch. 28.
Last week: Washougal beat Tenino 28-7; Fort Vancouver lost to Hockinson 26-0.
Last meeting: Washougal won 74-7 on Sept. 14, 2012.
Stat pack: Washougal, Bobby Jacobs, 22 rushes, 134 yards, 1 TD; Grayden Economides 20 rushes, 95 yards; Chase Duey 4-for-15 passing, 69 yards; Fort Vancouver, Babacar Secka, 10 rushes, 89 yards, 1 TD; Jordan Suell 15-of-32 passing, 231 yards, 2 TDs; Marquis Taylor 9 catches, 187 yards, 1 TD.
Game notes: Washougal got a bit healthier last week when Jacobs made his season debut against Tenino. That’s bad news for Fort. Before beating Hudson’s Bay in last year’s season finale, the Trappers had lost 23 in a row dating back to a 2010 win over the Panthers.
The pick: Washougal 40-12.
HUDSON’S BAY (0-2) vs. HOCKINSON (2-0)
When, where: 7 p.m., Nautilus Field, Hockinson HS
Last week: Hudson’s Bay lost to Mark Morris 55-8; Hockinson beat Fort Vancouver 26-0.
Last meeting: Hockinson won 43-8 on Sept. 14, 2012
Stat pack: Hudson’s Bay, Jeremy Matheney 17-of-47 passing, 181 yards; Devon Casey 19 rushes, 57 yards; DeWayne Whitley 5 catches, 103 yards, 1 TD; Hockinson, Jess Krahn 25-of-60 passing, 369 yards, 3 TDs; Curtis Baker 30 rushes, 116 yards, 1 TD; Nicholas Barclay 5 catches, 144 yards, 2 TDs.
Game notes: Hockinson is 2-0, but the Hawks would like to have better production on offense. But the defense was been very good. Two weeks, two shutouts. And with Hudson’s Bay struggling on offense, it could be three shutouts.
The pick: Hockinson 33-0
RIVER RIDGE (1-1) vs. RIDGEFIELD (0-2)
When, where: 7 p.m. at Ridgefield High School
Last week: River Ridge beat Sequim 43-6; Ridgefield lost to Kalama 39-8
Last meeting: River Ridge won 61-40 on Sept. 15, 2012
Stat pack: Ridgefield, Jonah Roberts 3-for-15 passing, 37 yards; Nathan Eggleston 8 rushes, 27 yards; Noah Johnson 1 catch, 21 yards
Game notes: Ridgefield, a 2A team, has lost to a pair of 1A teams that went a combined 3-15 last year. Now the Spudders face a team that put 61 points on them last year when Ridgefield went 7-3. It’s not a good combination.
The pick: River Ridge 48-6
BONNEY LAKE (0-2) vs. MOUNTAIN VIEW (1-1)
When, where: 8 p.m. at McKenzie Stadium
Internet broadcast: www.portlandsportsbeat.com
Last week: Bonney Lake lost to Sumner 49-28; Mountain View beat Evergreen 24-17
Last meeting: Mountain View 37-27 on Sept. 14, 2012
Stat pack: Mountain View, Lex Reese, 9-of-17 passing, 183 yards, 1 TD; Austin Mace 45 rushes, 198 yards, 1 TD; Nolan Briggs 4 catches, 107 yards, 1 TD;
Game notes: After struggling in their opener, the Thunder got their running game rolling last week against Evergreen. Mace had the big game last week, but the Thunder like to spread the ball around.
The pick: Mountain View 28-14
1A TRICO LEAGUE GAMES
CASTLE ROCK (1-1, 1-1) vs. STEVENSON (0-2, 0-2)
When, where: 7 p.m., Stevenson High School
Last week: Castle Rock lost to Woodland 47-7; Stevenson lost to La Center 49-6
Last meeting: Castle Rock won 41-0 on Sept. 14, 2012
Stat pack: Stevenson, Colton Van Pelt 9-of-19 passing, 218 yards; 8 rushes, 34 yards; Brandon Campbell 5 catches, 159 yards, 1 TD
Game notes: Castle Rock’s Nate Williamson rushed for 109 yards in the loss to Woodland last week. Running the ball has been a struggle for Stevenson.
The pick: Castle Rock 30-13
KALAMA (1-1, 0-1) vs. LA CENTER (2-0, 2-0)
When, where: 7 p.m., La Center Middle School
Last week: Kalama beat Ridgefield 39-8; La Center beat Stevenson 49-6.
Last meeting: La Center won 41-16 on Sept. 14, 2012
Stat pack: La Center, Wyatt Aguirre 6-of-13 passing, 204 yards, 4 TD; Connor Fulton 19 rushes, 201 yards, 2 TDs; Max Hiller 10 rushes, 188 yards, 4 TDs; Connor Wonderly 3 catches, 164 yards, 2 TDs
Game notes: Despite low numbers, Kalama has performed well, including a nice win over Ridgefield. La Center has yet to be challenged.
The pick: La Center 41-14
SETON CATHOLIC (1-1, 1-1) vs. WOODLAND (2-0, 2-0)
When, where: 7 p.m. at Woodland High School.
Last week: Seton Catholic beat Ilwaco 34-16; Woodland beat Castle Rock 47-7
Last meeting: Woodland won 66-6 on Sept. 15, 2012
Stat pack: Seton Catholic, Will Noce-Sheldon, 16-of-24 passing, 365 yards, 5 TDs; 27 rushes, 186 yards, 1 TD; Justin James 7 catches, 253 yards, 3 TDs; Woodland, Hunter Huddleston 14-of-25 passing, 271 yards, 3 TDs; Eli Whitmire 10 rushes, 214 yards, 4 TDs; Vince Nigro 5 catches, 131 yards, 2 TD
Game notes: Woodland’s Whitmire is averaging 21 yards a carry and scores a TD almost every other time to touches the ball. Noce-Sheldon is a double threat for the Cougars. He led Seton to the second win in program history. More wins appear on the way for the Cougars, just not this week.
The pick: Woodland 41-13
SATURDAY’S GAME
BATTLE GROUND (0-2) vs. DECATUR (1-1)
When, where: 2 p.m. at Federal Way High School
Last week: Battle Ground lost to Prairie 34-28; Decatur beat Renton 32-28
Last meeting: Battle Ground won 56-20 on Sept. 14, 2012
Stat pack: Battle Ground, Colston Vukanovich 50-of-77 passing, 664 yards, 6 TDs; 28 carries, 131 yards, 2 TDs; Hayden Humphrey 17 catches, 202 yards, 1 TD.
Game notes: The fourth quarter swung different ways for the teams last week. Decatur scored 14 fourth-quarter points to win, while Battle Ground gave up 21 fourth-quarter points to lose. The Tigers need to do a better job of finishing. Battle Ground has given up 62 points in the second half in two games this year.
The pick: Battle Ground 35-20
OTHER GAMES
- R.A. Long at Kelso, 7 p.m. Friday
- Ilwaco at White Salmon, 7 p.m. Friday
- Forks at Toledo, 7 p.m. Friday
- Rainier Christian at King’s Way Christian, 6 p.m. Friday
