Prep football playoff preview: Juanita vs. Columbia River
JUANITA (8-2) vs. COLUMBIA RIVER (6-4)
3A state first-round game
When, where: 7 p.m. Saturday; Kiggins Bowl, Discovery MS, Vancouver
Last week: Juanita beat Oak Harbor 49-35; Columbia River beat Capital 60-55.
Last meeting: First meeting.
Players to watch: Juanita RB Salvon Ahmed rushed for 248 yards and 3 TDs last week. He also had 130 receiving yards and 1 TD; Columbia River QB Garrett McKee was the 3A Greater St. Helens League offensive player of the year. He has passed for 1,824 and 18 TDs.
Game notes: The winner will travel to face the winner of Bishop Blanchet-Sumner in the quarterfinals; Juanita piled up 500 yards of offense vs. Oak Harbor, but also gave up 477. Dean Sise scored three TDs, two rushing. QB Tavin Montgomery threw two TD passes. Juanita finished second in the 3A/2A Kingco at 4-1. The Rebels’ two losses came to Mountain View (57-28) and Bellevue (42-14). The Rebels have score 38 points or better in six games this season. One win came by forfeit. This is the third consecutive year River has advanced to the state first round. The Chieftains are the 3A Greater St. Helens League champion (3-0). River had a record-breaking offensive game last week. McKee passed for 491 yards and 6 TDs. He also rushed for 63 and 1 TD. Alex McGarry had 12 catches for 309 yards and 4 TDs.
The Prep Proletariat says: This one has all the makings of another offensive show at Kiggins. But the Chieftains have had struggles on defense. And the weather might not help River either. JUANITA 44, COLUMBIA RIVER 24
Score Czar says: Juanita 38, Columbia River 16
