State first-round football preview: Kelso vs. O’Dea
Kelso vs. O’Dea
3A STATE FIRST ROUND
WHEN: 5 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Seattle Center, 401 5th Ave N, Seattle
BROADCAST: Internet webcast, NFHS Network; Radio, KLOG FM 100.7 FM; Internet radio, klog.com
SEEDS/RECORDS: No. 16 Kelso (7-2), No. 1 O’Dea (9-0)
LAST WEEK: Kelso beat Spanaway Lake 33-26; O’Dea beat Ferndale 42-7
LAST YEAR: Did not play
WINNER GETS: Peninsula or Mount Spokane
ABOUT KELSO: The Hilanders are the 3A Greater St. Helens League co-champions. The Hilanders are back in the state tournament for the first time since 2016. Kelso has not won a state game since 2004. Kelso’s strength is in its running game. The Hilanders gained 326 yards last week against Spanaway Lake, led by Josh Webb’s 212 yards and two TDs. QB Marshall Coleman rushed for 106 yards and two TDs. Webb has rushed for 1,428 yards and 19 touchdowns on the season.
ABOUT O’DEA : O’Dea, from Seattle, is the Metro League champion. The Fighting Irish were the 2017 state champions and runner-up in 2018. The Irish have a wealth of impressive wins over state tournament teams — Peninsula (21-6), Bethel (27-14), 4A Bothell (29-23) — including their signature win, a 28-6 win over 2018 state champion Eastside Catholic. Like Kelso, O’Dea prefers to run the ball, but the Irish have several ball carriers to turn to — senior Cameron Daniels, junior Milton Hopkins and junior Tajj Dyles.Daniels rushed for 122 yards on eight carries and two TDs last week.
FANS’ PICK: O’Dea (80 percent)
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