Week 5 prep football previews, livestream links and predictions
We were 13-4 on picks last week, moving us to 46-22 (.676) on the season.
Here are the picks for Week 5:
Battle Ground vs. Camas
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Doc Harris Stadium, 841 NE 22nd Ave., Camas
Broadcast info: Online stream on NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Battle Ground lost to Evergreen 27-18; Camas lost to West Linn 24-14
Last meeting: Camas 41, Battle Ground 14, Oct. 18, 2019
Game notes: Battle Ground (0-3) had its best game of the season to date last week against Evergreen. Leithan Reynolds-Weisenborn rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown. It feels weird that a game this late in the season features two teams looking for their first win. The Papermakers (0-4) are coming off a brutal non-league slate of games against top teams from Oregon. Camas played top-ranked West Linn very tough. Taylor Ioane had two touchdown passes last week. Camas’ defense held the Lions to a -7 net yards rushing.
Prediction: Camas 38, Battle Ground 6
Kalama vs. Stevenson
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Stevenson HS, 390 NW Gropper Rd, Stevenson
Broadcast info: Online stream on NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Kalama beat Adna 44-0; Stevenson beat Toutle Lake 24-12
Last meeting: Kalama 41, Stevenson 9, Oct. 9, 2015
Game notes: Jackson Esary continued his outstanding senior season for Kalama (3-0), rushing for 114 yards and passing for 104 yards in last week’s win over Adna. Max Cox had two catches for 42 yards and a touchdown.Stevenson (2-2) was tied 6-6 with Toute Lake in the third quarter before the Bulldogs took advantage of some turnovers to pull away.
Prediction: Kalama 40, Stevenson 12
Mark Morris vs. Hudson’s Bay
When: 5 p.m. Friday
Where: Kiggins Bowl, Discovery MS, 800 E 40th St., Vancouver
Broadcast info: Comcast Ch. 28/328; Online stream on Vancouver Public School YouTube channel.
Last week: Mark Morris beat Washougal 21-13; Hudsons’ Bay lost to Ridgefield 42-7
Last meeting: Mark Morris 15, Hudson’s Bay 8, Feb. 26, 2021
Game notes: Kellen Desbiens threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Eaton to put Mark Morris (2-2) up 21-13 late in the third quarter, then the Monarch defense made that stand up for a league win.Dossen Morrow recorded two sacks. Hudson’s Bay (0-3) will be looking for other players to step up after Mateo Varona was injured in the loss to Ridgefield. Niyjiel Brown rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown last week. Dean Castillo passed for 121 yards.
Prediction: Mark Morris 27, Hudson’s Bay 10
Evergreen vs. Union
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, 2205 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver
Broadcast info: None.
Last week: Evergreen beat Battle Ground 27-18; Union beat Chiawana 42-19.
Last meeting: Union 48, Evergreen 6, March 27, 2021
Game notes: Kyle Norton and the offensive line has been the strength for Evergreen (3-1). Norton leads the region with 620 yards rushing and six touchdowns. The Plainsmen rushed for 225 yards last week, but only passed for 28. Looking for ways to get receiver Jonathan Landry the ball, the junior took some direct snaps in the Wildcat formation. Union hasn’t had trouble getting Tobias Merriweather the ball. The senior has 14 catches for 293 yards and two touchdowns. He also has a TD run. He even takes the ball away from the opponent, returning an interception last week for a score. Marques Cantu had his best game of the season, rushing for 76 yards and two touchdowns and catching five passes for 55 yards and another TD.
Prediction: Union 42, Evergreen 13
Skyview vs. Prairie
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: District Stadium, Battle Ground HS, 300 W Main St., Battle Ground
Broadcast info: None.
Last week: Skyview lost to Coeur d’Alene 27-17; Prairie lost to Kelso 33-8.
Last meeting: Skyview 51, Prairie 0, March 5, 2021
Game notes: Skyview (3-1) found it tough to run the ball last week against Coeur d’Alene, so that put more pressure on QB Niko Arriola. Arriola passed for 188 yards. His favorite target was Teddy Beaver, who caught six passes for 80 yards. But two second-half interceptions hurt. The Skyview defense has been stout. The Storm will be a big test for Prairie (2-2), which is trying to bounce back from a tough loss to Kelso. Thor Stepina rushed for 75 yards and caught a 65-yard touchdown pass. But the Falcons managed only 75 yards on plays when Stepina did not touch the ball.
Prediction: Skyview 35, Prairie 12
Heritage vs. Sunset
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Sunset High School, 13840 NW Cornell Rd., Beaverton
Broadcast info: None
Last week: Heritage lost to Mountain View 49-20; Sunset beat Aloha 49-0.
Last meeting: First meeting.
Game notes: Heritage (0-4) is coming off its best offensive performance of the season. Kedyn Bolds rushed for 87 yards. LaDaimien McCord caught six passes for 120 yards and had a 36-yard touchdown run. But it won’t get easier against Sunset (3-1). The Apollos have three lopsided victories and a 28-14 loss to top-ranked West Linn.
Prediction: Sunset 42, Heritage 6
Mountain View vs. Kelso
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Schroeder Field, Kelso HS, 1904 Allen St., Kelso
Broadcast info: Online stream on NFHS Network (subscription required); Online radio at 1015thewave.com.
Last week: Mountain View beat Heritage 49-20; Kelso beat Prairie 33-6.
Last meeting: Mountain View 37, Kelso 14, Feb. 26, 2021
Game notes: Mountain View (3-1) got off to a slow start last week against Heritage. The Thunder rushed for 321 yards with 277 of those yards coming in the second half. Turnovers have also been an issue in Mountain View’s slow starts. The Thunder had three last week in the first half. Akili Kamau has rushed for 355 yards and five touchdowns. Kelso’s defense has been outstanding this season. The Hilanders (4-0) have allowed 15 total points in four games. Keos QB Hunter Letteer has been very efficient on offense, completing 42 of 60 passes for 581 yards and seven touchdowns. Conner Noah has rushed for 395 yards and six touchdowns.
Prediction: Mountain View 29, Kelso 27
Ridgefield vs. Washougal
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Fishback Stadium, Washougal HS, 1201 39th St., Washougal
Broadcast info: None.
Last week: Ridgefield beat Hudson’s Bay 42-7; Washougal lost to Mark Morris 21-13
Last meeting: Ridgefield 48, Washougal 0, Feb. 26, 2021
Game notes: The Spudders (4-0) like to sling the ball around. Sophomore QB Brayden Malella has passed for 926 yards and 14 touchdowns. Ty Snider (16 catches-366 yards-6 TDs) and Isaiah Cowley (15-299-5) are the top two in receiving yards in the region. Jakob Braustein and Ryan Jenkins are also threats. But as good as the Spudders have been on offense, they’ve just as good on defense. They have allowed 19 points all season. Washougal (1-3) appeared to right the ship with a big win over Woodland in Week 3, but could not complete the comeback last week against Mark Morris. The Monarchs jumped out to a 14-0 lead before Holden Bea brought the Panthers back with two TD passes. But Washougal could not take the lead. The Panthers will have a tougher time this week digging out of an early hole.
Prediction: Ridgefield 35, Washougal 6
Columbia River vs. R.A. Long
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Longview Memorial Stadium, 2903 Nichols Blvd., Longview
Broadcast info: Online stream on N2 Media Facebook page.
Last week: Columbia River beat Woodland 16-7; R.A. Long lost to Hockinson 65-13.
Last meeting: Columbia River 52, R.A. Long 7, Feb. 26, 2021
Game notes: Columbia River (1-3) leaned on its defense last week to get its first win of the season. The Rapids held Woodland to 181 yards. The offense is still trying to hit its stride, mustering just 172 yards last week. Injuries have been an issue for the Rapids. R.A. Long (2-2) is coming off a sobering loss to Hockinson. The Lumberjacks netted a negative 13 yards rushing. That put a lot of pressure on QB Shaun Mize, who was intercepted five times by the Hawks. But he also threw TD passes to Israel Rutherford and Jamond Harris.
Prediction: R.A. Long 20, Columbia River 13
Hockinson vs. Woodland
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Beaver Stadium, Woodland HS, 1500 Dyke Access Rd, Woodland
Broadcast info: None.
Last week: Hockinson beat R.A. Long 65-13; Woodland lost to Columbia River 16-7
Last meeting: Hockinson 27, Woodland 3, Feb. 27, 2021
Game notes: Hockinson (1-2) took out some frustration on R.A. Long last week. The Hawks held the Lumberjacks to 141 yards of offense, intercepted five passes, returning two for touchdowns. Cody Wheeler rushed for 89 yards. Jarod Oldham completed eight passes to five different receivers. Woodland (0-4) is hoping the Hawks don’t have any leftover frustration. It’s been a struggle for the Beavers. But they did play an outstanding game of defense against Columbia River. Daltron Beassie rushe for 97 yards last week.
Prediction: Hockinson 48, Woodland 6
Fort Vancouver vs. Castle Rock
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Castle Rock HS, 5180 Westside Hwy, Castle Rock
Broadcast info: None.
Last week: Fort Vancouver lost to Columbia-White Salmon 50-42; Castle Rock lost to Montesano 38-22
Last meeting:Castle Rock 66, Fort Vancouver 12, March 13, 2021
Game notes: Fort Vancouver (0-3) had its best game of the season last week against Columbia-White Salmon. The Trappers traded touchdowns with the Bruins, but when Columbia scored back-to-back TDs, the Trappers couldn’t get the stop they needed. After a Week 1 win over Mark Morris, Castle Rock (1-2) has lost games to a pair of undefeated teams — Ridgefield and Montesano. So the Trappers are looking to get back in the win column. This game was originally scheduled to be played at Fort, but a small sinkhole opened up under Fort’s on-campus field after heavy rains last week. So the game got moved to Castle Rock.
Prediction: Castle Rock 41, Fort Vancouver 12
Seton Catholic vs. Columbia-White Salmon
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Columbia HS, 1455 NW Bruin Country Rd., White Salmon
Broadcast info: Online stream on NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Seton Catholic lost to Friday Harbor 39-32; Columbia-White Salmon beat Fort Vancouver 50-42
Last meeting: Seton Catholic 28, Columbia-White Salmon 26, OT, Feb. 20, 2021
Game notes: Seton Catholic (1-3) has shown it can put up big numbers, but the Cougars are trying to end a three-game skid. Sean Emberlin stepped in at quarterback last week. He passed for 268 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 47 yards and two more touchdowns. Emberlin hit Lance Stuck on a 39-yard TD pass to put Seton up 32-31 in the fourth quarter. But Friday Harbor responded with a 56-yard TD run to win it. Stuck has 18 catches for 358 yards and six TDs. The Cougars gave head coach Dennis Herling his first win last February with a 28-26 win over Columbia-White Salmon (1-3). Jace Greenwood is coming off a monster game against Fort, rushing for 190 yards and five touchdowns, and returning an interception for a score. He has rushed for 393 yards on the season.
Prediction: Seton Catholic 34, Columbia-White Salmon 20
Adna vs. King’s Way Christian
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Preece Memorial Stadium, King’s Way Christian HS, 3606 NE 78th St., Vancouver
Broadcast info: Online stream at King’s Way Christian Schools athletics Facebook page.
Last week: Adna lost to Kalama 44-0; King’s Way Christian lost to Elma 66-25
Last meeting: First meeting
Game notes: King’s Way Christian (0-3) is playing its first 2B opponents after three consecutive 1A foes on its independent schedule. The youthful Knights had their best offensive performance of the season last week. Adna got shut down by a much bigger Kalama squad last week. The Pirates should find a more favorable matchup against the Knights.
Prediction: Adna 36, King’s Way Christian 12
Canceled games
La Center at Montesano
