Week 8 prep football previews, livestream links and predictions
We were 11-2 on picks last week, moving us to 80-29 (.719) on the season.
Here are the picks for Week 8:
Washougal vs. Columbia River
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Kiggins Bowl, Discovery MS, 800 E 40th St., Vancouver
Broadcast info: TV, cable Ch. 28/328. Online stream at Vancouver Public Schools YouTube channel.
Last week: Washougal beat R.A. Long 41-10; Columbia River lost to Ridgefield 34-7.
Last meeting: Washougal 21, Columbia River 14, March 12, 2021
Game notes: Washougal (3-4, 3-2 2A GSHL) can clinch a playoff berth with a win over River coupled with a Mark Morris win over Woodland this week. Likewise, Columbia River (2-5, 2-3) could be eliminated from postseason contention with a loss. However, a River win puts the Rapids right in the middle of the postseason mix. River has reached the postseason every year since 2011. Washougal quarterback Holden Bea leads the region in passing yards with 1,325 yards and 14 touchdowns. Sam Evers had a breakout game with six catches for 165 yards last week. Adam Watts has led River with 670 yards passing and three touchdowns.
Prediction: Washougal 27, Columbia River 13
Battle Ground vs. Mountain View
When: 4:30 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, 2205 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver
Broadcast info: None.
Last week: Battle Ground lost to Heritage 27-10; Mountain View beat Prairie 17-14.
Last meeting: Mountain View 34, Battle Ground 18, March 18, 2021
Game notes: Battle Ground (0-6) is led by Leithan Reynolds-Weisenborn, who has rushed for 306 yards and three touchdowns. Kameron Spencer has passed for 460 yards and three touchdowns. Mountain View (5-2) has clinched a share of the 3A Greater St. Helens League title and the playoff berth that goes with that. The Thunder get a week off from league play to get ready for their league finale next Thursday against Evergreen. Quarterback Mitch Johnson has passed for 1,011 yards and 11 touchdowns, but was held to a season-low 75 yards passing last week.
Prediction: Mountain View 48, Battle Ground 6
Prairie vs. Evergreen
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, 2205 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver
Broadcast info: None.
Last week: Prairie lost to Mountain View 17-14; Evergreen lost to Kelso 42-10.
Last meeting: Evergreen 34, Prairie 24, Feb. 26, 2021.
Game notes: A loss would eliminate both Prairie (3-4, 0-2) or Evergreen (3-4, 0-2) from the postseason race. Both teams would be eliminated if Kelso beats Heritage on Friday, regardless of if they win or lose this week. Prairie played an outstanding defensive game last week against Mountain View. The versatile Thor Stepina stepped in as starting quarterback last week, passing for 103 yards and rushed for 115. Evergreen is in the midst of a three-game losing streak. Kyle Norton still leads in the region in rushing yards with 830 yards and seven touchdowns. But he has been held below 95 yards in each of the last three games.
Prediction: Prairie 20, Evergreen 13
Skyview vs. Camas
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Doc Harris Stadium, 841 NE 22nd Ave., Camas
Broadcast info: Online stream on NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Skyview beat Union 37-7; Camas beat Tumwater 28-26
Last meeting: Camas 38, Skyview 31, OT, March 23, 2021
Game notes: Last season’s overtime win over Skyview was Camas’ ninth consecutive win over the Storm. Skyview’s last win in the series came in 2011. That was also the last year the Storm won the 4A Greater St. Helens League title outright. Skyview (6-1) can clinch the 4A GSHL title with a win over Camas. Skyview’s Jaydin Knapp has been the region’s most productive rusher the past two weeks, running for 364 yards and five touchdowns. QB Niko Arriola has passed for 1,131 yards and 12 touchdowns. Camas (3-4) has won three consecutive games since opening the season 0-4 against a tough opening schedule. Two more wins — this week against Skyview and next week against Union — will give the Papermakers the league title. Camas quarterback Taylor Ioane has passed for 1,059 yards and seven touchdowns. The Papermakers rely on big-play passes on offense and a stingy defense.
Prediction: Skyview 24, Camas 14
Union vs. Wenatchee
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Apple Bowl, 1005 Orondo Ave., Wenatchee
Broadcast info: Online stream on NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Union lost to Skyview 37-7; Wenatchee lost to West Valley-Yakima 28-7.
Last meeting: First meeting.
Game notes: Union (5-2) will look to rebound from last week’s loss to Skyview with a non-league game on the road. Wenatchee (1-5) was a state playoff team in 2019 but it’s been a rough 2021 for the Panthers, who have dropped five straight since a Week 1 win over 1A Mount Baker. Wenatchee lost to Mountain View 51-14 in Week 3, a week after Union beat Mountain View 35-14. The Titans could probably find success just handing the ball to Jaydon Jones and Marques Cantu. But they may work out some issues with the passing game. QB Mitch Ratigan is coming off a season-low 76 yards last week.
Prediction: Union 48, Wenatchee 6
Heritage 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)
Last week: Heritage beat Battle Ground 27-10; Kelso beat Evergreen 42-10.
Last meeting: Heritage 30, Kelso 17, March 12, 2021
Game notes: This is the league final for Kelso (5-2). If the Hilanders win, they will claim the 3A Greater St. Helens League’ second berth to the Week 10 playoffs. But if Heritage (2-5) win, the Timberwolves could claim that second playoff berth with a win over Prairie next week. Heritage is coming off back-to-back wins after an 0-5 start. Quarterback Khalil Osoborn is coming off his most efficient game of the season, completing 10 of 14 passes for 180 yards and two TDs last week against Battle Ground. Aiden Miller was also a standout, rushing for 48 yards and a touchdown and catching seven passes for 115 yards and a score. Kelso rebounded with a dominating effort against Evergreen. RB Conner Noah had his first 100-yard game since Week 3, rushing for 106. Zeke Smith is emerging as a favorite target for QB Hunter Letteer, catching six passes for 185 yards and two TDs the past two weeks.
Prediction: Kelso 31, Heritage 13
Hockinson vs. Hudson’s Bay
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Kiggins Bowl, Discovery MS, 800 E 40th St., Vancouver
Broadcast info: TV, cable Ch. 28/328. Online stream at Vancouver Public Schools YouTube channel.
Last week: Hockinson beat Mark Morris 45-14; Hudson’s Bay lost to Woodland 21-0.
Last meeting: Hockinson 48, Hudson’s Bay 0, Oct. 1, 2015
Game notes: Hockinson (4-2) appears headed to the No. 2 seed to the district playoffs out of the 2A Greater St. Helens League. The Hawks have won four straight by an average margin of 45-8. But the Hawks likely will still need wins this week over Bay and next week over Washougal to lock up that No. 2 seed. Quarterback Jarod Oldham has thrown 10 touchdown passes over the past three games. John Charles was a scoring machine last week against Mark Morris, tallying 27 points on three touchdowns, a field goal and six PATs. Hudson’s Bay (0-6) Dylan Damos started at quarterback last week for Bay in place of Dean Castillo. Damos passed for 51 yards and rushed for 51 yards. The Eagles drove into the red zone four times in the first half, but failed to score.
Prediction: Hockinson 48, Hudson’s Bay 6
Ridgefield 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: Ridgefield beat Columbia River 34-7; R.A. Long lost to Washougal 41-10
Last meeting: Ridgefield 62, R.A. Long 0, Oct. 11, 2019
Game notes: Second-ranked Ridgefield (7-0) can clinch a share of the 2A Greater St. Helens League title and the No. 1 seed to the district playoffs with a win this week. R.A Long (2-5) could find itself out of the playoff chase if Washougal and Mark Morris both win this week, regardless of what the Lumberjacks do. Ridgefield has started to show off its running game in recent weeks. Davis Pankow has rushed for 278 yards and six touchdowns in the past two games. Logan DeBeaumont has completed 21 of 34 passes for 355 yards in the past two games since taking over as the starting quarterback. R.A. Long has depended on the passing game of QB Shaun Mize. Last week Mize passed for 212 yards on 31 pass attempts as the Lumberjacks were held to 21 net yards rushing.
Prediction: Ridgefield 48, R.A. Long 6
Mark Morris vs. Woodland
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Beaver Stadium, Woodland HS, 1500 Dyke Access Rd, Woodland
Broadcast info: Online stream at Woodland High School Athletics YouTube channel
Last week: Mark Morris lost to Hockinson 45-14; Woodland beat Hudson’s Bay 21-0
Last meeting: Woodland 35, Mark Morris 22, March 12, 2021
Game notes: Mark Morris (3-4) has dropped back-to-back league games by a combined 85-14, but the Monarchs can lock up a playoff berth by beating Woodland. Quarterback Kellen Desbiens has been held under 100 yards passing each of the last two weeks, but figures to play a key role against the Beavers. Woodland (2-5) has won back-to-back games and put itself into the playoff picture. But the Beavers need to beat the Monarchs to keep those hopes alive. The Beavers relied on big plays — a 99-yard kickoff return by Dalton Beassie and a 67-yard touchdown pass from Brett Martynowicz to Mark Morales — plus a bend-but-don’t-break defense to beat Bay last week.
Prediction: Mark Morris 26, Woodland 7
La Center vs. Seton Catholic
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Seton Catholic HS, 9000 NE 64th Ave., Vancouver
Broadcast info: Online stream at La Center Wildcats Football Facebook page
Last week: La Center beat Columbia-White Salmon 57-0; Seton Catholic lost to Castle Rock 42-40.
Last meeting: La Center 48, Seton Catholic 14, Oct. 12, 2018
Game notes: La Center (4-2) has won its last two games by a combined margin of 104-8. But the Wildcats should not look past Seton Catholic (2-5) and ahead to next week’s showdown with Castle Rock. The Cougars made Castle Rock earn its 42-40 win over Seton last week, forcing the Rockets to stop Seton on a last-minute two-point conversion try to preserve the win. If La Center wins this week, the Wildcats would play Castle Rock for the league title next week. Even with a loss this week, Seton Catholic could secure a playoff spot with a win over Fort Vancouver next week.
Prediction: La Center 42, Seton Catholic 26
Fort Vancouver vs. Columbia-White Salmon
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Columbia HS, 1455 NW Bruin Country Rd., White Salmon
Broadcast info: Online stream at NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Fort Vancouver was idle; Columbia-White Salmon lost to La Center 57-0.
Last meeting: Columbia-White Salmon 50, Fort Vancouver 42, Sept. 25, 2021
Game notes: This is a rematch of the non-league matchup last month between these two teams. It was Fort’s most competitive game of the season with both teams trading touchdowns for most of the game. Jace Greenwood had a huge game for Columbia (1-6) in the previous meeting, rushing for 190 yards and five touchdowns. But the senior quarterback did not play in last week’s game against La Center, and the Bruins’ offense struggled. Could that provide an opportunity for the Trappers (0-5) to snap their 11-game losing streak?
Prediction: Columbia-White Salmon 33, Fort Vancouver 26
Wahkiakum vs. Stevenson
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Stevenson HS, 390 NW Gropper Rd, Stevenson
Broadcast info: Online stream at NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Wahkiakum was idle; Stevenson beat King’s Way Christian 32-27
Last meeting: Wahkiakum 47, Stevenson 7, March 5, 2021
Game notes: Wahkiakum (3-3) comes into this game with a week of rest since its 42-0 loss to Kalama two weeks ago. The week prior to that, the Mules beat Toutle Lake 50-14. Stevenson (3-4) had to battle to get past King’s Way Christian last week. The Knights field a very young team as they are trying to rebuild its program. Stevenson owns a 24-12 win over Toutle Lake four weeks ago.
Prediction: Wahkiakum 36, Stevenson 6
Toledo vs. Kalama
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Kalama HS, 548 China Garden Rd., Kalama
Broadcast info: Online stream on NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Toledo beat Cascade Christian 48-32; Kalama beat Onalaska 58-6.
Last meeting: Kalama 42, Toledo 20, March 5, 2021
Game notes: Toledo (6-1) gets back into league action after a pair of non-league wins in the previous two weeks. Geoffrey Glass rushed for 212 yards on 13 carries and three touchdowns in the Riverhawks’ win last week. Kalama (6-0) is coming off a statement win over Onalaska. But now the Chinooks might have to prove that win with another against Toledo. Onalaska ran for 216 yards against Kalama last week, but it took 51 carries. That wasn’t nearly enough to keep up with Kalama quarterback Jackson Esary, who passed for 257 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 140 yards and three more TDs.
Prediction: Kalama 40, Toledo 12
Castle Rock vs. Eatonville
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Eatonville HS, 302 Mashell Ave. N., Eatonville
Broadcast info: None.
Last week: Castle Rock beat Seton Catholic 42-40; Eatonville beat Elma 51-6.
Last meeting: Castle Rock 27, Eatonville 18, Nov. 12, 2004
Game notes: Castle Rock (4-2) finds itself in an interesting situation this week. Looming on the schedule next week is a big game against La Center that figures to decide the Trico League title. How much will the Rockets want to risk injury against a very talented Eatonville squad if things start to go bad early? The Rockets could use this game as a measuring stick of sorts. Eatonville beat La Center 35-13 a month ago. If Castle Rock could play the Cruisers tougher than that, or even beat them, iit could provide a spark heading into next week. Rockets quarterback Chance Naugle has passed for 996 yards and 15 TDs this season, while also rushing for 392 yards and nine TDs.
Prediction: Eatonville 28, Castle Rock 13
