Week 9 prep football previews, links to livestreams and predictions
We were 12-2 on picks last week, moving us to 92-31 (.748) on the season.
Here are the picks for Week 9:
Hudson’s Bay 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: Hudson’s Bay lost to Hockinson 52-20; Columbia River beat Washougal 16-13.
Last meeting: Columbia River 21, Hudson’s Bay 8, March 19, 2021
Game notes: Columbia River (3-5, 3-3 2A GSHL) clinches the No. 4 seed to the Week 10 district playoffs with a win or with a Washougal loss on Friday at Hockinson. Columbia River has won the last eight meetings dating back to 2006. River’s win last March was the two schools’ first meeting since 2013. The Rapids’ defense has been the key to victory, holding opponents to 13 points or fewer in their three wins. River rushed for 206 yards last week, led by quarterback Adam Watts’ 68 yards and two touchdowns. Hudson’s Bay (0-7, 0-6) is looking to avoid its first winless season since 2012. Bay scored three touchdowns last week after Hockinson took a 52-0 lead. Quarterback Dean Castillo passed for 95 yards and two touchdowns.
Prediction: Columbia River 27, Hudson’s Bay 6
Evergreen vs. Mountain View
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, 2205 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver
Broadcast info: None.
Last week: Evergreen lost to Prairie 28-6; Mountain View beat Battle Ground 34-3.
Last meeting: Mountain View 35, Evergreen 14, March 23, 2021
Game notes: Mountain View (6-2, 3-0 3A GSHL) has clinched at least a share of the 3A Greater St. Helens League title and the Thunder can clinch it outright with a win over Evergreen. Since the end of the 2019 season, the Thunder are 13-4, with all four losses coming to 4A teams Union (twice), Camas and Skyview. Mountain View has won seven straight games against 3A GSHL foes. Quarterback Mitch Johnson has thrown 15 passes this season, at least one in every game. He had four last week, three to Aiden Nicholson. Evergreen (3-5, 0-3) has been eliminated from postseason contention. The Plainsmen have dropped their last three, being held to 13 points or fewer in each game. Kyle Norton still leads the region in rushing yards 863 yards, but he had a season-low 33 last week. The Plainsmen started Jonathan Landry at quarterback last week. He passed for 113 yards and rushed for 93.
Prediction: Mountain View 42, Evergreen 13
Wahkiakum vs. King’s Way Christian
When: 6 p.m. Thursday
Where: Preece Memorial Stadium, King’s Way Christian HS, 3606 NE 78th St., Vancouver
Broadcast info: Online stream at King’s Way Christian Athletics School channel.
Last week: Wahkiakum beat Stevenson 41-2; King’s Way Christian was idle.
Last meeting: First meeting
Game notes: Wahkiakum (4-3) will play a non-league game on Friday before playing Adna on Monday in a game rescheduled from earlier this season. That game will decide fourth and fifth place in the Central 2B League South Division. Quarterback Brodie Avalon threw two touchdown passes last week. The closest game King’s Way Christian (0-6) has played this season was two weeks ago, a 32-27 loss to Stevenson. Wahkiakum mowed over Stevenson last week..
Prediction: Wahkiakum 48, King’s Way Christian 6
Stevenson vs. Onalaska
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Onalaska HS, 560 Carlisle Ave., Onalaska
Broadcast info: Online stream at NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Stevenson lost to Wahkiakum 41-2; Onalaska lost to Rainier (Ore.) 28-14.
Last meeting: No meetings since 2003.
Game notes: Stevenson (3-5) were nearly shut out last week. The Bulldogs’ only points came when Wahkiakum was called for intentional grounding in the end zone. The Bulldogs have lost three of their last four. Onalaska (2-5) has lost three straight to three very good teams — Kalama, Lynden Christian and Rainier, Ore. The Loggers were three yards away from a potential game-tying touchdown with less than a minute to play last week against Rainier. But a fumble was returned 88 yards for a Rainier touchdown. Marshall Haight rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown.
Prediction: Onalaska 48, Stevenson 6
Camas vs. Union
When: 4:30 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, 2205 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver
Broadcast info: TV, cable Ch. 28/328. Online stream at Evergreen Public Schools YouTube channel.
Last week: Camas beat Skyview 17-7; Union beat Wenatchee 41-20.
Last meeting: Union 17, Camas 9, Feb. 26, 2021.
Game notes: Union (6-2, 1-1 4A GSHL) finished strong with three second-half touchdowns against Wenatchee. Kellen Milliken got his first start at quarterback, completing 17 of 27 passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns. Union also played without Tobias Merriweather, who went to South Bend on a recruiting visit to watch the Irish play USC. Jaydon Jones rushed for two touchdowns, had a kickoff return for a touchdown and a 66-yard TD reception. Marques Cantu rushed for 83 yards and caught four passes for 54 yards. A Union win over Camas would force a three-way tie for first place in the 4A Greater St. Helens between Union, Camas and Skyview. If Camas (4-4, 2-0) wins, the Papermakers would be the 4A GSHL champions, and Union would be eliminated from postseason play. Camas, which has won four straight since an 0-4 start, relies on its defense to win games. Camas held Skyview to 59 yards rushing. The Papermakers’ offense can be methodical with big-play potential in the passing game. QB Taylor Ioane has passed for 1,096 yards, but only had 37 passing yards last week.
Prediction: Camas 20, Union 14
Adrienne Nelson vs. Skyview
When: 5 p.m. Friday
Where: Kiggins Bowl, Discovery MS, 800 E 40th St., Vancouver
Broadcast info: TV, cable Ch. 27. Online stream at Vancouver Public Schools YouTube channel.
Last week: Nelson lost to David Douglas 28-7; Skyview lost to Camas 17-7.
Last meeting: First meeting
Game notes: Adrienne Nelson (2-5) is a new school in Happy Valley, Ore., playing its first season of varsity football. It was thought the Hawks might draw players away from neighboring Clackamas, but almost all of Clackamas’ seniors remained with the Cavaliers, leaving Nelson young and inexperienced. The non-league game should help Skyview (6-2) rebound from a tough loss to Camas. The running game has been a strength for Skyview with Jaydin Knapp (671, 10) and Gabe Martin (457, 4) combining for 1,228 yards and 14 touchdowns. Last week, the Storm were held to 59 yards rushing. If Camas beats Union, Skyview will be assured of a Week 10 playoff spot. If Union beats Camas, Skyview will be in a three-way tie for first place in the 4A GSHL, requiring a three-team tiebreaker.
Prediction: Skyview 35, Nelson 6
Prairie vs. Heritage
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, 2205 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver
Broadcast info: TV, cable Ch. 28/328. Online stream at Evergreen Public Schools YouTube channel.
Last week: Prairie beat Evergreen 28-6; Heritage lost to Kelso 56-12.
Last meeting: Heritage 20, Prairie 6, March 23, 2021.
Game notes: Prairie (4-4, 1-2 3A GSHL) and Heritage (2-6, 1-2) have both been eliminated from postseason contention, and both are looking to finish their seasons on a high note. Heritage leads the series with Prairie 11-4. Prairie’s last win in the series came in 2006. Prairie’s defense has been a strength all season, but the Falcons have played especially well over the last three weeks, allowing just 23 total points. The versatile Thor Stepina is Prairie’s leading rusher and receiver. Last week, he got the start at quarterback. While he completed just 1 of 7 pass attempts, he led the Falcons with 137 yards rushing and one touchdown. Alex Ford rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns and threw one touchdown pass. Heritage’s Kedyn Bolds has rushed for 100+ yards in two of the last three games. LaDaimien McCord has 20 catches for 374 yards and six touchdowns, while Aiden Miller has 20 catches for 290 yards and two touchdowns.
Prediction: Prairie 27, Heritage 14
Kelso vs. Battle Ground
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: District Stadium, Battle Ground HS, 300 W Main St., Battle Ground
Broadcast info: TV, cable Ch. 29; Online stream at Battle Ground High School YouTube channel.
Last week: Kelso beat Heritage 56-12; Battle Ground lost to Mountain View 34-3.
Last meeting: Kelso 55, Battle Ground 20, March 5, 2021
Game notes: Kelso (6-2) wrapped up a Week 10 playoff berth with its win last week. The Hilanders will await the decision of the matchup committee to learn its playoff opponent. They will look to tune up with a non-league game. Conner Noah has rushed for 817 yards and 10 touchdowns. He had 204 yards last week against Heritage. Hunter Letteer has passed for 1,305 yards and 15 touchdowns. Battle Ground (0-7) has lost 15 straight dating back to the 2019 season. Leithan Reynolds-Weisenborn has averaged 55 yards rushing a game.
Prediction: Kelso 48, Battle Ground 6
Washougal vs. Hockinson
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Doc Harris Stadium, 841 NE 22nd Ave., Camas
Broadcast info: None.
Last week: Washougal lost to Columbia 16-13; Hockinson beat Hudson’s Bay 52-20.
Last meeting: Hockinson 24, Washougal 14, March 19, 2021
Game notes: Washougal (3-5, 3-3 2A GSHL) needs to beat Hockinson to keep its postseason hopes alive. But the Panthers could already be eliminated if Columbia River beats Hudson’s Bay on Thursday. On a soggy night against a tough River defense, Washougal struggled on offense when quarterback Holden Bea injured his back in the second quarter. Thomas Brown filled in at quarterback in the second half. Brown rushed for 66 yards and one touchdown last week. Hockinson (5-2, 4-1) has clinched the No. 2 seed to the Week 10 district playoffs and will host a playoff game next week. The Hawks have won five in a row. The defense has played especially well during the win streak. Hockinson led 52-0 at halftime last week. Quarterback Jarod Oldham has passed for 1,090 yards and 16 touchdowns. Kenyon Johnson is the Hawks’ leading receiver with 33 catches for 379 yards and seven touchdowns.
Prediction: Hockinson 45, Washougal 12
Woodland vs. Ridgefield
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Ridgefield HS, 2630 Hillhurst Rd., Ridgefield
Broadcast info: None.
Last week: Woodland lost to Mark Morris 34-15; Ridgefield beat R.A. Long 48-14.
Last meeting: Ridgefield 26, Woodland 7, March 19, 2021
Game notes: The defense led Woodland (2-6, 2-4 2A GSHL) to wins over R.A. Long (8-7) and Hudson’s Bay (21-0) and kept the Beavers within 8-8 of Mark Morris into the fourth quarter before the Monarchs pulled away. Brett Martynowicz passed for 121 yards last week. Dalton Beassie rushed for 35 yards. Woodland’s defense will be tested by high-powered Ridgefield (8-0, 6-0). The Spudders have clinched the No. 1 seed to the Week 10 playoffs and at least a share of the 2A GSHL title. Ridgefield can clinch the league title outright with a win. Logan DeBeaumont has averaged 199 yards passing since taking over as the starting quarterback. Davis Pankow has averaged 119 yards rushing over those same three games. Ty Snider caught five passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns last week. He also had a touchdown pass and an interception return for a TD.
Prediction: Ridgefield 48, Woodland 6
R.A. Long vs. Mark Morris
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Longview Memorial Stadium, 2903 Nichols Blvd., Longview
Broadcast info: Online stream on N2 Media Facebook page.
Last week: Mark Morris beat Woodland 34-15; R.A. Long lost to Ridgefield 48-14
Last meeting: Mark Morris 48, R.A. Long 0, March 19, 2021
Game notes: Mark Morris (4-4, 4-2 2A GSHL) clinched its first playoff berth since 2013 with its win last week. The Monarch will advance to the Week 10 district playoffs as the No. 3 seed and will play at W.F. West next week. This week’s game is for bragging rights in Longview. Mark Morris has won the last three meetings in the rivalry by an average margin of 41-9. The Monarchs rushed for 199 yards last week against Woodland, led by Deacon Dietz’ 62 yards and Tim Sears’ 56 yards. R.A. Long only rushed for just 28 yards last week against Ridgefield. Shaun Mize passed for 217 yards. Israel Rutherford had five catches for 69 yards and Jamond Harris II had six catches for 75 yards.
Prediction: Mark Morris 26, R.A. Long 12
La Center vs. Castle Rock
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Castle Rock HS, 5180 Westside Hwy, Castle Rock
Broadcast info: Online stream at NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: La Center beat Seton Catholic 61-14; Castle Rock lost to Eatonville 42-0.
Last meeting: La Center 26, Castle Rock 6, March 19, 2021
Game notes: This game will determine the Trico League championship. The winner will host a Week 10 playoff next week against the winner of Montesano and Elma. The loser will be the No. 2 seed and will play at Tenino next week. La Center (5-2) has won its last three games by a combined margin of 165-22. Quarterback Darren Cepeda has passed for 1,076 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 704 yards and 10 touchdowns. Jalen Ward and Andrew Kysar also contribute to the rushing attack. Levi Giles has 29 catches for 539 yards and seven touchdowns. Giles is also a threat in the return game. Castle Rock quarterback Chance Naugle has passed for 1,042 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushed for 427 yards and nine touchdowns.
Prediction: La Center 28, Castle Rock 17
South Umpqua vs. Kalama
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Barlow HS, 5105 SE 302nd Ave., Gresham Ore.
Broadcast info: Online stream at NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Kalama beat Toledo 36-7; South Umpqua beat Cascade Christian (Ore.) 28-26.
Last meeting: First meeting.
Game notes: Kalama (7-0) clinched the 2B Central League South Division title last week. Bradey O’Neil rushed for 112 yards on eight carries last week. Jackson Esary passed for 221 yards and three touchdowns. The Chinooks will play in a district crossover game next week. South Umpqua (8-0) out of Myrtle Creek, Ore., is the No. 1 team in Oregon Class 3A. The Lancers are led by junior quarterback Jace Johnson, who threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns last week. He also rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown. They also have RB Caj Simmons and receiver Kade Johnson.
Prediction: Kalama 34, South Umpqua 20
Tenino vs. Columbia-White Salmon
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Columbia HS, 1455 NW Bruin Country Rd., White Salmon
Broadcast info: Online stream at NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Tenino beat Elma 44-16; Columbia White Salmon beat Fort Vancouver 33-22.
Last meeting: Tenino 15, Columbia-White Salmon 14, Sept. 16, 2016
Game notes: Tenino (7-1) has clinched the No. 2 seed from the 1A Evergreen Conference and will host the La Center-Castle Rock loser in the Week 10 district playoffs next week. The Beavers’ lone loss was a 24-22 setback to No. 2 Eatonville. The Bruins are led by Oregon State-bound Takari Hickle. Columbia-White Salmon (2-5) needs Fort Vancouver to beat Seton Catholic on Saturday to keep the Bruins’ slim postseason hopes alive. Wesley White was the star in last week’s win over Fort, rushing for 113 yards and four touchdowns.
Prediction: Tenino 48, Columbia-White Salmon 6
Fort Vancouver vs. Seton Catholic
When: 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Seton Catholic HS, 9000 NE 64th Ave., Vancouver
Broadcast info: None.
Last week: Fort Vancouver lost to Columbia-White Salmon 33-22; Seton Catholic lost to La Center 61-14.
Last meeting: Seton Catholic 57, Fort Vancouver 12, March 19, 2018
Game notes: Fort Vancouver (0-7) played Columbia-White Salmon close until the Bruins pulled away late. Junior quarterback Kaeleb Cvitkovich ran for a couple of touchdowns. If Fort can beat Seton, the Trappers will be in a three-way tie for third in the Trico League with Seton and Columbia-White Salmon. Seton Catholic (2-6) can clinch the first playoff berth in school history with a win over the Trappers. Freshman quarterback Joe Callerame has passed for 1,280 yards and 15 touchdowns. Lance Stuck is the region’s leading receiver with 39 catches for 751 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Prediction: Seton Catholic 47, Fort Vancouver 12
