Week 1 prep football previews, livestream links and predictions
Here are Week 1 preview caps for high school football teams in Southwest Washington from Castle Rock to White Salmon.
If you do not have a subscription to the NFHS Network, it might be time to consider getting one. More and more schools are broadcasting their games via the NFHS Network. A monthly subscription costs $11.99 – cheaper than the cost of two general admission tickets for in-person attendance. You can also get an annual subscription for $79.99 (an average of $6.67 a week).
We also advise you to take Week 1 predictions with a grain of salt. While we may have a good idea about how good local teams might be this season, you never really know until they take the field in real-game action. And predicting how good out-of-area teams are gets even more challenging.
But here you go.
Woodland vs. Kalama
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Chinook Stadium, Kalama HS
What: Non-league game
Livestream: Eli Sports/NFHS Network (subscription required).
Last meeting: Kalama 57, Woodland 20, Sept. 3, 2021
Game notes: Kalama returns to the field for the first time since winning the 2B state title last December. The Chinooks lost a large portion of the state championship team to graduation, plus their head coach – Sean McDonald – to Woodland. One of McDonald’s assistants, Mike Phelps, takes over at Kalama and sophomore QB Aiden Brown will lead the offense. McDonald takes over a Woodland program that has won just four games over the past three seasons. Kalama has won four of the last six games in this rivalry.
Prediction: Kalama 33, Woodland 20
Washougal vs. River Ridge
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: South Sound Stadium, North Thurston HS, Lacey
What: None.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: First meeting.
Game notes: Washougal went 3-6 last season, enduring injuries that turned a young team younger. But the Panthers return the bulk of his roster, led by junior QB Holden Bea. River Ridge went 3-5 last season, finishing 2-4 in the 3A South Sound Conference.
Prediction: Washougal 27, River Ridge 14
Hudson’s Bay vs. Heritage
When: 4:30 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, Vancouver
What: Non-league game
TV: Cable ch. 28/328.
Livestream: Evergreen Public Schools YouTube channel.
Last meeting: Heritage 8, Hudson’s Bay 0, Sept. 13, 2019
Game notes: Heritage went 2-7 last season. Heritage coach Chase Smith is making his head coaching debut. Hudson’s Bay went 1-7 last season, avoiding a winless season with a 21-14 upset win over Columbia River in Week 9. Mark Oliverio is back at Bay after coaching the Eagles in 2015-16. The Eagles are seeking their first season-opening win since 2017. Smith is trying to rebuild the Heritage program after several players left for other area schools.
Prediction: Hudson’s Bay 24, Heritage 12
Eisenhower vs. Evergreen
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, Vancouver
What: Non-league game
TV: Cable ch. 28/328.
Livestream: Evergreen Public Schools YouTube channel.
Last meeting: Evergreen 31, Eisenhower 20, Sept. 4, 2015
Game notes: Eisenhower of Yakima went 3-6 last season, dropping six in a row before a season-ending win over Wenatchee. Evergreen went 3-6 last season, after dropping its last five games. QB Jayden Crace returns to lead Evergreen, which also looks to have a strong line up front. The Plainsmen also have talent and speed on the edges.
Prediction: Evergreen 20, Eisenhower 7
Mark Morris vs. Battle Ground
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: District Stadium, Battle Ground HS
What: Non-league game
Livestream: None.
Radio: 101.5 FM or 1015theblitz.com
Last meeting: Mark Morris 45, Battle Ground 27, Sept. 14, 2001
Game notes: Mark Morris had its first winning regular season since 2013, going 5-4 before falling to W.F. West 21-7 in the Week 10 district playoff. Monarchs coach Shawn Perkins is the longest tenured coach in the 2A Greater St. Helens League, entering his 20th season. Battle Ground coach Mike Woodward is making his debut at his alma mater. The Tigers went 0-9 last year and have lost 17 in a row dating back 2019.
Prediction: Mark Morris 27, Battle Ground 19
Camas vs. Yelm
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Yelm HS
What: Non-league game
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Camas 19, Yelm 6, Nov. 7, 1980
Game notes: Camas started last season 0-4 before winning seven in a row. The Papermakers return eight all-league players, which led Cascadia Preps to put Camas atop its preseason 4A rankings. Camas again faces a tough non-league slate, opening on the road against a Yelm team ranked No. 2 in Class 3A by Cascadia Preps and Scorebook Live. WR Kyler Ronquillo is a Portland State commit and former Skyview player Isaiah Patterson is part of a talented linebacker crew.
Prediction: Camas 28, Yelm 23
Skyview vs. Jesuit
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Jesuit HS, Beaverton, Ore.
What: Non-league game
Livestream: Jesuit High School YouTube channel.
Last meeting: First meeting
Game notes: Jesuit is coming off a 12-2 season that included a 20-10 win over Camas and a 35-28 loss to Central Catholic in the Oregon 6A state semifinal last year. The Crusaders will provide a big challenge for a youthful Skyview team with a roster loaded with sophomores and juniors.
Prediction: Jesuit 35, Skyview 13
Timberline vs. Kelso
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Schroeder Field, Kelso HS
What: Non-league game
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Radio: KLOG FM 100.7 or klog.com
Last meeting: Timberline 35, Kelso 6, Nov. 4, 2005
Game notes: Kelso is coming off an 8-3 season that saw the Hilanders reach the state playoffs for the second consecutive (possible) season. Both were ended by losses to O’Dea. Conner Noah, who rushed for 817 yards and 10 TDs last season, returns for Kelso. Timberline went 7-4 and also reached the first round of the 3A state playoffs, falling to Kennewick 28-7.
Prediction: Kelso 28, Timberline 21
Mountain View vs. Nooksack Valley
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Nooksack Valley HS
What: Non-league game
Livestream: Nooksack Valley YouTube Channel
Last meeting: First meeting.
Game notes: Mountain View is coming off a 7-3 season and a load of talented returners on the rosters, which has the Thunder primed to return to the 3A state playoffs for the first time since 2018. The Thunder will be a big challenge for the 1A Pioneers of Nooksack Valley, coming off a 4-5 season that included a 35-7 loss to Kelso.
Prediction: Mountain View 42, Nooksack Valley 7
Prairie vs. Auburn
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Auburn Memorial Stadium, Auburn WA
What: Non-league game
Livestream: None.
Last meeting: No meetings since 1990.
Game notes: Will Ephraim takes over as head coach at Prairie, which is coming off a 6-4 season. The Falcons won four of their last five games. They return good size up front, opening holes for a talent group of RBs led by senior Alex Ford. Auburn went 6-4 overall and 4-2 in the 3A North Puget Sound League, falling to O’Dea 48-8 in a Week 10 playoff. Trojans QB Amari Goodfellow is a dual threat.
Prediction: Auburn 30, Prairie 14
Columbia River vs. Foss
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Mount Tahoma Stadium, Mount Tahoma HS, Tacoma
What: Non-league game
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: No meetings since 1990.
Game notes: Senior QB Adam Watts leads a team that returns a ton of experience from an injury-riddle 2021 season. The Rapids return a solid defensive unit. Foss is a 2A school that is playing an independent schedule this season, with games also against Evergreen and Fort Vancouver.
Prediction: Columbia River 38, Foss 12
Hockinson vs. La Center
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: La Center HS
What: Non-league game
Livestream: La Center Wildcat Football Facebook page
Last meeting: Hockinson 42, La Center 6, Sept. 1, 2017
Game notes: In the 18 seasons since Hockinson started playing football, the Hawks have faced La Center 12 times. It’s a rivalry started by good friends John Lambert (La Center head coach) and Rock Steele (former Hockinson head coach). In the first few years, it was an even matchup with La Center winning 4 of the first 7 meetings. But Hockinson has won the last five since 2010. This is the first meeting since 2017, and it looks to be a good matchup.
Prediction: Hockinson 31, La Center 27
Castle Rock vs. R.A. Long
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Longview Memorial Stadium
What: Non-league game
Livestream: N2 Media Facebook page (no fee)
Last meeting: No meetings since 1990.
Game notes: After opening last season against Ridgefield, Castle Rock goes against another 2A GSHL team in R.A. Long. It should be a better matchup for the Rockets, who are filling some key holes left by graduating seniors. The Lumberjacks, behind QB Shaun Mize, are looking to get off onto a good start.
Prediction: R.A. Long 27, Castle Rock 13
W.F. West vs. Ridgefield
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Ridgefield HS
What: Non-league game
Livestream: Ridgefield athletics YouTube channel
Online radio: KELA-AM.
Last meeting: W.F. West 33, Ridgefield 13, Sept. 8, 2017
Game notes: W.F. West returns dual-threat QB Gavin Fugate from a team that reached the 2A state playoffs last season. Ridgefield brings back both of its quarterbacks in juniors Brayden Malella and Logan DeBeaumont from a team that reached the 2A state quarterfinals.
Prediction: Ridgefield 34, W.F. West 21
Goldendale vs. Columbia-White Salmon
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Columbia HS, White Salmon
What: Non-league game
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Goldendale 52, Columbia-White Salmon 20, Sept. 3, 2021
Game notes: Goldendale broke a six-game losing streak in the gorge rivalry with a win last season. That started the Timberwolves toward a 9-2 season. A large group of seniors graduated by QB Kade Bomberger returns. Columbia-White Salmon brings back good size up front which hopes to provide running lanes for Wesley White.
Prediction: Goldendale 33, Columbia-White Salmon 20
King’s Way Christian vs. Stevenson
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Stevenson HS
What: Non-league game
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Stevenson 32, King’s Way Christian 27, Oct. 15, 2021.
Game notes: King’s Way Christian returns to playing a 1A Trico schedule after an 0-7 campaign in its first season after putting the program on hiatus for a year. The Knights were very young last year, but have a lot of experience coming back. The Knights’ closest game was against Stevenson, which will play as a 2B independent this season before returning to the Trico next season.
Prediction: Stevenson 20, King’s Way Christian 13
Rochester vs. Seton Catholic
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Seton Catholic HS, Vancouver
What: Non-league game
Livestream: None.
Last meeting: Rochester 49, Seton Catholic 8, Sept. 10, 2021
Game notes: After clinching the first playoff berth in school history, Seton Catholic looks to build off that success. The Cougars remain young, but they have good experience. The game against Rochester will be a good measuring stick. The Warriors were 8-4 and a playoff qualifier from the 2A Evergreen Conference, falling to Hockinson 50-7 in the Week 10 playoff.
Prediction: Rochester 35, Seton Catholic 22
Fort Vancouver vs. Vashon Island
When: 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Vashon Island HS
What: Non-league game
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: No meetings since 1990.
Game notes: Fort Vancouver has lost 14 straight dating back to the 2019 season and 44 of its last 45 dating back to 2016. But the Trappers were more competitive in 2021 and with 20 seniors back after riding through some rough patches, Fort looks primed for improvement. Vashon Island was 3-6 last season and 1-4 in the 1A Nisqually League.
Prediction: Vashon Island 26, Fort Vancouver 18
Eastlake vs. Union
When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, Vancouver
What: Non-league game
Livestream: None.
Last meeting: Eastlake 31, Union 8, Sept. 20, 2019
Game notes: Eastlake was a mid-summer schedule replacement for Union after O’Dea opted to play Bothell in Week 1. The Wolves went 11-1 last season, falling to Lake Stevens 45-28 in the 4A state semifinals. The offense should feature another three-headed rushing attack with seniors Blake Borup and Harry Reid, and junior Jack Edmunds. Union is coming off a 6-3 season that saw the Titans miss the playoffs in the tough 4A Greater St. Helens League. Tyson Fuehrer, who played primarily linebacker last season, returns to take over at QB, giving the Titans a big threat in the backfield.
Prediction: Eastlake 28, Union 24
