Week 8 high school football previews, predictions and livestream links
After a 1-2 Thursday, we came through with a perfect Friday of picks to produce a 12-2 week, improving our season total to 83-29 (74.1 percent).
One of our two misses, we had the right score (but wrong team). Of our correct picks, several scores looked pretty close, particularly the Ridgefield-River game in which we narrowly underestimated the abilities of the kickers.
Here is how it broke down:
Predicted: Mountain View 28, Kelso 26
Actual: Kelso 28, Mountain View 26
Predicted: Evergreen 48, Heritage 6
Actual: Evergreen 55, Heritage 3
Predicted: Woodland 38, Hudson’s Bay 13
Actual: Hudson’s Bay 28, Woodland 21
Predicted: Camas 31, Skyview 21
Actual: Camas 36, Skyview 33
Predicted: Union 49, Battle Ground 13
Actual: Union 49, Battle Ground 25
Predicted: Prairie 41, Corvallis 20
Actual: Prairie 48, Corvallis 14
Predicted: Mark Morris 34, Hockinson 17
Actual: Mark Morris 35, Hockinson 31
Predicted: Washougal 48, R.A. Long 7
Actual: Washougal 64, R.A. Long 27
Predicted: Ridgefield 34, Columbia River 20
Actual: Ridgefield 35, Columbia River 21
Predicted: King’s Way Christian 36, Fort Vancouver 26
Actual: King’s Way Christian 42, Fort Vancouver 29
Predicted: La Center 45, Seton Catholic 13
Actual: La Center 70, Seton Catholic 20
Predicted: Castle Rock 48, Columbia-White Salmon 6
Actual: Castle Rock 46, Columbia-White Salmon 7
Predicted: Onalaska 48, Stevenson 6
Actual: Onalaska 44, Stevenson 14
Predicted: Kalama 33, Wahkiakum 19
Actual: Kalama 36, Wahkiakum 14
Here are preview caps for Week 8 with predictions and links to livestreams (don’t get caught getting scammed; these have all been validated).
Prairie (4-3, 0-2) vs. Evergreen (6-1, 2-0)
When: 4:30 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, Vancouver
What: 3A Greater St. Helens League game.
Livestream: None.
Last week: Prairie beat Corvallis 48-14; Evergreen beat Heritage 55-3.
Last meeting: Prairie 28, Evergreen 6, Oct. 22, 2021.
Game notes: It seems a little odd that a team between an 0-2 team and a 2-0 team would be a pivotal game in league play. But that is what this game is. If Evergreen wins, the Plainsmen will clinch a Week 10 playoff spot and then will play Kelso next week for the 3A GSHL title. However, if Prairie wins, the Falcons could force a three-way tie for second if Evergreen also falls to Kelso next week. But Evergreen could still claim a share of the league title with a win over Kelso next week.
Prediction: Evergreen 27, Prairie 20
Mountain View (3-4, 1-2) vs. Heritage (0-7, 0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, Vancouver
Livestream: None.
Last week: Mountain View lost to Kelso 28-26; Heritage lost to Evergreen 55-3.
Last meeting: Mountain View 49, Heritage 20, Sept. 24, 2021.
Game notes: Mountain View’s postseason hopes hinge on outcomes of other games. The Thunder need Prairie to beat Evergreen this week, and then Evergreen to lose to Kelso next week. Then the Thunder would be part of a three-way tie for second. Any other outcome, and the Thunder’s season will end after Week 9. Heritage is still looking for something positive to build on for 2023.
Prediction: Mountain View 48, Heritage 0
Union (3-4, 1-0) vs. Camas (4-3, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Doc Harris Stadium, Camas
What: 4A Greater St. Helens League
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Union beat Battle Ground 49-25; Camas beat Skyview 36-33.
Last meeting: Camas 17, Union 7, Oct. 29, 2021.
Game notes: Union has shown the ability to score points, averaging 34 points a game, and scoring at least 40 points in each of the last four games. But stopping teams has been a problem for the Titans. So meeting a Camas team that averages 35.6 points a game could be a problem for Union. Camas will secure a playoff berth with a win. If Union wins, the Titans will need another win next week against Skyview to capture the league title. If not, Union could find itself in a three-way tie with Skyview and Camas. If Union loses, the Titans could still secure a playoff berth with a win next week vs. Skyview. If Camas loses, the Papermakers would still earn the second playoff berth with a win over Battle Ground and a Union win over Skyview. Or Camas could find itself in that three-way tie.
Prediction: Camas 38, Union 21
Skyview (5-2, 0-1) vs. Battle Ground (2-5, 0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: District Stadium, Battle Ground HS, Battle Ground
What: 4A Greater St. Helens League game
TV: Cable Ch. 28.
Livestream: BG27 TV YouTube channel.
Last week: Skyview lost to Camas 36-33; Battle Ground lost to Union 49-25.
Last meeting: Skyview 51, Battle Ground 6, Sept. 10, 2021.
Game notes: After nearly knocking off Camas last week, Skyview is looking to regroup and face what would be essentially a playoff game next week against Union. If Camas wins this week, next week’s Skyview-Union game would be for the other berth to the Week 10 playoffs. If Union scores the upset, next week’s game for Skyview would be to force a three-way tie for the league title.
Prediction: Skyview 42, Battle Ground 13
Othello (6-1) vs. Kelso (5-2)
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Schroeder Field, Kelso HS, Kelso
What: Non-league game
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Othello beat Ellensburg 55-7; Kelso beat Mountain View 28-26.
Last meeting: First meeting.
Game notes: The game could be over quickly, and not because it is going to be a blowout. Both teams like to run the ball, which should keep the clock running. Kelso rushed for 273 of its 285 yards of offense last week against Mountain View. Othello also runs a run-heavy attack. It’s a battle between a good 3A team against a very good 1A team.
Prediction: Kelso 28, Othello 13
Washougal (6-1, 5-0) vs. Columbia River (3-5, 2-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: John O’Rourke Field, Columbia River HS, Vancouver
What: 2A Greater St. Helens League
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Washougal beat R.A. Long 64-27; Columbia River lost to Ridgefield 35-21.
Last meeting: Columbia River 16, Washougal 13, Oct. 22, 2021.
Game notes: Washougal is not only the only 2A GSHL to have already clinched a playoff berth, the Panthers are assured of a Week 10 home playoff game. A win this week would lock the Panthers into the No. 1 seed and at least a share of the league title. A River loss could end the Rapids’ playoff chase if Woodland beats Mark Morris. The best path to the postseason for River is to win this game. But keeping up with the high-powered Panthers could be a challenge.
Prediction: Washougal 41, Columbia River 20
Woodland (4-3, 3-2) vs. Mark Morris (6-1, 4-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Longview Memorial Stadium, Longview.
What: 2A Greater St. Helens League game
Livestream: N2 Media (subscription required)
Last week: Woodland lost to Hudson’s Bay 28-21; Mark Morris beat Hockinson 35-31.
Last meeting: Mark Morris 34, Woodland 15, Oct. 22, 2021.
Game notes: Barring a major upset next week, Mark Morris is all but assured of a playoff spot. But the Monarchs can assure themselves of a home game in Week 10 with a win over the Beavers. Woodland could clinch a playoff spot with a win and losses by both Columbia River and Hudson’s Bay this week. It would also put the Beavers in position to claim the No. 2 spot.
Prediction: Mark Morris 34, Woodland 19
Castle Rock (6-1, 3-0) vs. King’s Way Christian (4-2, 2-1)
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Preece Memorial Stadium, King’s Way Christian HS, Hazel Dell.
What: 1A Trico League game
Livestream: King’s Way Christian Schools YouTube channel.
Last week: Castle Rock beat Columbia-White Salmon 46-7; King’s Way Christian beat Fort Vancouver 42-29.
Last meeting: Castle Rock 41, King’s Way Christian 33, Oct. 11, 2019.
Game notes: Castle Rock has rolled to three Trico League wins.The Rockets can clinched a home playoff game in Week 10 with a win. King’s Way Christian had a balanced attack in last week’s win over Fort Vancouver, passing for 201 yards and rushing for 267 yards. Ryan Charlton rushed for 225 yards and four touchdowns. The Knights will need a similar effort to keep up with the potent Rockets.
Prediction: Castle Rock 41, King’s Way Christian 21
La Center (6-1, 2-0) vs. Columbia-White Salmon (0-7, 0-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Columbia HS, White Salmon
What: Trico League game.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: La Center beat Seton Catholic 70-20; Columbia-White Salmon lost to Castle Rock 46-7
Last meeting: La Center 57, Columbia-White Salmon 0, Oct. 15, 2021.
Game notes: La Center dominated Seton Catholic, and the Wildcats are looking to do more of the same against the winless Bruins.
Prediction: La Center 56, Columbia-White Salmon 6
Seton Catholic (3-4, 1-2) vs. Fort Vancouver (2-5, 0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Kiggins Bowl, Vancouver
What: Trico League game.
Livestream: None.
Last week: Seton Catholic lost to La Center 70-20; Fort Vancouver lost to King’s Way Christian 42-29.
Last meeting: Seton Catholic 42, Fort Vancouver 8, Oct. 30, 2021.
Game notes: Fort Vancouver had a great start last week against King’s Way, but the Trappers allowed the Knights to run away in the second half. If Fort wants to be a playoff team, the Trappers need to beat Seton Catholic. Seton Catholic will clinch a playoff berth with a win over Fort. The Cougars also are looking for some momentum going into their Week 9 matchup against rival King’s Way.
Prediction: Seton Catholic 41, Fort Vancouver 20
Stevenson (2-5, 0-3) vs. Wahkiakum (2-5, 0-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Wahkiakum HS, Cathlamet
What: Central 2B League game
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Stevenson lost to Onalaska beat 44-14; Wahkiakum lost to Kalama 36-14
Last meeting: Wahkiakum 41, Stevenson 2, Oct. 22, 2021.
Game notes: Kacen Bach is coming off a solid game last week, passing for 239 yards and rushing for 88 yards. The Bulldogs will need another solid effort from Bach and others to help Stevenson end its Central 2B League woes. Wahkiakum has also had its league struggles, so it provides an opportunity for Stevenson.
Prediction: Stevenson 20, Wahkiakum 14
Kalama (2-4, 2-1) vs. Toledo (6-1, 3-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Toledo HS, Toledo
What: Central 2B League game.
Livestream: NFHSNetwork.com (subscription required)
Last week: Kalama beat Wahkiakum 34-14; Toledo beat Adna 18-0.
Last meeting: Kalama 40, Toledo 15, Nov. 20, 2021.
Game notes: The two programs met in the 2B quarterfinals last season, with the Chinooks prevailing. And while Kalama has played much better in recent weeks, Toledo is back to being one of the top 2B teams in the state. This game could turn out much like the Kalama-Napavine game a couple of weeks ago.
Prediction: Toledo 46, Kalama 20
Hudson’s Bay (3-4, 2-3) vs. Hockinson (2-5, 1-4)
When: 2 p.m. Friday
Where: Hockinson HS, Hockinson
What: 2A Greater St. Helens League game
Livestream: None.
Last week: Hudson’s Bay beat Woodland 28-21; Hockinson lost to Mark Morris 35-31.
Last meeting: Hockinson 52, Hudson’s Bay 20, Oct. 22, 2021.
Game notes: Hudson’s Bay put itself right back in the playoff chase in the 2A GSHL. The Eagles are rooting for a Mark Morris win over Woodland. If that happens and Bay beats Hockinson, then the Eagles would be playing for a playoff spot next week against Columbia River. Hockinson, despite its four league losses, is not out of the playoff hunt yet. But the Hawks need to win their last two games, and then hope other outcomes break their way. Last week’s close call against Mark Morris shows that the Hawks are still a team to be concerned about.
Prediction: Hockinson 31, Hudson’s Bay 27
R.A. Long (0-7, 0-5) vs. Ridgefield (3-4, 3-2)
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Ridgefield HS, Ridgefield.
What: 2A Greater St. Helens League game
Livestream: Ridgefield Athletics YouTube channel.
Last week: R.A. Long lost to Washougal 64-27; Ridgefield beat Columbia River 35-21.
Last meeting: Ridgefield 48, R.A. Long 14, Oct. 22, 2021.
Game notes: R.A. Long has some players on offense, but the defense has been an issue. Five of the Lumberjacks last six opponents have scored at least 40 points. After putting up 53 against Hudson’s Bay two weeks ago, the Spudders are capable of tallying that many points. Ridgefield is looking to stay on track to secure at least a No. 3 seed to the playoffs.
Prediction: Ridgefield 45, R.A. Long 14
