Week 2 2023 prep football game previews, predictions and livestream links
Normally in Week 1, anything above .500 is considered a good week, as there are so many uncertainties heading into the season.
So to come away by going 14-5 on picks is a pretty good start. Let’s see what Week 2 brings.
Many schools offer livestream broadcasts of their home games, either free or for a fee. But fans should be aware of scammers using fake links to livestreams to lure in fans. All livestream links here are verified.
For schools that broadcast games on the NFHS Network, a subscription is required to watch games. Subscriptions cost $11.99 a month, or $79.99 a year.
Hockinson (0-1) vs. Evergreen (1-0)
When: 4:30 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, Vancouver
TV: Cable Ch. 27
Livestream: Evergreen Public Schools YouTube channel
Last week: Hockinson lost to La Center 43-7; Evergreen beat Eisenhower 14-12.
Last meeting: Evergreen 35, Hockinson 22 (2022).
Game notes: Hockinson is coming off its most lopsided regular-season loss since 2011. The Hawks rushed for just 26 yards, while completing 12 of 20 passes against La Center. Evergreen also had an uneven opener on offense against Eisenhower. Jayden Crace passed for 147 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 50 yards. The Plainsmen should have more success against the 2A Hawks.
Prediction: Evergreen 38, Hockinson 7
Hoquiam (0-1) vs. Fort Vancouver (1-0)
When: 5 p.m. Friday
Where: Kiggins Bowl, Discovery Middle School, Vancouver
TV: Cable Ch. 28/328.
Livestream: Vancouver Public Schools YouTube channel.
Last week: Hoquiam lost to Aberdeen 36-0; Fort Vancouver beat Vashon Island 20-7.
Last meeting: Hoquiam 49, Fort Vancouver 28 (2022).
Game notes: Hoquiam got nothing going against Aberdeen, getting outgained 426-50. Aberdeen rushed for 333 yards. Fort rushed for 154 yards against Vashon Island with Denis Zayets led with 90 yards. Hoquiam lost 40-0 to Aberdeen last year, then came back to beat the Trappers the next week.
Prediction: Hoquiam 33, Fort Vancouver 20
Hudson’s Bay (1-0) vs. King’s Way Christian (0-1)
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: S.R. Preece Memorial Stadium, King’s Way Christian Schools, Vancouver
Livestream: King’s Way Christian School YouTube channel.
Last week: Hudson’s Bay beat Heritage 31-7; King’s Way Christian lost to Stevenson 20-14.
Last meeting: First meeting.
Game notes: Hudson’s Bay took a few possessions to get its offense going last week. Two big runs by Rafael and Aqeel Bauman in the third quarter broke things open. But the Eagles were solid on defense. Likewise, King’s Way fell into a 20-0 halftime lead against Stevenson before getting things going. Ryan Charlton rushed for 130 yards.
Prediction: Hudson’s Bay 38, King’s Way Christian 13
Camas (0-1) vs. Glacier Peak (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Glacier Peak Stadium, Glacier Peak High School, Silver Firs
Livestream: STSPN YouTube channel.
Last week: Camas lost to Yelm 8-7; Glacier Peak beat Snohomish 20-13.
Last meeting: Glacier Peak 34, Camas 28 (2022).
Game notes: Camas struggled in its rushing game vs. Yelm, gaining 73 yards and averaging 3 yards a carry. Junior QB Jake Davidson passed for 209 yards on 11-of-26 passing. But the defense was outstanding. Glacier Peak is rebuilding after a talented senior class graduated. The Grizzlies battled to victory over Snohomish.
Prediction: Camas 27, Glacier Peak 20
Union (0-1) vs. Yelm (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Yelm Stadium, Yelm High School.
Livestream: NFHS Network. (subscription required)
Last week: Union lost to O’Dea 40-0; Yelm beat Camas 8-7.
Last meeting: Yelm 46, Union 6 (2022).
Game notes: After facing one heavily recruited RB in Jason Brown last week (8 carries, 137 yards), Union now faces another in Yelm’s Brayden Platt, who committed to Oregon earlier this week. The season got off to hard start for the Titans after losing starting QB Mitch Ratigan to injury on the third play of the game. Jake Cole and Blake McDonald took over at QB last week. The Tornados will be looking to break out offensively after being held to 8 points vs. Camas.
Prediction: Yelm 35, Union 7
Stadium (1-0) vs. Heritage (0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, Vancouver
TV: Cable Ch. 27
Livestream: Evergreen Public Schools YouTube channel
Last week: Stadium beat Cedarcrest 26-21 in OT; Heritage lost to Hudson’s Bay 31-7
Last meeting: Stadium 32, Heritage 0 (2022).
Game notes: Heritage showed signs of progress on offense last week, but struggled with consistency. The Timberwolves’ lone touchdown came on a kickoff return by Luke Melvin. The defense played well until Bay broke open big plays in the second half. One of Stadium’s two wins last year was an overtime win over Cedarcrest in Week 1. The other was a Week 2 win over Heritage.
Prediction: Stadium 26, Heritage 13
Capital (1-0) vs. Kelso (0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Ed Laulainen Stadium at Schroeder Field, Kelso High School
Livestream: NFHSNetwork. (subscription required)
Last week: Capital beat Thomas Jefferson 21-18; Kelso lost to Timberline 31-3.
Last meeting: Kelso 47, Capital 14 (2022).
Game notes: Kelso fell flat in Week 1, but the Hilanders trailed 9-3 heading into the fourth quarter before Timberline pulled away. Kelso struggled to run the ball, something that has been key to Kelso success in the past. The Hilanders should find better sledding against Capital.
Prediction: Kelso 21, Capital 13
GW Graham (1-0) vs. Prairie (0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: District Stadium, Battle Ground High School
Livestream: None.
Last week: GW Graham beat Belmont (BC) 36-22; Prairie lost to Auburn 14-12.
Last meeting: First meeting.
Game notes: GW Graham of Chilliwack, British Columbia won the BC provincial championship in 2021 and reached the state title game last year. The Grizzlies scored a touchdown late in last season’s title, then opted to go for two and get the win before getting stopped. Prairie got an 88-yard touchdown run from QB Braeden Slamp, but a safety surrendered by getting tackled in the end zone in the third quarter proved to be the difference in a loss to Auburn. As a general rule, Washington schools tend to have success against Canadian counterparts.
Prediction: Prairie 26, GW Graham 20
Mountain View (0-1) vs. Ridgefield (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Ridgefield Stadium, Ridgefield High School
Livestream: Ridgefield Athletics YouTube channel
Last week: Mountain View lost to Nooksack Valley 35-31; Ridgefield beat W.F. West 27-21.
Last meeting: Mountain View 26, Ridgefield 20, 2OT (2022)
Game notes: Mountain View’s loss last week stemmed from the Thunder’s inability to stop Nooksack Valley’s run game. The Thunder on offense leaned on their passing game with QB Cash Cook passing for 286 yards. Ridgefield was a bit more balanced on offense, but a bend-but-don’t-break defense was the key to victory. The Spudders came up with a key stops, particularly in the second half to win. Brayden Malella won the majority of snaps in Ridgefield’s QB tandem with Logan DeBeaumont. Malella passed for two TDs and ran for one.
Prediction: Ridgefield 28, Mountain View 21
Mark Morris (0-1) vs. Astoria (0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: CMH Field, Astoria
Livestream: Astoria School District YouTube channel
Last week: Mark Morris lost to Battle Ground 43-0; Astoria lost to Banks 52-0.
Last meeting: Mark Morris 28, Astoria 6 (2022)
Game notes: Mark Morris managed just 37 yards of offense against Battle Ground. The Monarchs compounded their offensive woes by losing three fumbles. Astoria also struggled in its opener with Banks.
Prediction: Mark Morris 13, Astoria 12
Mercer Island (0-1) vs. R.A. Long (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Longview Memorial Stadium, Longview
Livestream: N2 Media YouTube channel
Last week: Mercer Island lost to Seattle Prep 52-32; R.A. Long beat Castle Rock 19-14.
Last meeting: First meeting.
Game notes: TraMayne Jenkins had three touchdown passes and three interceptions in his debut at QB for R.A. Long as the Lumberjacks snapped a 15-game losing streak. Jenkins will have to play a much cleaner game against 3A Mercer Island. Islanders QB Spencer Kornblum threw for 316 yards and 3 TDs as Mercer Island piled up 500 yards of offense in its loss to Seattle Prep.
Prediction: Mercer Island 27, R.A. Long 12
Washougal (1-0) vs. Toppenish (0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Bob Winters Field at Wildcat Stadium, Toppenish High School
Livestream: Toppenish High School YouTube channel.
Last week: Washougal beat River Ridge 45-8; Toppenish lost to Royal 35-7.
Last meeting: Toppenish 48, Washougal 22 (2022).
Game notes: Washougal fans shouldn’t read too much into Toppenish’s Week 1 loss to 1A power Royal. Toppenish lost to Royal 34-6 last year before rolling past Washougal in Week 2. But the Panthers certainly look to be in a better starting point this year than last, after an impressive win over River Ridge. The Panthers will want to find more consistency in their running game so they don’t have to depend on QB Holden Bea to make big plays.
Prediction: Washougal 28, Toppenish 22
Woodland (1-0) vs. La Center (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: La Center Community Stadium, La Center High School
Livestream: La Center Athletics YouTube channel.
Last week: Woodland beat Kalama 44-30; La Center beat Hockinson 43-7
Last meeting: La Center 21, Woodland 6 (2022).
Game notes: Perhaps the most intriguing game of Week 2 in the area. Woodland had an impressive win over an improved Kalama team, with Elijah Andersen and Karson Northcutt combining for 255 yards rushing. Hockinson didn’t bring much of a ground game against La Center last week, so this will be a bigger test up front for the Wildcats. La Center’s Garrett Maunu was very efficient in his first start at QB. La Center likely will need more of that.
Prediction: Woodland 24, La Center 21
Castle Rock (0-1) vs. Kalama (0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Chinook Stadium Kalama High School
Livestream: None.
Last week: Castle Rock lost to R.A. Long 19-14; Kalama lost to Woodland 44-30.
Last meeting: Castle Rock 28, Kalama 8 (2022).
Game notes: Kalama QB Aiden Brown passed for 230 yards and 3 TDs last week and rushed for 108 yards on one TD. But the Chinooks struggled to stop Woodland’s rush attack. They will see a more favorable matchup on the line vs. Castle Rock. Castle Rock’s Stephen Ibsen rushed for two touchdowns before leaving late with a leg injury. His availability will be key for the Rockets.
Prediction: Kalama 27, Castle Rock 20
Stevenson (1-0) vs. Columbia-White Salmon (0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Bruin Stadium, Columbia High School, White Salmon
Livestream: NFHS Network. (subscription required)
Last week: Stevenson beat King’s Way Christian 20-14; Columbia-White Salmon lost to Goldendale 50-15
Last meeting: Stevenson 13, Columbia-White Salmon 0 (2022).
Game notes: Stevenson has won four of the last five meetings between the gorge rivals, including back-to-back wins by shutouts in 2021 and 2022. Stevenson’s ground game struggled last week, which likely led to a second-half scoring slump that allowed King’s Way Christian to creep back into the game. That puts more pressure on QB Kacen Bach. But Columbia-White Salmon’s offense also struggled last week.
Prediction: Stevenson 26, Columbia-White Salmon 6
Seton Catholic (1-0) vs. Goldendale (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Goldendale High School Stadium.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Seton Catholic beat Rochester 32-30; Goldendale beat Columbia-White Salmon 50-15
Last meeting: Seton Catholic 39, Goldendale 20 (2022).
Game notes: Seton Catholic recorded its first win over a Class 2A program in school history last week at Rochester. It took a stop of a two-point conversion in the final two minutes to preserve the victory. The Cougars surrendered almost 500 rushing yards to Rochester, and they’ll face another test in Goldendale’s Josh Smith, who rushed for 109 yards last week. Goldendale is a top-10 Class 2B program. Kolten Gesser threw three TD passes for Seton last week, and Joe Callerame and Jacob Williams scored two TDs each.
Prediction: Seton Catholic 36, Goldendale 27
Columbia River (0-1) vs. Skyview (1-0)
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Kiggins Bowl, Discovery Middle School, Vancouver
TV: Cable Ch. 28/328.
Livestream: Vancouver Public Schools YouTube channel.
Last week: Columbia River lost to West Seattle 24-19; Skyview beat Jesuit 28-0.
Last meeting: Skyview 41, Columbia River 13 (2022).
Game notes: Skyview has won the last eight meetings. The Storm have won the last seven meetings by an average margin of 41-6. Skyview looked strong, particularly on defense last week against Jesuit. If the Storm can get Gavin Packer back from injury, that would be a big spark to the offense. Columbia River got into a 21-0 hole against West Seattle and the Rapids could not dig themselves out. They will need a much stronger start to stay close to the Storm.
Prediction: Skyview 48, Columbia River 13
Todd Beamer (0-1) vs. Battle Ground (1-0)
When: Noon Saturday.
Where: District Stadium, Battle Ground High School
Livestream: NFHS Network. (subscription required)
Last week: Todd Beamer lost to Interlake 41-26; Battle Ground beat Mark Morris 43-0.
Last meeting: First meeting.
Game notes: Battle Ground looked very solid in its debut win. Sophomore QB Ethan Adams looked like an upperclassman, completing 16 of 19 passes for 210 yards. The rushing attack gained 187, splitting up the carriers between four different players. The defense held Mark Morris 37 total yards while recovering three fumbles. If the Tigers can repeat that performance, it should be a good day for Battle Ground.
Prediction: Battle Ground 27, Todd Beamer 19
