Week 3 2023 prep football previews, predictions and livestream links
We went 15-3 in our picks last week, moving our season total to 29-8 (78.4 percent).
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.
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East Valley-Yakima (2-0) vs. Heritage (0-2)
When: 4:30 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, Vancouver
Livestream: None
Last week: East Valley beat Naches Valley 48-28; Heritage lost to Stadium 28-0.
Last meeting: East Valley 48, Heritage 7 (2022).
Game notes: The 2A Red Devils are off to another solid start after going 7-3 last season. Heritage’s defense has played well in the opening weeks, but the offense has struggled for consistency, putting a lot of pressure on the defense. Evan Buckman’s rushing attack could help the Timberwolves’ keep possession.
Prediction: East Valley 34, Heritage 6
Hudson’s Bay (2-0) vs. R.A. Long (1-1)
When: 5 p.m. Friday
Where: Longview Memorial Stadium, Longview
Livestream: N2 Media YouTube channel
Last week: Hudson’s Bay beat King’s Way Christian 53-13; R.A. Long lost to Mercer Island 49-0.
Last meeting: Hudson’s Bay 61, R.A. Long 42 (2022).
Game notes: Bay has not really developed much of a passing attack in the opening weeks. But with Rafael Bauman leading the area in rushing with 282 yards. His brother Aqeel is not far back with 219 yards. R.A. Long will need to limit mistakes on offense and prevent big plays on defense if they hope to keep up.
Prediction: Hudson’s Bay 38, R.A. Long 19
Mountain View (1-1) vs. Union (0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, Vancouver
Livestream: None
Last week: Mountain View beat Ridgefield 49-24; Union lost to Yelm 62-34;
Last meeting: Mountain View 62, Union 35.
Game notes: Last year, these two teams put up nearly 100 points on the scoreboard. And the Thunder have that potential again behind QB Cash Cook (537 yards passing) and receiver Aiden Nicholson (279 yards receiving, 4 TDs). This will be a good test to see where Union is at after opening the season with two of the best teams in the state. Blake McDonald passed for 289 yards last week.
Prediction: Mountain View 42, Union 27
Lincoln-Tacoma (1-1) vs. Camas (1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Doc Harris Stadium, Camas
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Lincoln lost to Tualatin (Ore.) 17-14; Camas beat Glacier Peak 55-20.
Last meeting: Lincoln 42, Camas 28 (2022).
Game notes: Camas’ defense shined in Week 1. The offense came alive last week, with QB Jake Davidson passing for 330 yards and three touchdowns. Lincoln may not be as strong as past seasons. The Abes just squeaked past Auburn Riverside 14-6 in week 1.
Prediction: Camas 28, Lincoln 13
Bothell (2-0) vs. Skyview (2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Kiggins Bowl, Discovery Middle School, Vancouver
TV: Cable Ch. 28/328.
Livestream: Vancouver Public Schools YouTube channel.
Last week: Bothell beat Central Kitsap 41-3; Skyview beat Columbia River 49-0
Last meeting: Skyview 28, Bothell 10.
Game notes: Both teams shutout tough out-of-state opponents in Week 1. Bothell went all the way to New York to beat a team for Staten Island. Then last week, both routed teams from lower classifications. The Storm surprised the Cougars last season. Bothell will be out for revenge.
Prediction: Skyview 27, Bothell 21
Prairie (0-2) vs. Battle Ground (2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: District Stadium, Battle Ground High School
TV: Cable Ch. 27
Livestream: BGTV YouTube Channel.
Last week: Prairie lost to GW Graham (BC) 35-33; Battle Ground beat Todd Beamer 50-0.
Last meeting: Prairie 42, Battle Ground 14 (2022).
Game notes: Prairie is 0-2 having lost both games by a combined five points, leaving the Falcons feeling like they could be 2-0. Battle Ground is 2-0, outscoring its opponents by a combined 93-0. The Falcons have owned this rivalry over the last three meetings. Should be a good one in Battle Ground.
Prediction: Battle Ground 33, Prairie 27
Kelso (1-1) vs. Tumwater (2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Tumwater Stadium, Tumwater High School
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Kelso beat Capital 48-20; Tumwater beat North Kitsap 34-14.
Last meeting: Tumwater 38, Kelso 19 (2022).
Game notes: Word had it that Tumwater would be rebuilding some this season. Turns out, the Thunderbirds look to be just reloading. Kelso went into the South Sound region in Week 1 and got routed by Timberline.
Prediction: Tumwater 34, Kelso 14
Ridgefield (1-1) vs. Hockinson (0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Hockinson Stadium, Hockinson High School
Livestream: None
Last week: Ridgefield lost to Mountain View 49-24; Hockinson lost to Evergreen 62-14.
Last meeting: Ridgefield 26, Hockinson 21.
Game notes: Ridgefield is looking to get back on track after failing to keep up with Mountain View last week. Hockinson should have a hard time keeping up with the Spudders, especially if the Hawks are as careless with the ball as they were last week vs. Evergreen (8 turnovers).
Prediction: Ridgefield 48, Hockinson 6
Woodland (1-1) vs. Washougal (2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Fishback Stadium, Washougal High School
Livestream: None
Last week: Woodland lost to La Center 24-8; Washougal beat Toppenish 37-8.
Last meeting: Washougal 41, Woodland 9 (2022).
Game notes: This game had the markings of a big early-season matchup in the 2A Greater St. Helens League. It still could be, but Woodland had to do a better job on offense if the Beavers hope to keep up with Washougal QB Holden Bea, who has rushed for over 100 yards and passed for 240 or better in each of his fist two games.
Prediction: Washougal 31, Woodland 20
Kalama (1-1) vs. La Center (2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: La Center Community Stadium, La Center High School
Livestream: La Center Athletics YouTube channel.
Last week: Kalama beat Castle Rock 16-7; La Center beat Woodland 24-8.
Last meeting: La Center 49, Kalama 24 (2022).
Game notes: La Center has not looked like a team that has just four seniors on its roster in the opening weeks, rolling past 2A GSHL foes Hockinson and Woodland. Now the Wildcats get a team from a lower classification in 2B Kalama, which continues to improve with QB Aiden Brown leading the way.
Prediction: La Center 37, Kalama 20
Montesano (2-0) vs. Columbia-White Salmon (0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Bruin Stadium, Columbia High School, White Salmon
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Montesano beat Aberdeen 38-7; Columbia-White Salmon lost to Stevenson 13-7.
Last meeting: Montesano 56, Columbia-White Salmon 0 (2022).
Game notes: Columbia hung tough with the Bulldogs of Stevenson last week. The Bruins will have a much tougher time keeping up with the Bulldogs of Montesano, one of the top 1A teams in the state.
Prediction: Montesano 48, Columbia-White Salmon 6
Fort Vancouver (1-1) vs. Stevenson (2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Stevenson Stadium, Stevenson High School.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Fort Vancouver lost to Hoquiam 50-22; Stevenson beat Columbia-White Salmon 13-7.
Last meeting: Fort Vancouver 29, Stevenson 27 (2022).
Game notes: Playing a hybrid Trico League schedule again this season, Stevenson needs to win all four of its games against Trico opponents to be playoff-eligible. Thanks to outstanding play on defense, led by Hudson Holzhauser, the Bulldogs are halfway there. Stevenson looks to take the next step against a young and dangerous Fort team led by Caleb and Ayden Hyde.
Prediction: Stevenson 27, Fort Vancouver 12.
Castle Rock (0-2) vs. Elma (1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Elma High School, Elma.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Castle Rock lost to Kalama 16-7; Elma lost to Cascade Christian 40-20.
Last meeting: Castle Rock 28, Elma 18 (2022).
Game notes: Cody Warner’s debut as head coach at Castle Rock has not gone the way he had hoped. Now, the Rockets are looking to build some momentum before moving into Trico League play. And road win at Elma would be a big step in that direction.
Prediction: Castle Rock 20, Elma 16
Evergreen (2-0) vs. Kentlake (1-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: French Field, Kent-Meridian High School, Kent
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Evergreen beat Hockinson 62-14; Kentlake beat Mt. Rainier 19-13.
Last meeting: Evergreen 42, Kentlake 9 (2022).
Game notes: The way the defense played last week (8 turnovers, three touchdowns), Evergreen didn’t get a chance to stretch out its offense, which got off to an inconsistent start in Week 1. The Plainsmen got some big plays to blow open a close game against Kentlake last season. Evergreen is looking for a better start this week.
Prediction: Evergreen 35, Kentlake 20
Columbia River (0-2) vs. Mark Morris (1-1)
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Longview Memorial Stadium, Longview
Livestream: N2 Media YouTube channel
Last week: Columbia River lost to Skyview 49-0; Mark Morris beat Astoria 22-0.
Last meeting: Mark Morris 33, Columbia River 31 (2022).
Game notes: River lost starting QB Brayden Schiefer to injury last week, and his status going forward leaves some unknowns for the Rapids. Mark Morris is rebuilding its team after a senior-heavy squad last season. The Monarchs made some good progress last week, but the Rapids to provide a bigger test.
Prediction: Columbia River 20, Mark Morris 15
Seton Catholic (2-0) vs. Life Christian (2-0)
When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Mt. Tahoma High School, Tacoma
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Seton Catholic beat Goldendale 22-7; Life Christian beat Cle Elum/Roslyn 27-9
Last meeting: Seton Catholic 46, Life Christian 15 (2022).
Game notes: Winning on the road can be tough, but Seton Catholic has found a way to get it down – first with a solid offensive showing in Week 1 at Rochester, then a solid defensive game at Goldendale last week. Playing well on both sides of the ball will help get a third road win.
Prediction: Seton Catholic 27, Life Christian 20
King’s Way Christian (0-2) vs. Meridian (1-1)
When: 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Trojan Field, Meridian High School, Laurel.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: King’s Way Christian lost to Hudson’s Bay 53-13; Meridian lost to Chelan 21-20
Last meeting: Meridian 50, King’s Way Christian 13 (2022).
Game notes: Starting QB Sam Somarakis left last week’s game against Hudson’s Bay early in the first quarter, and freshman Owen Paulsen filled in admirably. He will need a lot of help from running back Ryan Charlton and the defense as the Knights travel north to play a Meridian team that is used to tough battles in the tough 1A Northwest Conference.
Prediction: Meridian 48, King’s Way Christian 12
