1A state semifinal preview: Seton Catholic vs. Royal
The state playoffs continue to be a challenge for us. We completely struck out last week.
The 0-3 week dropped us to 135-30 (81.8 percent).
It’s getting to the point where having us pick against you is a good thing.
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Seton Catholic (11-1) vs. Royal (11-0)
CLASS 1A STATE QUARTERFINAL
When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Royal City Football Field, Royal HS, Royal City.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last week: Seton Catholic beat Cashmere 42-35; Royal beat Omak 49-0.
Last meeting: First meeting.
Game notes: Seton Catholic is the No. 12 seed; Royal is the No. 1 seed. The winner faces Nooksack Valley or Lakeside-Nine Mile Falls for the state championship. There is an old saying that says defense wins championships. But Seton Catholic has shown the past two weeks that offense can get a team in position to win a championship. Most teams don’t win back-to-back playoff games by surrendering an average of 41.5 points. But the Cougars have shown they are not most teams. Seton scored three touchdowns in the final seven minutes last week to beat Cashmere. Kolten Gesser threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns. Joe Callerame and Jacob Williams combined to rush for 114 yards. Counting on allowing Royal to put a lot of points on the board and then outscoring Knights is a risky proposition. Royal has shut out all three of its postseason opponents, beating Naches Valley 42-0, Eatonville 50-0 and Omak 49-0. Not only that, but Royal has been the class of 1A football since 2019, winning the last three 1A state championships. The Knights have won their last 18 playoff games, dating back to a 2018 semifinal loss. In those 18 wins, Royal has allowed an opponent to score in double digits only four times. On offense, Royal QB Lance Allen has passed for 31 touchdowns and rushed for 14 more.
Prediction: Royal 41, Seton Catholic 21
