Week 1 2024 high school football preview, predictions and livestream links
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). This week, the NFHS Network is offering a one-year subscription for $30, if you use the promo code FLASH30 by Saturday.
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.
In Week 1 of 2023, we went 14-5 with our picks. In 2022, we opened with a 12-7 week. So let’s see how 2024 starts.
We have 17 games on the Week 1 docket. Here you go.
Columbia-White Salmon (1-8) vs. Hoquiam (1-8)
When: 4 p.m. Friday
Where: Olympic Stadium, 101 28th St, Hoquiam
What: Non-league game
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Hoquiam 56, Columbia 10 (Sept. 27, 2019)
Game notes: Columbia-White Salmon went 1-5 in the Trico League. The Bruins’ Week 9 win over Fort Vancouver snapped an 18-game losing streak. Hoquiam went 0-4 and finished fifth in the 1A Evergreen Conference. The Grizzlies lost their last seven after a Week 2 win over Fort. The Bruins bring back experience at the skill positions from a team that had several near-misses last season.
Prediction: Columbia-White Salmon 20, Hoquiam 14
Napavine (11-2) vs. Hudson’s Bay (7-3)
When: 5 p.m. Friday
Where: Kiggins Bowl, Discovery MS, 800 E 40th St, Vancouver
What: Non-league game
Livestream: None.
Last meeting: First meeting
Game notes: Napavine went 4-0 and finished first in the Central 2B League North Division. The Tigers won playoff games over Adna (48-0), River View (43-14) and Onalaska (36-26) before falling to Okanogan 28-24 in the 2B state title game. Hudson’s Bay went 5-2 and finished tied for second in the 2A Greater St. Helens League. The Eagles lost 35-14 to W.F. West in a district playoff. Napavine lost several key players to graduation. Bay returns experience up front.
Prediction: Hudson’s Bay 26, Napavine 20
Eisenhower (3-7) vs. Battle Ground (7-3)
When: 5:30 p.m. Friday
Where: District Stadium, Battle Ground HS, 300 W Main St., Battle Ground
What: Non-league game
Livestream: BGTV 27 YouTube Channel.
Last meeting: First meeting
Game notes: The Cadets from Yakima went 2-4 and placed fifth in the Columbia Basin/Big 9 Conference. Battle Ground went 1-2 in the 4A Greater St. Helens League and advanced to the Week 10 playoffs, falling to Sumner 48-6. Eisenhower is hopeful a good commitment to offseason workouts will pay dividends. Battle Ground will be turning to younger players after heavy graduation from its playoff team in 2023.
Prediction: Battle Ground 27, Eisenhower 14
Washougal (8-3) vs. Mountain View (9-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Fishback Stadium, Washougal HS, 1201 39th Street, Washougal
What: Non-league game
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: First meeting
Game notes: Washougal went 5-2 and finished tied for second in the 2A Greater St. Helens League. The Panthers beat Aberdeen 35-21 in a district playoff before falling to Orting 33-10 in the state first round. Mountain View went 4-0 and finished first in the 3A Greater St. Helens League. The Thunder beat Edmonds-Woodway 42-28 in the Week 10 playoff before falling to Kamiakin 27-12 in the state first round. Both teams have a lot of first-time starters in the lineup, and Sean McDonald makes his debut as the coach at Mountain View. This game was originally scheduled to play at McKenzie Stadium It was moved to Washougal so it could kick off later in the day because of the heat.
Prediction: Mountain View 28, Washougal 13
Roosevelt (8-2) vs. Camas (9-2)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
Where: Doc Harris Stadium, 1125 NE 22nd Ave, Camas
What: Non-league game
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: First meeting
Game notes: Roosevelt was 7-0 and finished first in the Metro League Sound Division. The Roughriders lost to Mt. Spokane 27-0 in the 3A Week 10 playoffs. Camas was 3-0 and finished first in the 4A Greater St. Helens League. The Papermakers beat Federal Way 56-7 in the Week 10 playoffs before falling to Mount Si 31-14 in the state first round. New head coach Adam Mathieson takes over a Camas program loaded with talent.
Prediction: Camas 34, Roosevelt 10
Union (2-7) vs. Evergreen (5-4)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, Evergreen HS, 2211 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver
What: Non-league game
Livestream: Evergreen Public Schools YouTube channel.
Last meeting: Union 47, Evergreen 27 (Oct. 1, 2021)
Game notes: Union was 0-3 and finished fourth in the 4A Greater St. Helens League. Evergreen was 2-2 and finished tied for second in the 3A Greater St. Helens League before losing in a three-team tiebreaker. Evergreen brings back experience on defense and talented players in the speed positions. Steve Pyne will coach his first game at Union after building a power in Oregon with Central Catholic.
Prediction: Union 24, Evergreen 17
Mark Morris (3-6) vs. Kelso (3-7)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Schroeder Field, Kelso HS, 1904 Allen St, Kelso
What: Non-league game
Livestream: N2 Media YouTube channel.
Online radio: Klog.com
Last meeting: Kelso 48, Mark Morris 0 (Sept. 6, 2019)
Game notes: Mark Morris was 2-5 and tied for sixth in the 2A Greater St. Helens League. Kelso was 2-2 and tied for second in the 3A Greater St. Helens League. After winning a three-team tiebreaker, the Hilanders lost to Garfield 35-0 in the 3A Week 10 playoffs. Coach Mike Peck returns to Longview and Southwest Washington and brings the spread attack to Mark Morris. The transition could take time. Kelso returns experience from a playoff team that was better than its 3-7 record.
Prediction: Kelso 33, Mark Morris 14
Seton Catholic (11-2) vs. Columbia River (2-7)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: John O’Rourke Field, Columbia River HS, 800 NW 99th St, Vancouver
What: Non-league game
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: First meeting
Game notes: Seton Catholic went 5-1 and finished second in the Trico League. The Cougars won playoff games over Tenino (51-7), King’s (56-48) and Cashmere (42-35) before falling to Royal 42-0 in the 1A state semifinals. Columbia River was 2-5 and tied for sixth in the 2A Greater St. Helens League. Seton Catholic brings back more than a dozen all-league players to a talented roster. Columbia River is retooling its attack after graduating 30 players off last year’s roster.
Prediction: Seton Catholic 35, Columbia River 13
Fife (4-5) vs. Hockinson (3-6)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Hockinson High Stadium, Hockinson HS, 16819 NE 159th St, Hockinson
What: Non-league game
Livestream: None.
Last meeting: First meeting.
Game notes: Fife went 3-5 and tied for fifth in the 2A Puget Sound League. Hockinson was 3-4 and finished fifth in the 2A Greater St. Helens League. The Hawks return experience and good size up front, which is the foundation of any successful team. That could get the Hawks off to a good start.
Prediction: Hockinson 23, Fife 20
Castle Rock (4-6) vs. R.A. Long (1-8)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Longview Memorial Stadium, R.A. Long HS, 2903 Nichols Blvd, Longview
What: Non-league game
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: R.A. Long 19, Castle Rock 14 (Sept. 1, 2023)
Game notes: Castle Rock was 3-2 and finished third in the Trico League. The Rockets lost 15-14 to Eatonville in the district playoffs. R.A. Long was 0-7 and finished eighth in the 2A Greater St. Helens League. TreMayne Jenkins’ early-season injury gave Nick Niday the opportunity to play at quarterback. Now, both players are back with Niday at QB and Jenkins at WR. Castle Rock also experienced struggles with injury last season.
Prediction: R.A. Long 20, Castle Rock 16
Woodland (8-3) at Kalama (8-4)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Chinook Stadium, Kalama HS, 548 China Garden Rd, Kalama
What: Non-league game
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Woodland 44, Kalama 30 (Sept. 1, 2023)
Game notes: Woodland was 6-1 and finished first in the 2A Greater St. Helens League. The Beavers beat Rochester 33-8 in the district playoff before falling to Clarkston 44-6 in the 2A state first round. Kalama was 3-0 and finished first in the Central 2B League South Division. The Chinooks won playoff games over Pe Ell/Willapa Valley (30-12) and Friday Harbor (32-14) before falling to Onalaska (60-40) in the 2B state quarterfinals. Kalama and Woodland have opened every season, except the spring 2021 COVID season, against each other since 2003. Since then, Woodland has won 12 of 20 meetings, including the last two. Kalama brings back big-time talent in QB Aiden Brown and RB Drew Schlengen. But questions remain up front. That could be an area the Beavers can exploit to create space for all-everything Elijah Andersen.
Prediction: Woodland 37, Kalama 30
King’s Way Christian (2-7) vs. Rochester (5-5)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Rochester High Stadium, Rochester HS, 19800 Carper Rd SW, Rochester
What: Non-league game
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: First meeting
Game notes: King’s Way Christian was 2-4 and finished fifth in the Trico League. Rochester was 3-3 and finished fourth in the 2A Evergreen Conference. The Warriors lost to Woodland 33-8 in the district playoff. Rochester returns to 1A after being a playoff team at 2A. King’s Way Christian returns key players from a young team last season.
Prediction: Rochester 26, King’s Way Christian 14.
La Center (10-1) vs. Montesano (10-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Jack Rottle Field, Montesano HS, 303 Church St. N, Montesano
What: Non-league game
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Online radio: 1490Kwok.com
Last meeting: Montesano 42, La Center 20 (Nov. 5, 2021)
Game notes: La Center was 5-0 and finished first in the Trico League. The Wildcats beat Elma 50-7 in the district playoff before falling to Omak 21-7 in the state first round. Montesano was 4-0 and finished first in the 1A Evergreen Conference. The Bulldogs beat Stevenson 71-0 in the district playoff before falling to Freeman 28-21 in the state first round.This game figures to be a battle between Monte’s ability to move the ball around the field, and La Center’s ability to control the line.
Prediction: La Center 28, Montesano 26
Stevenson (3-6) vs. Rainier, Ore. (1-8)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Rainier High Stadium, Rainier HS, 28170 Old Rainier Rd, Rainier, Ore.
What: Non-league game
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Stevenson 23, Rainier 22 (Sept. 25, 2015)
Game notes: Stevenson was 3-1 and finished fourth in the Trico League. The Bulldogs lost 71-0 to Montesano in the district playoff. Rainier was 0-6 and finished seventh in the Oregon 3A Special District 1. Both programs start the year looking for an early spark, but both have a lot of questions that need to be answered.
Prediction: Stevenson 20, Rainier 16
Radford (1-1 in 2024) vs. Skyview (10-2)
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Kiggins Bowl, Discovery MS, 800 E 40th St, Vancouver
What: Non-league game
Livestream: None.
Last meeting: First meeting.
Game notes: Radford of Honolulu, Hawaii, went 1-7 in 2023, but still qualified for the playoffs. The Rams fell to Leilehua 43-14 in the playoffs. Radford opened the 2024 season with a 31-22 loss to Moanalua on Aug. 10 then beat Redlands (Calif.) 32-7 on Aug. 15. Against Redlands, quarterback Afi Togafua passed for 173 yards and rushed for two TDs. The Rams also returned a fumble and interception for touchdowns. Tagofua has passed for 321 yards in two games. His favorite target has been Jacob Sullivan (8 catches, 115 yards, 1 TD). Skyview was 2-1 and finished second in the 4A Greater St. Helens League. The Storm beat Bethel 49-21 and Skyview 42-7 in the playoffs before falling to Eastlake 17-14 in the 4A state quarterfinals.
Prediction: Skyview 31, Radford 14
Ridgefield (6-4) vs. Prairie (2-7)
When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: District Stadium, Battle Ground HS, 300 W Main St., Battle Ground
What: Non-league game
Livestream: BGTV 27 YouTube Channel.
Last meeting: Prairie 53, Ridgefield 12 (Oct. 25, 2019)
Game notes: Ridgefield was 5-2 and finished tied for second in the 2A Greater St. Helens League. The Spudders lost to Tumwater 55-13 in the district playoff. Prairie was 2-2 and tied for second in the 3A GSHL, falling in a three-team tiebreaker to Kelso. Prairie is returning to a spread attack that could take time to find its rhythm. Landon DeBeaumont steps into the starting QB slot for Ridgfield, with Cly Stephens at the running back spot.
Prediction: Ridgefield 28, Prairie 21
Heritage (0-9) vs. Fort Vancouver (1-8)
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Kiggins Bowl, Discovery MS, 800 E 40th St, Vancouver
What: Non-league game
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Fort Vancouver 24, Heritage 21 (Sept. 26, 2003)
Game notes: Heritage was 0-4 and finished fifth in the 3A Greater St. Helens League. The Trappers were 0-6 and finished seventh in the 1A Trico League. No matter who wins this game, some coach is getting victory No. 1 at their new school. Will Ephraim took over at Fort Vancouver after two seasons at Prairie. Kevin Peterson brings some consistency to an improving Heritage program that had three head coaches the past three seasons.
Prediction: Heritage 26, Fort Vancouver 13
