Week 3 2024 prep football previews, predictions and livestream links
After a 10-7 first week, we rebounded for a 15-4 mark in Week 2. That brings our season total to 25-11 (.694).
The 2A Greater St. Helens League and 1A Trico League open league play this week, so the stakes get higher.
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). Be aware of spam livestream links. All of these links have been verified.
Week 3 predictions:
North Thurston (1-1) vs. Evergreen (1-1)
When: 4:30 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, Evergreen HS, 2211 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver
What: Non-league game
Last week: North Thurston beat Shelton 41-21; Evergreen lost to Puyallup 37-13
Livestream: Evergreen Public Schools YouTube channel.
Last meeting: First meeting.
Game notes: Evergreen did good things on offense to start against Puyallup. Freshman QB Jayden Baum was 7 of 9 passing for 103 yards and one TD to open. But things went south as he was 3 for his next 13 for 12 yards. A botched snap on a punt helped Puyallup to go up 16-7 at halftime with a last-second field goal. Then three straight three-and-outs by the Plainsmen set Puyallup up for three straight touchdown drives to take a 37-7 lead. Evergreen did not cross into Puyallup territory until the final 32 seconds. The 2A Rams from Lacey should give Evergreen a chance to get things right.
Prediction: Evergreen 28, North Thurston 12. Plainsmen speed should propel them to victory.
Stevenson (1-1) vs. Fort Vancouver (0-2)
When: 5 p.m. Friday
Where: Kiggins Bowl, Discovery MS, 800 E 40th St, Vancouver
What: 1A Trico League game
Last week: Stevenson lost to Elma 26-7; Fort Vancouver lost to Toutle Lake 34-0.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Stevenson 20, Fort Vancouver 0, Sept. 15, 2023
Game notes: Both teams did good things on offense in Week 1. But that all dried up in Week 2. Fort Vancouver snapped a 16-game losing streak by beating Stevenson at Kiggins Bowl two years ago. Now the Trappers enter Trico League play with the longest active losing streak in Southwest Washington at 10 games. This could be the Trappers’ best chance at a Trico League win.
Prediction: Stevenson 27, Fort Vancouver 14. Bulldogs open Trico League play 1-0.
Mountain View (0-2) vs. Union (0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, Evergreen HS, 2211 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver
What: Non-league game
Last week: Mountain View lost to Battle Ground 23-12; Union lost to Woodinville 44-23.
Livestream: Evergreen Public Schools YouTube channel.
Last meeting: Mountain View 42, Union 21, Sept. 15, 2023
Game notes: Union and Mountain View have met every season for the past 14 years. And apart from Week 1 meetings (of which there have been four), the two have never met as two winless teams — until this year. Add in the fact that one of these two first-year coaches — Sean McDonald and Steve Pyne — will pick up a first win with their new programs. Both teams are trying to find their rhythm on offense. The Thunder may again lean heavily on senior RB Jaden Brown, while Titans likely will try to take shots downfield.
Prediction: Union 20, Mountain View 12. This one could be a repeat of last week’s game for Mountain View
Battle Ground (2-0) vs. Prairie (1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: District Stadium, Battle Ground HS, 300 W Main St., Battle Ground
What: Non-league game
Last week: Battle Ground beat Mountain View 23-12; Prairie beat Washougal 21-16.
Livestream: BGTV 27 YouTube channel.
Last meeting: Battle Ground 42, Prairie 7, Sept. 15, 2023
Game notes: Battle Ground junior quarterback Ethan Adams ranks second in the region in passing yards with 437 and three touchdowns. And Adams really hasn’t had a complete game yet. Prairie took some big strides forward in Week 2. But the Falcons will need to improve more to keep up with the Tigers.
Prediction: Battle Ground 31, Prairie 13. Too much Ethan Adams for the Falcons.
Camas (2-0) vs. Lincoln-Tacoma (1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Lincoln Bowl, Lincoln HS, 701 S 37th St, Tacoma
What: Non-league game
Last week: Camas beat Clackamas (Ore.) 48-6; Lincoln lost to Yelm 26-13.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Camas 21, Lincoln 7, Sept. 15, 2023
Game notes: The Papermakers had to fight and claw to get past Roosevelt in Week 1. Roosevelt ranks at No. 6 in the first Associated Press state rankings at 3A. Now Camas hits the road to Tacoma to face Lincoln. The Abes rank at No. 7 in 3A. The Camas offense got to stretch its legs a bit in the win over Clackamas. And that’s a good thing, because the Abes have some athletes on their side. This is the third consecutive year Camas has faced Lincoln, with each team winning once.
Prediction: Camas 31, Lincoln 21. Camas’ tough non-league schedule with a road trip, and win, in Tacoma.
Heritage (2-0) vs. River Ridge (1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: South Sound Stadium, North Thurston HS, 600 Sleater Kinney Rd NE, Olympia
What: Non-league game
Last week: Heritage beat Hudson’s Bay 31-10; River Ridge lost to Kelso 40-21.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: First meeting.
Game notes: Heritage is 2-0 for the first time since 2019. That team finished the year 2-7. The Timberwolves hope to avoid a repeat of that and getting a win on the road in Lacey would do the trick. It would also help Heritage to see how it sizes up against league rival Kelso. River Ridge led the Hilanders 21-20 in the third quarter before Kelso ran away for the victory. Heritage has shown the ability to break big plays, but performing with some consistency remains a challenge for the Timberwolves.
Prediction: River Ridge 28, Heritage 20. River Ridge also has big-play capabilities.
Kelso (2-0) vs. Bellarmine Prep (2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Memorial Field, Bellarmine Prep HS, 2300 S. Washington St, Tacoma
What: Non-league game
Last week: Kelso beat River Ridge 40-21; Bellarmine Prep beat Auburn 33-8.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: First meeting.
Game notes: Kelso has leaned heavily on senior running back Aden Mintonye, who has rushed for 369 yards and seven touchdowns in the first two games of the year. The Hilanders may need to get more out of the passing game to keep up with Bellarmine Prep. The Lions are playing their first season as a 3A team. This game figures to be the first big test for both teams.
Prediction: Bellarmine Prep 28, Kelso 24. Tough first road game for the Hilanders.
Columbia River (1-1) vs. Mark Morris (0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Longview Memorial Stadium, Hudson Street between 28th and 30th Ave, Longview
What: 2A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Mark Morris lost to Seton Catholic 46-6; Columbia River beat Columbia-White Salmon 30-14.
Livestream: None.
Last meeting: Mark Morris 21, Columbia River 3, Sept. 15, 2023
Game notes: This game is being played at Longview Memorial Stadium for a second consecutive year because of an agreement made between the two schools in 2022. That year, River was slated to Mark Morris in Longview. But the Rapids wanted to commemorate John O’Rourke Field that week, so an agreement was made to move the game to Columbia River. That meant the 2023 game would be played in Longview. Now, the league has returned to the original rotation of home sites, which means this game is played in Longview in even-number years. After Columbia River ran off seven consecutive wins over the Monarchs from 2013 to 2019, the Monarchs have come away victorious in the last three meetings. Both teams got thumped pretty good on their home fields by Seton Catholic. Mark Morris is still trying to adjust to Mike Peck’s spread attack, trying to put together the right pieces. Columbia River QB Cole Pearson eliminated the turnovers last week. He has completed 20 of 32 passes for 270 yards and two TDs.
Prediction: Columbia River 23, Mark Morris 20. Turnovers likely will decide this one.
Hockinson (0-2) vs. Ridgefield (2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Ridgefield Stadium, Ridgefield HS, 2630 Hillhurst Rd, Ridgefield
What: 2A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Hockinson lost to Mount Baker 27-7; Ridgefield beat Montesano 21-18
Livestream: N2 Media YouTube channel
Last meeting: Ridgefield 42, Hockinson 7, Sept. 15, 2023
Game notes: Ridgefield opens 2A GSHL play against the No. 10-ranked Hawks from Hockinson (yeah, we’re still trying to figure out that ranking). Spudders RB Cly Stephens was a workhorse last week, rushing for 187 yards on 33 carries. Ridgefield turned a late turnover into an 8-yard touchdown run by Stephens late to propel them to victory. QB Landon DeBeaumont likely will get into the action this week.
Prediction: Ridgefield 42, Hockinson 8. Spudders get the offense going again.
Washougal (1-1) vs. Woodland (0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Beaver Stadium, Woodland HS, 1500 Dike Access Rd, Woodland
What: 2A Greater St. Helens game
Last week: Washougal lost to Prairie 21-16; Woodland lost to La Center 28-0.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Woodland 33, Washougal 28, Sept. 15, 2023
Game notes: Both teams are looking to get their offenses going. Washougal has scored 24 points in two games, while Woodland has scored just 15. Washougal scheduled a pair of 3A opponents for their non-league games, while Woodland played some really good 1A teams. Which schedule got which team ready for 2A GSHL play? Elijah Andersen’s move to quarterback hasn’t resulted in big numbers. He has 108 yards rushing and 118 yards passing in two games. Washougal got bigger numbers in just their loss to Prairie last week. Mercy Johnston rushed for 130 yards last week, and Kaden Fautt passed for 228. But the Panthers need to work on finishing drives with touchdowns.
Prediction: Washougal 23, Woodland 20. Washougal gains an inside track to a playoff spot.
R.A. Long (1-1) vs. Hudson’s Bay (0-2)
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Kiggins Bowl, Discovery MS, 800 E 40th St, Vancouver
What: 2A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: R.A. Long beat Centralia 21-15 OT; Hudson’s Bay lost to Heritage 31-10.
Livestream: None.
Last meeting: Hudson’s Bay 20, R.A. Long 8, Sept. 15, 2023
Game notes: The goal on offense for Hudson’s Bay is have the guys up front win the line of scrimmage and run, run, run the ball. The Eagles had early success with the run game last week against Heritage, even without Aqeel Bauman in the lineup. Sustaining that success will be key for the Eagles. R.A. Long wants to get the ball outside to its playmakers. But the Lumberjacks need better line play for that to happen, and they have to avoid turnovers, which buried the Jacks early in Week 1.
Prediction: Hudson’s Bay 22, R.A. Long 13. Slow and steady wins the 2A GSHL opener for Bay.
King’s Way Christian (2-0) at Kalama (2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Chinook Stadium, Kalama HS, 548 China Garden Rd, Kalama
What: 1A Trico League game
Last week: King’s Way Christian beat Hoquiam 47-13; Kalama beat Tenino 38-35.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Kalama 48, King’s Way Christian 14, Sept. 22, 2023
Game notes: King’s Way Christian is off to a 2-0 start after getting 165 rushing yards from Ryan Charlton, and sophomore quarterback Owen Paulsen ranks fifth in the region with 355 passing yards. But the Knights have not yet faced a team like Kalama and player like senior quarterback Aiden Brown. Brown ranks sixth in the region in passing with 335 yards, but on the ground is where he has made the most damage. Through two weeks, he is the region’s top rusher with 412 yards and eight touchdowns.
Prediction: Kalama 41, King’s Way Christian 20. Aiden Brown just too much for the Knights.
Columbia-White Salmon (1-1) vs. La Center (2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: La Center Community Stadium, La Center HS, 725 NE Highland Ave, La Center
What: 1A Trico League game.
Last week: Columbia-White Salmon lost to Columbia River 30-14; La Center beat Woodland 28-0.
Livestream: La Center Athletics YouTube channel.
Last meeting: La Center 51, Columbia-White Salmon 6, Oct. 20, 2023
Game notes: La Center has a lot of weapons on offense with quarterback Wyatt Eiesland, receivers Houston Coyle and Parker McKinney, and running back Isaac Chromey ranked third in the region with 319 rushing yards. But the Wildcats’ defense has been most impressive, nearly shutting out Montesano zero and then keeping Woodland scoreless. Wongani Schlegel has rushed for 242 yards for Columbia-White Salmon, but he’s going to find tough sledding against La Center.
Prediction: La Center 42, Columbia-White Salmon 6. Wildcats are just too tough.
Seton Catholic (2-0) vs. Castle Rock (2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Rocket Stadium, Castle Rock HS, 5180 Westside Hwy, Castle Rock
What: 1A Trico League game.
Last week: Seton Catholic beat Mark Morris 46-6; Castle Rock beat Rochester 20-14.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Seton Catholic 38, Castle Rock 27, Oct. 6, 2023
Game notes: Castle Rock gave Seton Catholic one of its toughest games last season in league. To do that again in 2024, the Rockets will have to slow down the Cougars’ potent offensive attack. Jacob Williams has rushed for 255 yards and three touchdowns. Kolten Gesser is the region’s top passer with 470 yards and nine touchdowns. And then there’s the matter of trying to score against Seton’s defense, which has only allowed one touchdown in each of its first two games.
Prediction: Seton Catholic 36, Castle Rock 13. Too many weapons on both sides of the ball for Seton Catholic.
Puyallup (1-1) vs. Skyview (2-0)
When: Noon Saturday
Where: Kiggins Bowl, Discovery MS, 800 E 40th St, Vancouver
What: Non-league game
Last week: Puyallup beat Evergreen 37-13; Skyview beat Graham Kapowsin 21-17
Livestream: None.
Last meeting: Skyview 14, Puyallup 11, Nov. 5, 2022
Game notes: Skyview found itself behind 17-0 against Graham Kapowsin with 10 minutes to play before rallying to win. Quarterback James “Doogie” Poindexter threw for only 102 yards, but the Storm gained 171 yards on the ground. Also, the Storm defense played very well largely negating the five turnovers by the offense. Kyson Douglas had three touchdown runs last week for Puyallup. The Vikings forced three three-and-outs from Evergreen to open the second half, allowing Puyallup to pull away.
Prediction: Skyview 38, Puyallup 16. The Storm rallied to beat one of the favorites in the South Puget Sound League, and Puyallup is not one of the favorites in the SPSL.
