Week 5 prep football preview capsules, predictions on livestream links for Southwest Washington
A 14-3 week of pick (again two of our three misses came in the 2A GSHL) pushed our season mark to 50-18 (.735) on the season.
This week, the 3A Greater St. Helens League joins the 2A GSHL and 1A Trico with league games.
Even if you don’t agree with our predictions, take this piece of advice – don’t fall for livestream scams. We see them each week on social media – Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. They are non-validated livestream scams. To be sure they are not scams, be sure they are livestreams on the NFHS Network (NFHSnetwork.com) or YouTube streams provided by the schools themselves or school district. N2 Media is another validated local livestream provider.
All livestream links listed here are validated.
Here are Week 5 preview caps for high school football teams in Southwest Washington from Castle Rock to White Salmon.
Tumwater (4-0) vs. Union (1-3)
When: 4:30 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, Evergreen HS, 2211 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver
What: Non-league game
Last week: Tumwater 49, Nooksack Valley 12; Tualatin 64, Union 21
Livestream: None.
Last meeting: Union 33, Tumwater 29, Sept. 22, 2017
Game notes: Tumwater is off to a dominating start to the season. The closest game the Thunderbirds have played was a 38-27 win over 4A Eastlake in Week 3. But if you play the connect-the-score game, it does not look good for Union. Tumwater beat Puyallup 56-6 in Week 1. Puyallup beat Evergreen 37-14 in Week 2, and Evergreen beat Union 18-0 in Week 1.
Prediction: Tumwater 48, Union 6
Battle Ground (3-1) vs. Post Falls, Idaho (4-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Post Falls High Stadium, Post Falls HS, 2832 E Poleline Ave, Post Falls, Idaho
What: Non-league game
Last week: Battle Ground 17, McKay 7; Glacier Peak 47, Post Falls 42
Livestream: None.
Last meeting: First meeting
Game notes: Post Falls opened the season 4-0, including a 14-7 win over 4A Washington team, Eastmont. Post Falls showed what they could do in a 47-42 loss last week to Glacier Peak, a top-10 4A team. Battle Ground has been hot and cold this season. Either the Tigers play good defense but are inconsistent on offense. Or they play well on offense and give up big plays on defense. They will need to play well on both sides of the ball this week.
Prediction: Post Falls 30, Battle Ground 13
Camas (4-0) vs. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (4-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Coeur d’Alene High Stadium, Coeur d’Alene HS, 170 E Kathleen Ave, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
What: Non-league game
Last week: Camas 48, Oregon City 14; Coeur d’Alene 46, Sandpoint 20
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Camas 28, Coeur d’Alene 25, Sept. 22, 2017
Game notes: Coeur d’Alene is off to a good start. CDA’s four wins includes a 35-18 win over Washington 3A school Sunnyside. Camas’ passing game is hitting on all cylinders. QB Jake Davidson has thrown 17 touchdown passes, including 12 in the past two games. Camas’ defense has not allowed an opponent to score more than 14 points in any game this season.
Prediction: Camas 28, Coeur d’Alene 13
Skyview (3-1) vs. Decatur (4-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Federal Way Memorial Stadium, 1300 S. 308th St., Federal Way
What: Non-league game
Last week: West Linn 45, Skyview 0; Decatur 55, Kent-Meridian 6
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscriptions required)
Last meeting: First meeting
Game notes: Skyview received a sobering defeat against West Linn. But the Storm are hoping to get healthy, as QB Doogie Poindexter was sidelined last week. That put receiver Gavin Packer in the QB position, limiting what the Storm could do on offense. Once West Linn jumped out to an early lead, it made things tougher on Skyview. Now they get a good 3A team in Decatur. Maybe not West Linn good, but still a tough challenge for the Storm.
Prediction: Skyview 28, Decatur 17
Kelso (3-1) vs. Evergreen (3-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, Evergreen HS, 2211 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver
What: 3A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Kelso 21, Bremerton 0; Evergreen 47, Westview 14
Livestream: None.
Last meeting: Kelso 28, Evergreen 7, Oct. 27, 2023
Game notes: This is the league opener in the 3A GSHL, but this game could very well end up deciding the league title. For Kelso, it starts with RB Aden Mintonye and the offensive line. Mintonye leads the region in rushing by a lot. The senior has 835 yards, almost 200 yards more than the next leading rusher. Evergreen will need to contain Mintonye, while also producing on offense to keep the pressure off the defense. Freshman QB Jayden Baum has been improving steadily, throwing for 200+ yards in each of the past two games.
Prediction: Kelso 20, Evergreen 17
Heritage (3-1) vs. Shelton (0-4)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Highclimber Stadium, Shelton HS, 3737 N Shelton Springs Rd, Shelton
What: 3A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Heritage 49, Kentlake 7; W.F. West 62, Shelton 0
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: First meeting
Game notes: Heritage has been beating the weak teams on the schedule and beating them well. Owen Daley threw for 267 yards and four touchdowns last week. Delo Holmes and Luke Melvin caught seven passes each for 100+ yards. Now the Timberwolves need to transfer that success over to league play. Heritage is looking for its first league win since 2021, and winless Shelton offers that opportunity. The Highclimbers have allowed at least 41 points in each of its games.
Prediction: Heritage 42, Shelton 13
Mountain View (0-4) vs. Prairie (2-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: District Stadium, Battle Ground HS, 300 W Main St., Battle Ground
What: 3A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Mountainside 20, Mountain View 18; Dallas 64, Prairie 0
Livestream: BGTV 27 YouTube channel.
Last meeting: Mountain View 48, Prairie 0, Oct. 6, 2023
Game notes: Mountain View has started the season 0-4 for the first time since 2006. The Thunder have never started 0-5. Despite being winless, the Thunder made strides last week. Mountain View finally got some consistency in the passing game with Cashton Liedtke rallying the Thunder in the second half last week. Finding that balance to take pressure off RB Jayden Brown will be key going forward. Prairie has been jeckyll-and-hyde. The Falcons lost a running-clock game in Week 1, gritted out a tough win Week 2, made some big plays on offense in Week 3, then had everything go wrong in Week 4. So which team shows up in Week 5?
Prediction: Mountain View 21, Prairie 17.
Washougal (2-2, 1-1) vs. Ridgefield (4-0, 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: Washougal 22, Mark Morris 0; Ridgefield 49, Hudson’s Bay 0
Livestream: Ridgefield Athletics YouTube channel
Last meeting: Ridgefield 38, Washougal 28, Sept. 29, 2023
Game notes: Ridgefield bounced back big time after a 24-21 over Hockinson in Week 3. Now the Spudders look to keep things going this week against a tough Washougal defense. Having Cly Stephens in the lineup helped. Stephens rushed for 134 yards last week. Washougal held Mark Morris to 14 net yards. The Panthers have won with tough defense, and just enough on offense. But they may need bigger plays on offense to keep up with Ridgefield
Prediction: Ridgefield 28, Washougal 13
Hudson’s Bay (0-4, 0-2) vs. Mark Morris (1-3, 1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Longview Memorial Stadium, R.A. Long HS, 2903 Nichols Blvd, Longview
What: 2A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Ridgefield 49, Hudson’s Bay 0; Washougal 22, Mark Morris 0
Livestream: N2 Media YouTube channel
Last meeting: Hudson’s Bay 28, Mark Morris 14, Sept. 29, 2023
Game notes: This an unusual matchup between two teams coming off games in which they were shut out. In Hudson’s Bay wants to be a factor in the playoff hunt, this feels like a game the Eagles need to win. And to do that, one thing they can’t do is fall behind early. Mark Morris moved the ball last week. Now, the Monarchs need to finish drives with points.
Prediction: Mark Morris 22, Hudson’s Bay 10
R.A. Long (3-1, 2-0) vs. Columbia River (1-3, 0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: John O’Rourke Field, Columbia River HS, 800 NW 99th St, Vancouver
What: 2A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: R.A. Long 47, Hockinson 14; Woodland 29, Columbia River 7
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Columbia River 45, R.A. Long 13, Sept. 29, 2023
Game notes: R.A. Long continues to look better and better each week. The Lumberjacks have been getting good play from QB Jackson Rivenes and receiver TraMayne Jenkins. Getting Franklin Pihl back at running back also provides some balance to the Jacks’ attack. It has been a tough season offensively for Columbia River. The Rapids have scored 14 total points in their three losses.
Prediction: R.A. Long 28, Columbia River 7
Woodland (2-2, 2-0) vs. Hockinson (0-4, 0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Hockinson High Stadium, Hockinson HS, 16819 NE 159th St, Hockinson
What: 2A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Woodland 29, Columbia River 7; R.A. Long 47, Hockinson 14
Livestream: None.
Last meeting: Woodland 39, Hockinson 21, Sept. 29, 2023
Game notes: Defense has sparked Woodland to a 2-0 start in league play. The Beavers held Washougal to 101 total yards, then Columbia River to 144 total yards. Both the Panthers and Rapids were held under 30 net yards rushing by the Beavers. That could be a problem for Hockinson. The Hawks passed for just 75 yards last week, but got 100-yard rushing games from both Easton Weber and Jasper Armstrong. Woodland QB Elijah Andersen has rushed for 259 yards and passed for 138 yards the past two weeks.
Prediction: Woodland 20, Hockinson 7
King’s Way Christian (2-2, 0-2) vs. Columbia-White Salmon (1-3, 0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Bruin Stadium, Columbia HS, 1455 NW Bruin Country Rd, White Salmon
What: 1A Trico League game
Last week: La Center 34, King’s Way Christian 0; Seton Catholic 41, Columbia-White Salmon 6
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: King’s Way Christian 7, Columbia-White Salmon 6, Oct. 6, 2023
Game notes: Columbia-White Salmon had to run the gauntlet to open the Trico League schedule, opening with lopsided losses to La Center and Seton Catholic. Now, this Week 3 game looks to be pivotal for the Bruins’ postseason hopes. Columbia lost to La Center 61-0 in Week 3. King’s Way Christian lost to the Wildcats 34-0 last week, but the game was just 14-0 midway through the fourth quarter. The defense played really well, but the offense struggled against the Wildcats’ defense. Columbia beat Hoquiam 16-13 in Week 1. King’s Way beat Hoquiam 49-13 in Week 2.
Prediction: King’s Way Christian 27, Columbia-White Salmon 13
Castle Rock (3-1, 1-1) vs. La Center (4-0, 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: Castle Rock 48, Stevenson 14; La Center 34, King’s Way Christian 0
Livestream: La Center Athletics YouTube channel
Last meeting: La Center 34, Castle Rock 17, Oct. 27, 2023
Game notes: This classic Week 9 matchup is now in Week 5 in the eight-team Trico League. Past games between the Rockets and Wildcats have played pivotal roles in determining the league title. However, La Center has won the last 15 meetings in this rivalry. Castle Rock’s last win came in 2008. La Center struggled at times offensively last week against King’s Way. Isaac Chromey rushed for 137 yards on 17 carries. But 10 of those carries went for 2 yards or fewer. But defensively, no team is playing better than the Wildcats. La Center has recorded three consecutive shutouts (Woodland, Columbia-White Salmon and King’s Way Christian). The Wildcats will need to show down Castle Rock QB Trevor Rogen, who rushed for two touchdowns and passed for two more. He even has two interception returns for touchdowns this season.
Prediction: La Center 31, Castle Rock 14
Kalama (4-0, 2-0) vs. Stevenson (2-2, 1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Stevenson High Stadium, Stevenson HS, 390 NW Gropper Rd, Stevenson
What: 1A Trico League game
Last week: Kalama 55, Fort Vancouver 6; Castle Rock 48, Stevenson 14
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Kalama 36, Stevenson 7, Sept. 29, 2023
Game notes: Kalama quarterback Aiden Brown ranks second in the region with 655 rushing yards, averaging almost 10 yards a carry. He leads the region with 15 rushing touchdowns. Last week, Brown worked on the passing game, throwing for 344 yards and two touchdowns. The explosive plays that allowed Stevenson to run away from Fort Vancouver in Week 3 just weren’t there against Castle Rock last week.
Prediction: Kalama 40, Stevenson 12
Fort Vancouver (0-4, 0-2) vs. Seton Catholic (4-0, 2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Seton Catholic Football Field, Seton Catholic HS, 9000 NE 64th Ave, Vancouver
What: 1A Trico League game.
Last week: Kalama 55, Fort Vancouver 6; Seton Catholic 41, Columbia-White Salmon 6
Livestream: None.
Last meeting: Seton Catholic 56, Fort Vancouver 0, Oct. 20, 2023
Game notes: Seton Catholic quarterback Kolten Gesser is completing 70.5 percent (55 of 78) of his passes for 921 yards and 18 touchdowns. The Cougars are averaging 47 points a game, while allowing just an average of 8 points a game. For the Trappers, it’s the opposite – averaging seven points a game, while allowing an average of 43.
Prediction: Seton Catholic 48, Fort Vancouver 6.
