Week 7 Southwest Washington prep football preview capsules, predictions and livestream links
A 13-1 week of picks (including just missing the WF West-Battle Ground score by a single point) pushed our season mark to 73-24 (.753) on the season.
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 7 preview caps for high school football teams in Southwest Washington from Castle Rock to White Salmon.
Skyview (4-2) vs. Union (1-4)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, Evergreen HS, 2211 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver
What: 4A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Skyview beat Richland 21-14; Union lost to Todd Beamer 32-30.
Livestream: Evergreen Public Schools YouTube channel
Last meeting: Skyview 28, Union 6, Oct. 27, 2023
Game notes: Skyview bounced back from a pair of tough losses by pulling out an emotional win over Richland last week. The Storm defense came up with several key stops in the fourth quarter, giving the offense the opportunity to break through with a late touchdown. Gavin Packer had two touchdown receptions and a 77-yard interception return for a score. Union has had two weeks to prepare for its 4A GSHL opener after having a bye last week, giving the Titans the opportunity work on things that needed improvement.
Prediction: Skyview 35, Union 14
Battle Ground (3-3) vs. Camas (6-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Doc Harris Stadium, 1125 NE 22nd Ave, Camas
What: 4A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Battle Ground lost to W.F. West 28-14; Camas beat Monroe 49-14.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Camas 28, Battle Ground 0, Oct. 27, 2023.
Game notes: Camas has won the last 16 meetings in this rivalry. Battle Ground’s last win over the Papermakers came in 1990, but the two schools did not meet between 1991 and 2005. After grinding out a 12-6 win over Roosevelt, the Papermakers have been dominant in their last five victories, outscoring opponents by an average margin 43-14. And the opponents have included ranked 3A teams as well as teams from Oregon and Idaho.
Prediction: Camas 42, Battle Ground 6
Heritage (3-3, 0-2) vs. Kelso (4-2, 1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Schroeder Field, Kelso HS, 1904 Allen St, Kelso
What: 3A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Heritage lost to Mountain View 21-0; Kelso beat Prairie 42-35
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Kelso 51, Heritage 0, Oct. 6, 2023.
Game notes: Kelso has won the last seven meetings with Heritage’s last win coming in 2014. Kelso’s Aden Mintonye is the area’s top rusher with 1,267 yards and 21 touchdowns. The next closest rusher in the region is almost 400 yards behind the Hilander senior. Heritage again showed the ability to make some big plays, but lacked the consistency to finish off the drives with touchdowns. Against a scoring machine like Mintonye, that won’t work.
Prediction: Kelso 38, Heritage 7
Shelton (1-5, 1-1) vs. Mountain View (1-5, 1-1)
When: 4:30 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, Evergreen HS, 2211 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver
What: 3A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Shelton lost to Evergreen 39-5; Mountain View beat Heritage 21-0.
Livestream: Evergreen Public Schools YouTube channel
Last meeting: Mountain View 17, Shelton 8, Sept. 13, 1996
Game notes: Mountain View grounded out a first win of the season against Heritage. Then Mountain View had to withstand the threat of forfeit when Thunder self-reported the violation of playing an ineligible player against the Timberwolves. Shelton showed that it can defend against the run very well against Evergreen. So quarterback Cashton Liedtke and receiver Dylan Huber could be playing a bigger role for the Thunder. With challenging games against Kelso and Evergreen ahead, this becomes a must-win game for Mountain View to keep its playoff hopes alive.
Prediction: Mountain View 21, Shelton 13
Evergreen (5-1, 2-0) vs. Prairie (3-3, 1-1)
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: Evergreen beat Shelton 39-5; Prairie lost to Kelso 42-35.
Livestream: None
Last meeting: Evergreen 40, Prairie 16, Oct. 20, 2023.
Game notes: Evergreen got off to a very slow start last week. The Plainsmen only ran two plays on offense in the first quarter. The first resulted in a fumble lost, and the other resulted in a safety. But Shelton’s heavy attention to stop Evergreen’s running game left Terrance Saryon in one-on-one coverage that the Plainsmen exploited. Prairie bring a more diverse offensive attack than Shelton had, but stopping Evergreen on offense will be the Falcons’ biggest challenge after giving up 300+ yards rushing to Kelso.
Prediction: Evergreen 36, Prairie 20
Woodland (4-2, 4-0) vs. Hudson’s Bay (0-6, 0-4)
When: 5 p.m. Friday
Where: Kiggins Bowl, Discovery MS, 800 E 40th St, Vancouver
What: 2A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Woodland beat R.A. Long 40-0; Hudson’s Bay lost to Washougal 49-14.
Livestream: Vancouver Public Schools YouTube channel
Last meeting: Woodland 41, Hudson’s Bay 10, Oct. 13, 2023.
Game notes: This is a matchup of two teams headed in opposite directions. Woodland has won four in a row after an 0-2 start, and the defense has been very good. Meanwhile, attrition has taken its toll on the Eagles and their promising hopes in the summer.
Prediction: Woodland 33, Hudson’s Bay 7
Washougal (3-3, 2-2) vs. R.A. Long (3-3, 2-2)
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: Washougal beat Hudson’s Bay 49-14; R.A. Long lost to Woodland 40-0.
Livestream: N2 Media YouTube channel
Last meeting: Washougal 56, R.A. Long 15, Oct. 13, 2023.
Game notes: The luster of R.A. Long’s three-game losing streak has worn off after the Lumberjacks’ fell behind early against Columbia River and could not rally to win. Then last week, the Jacks fell into an early hole and never got started against Woodland. Falling behind early against Washougal would not be a good idea, as the Panthers defense has been very good. And now Washougal’s offense has been improving over recent weeks, making the Panthers’ a leading contender to claim a playoff berth.
Prediction: Washougal 34, R.A. Long 20
Mark Morris (2-4, 2-2) vs. Hockinson (0-6, 0-4)
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: Mark Morris lost to Ridgefield 31-12; Hockinson lost to Columbia River 24-14.
Livestream: None.
Last meeting: Hockinson 28, Mark Morris 21, Oct. 13, 2023.
Game notes: Hockinson does not play like an 0-6 team. Two of the Hawks’ four league losses have come by three points each. Last week’s loss to Columbia River may also have been by three points if not for a late touchdown by the Rapids. Mark Morris’ bid to upset Ridgefield was undone by six turnovers the Monarchs committed. Turnovers likely will determine this one. Is this the week the Hawks finally break through with a win?
Prediction: Hockinson 20, Mark Morris 16
Columbia River (3-3, 2-2) vs. Ridgefield (6-0, 4-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Ridgefield Stadium, Ridgefield HS, 2630 Hillhurst Rd, Ridgefield
What: 2A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Columbia River beat Hockinson 24-14; Ridgefield beat Mark Morris 31-12.
Livestream: TBD
Last meeting: Ridgefield 27, Columbia River 12, Oct. 13, 2023.
Game notes: Ridgefield’s offense, with quarterback Landon DeBeaumont and running back Cly Stephens, has been good. But the defense has been great, and at the heart of the Spudders’ undefeated season to date. Ridgefield produced six turnovers last week against Mark Morris. River has an offense that depends on small but steady gains that produce long, sustained drives. Making sure those drives end by producing points will be pivotal for the Rapids, and it also will be the biggest challenge.
Prediction: Ridgefield 24, Columbia River 7
King’s Way Christian (4-2, 2-2) vs. Seton Catholic (6-0, 4-0)
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: King’s Way Christian beat Stevenson 42-24; Seton Catholic beat Kalama 49-12
Livestream: None.
Last meeting: Seton Catholic 58, King’s Way Christian 7, Oct. 27, 2023.
Game notes: While both schools have fielded football teams dating back to 2012, they have only met as rivals six times, either because the teams played at different classifications or one program did not field a varsity program. That includes the 2016 season when Seton Catholic combined with the King’s Way program. The rivalry has tipped heavily toward the Cougars as they become one of the top 1A programs in the state. Seton is averaging 49.5 points a game, while allowing 7.5 points a game.
Prediction: Seton Catholic 47, King’s Way Christian 13
Kalama (5-1, 3-1) vs. Columbia-White Salmon (1-5, 0-4)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Bruin Stadium, Columbia HS, 1455 NW Bruin Country Rd, White Salmon
What: 1A Trico League game
Last week: Kalama lost to Seton Catholic 49-12; Columbia-White Salmon lost to Castle Rock 34-6.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Kalama 21, Columbia-White Salmon 0, Oct. 1, 2015.
Game notes: Kalama is looking to rebound for its first loss of the season. And the Chinooks face the uncertainty of the status of quarterback Aiden Brown, who left last week’s game with a hamstring injury. The Chinooks may want to rest Brown to get him healthy for a big game next week with La Center. With Brown sidelined, Kalama turned heavily on running back Drew Schlangen, who rushed for 147 yards on 26 carries last week. Columbia-White Salmon may see a lot of Schlangen this week. Probably too much for the Bruins offense to counter. Columbia has run scored more than 16 points in any game this season, and no more than seven points in any league game to date.
Prediction: Kalama 29, Columbia-White Salmon 6
Stevenson (2-4, 1-3) vs. La Center (6-0, 4-0)
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: Stevenson lost to King’s Way Christian 42-24; La Center beat Fort Vancouver 55-0
Livestream: La Center Athletics YouTube channel
Last meeting: La Center 49, Stevenson 0, Oct. 11, 2019.
Game notes: After opening league play with a win over Fort, Stevenson has suffered a series of lopsided losses over the past three weeks, giving up 48 points to Castle Rock, 47 to Kalama and 42 to King’s Way Christian. Now the Bulldogs face a La Center team that is averaging 43.5 points a game, while giving up a league-low 3.3 points a game. Four of La Center’s six wins have come by shutout.
Prediction: La Center 48, Stevenson 0.
Castle Rock (4-2, 2-2) vs. Fort Vancouver (0-6, 0-4)
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Kiggins Bowl, Discovery MS, 800 E 40th St, Vancouver
What: 2A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Castle Rock beat Columbia-White Salmon 34-6; Fort Vancouver lost to La Center 55-0.
Livestream: Vancouver Public Schools YouTube channel
Last meeting: Castle Rock 46, Fort Vancouver 0, Sept. 29, 2023.
Game notes: After taking their lumps against the best in the Trico — Seton Catholic and La Center — Castle Rock has regrouped to make a run at one of the Trico’s four playoff berths. That likely will be determined during next week’s game against King’s Way Christian. The Rockets are looking not to get distracted this week. Fort Vancouver, already struggling with its depth, has taken further hits with injury.
Prediction: Castle Rock 48, Fort Vancouver 6.
