Week 9 Southwest Washington prep football preview capsules, predictions and livestream links
Our first perfect week (13-0) of picks pushed our season mark to 98-25 (.797) on the season.
Getting another perfect week will be a lot more challenging this week with a lot of competitive matchups.
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 9 preview caps for high school football teams in Southwest Washington from Castle Rock to White Salmon.
Columbia River (3-5, 2-4) vs. Hudson’s Bay (0-8, 0-6)
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Kiggins Bowl, Discovery MS, 800 E 40th St, Vancouver
What: 2A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Columbia River lost to Washougal 45-6; Hudson’s Bay lost to Hockinson 50-30.
Livestream: Vancouver Public Schools YouTube channel.
Last meeting: Hudson’s Bay 14, Columbia River 10, Oct. 27, 2023.
Game notes: Despite back-to-back lopsided losses, Columbia River remains very much in the postseason hunt. In fact, the Rapids can clinch a postseason berth without doing anything. A win by Mark Morris over R.A. Long, also on Thursday, will give River the No. 5 berth from the 2A GSHL – win or lose against Bay. As the No. 5 seed, River would play at Aberdeen on Tuesday in a play-in game to the Week 10 playoffs. But the No. 4 automatic berth to the Week 10 playoffs would still be in reach – although with some risks – if River beats Bay and R.A. Long beats Mark Morris. That would create a three-way tie between River, R.A. Long and Mark Morris, requiring a Kansas Plan tiebreaker Saturday at Woodland.
Prediction: Columbia River 27, Hudson’s Bay 13
Mark Morris (3-5, 3-3) vs. R.A. Long (3-5, 2-4)
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Longview Memorial Stadium, R.A. Long HS, 2903 Nichols Blvd, Longview
What: 2A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Mark Morris lost to Woodland 49-21; R.A. Long lost to Ridgefield 35-7
Livestream: N2 Media YouTube channel
Last meeting: Mark Morris 49, R.A. Long 14, Oct. 27, 2023.
Game notes: Mark Morris earns the No. 4 berth into the Week 10 playoffs with a win. R.A. Long is out with a loss. R.A. Long earns the No. 4 berth with a win and Mark Morris would get the No. 5 berth, if Columbia River also falls to Hudson’s Bay. But if R.A. Long and River both win, that would create a three-way tie between River, R.A. Long and Mark Morris, requiring a Kansas Plan tiebreaker Saturday at Woodland for the last two playoff berths.
Prediction: Mark Morris 21, R.A. Long 6
Camas (8-0, 2-0) vs. Skyview (6-2, 2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Kiggins Bowl, Discovery MS, 800 E 40th St, Vancouver
What: 4A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Camas beat Skyview 63-10; Skyview beat Battle Ground 42-0
Livestream: Vancouver Public Schools YouTube channel.
Last meeting: Camas 21, Skyview 9, Oct. 13, 2023.
Game notes: Camas has won the last 12 meetings in this rivalry, but the last six have been by 13 points or fewer. After scoring 12 points in their Week 1 win over Roosevelt, the Papermakers have scored at least 33 points in each of their last seven games and 49 or better over their last three. But in scoring all those points, Camas has not been in a real four-quarter battle in a while. If Skyview can keep it close, the Storm have shown the ability to come up with big plays late in the game. The Storm are coming off 42-0 and 43-0 wins. Defense is key for Skyview. Perhaps, the weather can help that effort. Forecast calls for light rain on Friday night.
Prediction: Camas 31, Skyview 21
Union (1-6, 0-2) vs. Battle Ground (3-5, 0-2)
When: 4:30 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, Evergreen HS, 2211 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver
What: 4A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Union lost to Camas 63-10; Battle Ground lost to Skyview 42-0
Livestream: Evergreen Public Schools YouTube channel.
Last meeting: Battle Ground 48, Union 30, Oct. 12, 2023.
Game notes: This is a chance for both teams to finish the season on a high note after losing their last four games. Quinten Overholser has stepped in at quarterback for Ethan Adams the last couple of weeks, operating a run-first attack for the Tigers. Overholser had 26 carries against Skyview last week. He also attempted 13 passes. Union used an almost opposite approach against Camas. QB Blake McDonald threw 44 passes against the Papermakers.
Prediction: Battle Ground 20, Union 14
Heritage (3-5, 0-4) vs. Prairie (4-4, 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: Heritage lost to Evergreen 49-7; Prairie beat Shelton 63-16.
Livestream: BGTV 27 YouTube channel.
Last meeting: Prairie 57, Heritage 14, Oct. 27, 2023.
Game notes: Deven Vigue had a big game last week against Shelton, passing for 251 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for two scores. Preston Hill rushed for 166 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown run. He also had a TD reception. Heritage, the only 3A GSHL team to lose to Shelton this season, is working to give players opportunities to show what they can do in the last weeks of the season. Joshua Mitchell and Owen Daley shared the quarterback duties. KJ Clark rushed for 92 yards.
Prediction: Prairie 36, Heritage 14
Shelton (1-7, 1-3) vs. Kelso (6-2, 3-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Schroeder Field, Kelso HS, 1904 Allen St, Kelso
What: 3A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Kelso beat Mountain View 21-12; Shelton lost to Prairie 63-16.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Kelso 20, Shelton 7, Oct. 4, 1996.
Game notes: Kelso senior Aden Mintonye leads the region in rushing 1,567 yards, outdistancing the closest runner by more than 300 yards. He also leads the region in rushing carries with 201. This week will be about refining some things and getting healthy as the Hilanders are already assured of a spot in the Week 10 playoffs. Kelso also wants to impress the Week 10 committee which will be creating the Week 10 matchups on Sunday. The Hilanders hope a 7-2 mark will be good enough to get a home game next week.
Prediction: Kelso 48, Shelton 6
Mountain View (2-6, 2-2) vs. Evergreen (7-1, 4-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, Evergreen HS, 2211 NE 138th Ave., Vancouver
What: 3A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Mountain View lost to Kelso 21-12; Evergreen beat Heritage 49-7
Livestream: Evergreen Public Schools YouTube channel.
Last meeting: Mountain View 39, Evergreen 27, Sept. 29, 2023.
Game notes: Already assured of at least a share of its first league title since 2007, Evergreen can complete its first unbeaten league season also since 2007 when the Plainsmen were 8-1 overall and 5-0 in league. Also getting a win over rival Mountain View also is a nice way to end the regular season. The last time Evergreen got a Week 9 win over Thunder …. Yeah, it was 2007.
Prediction: Evergreen 30, Mountain View 14
Hockinson (1-7, 1-5) vs. Washougal (5-3, 4-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Fishback Stadium, Washougal HS, 1201 39th St, Washougal
What: 2A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Hockinson beat Hudson’s Bay 50-30; Washougal beat Columbia River 45-6.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Washougal 63, Hockinson 21, Oct. 27, 2023
Game notes: Since a shutout loss to Ridgefield, Washougal has been rolling toward the playoffs with three straight lopsided losses. Elijah Franco, who has been a leader on the Panthers’ defense, has been making more contributions on offense. Last week, he had a fumble return for a touchdown, and two touchdown rushes. Hockinson had three different receivers with 100+ yards receiving – Ryder Stenersen, Madsen Richardson and Kyle Alexander. The Hawks gave league frontrunners Woodland and Ridgefield a scare. To do more than that against Washougal, Hockinson will need to limit turnovers.
Prediction: Washougal 27, Hockinson 7
Ridgefield (8-0, 6-0) vs. Woodland (6-2, 6-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Beaver Stadium, Woodland HS, 1500 Dike Access Rd, Woodland
What: 2A Greater St. Helens League game
Last week: Ridgefield beat R.A. Long 35-7; Woodland beat Mark Morris 49-21.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Woodland 28, Ridgefield 21, Oct. 27, 2023.
Game notes: For the second consecutive season, the Spudders and Beavers meet to determine the 2A Greater St. Helens League champion in Week 9. Both teams want to control the ball with a solid running game while playing outstanding defense. Woodland has been a bit more productive with the running game as Elijah Andersen has rushed for 986 yards and 18 touchdowns. Cly Stephens is the Spudders’ leading rusher with 788 yards and eight touchdowns, missing a Week 6 game with an injury. Ridgefield has more success throwing the ball. Landon DeBeaumont has thrown for 947 yards and 12 TDs. Andersen has passed for 670 yards and 10 TDs. Ridgefield has allowed a league-low 8.3 points a game in league play, while Woodland has allowed 12.3 points a game.
Prediction: Ridgefield 24, Woodland 21
Fort Vancouver (0-8, 0-6) vs. King’s Way Christian (5-3, 3-3)
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Preece Memorial Stadium, King’s Way Christian Schools, 3606 NE 78th St, Vancouver
What: 1A Trico League game
Last week: Fort Vancouver lost to Columbia-White Salmon 49-6; King’s Way Christian beat Castle Rock 33-7.
Livestream: King’s Way Christian Hudl account
Last meeting: King’s Way Christian 38, Fort Vancouver 0, Oct. 13, 2023.
Game notes: King’s Way Christian has clinched a Week 10 playoffs spot. Now, the Knights are hoping to impress the Week 10 pairing committee for a favorable matchup or even home game. QB Owen Paulsen threw for 221 yards and three touchdowns last week. Ryan Charlton rushed for 117 yards.
Prediction: King’s Way Christian 37, Fort Vancouver 7
Seton Catholic (8-0, 6-0) vs. La Center (8-0, 6-0)
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: Seton Catholic beat Stevenson 55-14; La Center beat Kalama 41-6.
Livestream: N2 Media YouTube channel
Last meeting: La Center 14, Seton Catholic 13, Oct. 13, 2023.
Game notes: This game is for the Trico League championship. And perhaps just as important, the winner is well-positioned to earn a top-4 seed into the 1A state playoffs. The top-4 seeds in the 12-team state bracket will receive a bye into the state quarterfinals. The loser could still receive a top-4 seed, but that standing will be more tenuous. Seton Catholic has averaged 49.2 points a game in seven Trico League games; La Center has averaged 49.5 points. Seton Catholic has allowed 8.8 points a game, while La Center allowed 4.2 points. While those numbers may appear to favor La Center, Seton Catholic put many of their games into running-clock by halftime, allowing plenty of playing time for reserves.
Prediction: Seton Catholic 28, La Center 20
Kalama (6-2, 4-2) vs. Castle Rock (5-3, 3-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Rocket Stadium, Castle Rock HS, 5180 Westside Hwy, Castle Rock
What: Trico League game
Last week: Kalama lost to La Center 41-6; Castle Rock lost to King’s Way Christian 33-7
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Kalama 16, Castle Rock 7, Sept. 8, 2023.
Game notes: Both teams have clinched Week 10 playoff berths. Kalama is in better position to draw a Week 10 home playoff game. But to keep that position, the Chinooks need to finish the regular season with a road win over the Rockets. Kalama has been without standout quarterback Aiden Brown since he suffered a hamstring injury early in a loss to Seton Catholic three weeks ago. The Chinooks have not won a game on the field (they got a forfeit win two weeks ago against Columbia-White Salmon) since Oct. 4. If Brown is again unavailable, Kalama will lean heavily on RB Drew Schlangen. Castle Rock will depend on QB Trevor Rogen, who threw the ball 31 times last week against King’s Way Christian.
Prediction: Kalama 26, Castle Rock 13
Columbia-White Salmon (2-6, 1-5) vs. Stevenson (2-6, 1-5)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Stevenson High Stadium, Stevenson HS, 390 NW Gropper Rd, Stevenson
What: 1A Trico League game
Last week: Columbia-White Salmon beat Fort Vancouver 49-6; Stevenson lost to Seton Catholic 55-14.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Stevenson 13, Columbia-White Salmon 7, Sept. 8, 2023
Game notes: This Gorge rivalry was a Week 9 tradition every year until the 2020-21 season when Stevenson dropped down to Class 2B. The teams still met as non-league opponents the past three seasons, each won by Stevenson. Now again Trico League rivals, both teams are seeking a third win overall and a second league win. With soggy conditions expected in Stevenson, both teams will lean heavily on the ground game. That means running backs Skylar Polzel of Stevenson and Wongani Schlegel will play big roles.
Prediction: Stevenson 20, Columbia-White Salmon 12
