State quarterfinal football previews for Southwest Washington teams, including predictions and livestream links
Going 2 for 2 last week allowed us to bump our season picks to 120-32 (.789).
Four games on the schedule as two 1A teams that got a first-round bye last week are back in action.
If you don’t have an NFHS Network subscription, this week might be a good time to get one (monthly subscription is $11.99 a month). Three of the four games featuring local teams will be streamed on the NFHS Network. The Montesano-La Center game will be covered for free by N2 Media.
Remember don’t fall for livestream scams. We see them each week on social media – Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. 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.
Arlington (10-1) vs. Camas (11-0)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Doc Harris Stadium, 841 NE 22nd Ave., Camas
What: 4A state quarterfinal game
Last week: Arlington beat Graham-Kapowsin 42-6; Camas beat Curtis 41-6
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Camas 62, Arlington 6, Nov. 10, 2012.
Game notes: The winner of this game will face the winner of Gonzaga Prep-Kennedy Catholic in the state semifinals next week. Arlington finished in a three-way tie for first place in the 4A Wesco with Glacier Peak and Lake Stevens. Arlington’s lone loss came to Glacier Peak (10-7) in Week 7. Glacier Peak was beaten by Curtis (28-0) in a Week 10 playoff. The Eagles’ most impressive win was a 28-14 win over Lake Stevens, the two-time defending state champions in Week 9. The Eagles are led by senior RB Caleb Reed, who has rushed for 1,316 yards (119.6 per game) and 27 touchdowns in 11 games. Senior QB Leyton Martin has passed for 2,296 and 26 TDs. Reed rushed for 171 yards and 3 TDs against Graham-Kapowsin, and Martin passed for 88 yards and 3 TDs. The Eagles used turnovers and special-team plays to set up the offense, which jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the second quarter. By contrast, Camas scuffled to a 9-6 lead against Curtis before pulling away in the second half. Yet, the Papermakers pulled away as QB Jake Davidson added to his season total of 2,986 passing yards and 43 touchdowns. But don’t forget about the Camas defense. The Papermakers have not allowed an offensive touchdown in two playoff games. Curtis’ lone TD last week came on an interception return.
Prediction: Camas 31, Arlington 17
Skyview (8-3) vs. Sumner (10-1)
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Sunset Chev Stadium 1707 Main Street, Sumner
What: 4A state quarterfinal game.
Last week: Skyview beat Bothel 17-13; Sumner beat Kamiakin 38-21.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required; ESN broadcast)
Last meeting: Sumner 24, Skyview 10, Nov. 13, 2021
Game notes: The winner of this game will face the winner of Lake Stevens-Chiawana in the state semifinals next week. Sumner is the champion of the South Puget Sound League. If you play “compare the results” the first look does not bode well for Skyview. The two teams have a common opponent in West Linn. Sumner lost to West Linn 34-27 in Week 3. The following week, West Linn beat Skyview 45-0. Skyview played that Week 4 game without starting quarterback Doogie Poindexter. Playing “compare the results” again, and it looks a bit more favorable for Skyview. The Storm beat Puyallup 38-8 in Week 3 – with Poindexter at quarterback – while Sumner squeaked past Puyallup 17-14 two weeks later. But all of those games were played a long time ago. Sumner RB Steele Isaacs rushed for 209 yards and three touchdowns on 36 carries last week. The game against Kamiakin turned when Sumner blocked a punt and recovered the ball in the end zone on the final play of the first half, putting the Spartans up 21-14. Skyview waited a bit later to rally against Bothell. The Storm scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns – the final one coming when offensive lineman Max Christiansen fell on a fumble by Levi Webb in the end zone for a Storm touchdown with 1:57 left. Skyview has had a knack of rallying or coming up with a big play late to earn some big wins.
Prediction: Sumner 24, Skyview 14
Montesano (8-3) vs. La Center (9-1)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Beaver Stadium, Woodland HS, 1500 Dike Access Road, Woodland
What: 1A state quarterfinal game.
Last week: Montesano beat Omak 31-7; La Center had a bye.
Livestream: N2 Media YouTube channel.
Last meeting: La Center 35, Montesano 7, Sept. 6, 2024.
Game notes: The winner of this game will face the winner of Life Christian-Seton Catholic in the state semifinals next week. A rematch of the Week 1 game up in Montesano that La Center dominated. But Wildcat fans should not look past Montesano. The Bulldogs rebounded nicely after starting the season 0-2 – the Bulldogs lost to Ridgefield in Week 2 – winning eight of their last nine. That includes a 34-28 win over Nooksack Valley in Week 8. The lone loss in there came in Week 7 when Monte fell 16-12 to Rochester. But since the win over Nooksack, Monte has been rolling and getting healthy. Monte rushed for 200 of its 252 yards last week. The Bulldogs spread the ball around with QB Tyson Perry leading the way with 91 yards on 10 carries. The defense played bend-but-don’t break, giving up 222 yards, but only seven points. La Center’s defense has been dominant at times, starting in the Week 1 win up at Montesano, continuing with a 28-0 shutout of 2A Greater St. Helens League champion Woodland and on into Trico League play. Only No. 2 Seton Catholic, in a 29-21 win, has managed more than 13 points off the Wildcats this season.
Prediction: La Center 27, Montesano 14
Life Christian (10-1) vs. Seton Catholic (10–0)
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Doc Harris Stadium, 841 NE 22nd Ave., Camas
What: 1A state quarterfinal game.
Last week: Life Christian beat King’s 46-41; Seton Catholic had a bye.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Seton Catholic 53, Life Christian 34, Sept. 15, 2023.
Game notes: The winner of this game will face the winner of Montesano-La Center in the state semifinals next week. Life Christian is the champion of the Nisqually League. The Eagles’ lone loss came to Enumclaw (27-0 in Week 8), a Class 3A state playoff team. Among Life Christian’s more notable wins came in Week 2, 35-28 win over 2B power Napavine, and Week 9, a 28-13 win over Cascade Christian. Cascade Christian routed Castle Rock in a Week 10 playoff before falling last week to Lynden Christian. Life Christian has a small roster, but filled with talented players, led by dual-threat QB Jabez Boyd. Boyd rallied the Eagles from a 41-30 deficit to beat King’s last week. Boyd compiled 385 yards passing and rushing with six touchdowns last week. He has passed for 2,101 yards and 31 touchdowns this season, while rushing for nearly 700. But the Eagle defense gave up 41 points and did not come up with a stop last week against King’s. In fact, Life Christian used an onside kick to get the ball back, setting up their winning touchdown. That is not a good recipe against Seton Catholic. Seton QB Kolten Gesser has passed for 2,003 yards and 38 touchdowns in just 10 games. And the Cougars can run the ball as well. Jacob Williams has rushed for 1,497 yards and 17 touchdowns. Trico MVP Joe Callerame has scored 18 touchdowns — seven rushing, nine receiving and two on returns. Receiver Ryker Ruelas has 15 TD receptions. Seton Catholic played a similar game against King’s last season that Life Christian played last week. But unlike last season, when the Cougars leaned heavily on its offense to outscore other teams, Seton has a defense to match its offense this season. The Cougars have forced 21 turnovers while allowing opponents just 3.5 yards per play. This is the third consecutive year Seton and Life Christian have faced off. The Cougars beat the Eagles 46-15 in 2022 and 53-34 last season.
Prediction: Seton Catholic 42, Life Christian 28
