State semifinal previews: Camas vs. Gonzaga Prep, Seton Catholic vs. Montesano, with livestream links and predictions
Three out of four ain’t bad, but it still dropped our season total just a touch to 123-33 (.788). Although we should get bonus points for correctly predicting Camas’ margin of victory (predicted 31-17, actual 35-21) and predicting Seton Catholic’s point total (42).
Two local semifinalists for the first time since 2018. In that season, the two locals won at McKenzie Stadium (Union and Hockinson) and then went on to claim state titles. How will our 2024 semifinalists perform?
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All livestream links listed here are validated.
Gonzaga Prep (12-0) vs. Camas (12-0)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, 2211 NE 138th Ave, Vancouver
What: 4A state semifinal game
Last week: Gonzaga Prep beat Kennedy Catholic 34-28; Camas beat Arlington 35-21.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: First meeting.
Game notes: The winner of this game will face the winner of Chiawana-Sumner in the state championship game on Saturday, Dec. 7 at Husky Stadium. Despite 26 previous trips to the state playoffs and three state titles, Gonzaga Prep had never won a state-playoff game played outdoors and west of the Cascades until last Friday in the rain in Burien. Behind their triple option running attack, the Bullpups want to control the ball and the clock. But special team plays and a late defensive stop proved pivotal last week. Jonah Kellar’s 88-yard kickoff return for a TD and Jacobe McClelland’s blocked punt for a score gave Gonzaga Prep two touchdowns in the final 1:16 of the first half. QB Sam Kincaid has two TD runs. But his fumble into the end zone prevented the Bullpups from a clinching TD in the fourth quarter. The defense then got a fourth-down stop on Kennedy Catholic’s last possession to seal the win. Camas’ offensive approach is to be more explosive, with quarterback Jake Davidson passing for 3,203 yards and 46 touchdowns, completing passes to a talented group of receivers like Chase McGee, Nikko Speer and Anthony Forner. But the Papermakers showed they can seal a game with the running last week, rushing for 226 yards. Titan Brody rushed for 136. Davidson was an efficient 12-of-16 passing last week and his 217 yards was the lowest total since Week 2.
Prediction: Camas 28, Gonzaga Prep 21
Montesano (9-3) vs. Seton Catholic (11–0)
When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: McKenzie Stadium, 2211 NE 138th Ave, Vancouver
What: 1A state semifinal game.
Last week: Montesano beat La Center 21-10; Seton Catholic beat Life Christian 42-41.
Livestream: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Last meeting: Montesano 47, Seton Catholic 7, Nov. 2022
Game notes: The winner of this game will face the winner of Cashmere-Royal in the 1A state championship game on Friday, Dec. 6 in Husky Stadium. The Montesano team that started the season 0-2 is a distant memory. The Bulldogs come into the state semifinals have won 9 of its last 10. Monte turned the tables on La Center last week with a smothering defense, especially in the second half. The Bulldogs outgained La Center 386-246. QB Tyson Perry passed for 177 yards but had three interceptions. Toren Crites rushed for 77 yards and Zachary Timmons gained 74 on the ground. On defense, Monte focused on stopping La Center’s ground attack, forcing the Wildcats to the air. The Bulldogs will need to take a different approach against Seton Catholic. Seton has passed for 2,311 yards and rushed for 2,041 yards. QB Kolten Gesser has thrown for 40 TDs against just 6 interceptions. Jacob Williams has rushed for 1,619 yards. Monte had a couple possessions end deep in La Center territory without points last week. The Bulldogs will need to make the most of every opportunity against a Seton Catholic team that has scored at least 41 points in every game this season but one.
Prediction: Seton Catholic 35, Montesano 20
