SPSL
Federal Way (3-1) at Tahoma (4-0)
7 p.m. Friday at Tahoma Stadium
The lowdown: The Bears are off to a 4-0 start for the first time since 2006 – the tail end of a three-year stretch in which they lost just two league games. Federal Way won last year, 38-13.
Why the Eagles will win: They are 2-0 since RB Andre Barrington (26 rushes, 166 yards, two TDs) returned, and he hasn't even had a big game yet. What might be the most underrated aspect of this team is its special teams. LB Damon Hardy blocked one of the three punts for scores last week, and is a relentless pass rusher, and PK/P Kelyn Rowe, a Div. I soccer recruit, has the leg to control field position.
Why the Bears will win: They run the ball, they play defense and they don't hurt themselves with mistakes. Yes, they're boring – just the way coach Tony Davis likes them. Chris Marangon (32 rushes, 370 yards, six TDs; nine catches, 190 yards) is a big-play target for QB Heyden Johnson.
The News Tribune pick: Both teams started slow offensively last week in wins. That will not get it done in this titanic matchup.
Federal Way 24, Tahoma 18

SPSL 3A
Sumner (3-1) at No. 3 Lakes (4-0)
7 p.m. Friday at Harry E. Lang Stadium
The lowdown: The Lancers have won four SPSL titles, the last coming in 1991. All of them were at the 4A level. The last time these two schools were in the same league was 1996.
Why the Spartans will win: Sumner will go right at Lakes with a power rushing attack, led by RBs Alex Griffith (64 rushes, 279 yards) and Cody Haavik (74 rushes, 248 yards, two TDs) to try and control the clock. "Four yards (a play), to us, is a success," coach Keith Ross said. WR Zeric Cage (11 catches, 154 yards, three TDs) is an emerging threat on the perimeter.
Why the Lancers will win: Last week's effort at Enumclaw was almost an anomaly – seven possessions (27 plays), five turnovers. Yet the Lancers still pulled out a win, 14-7. DTs Sione Potoae and Tuiasosopo Niusulu, both three-year starters, form the backbone of a rush defense that has allowed just 39.3 yards per game.
The News Tribune pick: Lakes is the class of the league, and gets a home game to rebound from close call.
Lakes 37, Sumner 20

NON-LEAGUE
Peninsula (3-1) at Gig Harbor (3-1)
7 p.m. Friday at Roy Anderson Field
The lowdown: The Tides have won four of the past five “Fish Bowl” rivalry games, including a 35-7 victory last season. Peninsula's last win came in 2006. Gig Harbor holds a 15-13-1 edge all-time.
Why the Seahawks will win: Has it ever been this good on offense? No, said coach Ross Filkins. He has four running backs, led by Brandon James (61 rushes, 327 yards, league-high 10 TDs), who are patient behind an underrated line, and QB J.R. Grosshans (33-of-55, 657 yards, four TDs) is both heady and productive.
Why the Tides will win: If anyone doubted Gig Harbor could go toe-to-toe in a smash-mouth game at South Kitsap, glance at last week's score – a 23-13 Tides' win. QB Chet Thompson (39-of-75, 615 yards, five TDs; 382 rushing yards) has been sensational directing the team's spread offense during brutal early-season schedule.
The News Tribune pick: Lots of offense, led by two standout quarterbacks, should make this a fun one.
Gig Harbor 30, Peninsula 23

NISQUALLY OLYMPIC
No. 6 Steilacoom (4-0) at Fife (3-1)
7 p.m. Friday at William Vinson Field
The lowdown: Fife has clinched the past two Nisqually 2A titles with wins over the Sentinels, and is riding a 11-game league winning streak, dating back to 2005 in the Seamount League.
Why the Sentinels will win: First off, opponents have to know where QB Greg Herd (14-of-34, 268 yards, three TDs; 556 rushing yards, 10 TDs) is at all times. He kills teams in open space. But Herd has help in RB Jesse Newhouse (38 rushes, 262 yards, TD) and FB Jordan Flynn (48 rushes, 258 yards, two TD). Rushing offense is averaging 318.3 ypg.
Why the Trojans will win: A bad season-opening loss to Cascade Christian is long behind as Fife has won three in a row. The Trojans will distribute the rushing workload among RBs Alex Rohrer (28 rushes, 277 yards, three TDs), Josh Porter (42 rushes, 210 yards, two TDs), and Mike Mulvaney (24 rushes, 178 yards, two TDs).
The News Tribune pick: In battle of wing-T offenses, Herd's individual heroics will be the difference in close game.
Steilacoom 27, Fife 21

State Game of the Week
No. 3 CUSICK (4-0) at No. 2 ALMIRA/COULEE-HARTLINE (4-0)
7 p.m. Friday at ACH
The defending 1B champion ACH’s big-play ability is worrisome (12 scoring plays of 40 or more yards), but what Cusick has accomplished on defense, led by NT Kevin Villegas, is mind-blowing: Two shutouts and minus-84 yards rushing. ACH has won 15 in a row since a loss to Odessa last season.
TNT pick: ACH 22, Cusick 19