SPSL NORTH
Tahoma (5-2) at No. 4 Auburn (7-0)
7 p.m. Friday at Auburn's Memorial Stadium

The lowdown: An Auburn victory would clinch a third league title in the past four seasons, and first at 4A since the Trojans won the SPSL North in 2005. That was the last time these two programs met, with Auburn winning 24-21.
Why the Bears will win: Tahoma will have to pick it up offensively in order to hang around with Auburn. In the past three games, the Bears have scored 10 or fewer points. In fact, their best weapon has been PK Britton Jolley (SPSL-best six field goals), who kicked three FGs in last week's 9-7 win over Kentlake. Rash of recent penalties and turnovers have hurt, especially in the red zone.
Why the Trojans will win: Coach Gordon Elliott confirmed the obvious this week – this is as good a rushing offense he's ever had in his 32 years of coaching. Auburn is piling up more than 400 yards on the ground per game, led by RBs Chris Young (68 rushes, 710 yards, six TDs) and Jeff Gouveia (90 rushes, 682 yards, SPSL-best 19 TDs) and two outstanding sophomore lineman in C Nick Conlan and LT Danny Shelton.
The News Tribune pick: Nobody has matched up with the Trojans up front, and their grinding style will pay dividends again this week.
Auburn 23, Tahoma 12

SPSL SOUTH
Puyallup (5-2) at Bethel (4-3)
7 p.m. Friday at Art Crate Field

The lowdown: Two streaks could end today if the Braves prevail. First, they would end a four-game skid to Puyallup. Secondly, it would all but guarantee that coach Tom Ingles would miss the playoffs for the first time with the Vikings.
Why the Vikings will win: Ingles is one of the best at making adjustments, and he'll need to make a crucial one now that WR Justin Veltung (foot) is lost for the season with a turf toe injury that will require surgery. Puyallup will try and run the ball more, leaning heavily on RB Jorey Johnson (94 rushes, 608 yards, two TDs), who also replaces Veltung on special-teams returns.
Why the Braves will win: Bethel is getting healthy at the right time, especially on defense with LB Mike Ruth (groin), S Isaac Winters (foot) and CB Travis Otis (groin) returning. The last time this group was playing together, it held Curtis to 180 total yards at the beginning of the season. RB Anthony Meray (97 rushes, 998 yards, eight TDs), the SPSL rushing leader, has posted six consecutive 100-yard games.
The News Tribune pick: Young talent puts Bethel in prime position to grab No. 3 or 4 SPSL South playoff seed.
Bethel 30, Puyallup 21

EVERGREEN CONFERENCE
Black Hills (6-1) at No. 3 Tumwater (7-0)
7 p.m. Friday at Tumwater Stadium

The lowdown: The winner is guaranteed at least a share of the Ev-Co championship. Tumwater has never lost a game in this league, and is riding a 19-game winning streak. Last Black Hills victory against the Thunderbirds was 2004 (34-21 win).
Why the Wolves will win: Who said an old dog can't learn new tricks? To accentuate the dual-threat talent of QB Mike Haupert (90 rushes, 765 yards, eight TDs; 278 passing yards), coach Jack Zilla switched to the shot gun this season. Expect RB Cody Peterson (153 rushes, 1,377 yards, 18 TDs) to get 25-30 carries today. At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, he certainly has the frame to do it.
Why the Thunderbirds will win: Talk about a program with resolve, Tumwater lost its starting backfield, RB London Vessey (collarbone) and FB Josh Quintero (knee, to season-ending injuries in recent weeks. FB Chris Weston (45 rushes, 250 yards, six TDs) becomes the primary ball carrier, and QB Rocky Hinkle (35-of-63, 860 yards, 14 TDs) is playing efficiently in play-action situations.
The News Tribune pick: Up-tempo game could favor the team with depth, and Tumwater has only one two-way player in WR/FS Kyle Warner.
Tumwater 35, Black Hills 30

NISQUALLY LEAGUE 1A/2B
No. 4 Orting (7-0) at Vashon (5-2)
7 p.m. Friday at Vashon Stadium

The lowdown: Along with defending league champion Cascade Christian, both teams are 4-0 in Nisqually play – and the three schools play one another in the final three weeks. Orting won back-to-back Nisqually titles in 2005 and 2006. Vashon last defeated the Cardinals 24-21 in 1997.
Why the Cardinals will win: They can run with RBs Grant Angle (83 rushes, 725 yards, eight TDs) and Braden Cordes (29 rushes, 315 yards, 10 TDs), pass with QB Nick Wilkins (91-of-161, 1,329 yards, 16 TDs) and have shut down opposing rushing attacks to the tune of 39 yards per game. No wonder coach Marty Parkhurst figures this is one of his most well-rounded teams.
Why the Pirates will win: Yes, the island is rocking for tonight's matchup. RB Nathan Betz (136 rushes, 677 yards, five TDs) is a bruiser who spearheads the Pirates' ball-control attack. The biggest challenge will be to offset Orting's stunting and twisting at the line of scrimmage. LG Timmy Jovanich is physical, RG Kyle Bakker is technically-sound and both pull often to open holes for Betz.
The News Tribune pick: It's all about the Cardinals' start. A quick one, and they cruise. A slow one, and they're in for a fight to the finish.
Orting 24, Vashon 14

State Game of the Week
Lewis and Clark (5-2) at No. 3 Ferris (7-0)
8 p.m. Friday at Albi Stadium

The reigning Class 4A champions visit Ferris for a Greater Spokane League showdown with playoff implications. The Saxons can clinch the GSL’s No. 1 seed with a victory. The Tigers must win their final two games to return to the postseason to defend their championship.
TNT pick: Ferris 24, Lewis and Clark 19