The title games will be completely finalized after Bellevue and Capital play the Class 3A semifinal on Monday night at Harry E. Lang Stadium in Lakewood.

Below is the schedule along with links to stories and video interviews from the semifinals:

At the Tacoma Dome
Friday
4 p.m. -- Class 2B: Napavine vs. Asotin
Napavine sumbles, recovers, gets to title game

Video interview with Napavine's Conner Craft

7:30 p.m. -- Class 4A: No. 10 Issaquah vs. No. 1 Skyline
Issaquah beats Central Kitsap, looks forward to Skyline

Eagles are finally healthy

Saturday
10 a.m. -- Class 1A: No. 4 Cascade Christian vs. No. 2 Cashmere
Cascade Christian reaches first final

Video interview with Cascade Christian's Ben Johnson

1 p.m. -- Class 2A: No. 3 Lynden vs. No. 1 Prosser
Lynden blitzes Archbishop Murphy in a rematch

Video interview with Lynden's Blair Bomber

4 p.m. -- Class 3A: Bellevue/Capital vs. No. 4 Union

7:30 p.m. -- Class 1B: Wishkah Valley vs. LaCrosse-Washtucna-Kahlotus
Wishkah Valley thumps Lake Quinault in semis

Here's my unedited game story:

BY DOUG PACEY
doug.pacey@thenewstribune.com

Ready for the rematch?

Issaquah is.

The tenth-ranked Eagles ended Central Kitsap’s run through the Class 4A state playoffs with a 31-13 semifinal victory Saturday night at the Tacoma Dome, launching Issaquah into the state finals against rival and top-ranked Skyline.

“We know what we’re getting,” Bennett said. “There aren’t a lot of secrets between the two schools. The kids have grown up together.”

The two Issaquah School District high schools will face off at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Tacoma Dome. It is the first time that two teams from the same school district will play for the 4A finals.

The Spartans of Sammamish got the best of Issaquah six weeks ago when the teams were ranked first and second in the 4A, thumping the Eagles, 38-0.

“We were embarrassed,” Bennettt said. “But that was a long time ago.”

If Issaquah (11-2) plays against the Skyline the way it did against
Central Kitsap, the Eagles have a chance at the upset.

Issaquah jumped the Cougars (9-4) from the opening kickoff and never let up.

Eagles Kicker Gavin Schumaker launched a pooch kick and teammate Kyle Hansen recovered the ball on the Central Kitsap 28-yard line. Six plays later, quarterback Joey Bradley threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Ross Zuhl.

“They opened up the game by getting that kickoff,” Cougars coach Mark Keel said, “and we were playing from behind after that.”

Issaquah got another boost when on third-and-goal at the 20, Bradley found running back Grant Gellatly on a wheel route and the junior ran untouched into the end zone, giving the Eagles a 21-7 lead with six seconds left in the second quarter.

“That’s huge right there,” said Bradley, who completed 13 of 18 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns. “It gave us such a boost going into the locker room.”

Leading 24-13 in the fourth quarter, Issaquah defensive back Brennan Miller delivered the back-breaker. He intercepted quarterback Jason Simonis at the Central Kitsap 35-yard line and returned the ball to the 4. Three plays later, Bradley scored on a 1-yard sneak, giving the Eagles a 31-13 lead with 5:52 left to play.

“That interception, that might have been the play of the game,” Bennett said. “They converted that crazy fourth down and scored a touchdown and got the ball back. But that interception ended it.”

The “crazy fourth down” play came in the final seconds of the third quarter. Facing, fourth-and-16 at the Issaquah 37-yard line, Simonis threw a Hail Mary. The ball was tipped before coming down into the arms of receiver Allen Hewey at the 2. Running back Howie McDonald scored on the next play, but the extra point was blocked, making it 24-13.

The Cougars’ first touchdown came when the Eagles bit on a fake and Simonis fired a 49-yard touchdown to a wide open Christian Wesley in the second quarter.

Issaquah bottled up the McDonald, the Narrows League MVP, holding him to 76 yards on 18 carries. Central Kitsap was held to 193 yards of total offense.

Issaquah will play for the state championship for the first time since 1980. The Eagles lost the 4A finals to Mount Tahoma, 21-3, that year.

Skyline 24, Ferris 21: The Spartans’ survived their biggest test yet, coming from behind to win Saturday at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane.

Trailing fourth-ranked Ferris 21-17, No. 1 Skyline took the lead late in the third quarter when receiver Gine Simone caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Jake Heaps, who completed 20 of 35 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns. Saxons quarterback Connor Halliday was 20 of 31 for 229 yards and was picked off three times.

Skyline (13-0) won the 3A championship last season.

Facing third-and-goal at the 20-yard line, QB Joey Bradley hit RB Grant Gellatly coming out of the backfield and Gellatly cruised into the end with 6 seconds left in the first half.

Central Kitsap answers Issaquah with a long touchdown.

The Eagles defense bit on QB Jason Simonis' play-action fake and Simonis launched a bomb to receiver Christian Wesley, who was uncovered behind the secondary.

Issaquah scores first as QB Joey Bradley threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Ross Zuhl in the end zone.

The Eagles kicked off, but got the ball when Kyle Hansen recovered the pooched kick at the Cougars' 28-yard line.

Third-ranked Lynden held off No. 2 Archbishop Murphy on Saturday morning in the Tacoma Dome.

Senior Blair Bomber opened the game with an 80-yard touchdown catch from David Gaylord on the first play from scrimmage. Bomber finished with seven catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. He also intercepted a pass and blocked an extra point.

Lynden will meet either No. 1 Prosser or Burlington-Edison next week in the finals

Here's an interview with Bomber.

One minute after throwing an interception, the Lions picked off a pass of their own.

This time it was Lynden DB Eric Conner, who gives the Lions a first down at the ATM 45 with 4:41 left in the game.

It's looking bleak for ATM.

Archbishop Murphy drove 88 yards in 14 plays, getting a 10-yard touchdown run from running back CJ Milburn with 9:45 left in the game. But Lynden's Blair Bomber blocked the extra point attempt.

ATM is driving and has the ball at the Lynden 47-yard line. But will they be able to stop the Lions' offense if they score?

ATM had been stuffing the ball down the Lions' throats on the opening drive of the third quarter. But on first down at the Lynden 12, defensive back Blair Bomber dove in front of receiver JD Melton and intercepted quarter Jake Downs' pass.

Lynden leads 21-7 with 6:45 left in the third quarter.

Some halftime stats:

Lynden
Passing: 9-16-0-189
Rushing: 16-44
Total offense: 233 yards
Plays: 32

ATM
Passing: 3-8-0-51
Rushing: 11-71
Total offense: 122 yards
Plays: 19

No. 3 Lynden leads No. 2 ATM, 21-7.

Lynden just had one of the most luck-infused possession I've ever seen. Consider:

-- Facing fourth-and-2 at their own 34, Lynden lines up to punt. The snap sails over punter Ryan Hastings' head. He scrambles to pick up the ball and while trying to escape ATM defenders, he sees an open Jace Baxter-Bowen, who picks up 19 yards and a first down.

-- Facing fourth-and-18 at their own 42, Lynden punts. But ATM's Jake Clark fumbled the punt and Lynden recovers at the 18.

-- Five plays later, the Lions scored when Ryan Hastings completed a 1-yard pass to Blair Bomber.

ATM just blew up a Lynden screen, with CJ Milburn leveling David Gaylord as he caught the ball for a 4-yard loss. The Lions have fourth-and-11 at their own 24 and are punting.

Archbishop Murphy answers with a 47-yard touchdown run from CJ Milburn.

This one looks like it could be high schoring.

Lynden is clicking on all cylinders.

Quarterback Ryan Hastings rolled to his right and threw across his body to an open David Gaylord in the flat and Gaylord took the pass 25 yards into the end zone.

Gaylord and Hastings share quarterbacking duties for the Lions, who lost 26-15 to ATM in Week 1.

ATM is forced to punt after stalling at midfield. It could have been worse for the Wildcats -- Lynden DB Eric Conner dropped a would-be interception that would have been returned for a touchdown,

The Lions have struck first and in a big way.

Blair Bomber beat two defenders deep and hauled in an 80-yard touchdown pass from quarterback David Gaylord on the first play of the game.

Archbishop has won the toss and deferred. Lynden will receive the kick in the first half.

The Lancers season comes to an end in disappointment, offensively Lakes had just one first down in the second half. They drop to 12-1 on the season.

Union now 13-0 will face the winner of Monday's Bellevue-Capital game.

Blake Russell just ran through the middle for a 13-yard touchdown.

Union stopped Lakes on a fourth-and-2 at the Lakes' 33-yard line. The Titans have a first down at the Lancers 21 and are driving, and eating time off the clock.

After Kelly Morris intercepted a halfback pass, Zak Browning scored on a 23-yard touchdown run, giving the Titans a 21-7 lead with 3:15 left in the third quarter.

Ryan Maddox hit Lakes quarterback Dalton Gervais, knocking the ball loose, and linebacker Derek Adams picked up the ball at the ball at the Union 45 and returned it for a touchdown.

Here are the first-half totals:

Union
Rushing: 17 carries, 62 yards
Passing: 4 of 8 for 58 yards
Total offense: 120 yards

Union has no turnovers.

Lakes
Rushing: 12 carries for 88 yards
Passing: 3 of 9 for 75 yards
Total offense: 163 yards

Lakes has fumbled the ball twice, losing one.

On third-and-15 at their own 38-yard line, Dalton Gervais threw a bomb down the sideline and receiver John Goldwire leaped in front of defensive back Tyler Coad and ran untouched for a 62-yard touchdown.

Lakes threatened to score, but turned the ball over on downs at the Union 14 yard line.

The Titans responded with a 10-play drive that Blake Russell capped with a 12-yard touchdown run on a toss around the left end. Russell kept the possession alive when on third-and-5 at the Union 33 he took a screen pass 41 yards.

We're tied at zero at the end of the first quarter, but Lakes is driving. The Lancers have second-and-8 at the Union 26-yard line.

Teddy Cotton put the Lancers in Union territory when he ripped off a 44-yard run around the left end. Cotton broke through arm tackles and bulled through defenders for a few extra yards near the end of his run.

Union has luck on its side early.

Taylor Nelson recoved a muffed punt at the Union 46 yard line.

Union tried an end around on the first play, but Lakes' speed didn't let Mitch Saylor around the end, throwing him for a 3-yard loss.

On third-and-9, Darius Waters sacked Brandon Weller for a 6-yard loss.

Union has won the toss and elected to receive. Here we go...

We are 20 minutes from kickoff of the Union-Lakes Class 3A semifinal.

The Titans pass the "eye test" -- they look big enough and fast enough to contend for the state championship. Then again, so does Lakes. This should be a good one.

CLASS 3A PLAYOFFS
No. 4 Union (12-0) vs. No. 3 Lakes (12-0)

The lowdown: Lakes is 2-2 in semifinal games, with its last appearance coming in 2002 (a 55-21 loss to Lynden). The Lancers are 3-0 against Southwest Washington schools in the state playoffs. Union coach Cale Piland won a 4A title with Evergreen of Vancouver in 2004.

Why the Titans will win: A second-year program? Only in principle. Piland has brought the same coaching staff, many of the same players and a similar style from his days with the Plainsmen. The offense will use multiple formations to get RB Blake Russell (205 rushes, 1,338 yards, 23 TDs) going, and then strike with WR Mitch Saylor (16 TDs), a 6-foot-6 weapon who has scored in a variety of ways, including a blocked field goal return that beat Ferndale last week.

Why the Lancers will win: A physical rushing attack is no longer an issue – the Lancers have it by averaging 270.3 yards per game, led by RBs Teddy Cotton (163 rushes, 1,216 yards, 15 TDs) and Willis Wilson (111 rushes, 959 yards, eight TDs). The question is balance, and QB Dalton Gervais (75-of-134, 1,188 yards, 18 TDs, 13 INTs) has to do a better job of protecting the ball.

The News Tribune pick: The experienced program against the newcomer? Both are good at stopping the run, so any little mistake in this game should be magnified.
Lakes 28, Union 27

Napavine held off a late Naselle rally, reaching the Class 2B state finals. The Tigers will play the winner of Saturday's Colfax-Asotin semifinal.

Here's an interview with Napavine running back Conner Craft, who ran for 76 yards and a touchdown.

Matthew Waltenberg's 13-yard touchdown run has extended Napavine's lead with 11 minutes, 6 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

In the third, Marty Cozart's 2-yard touchdown run gave the Tigers a 12-6 lead.

Napavine has scored 18-unanswered points.

Here's Conner Craft's 10-yard touchdown run for Napavine that tied the game at 6-6 with 1:39 left in the first half.

It didn't take long for Naselle to get the ball back.

Napavine running back Conner Craft broke free up the middle for a 20-yard gain when the ball inexplicably popped out of his arms, bounced once on the turf and into the hands of Naselle lineman Michael Shirley.

The Comets took over at the 22-yard line and a few plays later Austin Burkhalter scored on a 1-yard run. The extra point hit the upright and missed.

Earlier posts:

After a long drive the Napavine 10-yard line, Naselle's Nick Hines fumbled the ball and the Tigers' Josh Metcalf recovered.

The winner of this Class 2B semifinal will play either Asotin or Colfax.

MVP: Howie McDonald, Central Kitsap, 12
Offensive MVP: Chet Thompson, Gig Harbor, 12
Defensive MVP: Richie Meier, Central Kitsap, 12
Staff of the Year: Central Kitsap, Olympia

FIRST TEAM
Offense
QB: Lucas Schindele, Bellarmine Prep, 12
RB: Ron Baines, Mt. Tahoma, 12
RB: Dylan Parsons, Olympia, 12
RB: Desmond Trufant, Wilson, 12
OL: Steve Brazel, Olympia, 12
OL: Nick Johnson, Gig Harbor, 12
OL: Jeff King, Bellarmine, 12
OL: Brian Kuznek, South Kitsap, 12
OL: Desmond Petty, Stadium, 12
WR: Garret Hall, Olympia, 12
WR: Leon LeDeaux, South Kitsap, 11
WR: Christian Wesley, Central Kitsap, 11
TE: Folauga Perosi, Foss, 11
Defense
DB: Tanner Davis, Gig Harbor, 12
DB: Jared Moore, South Kitsap, 12
DB: Kramer Skidmore, Olympia, 12
DB: Desmond Trufant, Wilson, 12
DL: Cody Alfonso, Olympia, 12
DL: John Barr, Mt. Tahoma, 12
DL: Andy Fuller, Bellarmine Prep, 12
DL: Drew Reynolds, Foss, 12
LB: Cole Adams, Central Kitsap, 12
LB: Beau Baldassin, Bellarmine, 12
LB: Jim Dahl, Gig Harbor, 12
LB: Andrew Lankow, Olympia, 12
LB: TJ Rhodes, South Kitsap, 12
Special Teams
P: Lucas Schindele, Bellarmine Prep, 12
K: Jay Ubben, Gig Harbor, 12
Returner: Julian Cruell, Foss, 11
Long Snapper: Kevin Rowe, Olympia, 12

SECOND TEAM
Offense
QB: Jason Simonis, Central Kitsap, 12
RB: Sean Allison, South Kitsap, 12
RB: Julian Cruell, Foss, 11
RB: Jordan Russell, Lincoln, 10
RB: Nico Youngren, Gig Harbor, 12
OL: Conner Cheser, Central Kitsap, 11
OL: Abe Schauderhaff, Shelton, 12
OL: Drew Schultz, Olympia, 11
OL: Theo Solomon, Lincoln, 12
OL: Luv St. Andre, Foss, 12
OL: Spencer Williams, Central Kitsap, 11
WR: Allen Brown, Foss, 12
WR: Jamal Byrd, Foss, 11
WR: Tyler Tryon, Stadium, 12
TE: Austin Salley, Central Kitsap, 12
Defense
DB: Donta' Harris, Mt. Tahoma, 12
DB: Jeff Filmer, Gig Harbor, 12
DB: Brett McDonald, Central Kitsap, 10
DB: Jordan Rhett, Bellarmine, 11
DL: Griffin Boudia, Olympia, 10
DL: Scott Crichton, Foss, 11
DL: Brandon Durham, Central Kitsap, 12
DL: Brandon Taft, Bellarmine, 12
LB: Drew Johnson, Olympia, 12
LB: Denzzel Martin, Stadium, 12
LB: Sheldon Pyke, Foss, 12
LB: Kerry Stabler, Lincoln, 12
LB: Nick Truckey, Bellarmine, 12
Special Teams
P: Bill Minter, Gig Harbor, 12
P: Dominick Vizzare, Stadium, 11
K: Sam Bingaman, Olympia, 12
Returner: H'Arion Gaulden, Central Kitsap, 12
Long Snapper: Colin Carter, Stadium, 12

Honorable Mention
Bellarmine Prpe: Kyle Able, RB; Beau Baldassin, Long Snapper; Rick Miller, Kick returner.

Central Kitsap: Cameron Anthony, WR; Christian Berg, K; Marcus D’Angelo, DB; H’arion Gaulden, RB.

Foss: Allen Brown, DB; Michael Brown, OL; Jamal Byrd, DB; Tyler Elliott, K; Montwan Jackson, RB; Shawn Oluapu, Long snapper; Folauga Perosi, P; DaVante Peterson, QB; Malcolm Stanback, OL.

Gig Harbor: Dalton Darmody, LB; Trevor Harrison, DL; Louis Lanza, WR; Bill Minter, P; Jordan Mosher, OL; Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE.

Lincoln: Carlos Anderson, WR; Greg Coleman, LB; Robert Henderson, DL; Carlos Oliveras, K; Theo Solomon, DL; Shane Stagg, QB; CJ Wright,WR.

Mount Tahoma: Michael Allen, LB: Kalold Aukisitino, OL; Charlie Bingham, DL; Keonta Davis, DB; Jessie Leifi, OL; Tim Markovits, LB; Ron Pate, WR.

Olympia: Alex Clark, DL; Bob Clouse, OL; Flynt Davies, LB; Sam Gauksheim, LB; Brandon Maguire, WR; Holden Rethwill, DB; Willie Willard, QB; Chris Womac, DB.

Shelton: Zach Ball, DL; Alex Blakely, DL; Sean Donnell, WR; Dale Fontaine, OL; Taylor Gettle, OL; CD Hinkle, QB; Niko Pacitolke, LB; Aaron Roaf, DB; Cameron Wagner, RB.

South Kitsap: Nick Boss, OL; Brad Fairweather, TE; Robert Issa, LB; Drew Klopfstein, K; Sean Korf, DB; Leon LeDeaux, P; Chris Nenninger, Long snapper; Ryan Williams, RB, Returner; Andrew Yaptinchay, OL.

Stadium: Kyle Brady, OL; Andrew Duchesne, LB; Grant Duchesne, LB; Rhyse Kahue, Returner; Cody Kammer, TE; Isaiah Larson, DL; Justin McDonell, RB; Austin Menefee, DL; Dominick Vizzare, K.

Wilson: Xavier Cooper, DL; Louis Davis, LB; Tre James, QB; Shay Sullivan, DL.

Here's an interview with Cascade Christian quarterback Ben Johnson after the Class 1A semifinal victory.

Today's 3A semifinal football game at the Tacoma Dome between Capital and Bellevue has been postponed because of an accident involving the Bellevue team bus.

The bus, on its way to Tacoma for a 1 p.m. game, flipped over on Interstate 5 near Des Moines. No serious injuries were reported.

The game will be made up Monday at 7 p.m. at Harry Lang Field in Lakewood. Tickets purchased for Friday's game will be honored.

The 3A state title game has also swapped times with the 4A final. Now, the 3A championship will be played at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and the 4A game has been rescheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. Both games will be played at the Tacoma Dome.

Ben Johnson connected with Spencer Ramos for a 16-yard toucdown pass. The score capped an eight-play drive, the first of the second half.

If the Cougars keep this up, they will likely make their first appearance in the state finals where they play either Royal or Cashmere.

I headed down to the field for the final five minutes of the second quarter to get some video. There were no scoring plays, but the Bulldogs did survive this near-disastrous fumble deep in their own terrirtory.

Cascade Christian dominated Montesano in the first half, piling up 222 yards of total offense. The Cougars have run nearly twice as many plays at the Bulldogs, 35-18.

Bulldogs have been held in check with the exception of Frank Carpenter's 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Cascade Christian quarterback Ben Johnson scored on a 1-yard sneak to give the Cougars the lead.

The Cougars finally found the end zone after two fullback dives from the 4-yard line.

Cascade Christian methodically chipped away at Montesano on this drive, mixing the run and pass.

At the end of the first quarter, we're tied at 7-7. Cascade Christian has second-and-11 at the Montesano 48-yard line.

Big play for the Bulldogs and we're all tied up.

Frank Carpenter ran back the kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown and the extra point tied the score.

On fourth-and-4 at the Montesano 37, Austin Mulcahey caught a short out pattern pass, juked the defender and raced to the end zone.

Cascade's drive was kept alive by a Montesano penalty.

No scoring yet in this game. But Devin Ossman just ripped off a 56-yard run and Cascade Christian has a first down at the Montesano 43-yard line.

Montesano returned the opening kickoff into Cougars territory, but was forced to punt. CC had a nice drive going, but the Bulldogs intercepted quarterback Ben Johnson.

Montesano was deep in CC territoryAustin Mulcahey picked off a pass, ending the Bulldogs' second possession.

I'm here at the Tacoma Dome and we're a few minutes away from kickoff of the Cascade Christian-Montesano 1A semifinal.

I'll be providing scoring and quarterly updates and posting video interviews with players and coaches following each game. And if my vantage point way up in the T-Dome's press box -- it's about 15 feet from the rafters -- allows, I'll try and post some video from the games.

Whittling down the thousands of high school football players in the South Sound to a elite team of 29 is a difficult process. But through information from coaches, talking to coaches and players, reviewing stat sheets and all-league teams, and our own observations, we've come up with our annual All-Area Football Team.

Rogers quarterback Tyler VanSligtenhorst is our All-Area Player of the Year. You can read here why he was chosen.

Here are the first and second teams.

Our All-Area Football team will be published in Thursday's newspaper and will be available here online sometime very early Thursday morning.

We'll be back on Friday with tons of previews of the state semifinals. And this blog will be the place to get your in-gamme semifinal updates from the Tacoma Dome.

Happy Thanksgiving, folks.

MVP: Marlayna Geary, Bellarmine Prep, sr, OH; Brigit Miller, Olympia, sr., S

Coach of the year: Laurie Creighton, Olympia

First Team
Racheal Diehl, Central Kitsap, sr., OH
Anna Guenther, Gig Harbor, jr., Opp
Brittney Jansen, Stadium, sr., MB
Nicole Mertens, Olympia, sr., OH
Michelle O’Brien, Bellarmine Prep, sr., OH
Megan Triggs, Olympia, jr., L

Second Team
Lisa Chulich, Olympia, jr., OH
Natimia Doss, Wilson, sr. Opp
Katy Ferguson, Stadium, sr., MB
Stephanie Osterdahl, South Kitsap, sr., MB
Natalie Pfaff, Central Kitsap, sr., OH
Kelsey Potter, Gig Harbor, sr., OH
Laura Roberts, Wilson, jr., OH

Honorable Mention
Ellen Anderson, Stadium
Abena Bofa, Bellarmine Prep
Michelle Christy, Shelton
Stephanie Dowling, Bellarmine Prep
Cortney Echternach, South Kitsap
Andrea Farmer, Gig Harbor
Lariss Jackson, Mount Tahoma
Kelsey Jenkins, Gig Harbor
Kali Johnson, Bellarmine Prep
Leah Johnson, Stadium
Hayley McDermed, Central Kitsap
Briana McKinley, Shelton
Jessica Pearson, Lincoln
Shannon Roberts, Wilson
Jessica Scovell, Shelton
Alexis Wesley, Central Kitsap
Michelle Woodward, Olympia

Coach of the year: Dave Miller, Lakes High School

Assistant coach of the year: Steve Levenseller, Peninsula High School

Offensive Line Player of the Year: Sione Potoa’e, Lakes High School

Offensive Back Player of the Year: Brandon James, Peninsula High School

Defensive Line Player of the Year: Tuiasosopo Niusulu, Lakes High School

Defensive Back Player of the Year: Darrian Creamer, Peninsula High School

Click through for the rest of the team.

=> Read more!

MVP: Liz Haskey, Puyallup; Ashleigh Pollard, Rogers

Coach of the Year: Tony Batinovich, Puyallup; John Reopelle, Bethel

First Team
Kayla Reno, Graham-Kapowin, Outside
Becca Robbins, Puyallup, Middle
Samantha Hutchinson, Curtis, Right Side
Brandy Iverson, Bethel, Middle
Krystal Savage, Bethel, Outside
Jackie Trinque, Bethel, Setter

Second Team
Julia Nix, Rogers, Middle
Kelsie Kolomyjec, Puyallup, Setter
Megan McGinn, Puyallup, Outside
Kaitlyn Molloy, Graham-Kapowsin, Middle
Shelby Woodson, Graham-Kapowsin, Libero
Chyna Swick, Spanaway Lake, Outside
Andrea Geubelle, Curtis, Outside
Kenzie Teigen, Curtis, Setter

Honorable Mention
Mindy O'Meara, Decatur, Setter
Christina Sessoms, Decatur, Middle
Charisma Toilolo, Decatur, Outside
Beth Racher, Rogers, Middle
Clarissa Smith, Rogers, Setter
Jasmine Evans, Rogers, Outside
Maggie Rogers, Rogers, Libero
Molly Mclain, Curtis, Libero
Kajsa Knapp, Curtis, Middle
Emily Cotter, Curtis, Outside
Kelsey Lewis, Curtis Middle
Lauren Reed, Graham Kapowsin, Setter
Ali Campbell, Graham Kapowsin, Outside
Taylor Burton, Graham Kapowsin, Setter
Brook Molloy, Graham Kapowsin, Rightside
Ericka Duffy, Beamer, Outside
Alex Schultz, Beamer, Setter
McKenna Grotefend, Beamer, Middle
Blair Bjorkman, Puyallup, Right Side
Alex Lavorato, Puyallup, Outside
Ariel Fralick, Puyallup, Setter
Melissa Horton, Emerld Ridge, Outside
Ariel Babcock, Emerld Ridge, Libero
Megan Albert, Emerld Ridge, Rightside
Bronti Lemke, Spanaway Lake, Middle
Kindra Alvarez, Spanaway Lake, Rightside
Alex Brasseaux, Spanaway Lake, Outside

Here's a quick rundown on the next week's semifinal matchups. Times, dates and some locations have not been confirmed. We know that all games with a "westside" school as the home team will be played at the Tacoma Dome.

We'll update the game times and dates when they are released.

CLASS 4A
Issaquah (10-2) vs. Central Kitsap (9-3), 4 p.m. Saturday at Tacoma Dome
Skyline (12-0) at Ferris (11-1), 1 p.m. Saturday at Albi Stadium, Spokane

Skyline looked every bit the top-ranked team in the state in its 38-2 dismantling of No. 3 Auburn on Saturday. Now, the Spartans will head east to meet a Ferris team that needed a miracle to beat No. 6 Central Valley.

In the other matchup, we've got a couple of Cinderella's. Well, it might be a stretch to attach that term to Issaquah -- the Eagles were ranked as high as No. 2 this season -- but the team was in a tail-spin after two late-season losses. The Eagles have regained their footing, beating No. 7 Bothell, 31-28, on Saturday.

Central Kitsap truly fits the underdog role. The Cougars have toppled higher seeded teams Snohomish, Olympia and stifled Rogers' potent offense on Saturday, winning 21-6.

CLASS 3A
Union (12-0) vs. Lakes (12-0), 7 p.m. Friday, Tacoma Dome
Bellevue (12-0) vs. Capital (9-3), 1 p.m. Friday, Tacoma Dome

If you haven't yet heard how Union beat No. 2 Ferndale, you must read this. What thrilling victory for the Titans anda gut-wrenching defeat for Ferndale. With that win, the Titans should have the respect of every team in the state -- if they didn't already. Lakes can't make the same mistakes with turnovers and penalties it has made in the last two games and expect to beat Union.

The Bellevue Wolverines were the biggest fans of the Capital Cougars on Saturday. Capital's 20-19 win over Spokane East Valley means Bellevue won't have to travel east for the semifinals. Instead, the Wolverines will play at the Tacoma Dome, where they have won 10 of their last 11 games played in the arena.

CLASS 2A
Archbishop Murphy (12-0) vs. Lynden (10-2), 10 a.m. Saturday, Tacoma Dome
Burlington-Edison (11-1) vs. Prosser (12-0), 3 p.m. Saturday, Moses Lake

We've got a couple of rematches here. ATM beat Lynden, 26-15, in Week 1 and Prosser routed Burlington-Edison, 42-7, in the state title game last season.

CLASS 1A
Cascade Christian (11-1) vs. Montesano (12-0), 10 a.m. Friday, Tacoma Dome
Royal (12-0) vs. Cashmere (11-0), noon Saturday, Moses Lake

The top four ranked teams found their way to the semifinals. Cascade Christian, Montesano and Cashmere won big, but Royal nipped Freeman, 32-27.

Are the Knights beatable?

CLASS 2B
Naselle (8-4) vs. Napavine (10-2), 4 p.m. Friday, Tacoma Dome
Colfax (11-0) vs. Asotin (11-1), 1 p.m. Saturday at Martin Stadium, Pullman

Naselle knocked out No. 2 Willapa Valley, 28-24, on Saturday, leaving Colfax as the only undefeated team remaining in Class 2B.

CLASS 1B
Lake Quinault (10-10 vs. Wishkah Valley (9-1), 1 p.m. Saturday, Tacoma Dome
LaCrosse-Washtucna vs. Cusick, (12-0), 4 p.m. Saturday at Albi Stadium, Spokane

The winner of the LaCrosse-Washtucna-Cusick contest will be a heavy favorite in the state championship game.

Here's video of the shootout in the Class 2A girls soccer state championship. Fife won the shootout, 4-3, beating Cedarcrest, 1-0, for its second straight state title.

The upstart Central Kitsap Cougars have advanced to the Class 4A state semifnals.

Behind running back Howard McDonald's three touchdowns, Central Kitsap beat Rogers 21-6 at Silverdale Stadium.

The Cougars will play Issaquah in the semifinals at the Tacoma Dome on Friday or Saturday next week. The Eagles beat Bothell 31-28 on Saturday.

The fall season is no longer cornered by the Tacoma Baptist football team.

Soccer is squarely on the map, especially after the Crusaders collected their first Class 1B/2B state boys soccer title after a 2-0 victory over St. George's at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner.

Trevor Talen scored the game-winner in the 34th minute, and Joshua Peters added an insurance tally in the 64th minute to complete the scoring.

"We kept with the game plan, kept it on the ground and made passes, and knew we would get our opportunities," Tacoma Baptist coach Josh Narayan said.

Goalkeeper Daniel Thompson had three saves in notching the shutout.

The Crusaders outshot St. George's, 14-7. Peters and Talen led them with four shots apiece.

Here's a slideshow from the Auburn-Skline Class 4A football state quarterfinal. The Spartans won 38-2.

Lots of good photos.

Joshua Peters tallied his team's second goal, this time in the 64th minute, and Tacoma Baptist has a 2-0 lead over St. George's midway through the second half.

The Crusaders, seeking their first state boys soccer title, got a goal from Trevor Talen in the 34th minute.

Tacoma Baptist has opened the second half with seven consecutive shots. The Dragons had gone more than 30 minutes without an attempt before Karl Muelheims' 15-yard blast was saved by Crusaders' goalkeeper Daniel Thompson.

The Fife Trojans won back-to-back Class 2A girls soccer state championships on Saturday.

Fife won a shootout, 4-3, against Cedarcrest at Harry E. Lang Stadium, winning the match 1-0.

We'll have video and interviews up tonight.

When Trevor Talen smells a scoring chance, he's usually money.

And the Tacoma Baptist striker was Saturday, scoring in the 34th minute to give the Crusaders a 1-0 lead over St. George's in the Class 1B/2B boys soccer championship match at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner.

Talen got loose on the right side of the Dragons' goal, but took a difficult shot angle – the upper right corner – and made it to break a scoreless tie.

=> Read more!

How La Salle goalkeeper Chelsea Adkins got her hand late in the shootout of the Class 1B/2B girls soccer championship match is anyone's guess.

She'll take it, especially after the Lightning lost in the past three 1A title matches, including two in overtime.

"We're familiar with this," Adkins said.

La Salle, from near Yakima, edged Evergreen Lutheran, 1-0, by making four of the five attempts in the shootout to win, 4-3.

=> Read more!

** UPDATE from OT (4:11 to go): La Salle had a chance to win the match with a penalty kick 49 seconds into the extra session, but the shot hit high on the crossbar and deflected off. Evergreen Lutheran certainly dodged a bullet.

The sentimentalist in anyone would be pulling for La Salle High School near Yakima, which has made it to the past three Class 1A girls soccer title matches, only to lose.

And the Lightning has certainly put a great deal of pressure on the Evergreen Lutheran defense in this 1B/2B championship showdown.

Yet, La Salle and the Eagles are tied, 0-0, and meeting on their respective sides before entering two 5-minute OT sessions, and subsequently, a shootout if it is still tied.

Regardless of what happens here, the Tacoma Baptist boys will not start their 1B/2B title match at 6 p.m. Probably looking at a 6:15 start, at the earliest.

BY DOUG PACEY
doug.pacey@thenewstribune.com

Jeff Gouveia left Spartan Stadium a firm believer.

“Hands down,” the Auburn senior said, “Skyline is the best team in the state.”

The top-ranked Spartans bottled up No. 3 Auburn’s powerful running game, thumping the Trojans, 38-2, in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A football state playoffs on Saturday afternoon in Sammamish.

“That is a very good football team,” Auburn coach Gordon Elliott told his team after the game. “I don’t know if they would better than us every day, but they certainly were better than us today.”

Skyline's Gino Simone comes down with an interception over Auburn's Bryan Kasa on the play.(Lui Kit Wong/The News Tribune)

Auburn, the South Puget Sound League North Division champions, end the season with a 11-1 record. Skyline (12-0) will play at No. 4 Ferris on Saturday in the semifinals.

The Trojans entered the contest averaging 382 rushing yards per game, but Skyline’s physical defense held them to only 173 yards on 45 carries. Chris Young led Auburn with 18 attempts for 81 yards, getting most of them on the same fly sweep play.

Skyline was rarely fooled by the Trojans’ bread and butter.

“We probably ran that play 200 times in practice this week,” Spartans coach Mat Taylor said.

Auburn had a chance to take a convincing lead in the first quarter. The Trojans led 2-0 after Skyline running back Joey Evans fumbled in the end zone and was flagged for trying to advance the ball, resulting in a safety. Auburn then marched down the field and faced third-and-1 at the Spartans’ 31-yard line. But the Trojans were held to no gain on two running plays.

It was all Skyline from there.

The Spartans scored on their next three possessions in the first half and Washington State-commit Gino Simone mixed in a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown. In the last 11 minutes of the second quarter, Auburn saw its 2-0 lead replaced by a 24-2 deficit.

“Our game plan was to come out and control the football,” Elliott said. “They were pretty physical and I don’t think our guys were expecting that.”

Skyline tacked on two more touchdowns in the third quarter. After running back Nick Washburn, who ran for 101 yards on 14 carries, ripped off a 61-yard run down the sideline, heralded quarterback Jake Heaps tossed a 4-yard touchdown to William Chandler. On the next possession, Heaps connected with Simone for a 41-yard touchdown.

Heaps, who many recruiting “experts” consider to be the top junior quarterback in the country, completed 17 of 24 passes for 204 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Simone had eight receptions for 95 yards and sophomore KasenWilliams, who has scholarship offers from nearly every Pac-10 school, finished with 4 catches for 82 yards.

“We don’t match up on the edges,” Elliott said. “They have Division-I athletes, we have sophomore wrestlers.”

Auburn was the third SPSL team that Skyline has beat in the playoffs this season. The Spartans topped Graham-Kapowsin, the No. 4 seed from the SPSL South, in the preliminary round and routed SPSL North No. 3 Federal Way last week. Skyline has outscored the teams 117-15.

Elliott was able to find a silver lining in the loss. In the Trojans’ previous three playoff losses, the team that beat them has reached the championship game, with Bellevue winning the 3A title in 2006.

“We’ve got nothing to hang our heads over,” he said. “We are a good football team. We had a very good season.”

Doug Pacey: 253-597-8271

blogs.thenewstribune.com/preps

Skyline's Gino Simone comes down with an interception over Auburn's Bryan Kasa on the play.(Lui Kit Wong/The News Tribune)

Lakes escaped with the win here and will play the winner of Ferndale-Union in the semifinals.

Previous posts:

Eastside Catholic fumbled at the Lakes 30 yard line and Lancers Sione Potao'e recovered. The Lancers are driving...

Teddy Cotton burst up the middle on first down for an 83-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion failed and Lakes leads 18-14.

Marion Bactol's 38-yard touchdown run gives Eastside Catholic its first lead of the game. The run followed a 46-yard pass play from quarterback Zach Cauaresma to Spencer Esau.

Lakes led Eastside Catholic 12-7 at halftime.

Lancers running back Willis Wilson just broke open the game with a 58-yard touchdown run, getting a key block from Anthony Wright near the goal line. Lakes went for two and the run failed.

Neither team was able to do much of anything offensively until Lakes' third drive. QB Dalton Gervais capped it with a 1-yard sneak. The snap on the extra point was bad and Lakes leads 6-0.

The Crusaders answered late in the second quarter when Mike Bush plunged into the end zone from one yard out with 1:54 left in the second quarter.

Eastside Catholic had not converted a first down and has 12 yards of total offense after their first four possessions. The Crusaders have given Lakes good field position as their punts have traveled 18, 6, 11 and 31 yards.

To get scoring updates sent to you cell phone, sign up at Twitter and follow "tntsports."

Here are the South Puget Sound League all-conference football teams, as selected by SPSL coaches.

SPSL South
Offensive Back of the Year: Tyler VanSligtenhorst, Rogers
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Chris Edison, Curtis
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Damon Britt, Decatur
Linebacker of the Yeaar: Daniel Stockdale, Curtis
Defensive Back of the Year: Stan Langlow, Curtis
Coach of the Year: Clay Angle, Curtis

Click below to see the rest of the long, long list.

=> Read more!

For the first time in school history, Tacoma Baptist will play for the Class 1B/2B boys soccer state championship.

The Crusaders beat Shoreline Christian, 5-1, Friday afternoon at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner.

Dak Palmquiest scored two goals for Tacoma Baptist, which outshot Shoreline Christian 28-2.

The Crusaders will play the winner of the St. George's/Riverside Christian contest.

BY DOUG PACEY
doug.pacey@thenewstribune.com

Forward Amanda Roselli scored, goalkeeper Ryann Waldmann blocked shot after shot and midfielder Shelby Hutton saved the game for Fife in the Class 2A girls soccer state semifinals.
Just like that, the Trojans escaped Harry E. Lang Stadium on Friday in Lakewood with a 1-0 win over Archbishop Murphy and will play for the state championship for the second straight season.
“It’s amazing,” Hutton said. “This is what we’ve worked for all year.”
Fife (19-0-1) will play Cedarcrest in the title game at 4 p.m. today at Harry E. Lang Stadium. The Red Wolves beat Yakima East Valley, 3-0, to reach the final.
Archbishop Murphy’s aggressive offense hammered the Trojans all game. But Roselli, The News Tribune’s 2008 Girls Soccer Player of the Year, made the Wildcats pay late in the first half.
The forward scored on a breakaway, beating defender Meagan Duke and then firing the ball past goalkeeper Alexa Hughes into the corner of the net in the 39th minute.
“I just took the ball and looked for the net,” said Roselli, who has 28 goals this season. “One goal was all we needed.”
Once the Trojans took a 1-0 lead, they were able to settle back on defense, which has been the strength of this team, and, like last season, eliminate the Wildcats (18-3-1) in the semifinals.
“We got our goal late in the first half and that gave us momentum going into halftime,” Shimoda said. “We kept that going in the second half.”
Fife’s stout defense did all it could to withstand the Wildcats’ barrage. Archbishop Murphy (18-3-1) came within inches of scoring the equalizer in the 70th minute. Brittany Allen passed the ball to Sam Pettinger, who lofted the ball just beyond the reach of Waldman’s fingertips, making the senior believe the unthinkable had happened – that she had given up a goal for the first time in 14 games.
But Hutton was standing just in front of the goal line and cleared the ball, sending it over the crossbar.
“I saw the ball going over my head and thought it was a goal,” Waldman said. “But Shelby was there when I messed up.”
Said Hutton: “I was just in the right place at the right time.”
The Wildcats outshot the Trojans, 11-2, leading coach Terri Shimoda to say that Archbishop Murphy had the most talented and aggressive offense Fife has faced this season.
“Constant pressure, skilled players, they are fast and do it all,” she said. “They made us work for this win.”
Waldman played a huge role in the victory. In the 63 rd minute, she dove to her left, punching away a ball that nearly snuck into the goal along the post.
“When she sells out and makes a save like that,” Shimoda said, “that pumps everyone else up.”
Cedarcrest 3, Yakima East Valley 0: The Red Wolves scored two goals early in the second half, securing a spot in the state title game.
Maggie Pleis and Rachel Kevin scored in the first 10 minutes of the second half to give Cedarcrest (15-6-1) a 3-0 advantage. Brooke Chapman scored the Red Wolves’ first goal in the 31st minute.
Cedarcrest last reached the state final in 2006 when it lost, 1-0, to Archbishop Murphy.
The Red Devils (17-4) will play the Wildcats at 10 a.m. today for third place.

Doug Pacey: 253-597-8271

blogs.thenewstribune.com/preps

All-Nisqually League 1A/2B football

MVP: Neil Fuhrmann, OL/DL, Cacade Christian, 12
Offensive MVP: Ben Johnson, QB, Cascade Christian, 12
Defensive co-MVPs: Dan White, Orting, LB, 12; Andy Didrickson, Vashon, LB, 12
Coach of the Year: Clay Eastly, Vashon

OFFENSE
First Team
QB: Nick Wilkins, Orting, Jr.
RB: Grant Angle, Orting, Sr.
RB: Nathan Betz, Vashon, Sr.
RB: Devin Ossman, Cascade Christian, Sr.
RB: Morgan Cox, Life Christian, Sr.
WR: Cory Barrett, Charles Wright, Jr.
WR: Janssen Powers, Orting, Jr.
WR: Jeff Riegle, Life Christian, Sr.
C: Cody Baskett, Orting, Sr.
G: Timmy Jovanovich, Vashon, Sr.
G: Court Knoblauch, Life Christian, Jr.
T: Jon Backus, Orting, Sr.
T: Taylor Colton, Cascade Christian, Sr.
TE: Cody Creech, Cascade Christian, Jr.
P: Austin Kehmirer, Cascade Christian, Sr.
KR: Simmons, Charles Wright, Soph.
Second Team
QB: C.J. Dale, Charles Wright, Sr.
RB: John Brus, Cascade Christian, Sr.
RB: Jacob Simmons, Cedar Park Christian, Soph.
WR: Jesse Bechtold, Orting, Sr.
WR: Austin Mulcahey, Cascade Christian, Sr.
WR: Dominick Samuels, Life Christian, Jr.
WR: Cameron Robinson, Port Townsend, Jr.
C: Brandon Wilber, Charles Wright, Sr.
C: Jacob Roth, Cascade Christian, Soph.
G: Jonathan Felczek, Cascade Christian, Jr.
G: John Modispacher, Chimacum, Sr.
T: Trevor Hamilton, Cascade Christian, Jr.
T: Andrew Gapsch, Charles Wright, Jr.
TE: Michael Stoffer, Vashon, 12
P: Morgan Cox, Life Christian, Sr.
KR: Eric Knowles, Charles Wright, Sr.
DEFENSE
First Team
D-Line: Nathan Betz, Vashon, 11
D-Line: Matt McDonnell, Cascade Christian, 12
D-Line: Taylor Colton, Cascade Christian, 12
D-Line: Curtis McGhee, Orting, 12
LB: Brian Bessey, Orting, 12
LB: Braden Cordes, Orting, 11
LB: Ben Johnson, Cascade Christian, 12
LB: John Brus, Cascade Christian, 12
LB: Morgan Cox, Life Christian, 12
DB: Austin Mulcahey, Cascade Christian, 12
DB: Jesse Bechtold, Orting, 12
DB: Jake Weyerhaeuser, Charles Wright, 12
DB: Spencer Ramos, Cascade Christian, 11
K: Corey Dey, Orting, 11
Second Team
D-Line: Cody Baskett, Orting, 12
D-Line: Kyle Martin, Vashon, 12
D-Line: Willy Bredberg, Charles Wright, 12
D-Line: Court Knoblauch, Life Christian, 12
LB: Tyler Savage, Cascade Christian, 12
LB: Jeff Riegle, Life Christian, 12
LB: Mike Mayer, Charles Wright, 11
DB: Austin Franks, Vashon, 11
DB: Cameron Robinson, Port Townsend, 11
DB: CJ Dale, Charles Wright, 12
DB: Eric Knowles, Charles Wright, 12
2K: Nick Fox-Edele, Vashon, 10

CLASS 4A PLAYOFFS
No. 9 Rogers (10-1) at Central Kitsap (8-3)
7 p.m. Saturday at Silverdale Stadium

The lowdown: Both teams are in rare air. A Rogers win puts the Rams in the 4A semifinals for the first time since 1979. Central Kitsap snapped a five-game state playoff skid with its 14-10 win over Olympia last week. The Cougars' only visit to the round-of-eight was 1973 when it was an eight-team bracket.
Why the Rams will win: By now, everyone knows of QB Tyler VanSligtenhorst (68-of-132, 1,623 yards, 19 TDs; 2,600 yards total offense), who rushed for a career-high 280 yards last week against Skyview and is a No. 1 option. He will be as important on defense with LB Jake Steedman in controlling the outside, along with FS Terrance Stubblefield, in getting the Cougars off the field.
Why the Cougars will win: Coach Mark Keel admits the atmosphere for the Cougars' second playoff game in school history is "a little nuts." School officials are bringing extra seating for 1,000 people for the game. That just means more eyes will be on RB Howie McDonald (194 rushes, 1,689 yards, 22 TDs), who has rushed for 525 in two playoff games. He's a short but physical runner who doesn't easily go down on first contact.
The News Tribune pick: Two high-pursuit defenses will be on display as well, and the Rams' big-play potential in all three phases will be the difference.
Rogers 27, Central Kitsap 19

CLASS 4A PLAYOFFS
No. 3 Auburn (11-0) at No. 1 Skyline (11-0)
1 p.m. Saturday at Skyline High School

The lowdown: Another playoff game, another SPSL opponent going to Sammamish. Skyline has already defeated Graham-Kapowsin and Federal Way in the postseason and has been unbeatable at home in the playoffs (12-0 record since 2000). This is the Trojans' first quarterfinal appearance since 2006.
Why the Trojans will win: For starters, they have a coach in Gordon Elliott who has seen it all, and knows that a ball-control rushing attack behind RBs Jeff Gouveia (142 rushes, 1,247 yards, 31 TDs), the SPSL North MVP, and Chris Young (113 rushes, 1,076 yards, eight TDs) is essential in limiting Skyline possessions. Auburn's defense has minimized two quality spread offenses in the past two weeks.
Why the Spartans will win: No program oozes the kind of confidence right now that Skyline has. It starts with QB Jake Heaps (152-of-230, 2,283 yards, 31 TDs, three INTs), the favorite to win 4A state player of the year, and he has two standout targets in WRs Gino Simone and Kasen Williams. What gets overlooked is the Spartans' bend-but-doesn't-break defense, which doesn't give up many big plays.
The News Tribune pick: Auburn finds hope in how its SPSL counterparts successfully ran at Skyline, at least for a half. A better offensive line and certainly could help the Trojans keep pace.
Skyline 24, Auburn 17

CLASS 3A PLAYOFFS
No. 6 Eastside Catholic (10-1) at No. 3 Lakes (11-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday at Mount Tahoma Stadium

The lowdown: The Crusaders had their mettle tested last week, pulling out a last-minute, 13-12, win over Mount Si. Despite a few stumbles in its 21-16 win over O’Dea in the first round, Lakes stayed perfect. These teams are meeting in the postseason for the first time.
Why the Crusaders will win: If Lakes isn’t careful with the ball – the Lancers committed four turnovers last week – the Metro League champions have a potent offense that score in a hurry. RB Mike Bush (158 carries, 1077 yards, 11 TDs) is a workhorse and RB Marion Bactol is a game-breaker. Bactol is a dangerous kick and punt returner.
Why the Lancers will win: Lakes’ defense has played exceptionally well. The 16 points O’Dea totaled last week are the most an opponent has scored since Week 2. Sinoe Potoa’e, Tuiasosopo Niusulu and Darius Waters are terrors along the defensive line and the linebacker and secondary corps are loaded with swift, big hitters. The Lancers have depth in the backfield in RBs Teddy Cotton, Willis Wilson, John Taufa and FB Jordan Rivera.
The News Tribune pick: If Lakes avoids making the same mistakes – turnovers and untimely penalties – it made last week, the Lancers have the talent to return to the semifinals for the first time since 2002.
Lakes 28, Eastside Catholic 20

CLASS 1A PLAYOFFS
No. 8 Castle Rock (9-2) at No. 4 Cascade Christian (10-1)
7 p.m. Saturday at Sparks Stadium, Puyallup

The lowdown: These teams have a history. Castle Rock ousted Cascade Christian, 24-21, from the first round of the state playoffs in 2006. The Rockets have not advanced past the quarterfinals in their last four trips to the postseason. While the Cougars are trying to get back to the semifinals for the second straight season.
Why the Rockets will win: As Zach Gehring goes, so goes Castle Rock. The burley 220-pound senior lines up at running back and tight end. He ran for four touchdowns in last week’s 34-21 win over fifth-ranked Orting and is the Rockets’ leading receiver. Focus on stopping Gehring and running back Chris Tinney (165 carries, 1,204 yards, 15 TDs) can make defenses pay. The Rockets play well under pressure, scoring touchdowns on two fourth downs against Orting.
Why the Cougars will win: The Cougars can score in all phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams – and that means opponents can never take a break. QB Ben Johnson’s broken non-throwing hand is healing nicely – he said he hopes to have the cast removed next week. After beating Kalama 38-0 last week, Chinooks coach Mark Buchanan told The Daily News in Longview that the Cougars are “one of the top three or four teams” he has ever coached against.
The News Tribune pick: The Cougars defense has allowed more than one touchdown once in their last four games and the offense has too much firepower.
Cacade Christian 34, Castle Rock 21

State Game of the Week
Class 3A Playoffs
No. 2 Ferndale (11-0) at No. 4 Union (11-0)
4 p.m. Saturday at McKenzie Stadium, Vancouver
It’s a classic old vs. new battle. Tradition-rich Ferndale and its 17 state playoff appearances will take on Union, a school that opened two years ago. The Golden Eagles don’t have much size, but they are loaded with speed and line coach Rick Brudwick has molded another offensive line into a dominant unit. Union is the last Greater St. Helens League football team left in the playoffs any classification. Titans coach Cale Piland knows what he’s doing, he led the Evergreen Plainsmen to the 4A title in 2004.
The News Tribune pick: Ferndale 35, Union 21

Auburn Mountainview setter Megan McBride is our All-Area volleyball player of the year. The Oregon State-bound senior has led the top-ranked Lions into the state tournament and looking for their first championship.

Here's the story with our all-area first and second teams.

Here's our state tournament previews.

All-Nisqually Olympic League football team

Offense MVP: Greg Herd, Steilacoom, Sr.
Defense MVP: Andre Moore, Klahowya, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Brian Koch, Steilacoom

Offense
First Team
C: Brian Felshaw, Sr., Fife
G: Jake Dethlefson, Jr., Sequim
G: Paoa Tuivaiave, Sr., Washington
T: Thomas Gallaher, Jr., Sequim
T: James Lautogia, Sr., Washington
TE: John Fullington, Jr., North Mason
RB: Andre Moore, Sr., Klahowya
RB: Travis Decker, Jr., Sequim
WR: Dustin Yarrington, Sr., Fife
WR: Isaac Schactler, Sr., Eatonville
QB: Daniel Baker, Sr., North Mason
Ath: Rocky Guimont, Sr., North Mason
Second Team
C: Rob Phibbs, Sr., Eatonville
G: Alex Robinson, So. Steilacoom
G: Rasheed Tuliau, Sr., Fife
T: Thomas Tannehill, Sr., Steilacoom
T: Ian Allen, Jr., Fife
TE: Kelvin Penn, Jr., Steilacoom
RB: Jordan Flynn, Sr., Steilacoom
RB: Alex Rohrer, Jr., Fife
RB: Scott Moraign, Sr., Washington
WR: Phillip Puccino, Jr., Steilacoom
WR: Joey Patterson, Sr., Eatonville
QB: Nick Fairhart, Jr., Eatonville
Ath: Clancy Catelli, Jr., Sequim

DEFENSE
First Team
DL: John Fullington, Jr., North Mason
DL: Paoa Tuivaiave, Sr., Washington
DL: Thomas Gallagher, Jr., Sequim
DL: Steven Haas, Jr., Eatonville
LB: Jordan Flynn, Sr., Steilacoom
LB: Jeremy Leonard, Sr., Eatonville
LB: Tyler Richards, Jr., Fife
LB: Brad Woolfd, Sr., Sequim
DB: Greg Herd, Sr., Steilacoom
DB: Kris Ortiz, Jr., Steilacoom
DB: Alex Gillis, Jr., Sequim
DB: Reed Omdal, Sr., Sequim
Second Team
DL: Kevin Beck, Sr., Sequim
DL: Sammy Faga, Sr., Fife
DL: Thomas Tannehill, Sr., Steilacoom
DL: James Lautogia, Sr., Washington
LB: Lonnie Hoover, Sr., North Mason
LB: David Flynn, Jr. Steilacoom
LB: Dan Zimny, Sr., Klahowya
LB: Brian Felshaw, Sr., Fife
DB: Phillip Puccino, Jr., Steilacoom
DB: Darrell Newman, Sr., Klahowya
DB: Maurice Lapoint, Jr., Eatonville
DB: Randy Schmittler, Sr., Klahowya

SPECIAL TEAMS
First Team
P: Cameron Homan, Sr., Eatonville
K: Cameron Homan, Sr., Eatonville
Ret: Joey Patterson, Sr., Eatonville
Second Team
P: Dustin Yarrington, Sr., Fife
K: Rocky Guimont, Sr., North Mason
Ret: Greg Herd, Sr., Steilacoom

Sportsmanship: North Mason

Fife's Amanda Roselli is our All-Area Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

Here is the story and all-are first and second teams.

Our All-Area teams for girls soccer, volleyball and football will be released soon. In fact, the All-Area girls' soccer team and Player of the Year will be featured in Wednesday's newspaper.

So, check out tomorrow's newspaper or the Web site to see who's on the team.

I wrote a couple days ago that the Bellarmine Prep and Garfield boys basketball teams will play each other in a jamboree on Saturday, Nov. 29. For those wanting to see two of the county's best high school basketball players -- Abdul Gaddy and Tony Wroten -- go head-to-head, the 10-minute game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m.

The admission cost is $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors (62 or older) will be admitted free of charge.

The girls will play from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Lakes playing Holy Names at noon and Mount Rainier at 12:30 p.m.

The boys begin at 3 p.m. with West Seattle, Jefferson and Evergreen playing each other. Then Renton, Cleveland and Foss play a round-robin format at 4:30. A 3-point contest will start at 6 p.m. and a dunk contest will go off at 6:30 p.m.

Here's the main event:

7:00: GARFIELD vs. MT. RAINIER
7:30: MT. RAINIER vs. BELLERMINE PREP
8:00: GARFIELD vs. BELLERMINE PREP

GIRLS SOCCER
SPSL North

Co-MVP: Chesli Pennington, Kentwood; Rachel Bindl, Kentwood
Coach of the Year: Wade Webber, Jefferson
FIRST TEAM
Forward
Stephanie Horibe, Auburn Riverside
Laura Rayfield, Kentlake
Chelsi Pennington, Kentwood
Savannah Johnson, Tahoma
Midfielders
Ariell Swan, Auburn Riverside
Lexi Bolton, Kentlake
Megan Harader, Kentridge
Jolene Crook-Meyers, Kentwood
Mollie Picha, Tahoma
Kelsey Learned, Jefferson
Defenders
Shannon Keith, Auburn Riverside
Stephanie Jameson, Auburn
Frederike Dubeau, Kentlake
Jenae Perman, Kentridge
Rachel Bindl, Kentwood
Tarah Duty, Tahoma
Goalkeepers
Jennysyn Chaney, Auburn
Amber Woolcock, Tahoma

SECOND TEAM
Forwards
Jacqie Evenson, Federal Way
Ambree Forsell, Kentlake
Taylor Hayes, Kentridge
Hannah Friedman, Jefferson
Midfielders
Chase Lane, Auburn Riverside
Chelsea Pries, Auburn Riverside
Joanne Packer, Federal Way
Kayla Berg, Kentridge
Kiana Kraft, Kentwood
Laura Moore, Kentwood
Defenders
Molly Campbell, Federal Way
Brooke Emtman, Kentlake
Dana Johnson, Kentridge
Dana Wareham, Kentwood
Toree Flynn, Tahoma
Riley Sanders, Tahoma

Honorable Mention
Forwards
Megan Amis, Auburn Riverside
Midfielders
Micheal Paulston, Auburn
Chelsa Jensen, Jefferson
Defenders
Janelle Kavanaugh, Auburn Riverside
Lydia Berger, Federal Way
Jasmine Sharpe, Jefferson

SPSL South
MVP: Holland Crook, Beamer
Co-coaches of the year: Moe Orcutt, Rogers; Ryan Kolowinski, Spanaway Lake; Carrie Hentschell, Beamer

First Team
Forwards
Megan Miller, Beamer
Audrey Sullivan. Emerald Ridge
Midori Moorehead, Puyallup
Kayla Stueckle, Emerald Ridge
Midfielders
Caley Wiseman, Curtis
Rachel Markey, Decatur
Courtney Craft, Emerald Ridge
Kelsey Villegas, Graham-Kapowsin
Holland Crook, Beamer
Defenders
Jessika Carlstrom, Curtis
Mary Wheeler, Puyallup
Becky Brooks, Puyallup
Stephanie Cross, Rogers
Nicole Morrow, Rogers
Tenesha McFadden, Spanaway Lake
Jessica Niewoehner, Beamer
Goalkeepers
Jamie Walker, Graham-Kapowsin

Second Team
Forwards
Breanna Straus, Beamer
Ashley Graves, Decatur
Tori Gollinger, Curtis
Brooke Robbins, Graham-Kapowsin
Midfielders
Alex Kytan, Bethel
Lauryn Helmers, Emerald Ridge
Kailee Jensen, Emerald Ridge
Lindsey Field, Graham-Kapowsin
Lauren Conley, Puyallup
Alicia Wagner, Spanaway Lake
Defenders
Sammie Shagren, Curtis
Chastity Rodriguez, Decatur
Jamie Rothermel, Emerald Ridge
Cara Blume, Graham-Kapowsin
Sydney Rogalla, Beamer
Avery Salisbury, Beamer
Goalkeeper
Chelsea Campadore, Rogers
Brittany Payne, Spanaway Lake

Honorable Mention
Forwards
Lauren Picha, Puyallup
Amalia Perez, Spanaway Lake
Midfielders
Marybeth Hadman, Bethel
Maurya, Hiden, Bethel
Susannah Mills, Curtis
Rylie Buckholz, Decatur
Carissa Frazier, Decatur
Rose Fulgham, Graham-Kapowsin
Leigh Baldridge, Puyallup
Chelsey Stotler, Puyallup
Karlie Hall, Beamer
Tiarra Fentress, Beamer
Defenders
Karyn Winquist, Curtis
Katelyn Knutsen, Curtis
Jennifer Kanesta, Decatur
Kayla Cook, Emerald Ridge
Lindsay Thompson, Emerald Ridge
Sydney Davis, Rogers
Goalkeepers
Kayla Lipston, Decatur
Sarah Rose, Puyallup

FOOTBALL
Olympic Western League

League MVP: Ronnie Hamlin, Sr, Timberline
Offense MVP: Riley Wall, Sr, Capital
Co-Defense MVP: Cardel Russell, Sr, North Thurston; Garrett Brown, Sr, Olympic
Staff of Year: Capital
Team Sportsmanship: North Thurston

OFFENSE
First Team
QB: Kevin Stringer, Sr, North Kitsap
RB: Larry Dixon, Jr, Olympic
RB: Edd Bown, Sr, Yelm
RB: Taylor Warner, Sr, North Thurston
WR: Micheal Hazel, Sr, North Thurston
WR: Joe Tolman, Jr, Capital
OL: Mitch Watland, Jr, North Kitsap
OL: Alex Salo, Sr, North Kitsap
OL: JK Kaminanga, Sr, Timberline
OL: David Owen, Sr, Capital
OL: Jeff Hill, Sr, Olympic
TE: Hunter Sapp, Sr, Capital
Second Team
QB: Joe Hussey, North Thurston
RB: Taylor Chisolm, Sr, North Kitsap
RB: Brad Deshano, Sr, North Kitsap
RB: Kyle Kennedy, So, Bremerton
WR: Brandon Huggins, Sr, North Kitsap
WR: Dimitri Alston, Sr, Bremerton
OL: John Camp, Sr., Port Angeles
OL: Mat Wynn, Sr, Capital
OL: Sheton Sammons, Sr, North Thurston
OL: Justin Byrd, Sr, Yelm
OL: Bo Moon Jr, Yelm
OL: Lee Glover, Sr, Olympic
TE: Evan Tidball, Sr, North Kitsap

Defense
First Team
LB: Michael Powell, Sr, Bremerton
LB: Brad Deshano, Sr, North Kitsap
LB: Patrick Mucha, Sr, North Thurston
LB: Nollan Quin, Sr, Olympic
DL: Damian Anderson, Sr, Timberline
DL: Spencer Moorman, Jr, Port Angeles
DL: Josh Byers, Sr, North Kitsap
DL: Donnie Johnson, Sr, Capital
DB: Drew Reed, Sr, North Thurston
DB: Cameron Moon, Jr, Port Angeles
DB: Joseph Ingman, Sr, Capital
DB: Josh Taylor, Sr, Timberline

Second Team
LB: Shane Galeski, Sr, Olympic
LB: Greg Hudik, Sr, Yelm
LB: Thor Hanson, Sr, Capital
LB: Jay Maiava, So, Capital
LB: Dylan Swanstrom, Jr, Timberline
DL: Travis Erb, Jr, Yelm
DL: Steve Walker, Sr, North Thurston
DL: Jason Syverson, Jr, Capital
DL: Colin Fogerty, Sr, North Kitsap
DB: Stephen Harvey, Sr, Capital
DB: Adam Ingram, Jr, Yelm
DB: John Ingman, Sr, Capital
DB: John Ferriera, Jr, Timberline
DB: Alex Smith, So, North Kitsap

Special Teams
Punter: Riley Baker, Jr, North Thurston
Kicker: Zack Sampson, Sr, North Kitsap
Specialist
Josh Koets, Sr, Bremerton
Evan Tidball, Sr, North Kitsap
Olajuan Brayboy, Sr, Timberline
Colin Milligan, Sr, Capital
Trevor Colblazer, Sr, North Thurston
Micky Fisher, Sr, Yelm
Brannon Tangwall, Sr, Olympic
Sam Olsen, Sr, Port Angeles

Honorable Mention
Capital
Kellen Camus
Lars Hanson
Austin Hull
Tyler Bahrenburg
Kilian Johnson
Colin Milligan
Pat Meyer

North Kitsap
Ian Booth
Andy Smith
Alex Flores
Josh McCown
Luis Serrato

North Thurston
Kyle Murphy
Randy Saylor
Jacob Klumker
Cody Hachtel
Davon Jackson

Yelm
Jonathan Shines
Alec Brinkman
Austin Brownell
Zac Farino
Marshall Llanos
Andrew Almeida
Anthony Avelar
Austin Payne

Bremerton
Jacon Beldon
Troy Miles
AJ Angle
Charles Wilson
Billy Davenport
Andrew Beliveau
Tommy Hanberg
Theo Robinson
Daniel Rahm

Olympic
Brandon Hepko
Erik Arce
Ardie Fesuluai

Timberline
Delas Raiford
Kevin Russell
Immanuel Garraway
Trevor Crump
Evan Pacheco
Kalai Cababat
Jordan Radcliff
Dale Garcia
Jonathon Schuster

Port Angeles
Sam Olsen
Cody Sullivan
Nathan Christion
Tyler Slater
Troy Martin
Josh McFarland
Ben Liery
David Prince
A.J. Olbers
Jermey Gilchrist
Chase Adamich
Jared Tweter
Matt Gale

Central Kitsap scored the biggest upset with its 14-10 win at second-ranked Olympia. Cougars running back Howard McDonald scored the go-ahead touchdown and finished with 129 yards on the ground. If you're keeping track, that gives McDonald 525 rushing yards in the postseason.

Central Kitsap will host No. 9 Rogers, which throttled Skyview, 55-30. My pick of the Rams reaching the semifinals is looking pretty good right now...

Bothell's 42-3 win over Curtis showed just how good the KingCo Conference is. This is a Cougars team that has lost three games to league foes and plastered the SPSL South Division champions. The Vikings surely didn't benefit by playings only one team with a winning record in the last six weeks of the regular season.

There are two HUGE matchups in the 4A quarterfinals. We've got No. 3 Auburn at No. 1 Skyline and No. 4 Ferris at No. 6 Central Valley in a Greater Spokane League showdown. The winners of those two games will meet in the semifinals.

In Class 3A, No. 2 Ferndale proved that it is deserving of its high ranking with its 42-3 win over West Seattle. The Golden Eagles' reward is a trip to No. 4 Union this week, pitting one tradition-rich team against a school that opened its doors two years ago.

Top-ranked Bellevue hosts No. 7 Liberty. The Wolverines beat the Patriots 24-7 three weeks, but this is the playoffs, so anything can happen.

Nisqually League 2A
MVP: Allison Beardsley, Fife, Libero, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Jan Kirk, Fife
First Team
Cami Lubereski, Fife, OH, Jr.
Jessica Miller, Fife, RS, Soph.
Taylor Dillard, Fife, Setter, Soph.
Ailua Evans, Washington, Setter, Jr.
Amanda Plaisted, Steilacoom, OH, Jr.
Carolyn StrucK, Eatonville, RS, Sr.
Second Team
Malaea Faafolau, Washington, Libero, Sr.
Khrysten Harr, Washington, M, Jr.
Hayley Bennett, Eatonville, O, Sr.
Jessica Baker, Fife, M, Sr.
Sydney Behrendt, Fife, MB, Jr.
Jordann Mullenax, Steilacoom, M, Jr.
Sportsmanship: Washington

Here's my game story.

Here are tonight's games involving South Sound football teams and links to the state brackets:

Class 4A
Auburn 28, Woodinville 14 (Final)
Skyline 49, Federal Way 6 (Final)
BRACKET

Class 3A
Lakes 21, O'Dea 16 (Final)
Union 34, Timberline 14 (Final)
BRACKET

Class 2A
Centralia 21, Sequim 14 (Final)
Burlington-Edison 38, Steilacoom 21 (Final)
Archbishop Murphy 56, Black Hills 7 (Final)
BRACKET

Class 1A bracket

Class 2B bracket

11:17 p.m.

Abdul Gaddy today signed his letter of intent to attend the University of Washington. Thus ends his long, obstacle-filled recruitment.

When asked how he can help Washington, Gaddy said this:
"I'm going to play how I've always played; bring an attitude, a swagger. I'm a winner. I'm coming to UW to try to win, go to the tournament, try to win national championships."

The TNT's UW beat writer, Don Ruiz, will have a story in Saturday's paper and something on the UW blog about the Huskies' recruiting class. Coach Lorenzo Romar had a press conference at 3:15 p.m. today.

With this year's senior class signed, sealed and delivered, the recruiting attention in Washington will now focus more heavily on Garfield's Tony Wroten and Kentwood's Josh Smith.

Speaking of Wroten, Bellarmine Prep will play Garfield in a jamboree on Nov. 29. Gaddy vs. Wroten, anyone?

Cascade Christian and Annie Wright won first-round matches today at the Class 1A volleyball state tournament at the Yakima SunDome.

The third-ranked Cougars beat Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) 3-1 (25-22, 16-25, 25-18, 25-12). Cascade Christian will meet Castle Rock in the quarterfinals at 3:30 p.m.

Annie Wright dispatched River View 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-14) and will play top-ranked King's at 3:30 p.m.

You can view the bracket here.

CLASS 4A PLAYOFFS
No. 7 Bothell (7-3) at No. 8 Curtis (9-1)
7 p.m. Saturday at Viking Field

The lowdown: Bothell has advanced to the past two 4A state title games, losing 21-4 games to Oak Harbor (2006) and Lewis and Clark (2007). The Cougars have won their past four matchups against WCD opponents. Curtis hasn't won a 4A opener since 2004.
Why the Cougars will win: Don't let the record fool you, all three defeats have come to ranked opponents, including to 3A No. 1 Bellevue (38-19) and 4A No. 1 Skyline (16-12). After QB Johnny Hekker graduated last season, Bothell has become more run-oriented in a two-back set, led by RB Patrick Ottorbech (122 carries, 915 yards, 14 TDs), the KingCo 4A Conference rushing leader.
Why the Vikings will win: A lot has been made about the points Curtis has piled up. But what pushed the SPSL South champion through in last week's 14-7 win over Mariner was the defense and special teams, each scoring a TD. That makes seven scores from those units this season, second-best to Federal Way's eight. RB Richard Southern (128 carries, 1,169 yards, 23 TDs) is a game-changer.
News Tribune pick: You can't replace postseason experience, and the rigors of a tough schedule. Bothell has the edge in both.
Bothell 25, Curtis 21

CLASS 4A PLAYOFFS
Woodinville (9-1) at No. 3 Auburn (10-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday at Auburn's Memorial Stadium

The lowdown: Auburn has dropped two of its past three first-round games. One of them was a 14-7 road loss to Woodinville in 2005. The Trojans have not lost in their home stadium since 2003, a span of 32 games.
Why the Falcons will win: My, how the roles have switched. Two years ago, Woodinville was the bigger, stronger team. But now the Falcons are intent on getting to the outside and utilize their speed in their spread-option attack, paced by RBs Jordan Todesco (134 carries, 846 yards, six TDs) and Matt Brumfield (55 carries, 253 yards, 10 TDs), and QB Tim Ip (1,652 total yards, 12 TDs) can run and pass.
Why the Trojans will win: They're like "Tango and Cash" – two inseparable forces – and coach Gordon Elliott will rely heavily on RBs Jeff Gouveia (128 carries, 1,090 yards, SPSL-best 28 TDs) and Chris Young (109 carries, 999 yards, seven TDs) on both sides. Gouveia (MLB) and Young (FS) will need to direct traffic and make sure to contain the edges.
News Tribune pick: Auburn's size and power should wear the Falcons down, earning payback.
Auburn 23, Woodinville 17

CLASS 3A PLAYOFFS
No. 9 O'Dea (8-2) at No. 3 Lakes (10-0)
7:30 p.m. today at Harry E. Lang Stadium

The lowdown: The only time these two programs met in the postseason was the 2000 3A semifinals, won 14-13 by the Lancers. Lakes hasn't won a first-round game since 2005, including a loss to Skyline last season. The Spartans beat O'Dea in last year's 3A title game.
Why the Irish will win: "Finish" is the team's motto after the disappointing loss to Skyline in last season's 3A title game, and O'Dea has the horses to do it. Six running backs average 6.0 ypc or better, with FB Zach Fogerson (41 carries, 281 yards, three TDs), a UW commitment, the featured runner. He's healthy after battling various injuries during the season. LB Allen Mooney (knee) is out for the remainder of the playoffs.
Why the Lancers will win: O'Dea might be bigger up front, but Lakes is certainly more athletic, which might be the difference in opening lanes for RBs Teddy Cotton (122 carries, 969 yards, 13 TDs), Willis Wilson (82 carries, 667 yards, six TDs) and John Taufa (41 carries, 494 yards, eight TDs). Cotton is aiming to become the team's first 1,000-yard rusher since Dominick Davis in 2006.
News Tribune pick: Both programs are run-oriented, highly-disciplined and about as healthy as they've been all season.
Lakes 30, O'Dea 24

CLASS 1A PLAYOFFS
No. 5 Orting (10-1) at No. 8 Castle Rock (8-2)
1 p.m. Saturday at Rocket Stadium

The lowdown: Generally, the Rockets have had their way with Nisqually opponents in the state tournament (8-4 record), but the only time these two teams met was the 1976, won 42-6 by Orting. Castle Rock won the 1988 1A title.
Why the Cardinals will win: They've had to put in extra work this week, beating Lynden Christian, 38-7, in a play-in game. Combined with Vashon's win, Orting captured the Nisqually's No. 3 seed. Establishing the run with RBs Grant Angle (132 carries, 1,044 yards, 12 TDs) and Braden Cordes (66 carries, 643 yards, 14 TDs) should keep Castle Rock's over-aggressive defense honest.
Why the Rockets will win: LB Zach Gehring is one of the best small-school players in the state, and is the leader of a defense that has forced 32 turnovers (plus-27 turnover ratio). On offense, Castle Rock moves him around in its I-formation, and he's the team's leading pass target at tight end (24 catches, 440 yards, 10 total TDs). RB Chris Tinney (142 carries, 1,118 yards, 15 TDs) should test the middle of Orting's defense.
News Tribune pick: The Cardinals have better playmakers, but their turnover propensity won't play well against a team that controls the football.
Castle Rock 24, Orting 19

State Game of the Week
Jackson (9-1) at No. 4 Ferris (9-1)
1 p.m. Saturday at Joe Albi Stadium, Spokane
The Timberwolves, the last remaining team from WesCo 4A, will make the trek east to take on the Saxons. Jackson, which had two goal-line stands in last week’s 16-10 win over Tahoma, has the defense to hang with the Greater Spokane League champions. Ferris has the benefit of not having to take a cross-state bus ride and that could be the difference.
News Tribune pick: Ferris 24, Jackson 17

5 Things to watch for this weekend

1. A pair of Narrows League teams is meeting for the first time this season when Central Kitsap travels to Olympia on Saturday. The Bears’ defense will have their hands full with running back Howard McDonald, who rushed for 396 yards and five touchdowns last week.

2. Forgive the Rogers and Skyview football team if they make a few early mistakes on Saturday and just blame it on postseason jitters. The teams have a combined for one state playoff appearance – the Storm went in 2006 – in the last decade.

3. Of the four teams the SPSL 3A sent to the postseason, Lakes is the last team standing. Was it a down year for the league or just bad luck? We’ll know for sure when the third-ranked Lancers host tradition-rich and ninth-ranked O’Dea tonight.

4. The Evergreen Conference proved again that it is the dominant league in its district. Three EvCo teams won crossover games, including fourth-seeded Black Hills, which stunned top-seeded Woodland. Can the Wolves, Centralia and Tumwater keep it going?

5. Peering into the future, if fifth-ranked Orting and No. 4 Cascade Christian each win this week, the Cougars will host the Cardinals in the quarterfinals. It was just two weeks ago that Cascade Christian beat Orting 28-6.

If you want quarterly scoring updates from football playoff games, sign up at Twitter to follow "tntsports." Or check this blog on Friday and Saturday nights.

Narrows League
Player of the Year: Tianna Brockway, Sr., Stadium
Co-Coaches of the Year: Michael Krug, South Kitsap; John Baretta, Stadium
First Team
Goalkeepers
Ciarra Pederson, 12, Bellarmine
Rachel Green, 12, Olympia
Defense
Kaitlyn Pavlovich, 11, Bellarmine
Kayla Russ, 12, Bellarmine
Sarah Katterhagen,11, Bellarmine
Lindsay Emery, 12, Gig Harbor
Jill Lahmann, 12, Olympia
Allyssa Nystrom, 12, South Kitsap
Rachel McMahon, 11, Stadium
Sierra Wang, 12, Stadium
Midfield
Claire Yearian, 12, Bellarmine
Hannah Anderson, 11, Central Kitsap
Kelsey Fuik, 12, Olympia
Marina Austin, 12, Olympia
Christina Bodie, 11, South Kitsap
Tianna Brockway, 12, Stadium
Morgan Swanson, 11, Stadium
Forward
Stephanie Hamilton, 9, Bellarmine
Josie Graybeal, 11, Gig Harbor
Monica Araujo, 11, Lincoln
Sammi Thompson, 11, Olympia
Chelsea Jennings, 12, Stadium
Second Team
Goalkeeper
Holly Sieler, 11, South Kitsap
Defense
Sarah Hedglin, 10, Bellarmine
Allie Washburn, 12, Central Kitsap
Sarah Macdonald, 12, Gig Harbor
Lizzy Unterbrink, 11, Gig Harbor
Deidra Woodward, 10, Olympia
Erin Ranney, 12, Shelton
Brianna Waldron, 11, South Kitsap
Riley Dopps, 10, South Kitsap
Lacee Scott, 10, Stadium
Midfield
Marissa Golesh, 12, Bellarmine
Lauren Bonck, 12, Bellarmine
Rebekah Daniel, 11, Central Kitsap
Kirsten Anthony, 10, Central Kitsap
Brittany Schroeder, 12, Gig Harbor
Hanna Massee, 10, Gig Harbor
Forward
Emma Ostergren, 10, Gig Harbor
Torie Fairweather, 12, South Kitsap
Taylor Swanson, 11, Bellarmine
Lindsey Felt, 9, Stadium
Honorable Mention
Kelly Beck, Midfield, 9, Bellarmine
Jaymie Boekenoogen, GK, 10, Central Kitsap
Marissa Byron, Defense, 10, Central Kitsap
Rebekah Kitchen, Defense, 12, Central Kitsap
Molly Edde, Defense, 11, Central Kitsap
Janell Jordan, Midfield, 11, Foss
Sabrina Cleveland, Defense, 12, Foss
Nikki Harvey, Defense, 12, Foss
Cat Smith, Forward, 11, Gig Harbor
Olivia Godt, 11, Gig Harbor
DJ AndersonVint, Defense, 12, Gig Harbor
Nicole Laughlin, Midfield, 11, Gig Harbor
Paris Stephens,GK, 12, Lincoln
Cristal Villagomez, Lincoln, 9, Lincoln
Halee Boni, GK, 12, Mt. Tahoma
Alisha Reed, Defense, 10, Mt. Tahoma
Ashley Denbrock, Forward, 12, Mt. Tahoma
Lexi Fesenbek, 9, Olympia
Amanda Houser, 12, Olympia
Megan Lund, Midfield, 11, Shelton
Tanja Kuhnke, Midfield, 12, Shelton
Crystal Polen, 12, South Kitsap
Bridget Grant, Defense, 12, Stadium
Nicole Robert, Midfield, 10, Stadium
Ciara Lozier, Midfield, 10, Stadium
Sam Branham, Defense, 9, Wilson
Sam Willey, Defense, 12, Wilson
Alex Washburn, Midfield, 12, Wilson
Angela Celedon, Forward, 9, Wilson
Sarah Gamache, Forward, 10, Wilson

SPSL 3A

MVP: Megan McBride, Auburn Mountainview, setter, Sr.; Jocelyn Levig, Sumner, outside, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Mike Fitzpatrick, Sumner; Momi Bowles, Auburn Mountainview

First Team
Jocelyn Levig, Sumner, O, Senior
Megan McBride, Auburn Mountainview, S, Senior
Deedra Foss, Lakes, S, Junior
Caryn Westrick, Bonney Lake, S, Senior
Amanda Dills, Sumner, O, Senior
Gabbi Sisco, Enumclaw, S, Senior
Alli Hills, Bonney Lake, O, Junior
Karly Edwards, Bonney Lake, Lib, Junior

Second Team
Tara Patton, Auburn Mountainview, M, Senior
Brenna Anderson, Franklin Pierce, M, Senior
Kaitlin Henke, White River, O, Senior
Tricia Patton, Auburn Mountainview, O, Junior
Myra Questel, Lakes, O, Junior
Alex Odren, Auburn Mountainview, Lib, Sophomore
Kailey Smith, Sumner, S, Junior
Tori Foss, Lakes, Lib, Junior

Honorable Mention
Hilary Brehm, Bonney Lake
Kelsey Tyler, White River
Kayla Erickson, Peninsula
Jordon Stewart, Peninsula
Krystle Hansen, Auburn Mountainview
Carly Crane, Peninsula
Brianna Morrison, Lakes
Carley McCutchen, White River
Britney Price, Enumclaw
Lisa Schouten, Sumner

Western Cascade Conference
MVP: Brenna Peterson, Capital
Coach of the year: Krista Manke, Timberline
First team
Taylor Stoeckle, North Thurston
Kristyn Ross, Capital
Brittany Lawrence, Capital
Fei Oloi, Timberline
Sam Dominiak, Timberline
Second team
Kelly Joiner, North Thurston
Kelsie Alexander, North Thurston
Tess Peckler, Capital
Gatalina Schuster, Timberline
Sarah Nelson, Timberline
Honorable mention
Taylor Hadden, North Thurston
Ashley Bent, Timberline
Alysha McCloud, Yelm

Evergreen Conference
MVP: Amanda Warner, OH, Tumwater
Coach of the Year: Tana Croft, Tumwater
First Team
Kailah Lenz, MB, Black Hills
Alex Sele, MH, Tumwater
Taylor Aschenbrenner, S, Black Hills
Jonika McMillan, OH, Centralia
Hillary Lutz, MB, Black Hills
Cara Olden, MH, Tumwater
Katrina McClaflin, Libero, Tumwater
Second Team
Sara Cearley, RH/S, Tumwater
Tyana Andrews, MB/S, Centralia
Halee Hernandez, S, River Ridge
Rachel Warick, OH, Black Hills
Brandi Thomas, MB, Elma
Mickey Walsh, MH, Aberdeen
Lara McElvain, Libero, Centralia
Honorable Mention
Aberdeen: Gurleen Cheema
Black Hills: Telise Fullington
Hoquiam: Bailey Spurgeon, Morgan Madison
River Ridge: Jennifer Cole, Brooke Wilson
Tumwater: Brittany Sweet
Chehalis: Tiffany Haberstroh, Jamie Nikander

Area Top 10
1. Olympia 10-0
2. Auburn 10-0
3. Lakes 10-0
4. Curtis 9-1
5. Rogers 9-1
6. Kentwood 8-2
7. Federal Way 8-2
8. Gig Harbor 8-2
9. Bethel 6-4
10. Capital 7-3

Class 4A
1. Skyline 10-0
2. Olympia 10-0
3. Auburn 10-0
4. Ferris 9-1
5. Southridge 10-0
6. Central Valley 9-1
7. Bothell 7-3
8. Curtis 9-1
9. Rogers 9-1
10. Issaquah 8-2

Class 3A
1. Bellevue 10-0
2. Ferndale 10-0
3. Lakes 10-0
4. Union 10-0
5. Kennedy 9-1
6. Eastside Catholic 9-1
7. Liberty 8-2
8. West Seattle 9-1
9. O’Dea 8-2
10. Capital 7-3

Class 2A
1. Prosser 10-0
2. Archbishop Murphy 10-0
3. Lynden 8-2
4. Steilacoom 10-0
5. Othello 9-1
6. Pullman 8-2
7. Centralia 8-2
8. Tumwater 9-1
9. Burlington-Edison 9-1
10. Sequim 8-2

Class 1A
1. Royal 10-0
2. Cashmere 9-0
3. Montesano 10-0
4. Cascade Christian 9-1
5. Orting 10-1
6. Forks 9-1
8. Castle Rock 8-2
7. Nooksack Valley 8-1
9. Cascade (Leavenworth) 8-1
10. Chelan 7-2

Class 2B
1. LaSalle 10-0
2. Willapa Valley 10-0
3. Asotin 9-1
4. Colfax 9-0
5. Adna 8-2

Class 1B
1. Cusick 10-0
2. Lacrosse-Washtucna 9-0
3. Odessa 8-1
4. Tri-Cities Prep 8-1
5. Lummi 9-1

Today is the first day in the early signing period for high school seniors to sing National Letters of Intent.

Here's a list of South Sound athletes that have signed letters today:

Lauren Campbell, Kentwood, Volleyball, Northern Arizona
Kendall Williams, White River, Basketball, Western Washington
Landon Carr, Curtis, Lacross, Maryland
Shannon Byrne, Emerald Ridge, Basketball, Idaho State
Nicole Morrow, Rogers, Fastpitch, Hawaii-Pacific
Chris Olmstead, Rogers, Golf, Point Loma Nazarene
Cameron Peck, Timberline, Golf, Texas A&M
Jeff Budinich, Kentlake, Basketball, Montana State
Caitlin Colvin, Bonney Lake, Fastpitch, Ohio University
Dylan Brown, Bonney Lake, Baseball, Oregon
Dannica Brennan, Tahoma, Swimming, Arkansas
Danielle Swain, Black Hills, Girls Basketball, Evergreen State
Jim Belleville, Black Hills, Wrestling, Wyoming
Adam Cimber, Puyallup, Baseball, Washington
Joe Leinweber, Puyallup, Baseball, North Dakota
Andy Smith, North Kitsap, Baseball, Washington
Lindsey Marchand, Peninsula, Swimming, UCLA
Lance Wilhelm, Peninsula, Tennis, Air Force
Megan McBride, Auburn Mountainview, Volleyball, Oregon State
Jon Poch, Graham-Kapowsin, Baseball, Delta State
Sierra Wang, Stadium, Soccer, Oregon State
Stephanie Shumaker, Kentwood, Volleyball, Lewis-Clark State
Chet Thompson, Gig Harbor, Baseball, University of Portland
Amanda Thompson, Auburn Riverside, Basketball, Cal State Northridge
Nichole Jackson, Auburn Riverside, Basketball, Portland State
Taylor Darnielle, Wilson, Fastpitch, St. Francis University

If you know of others, post them here or send them to doug.pacey@thenewstribune.com.

FOOTBALL

Class 1A
Orting 38, Lynden Christian 7: Grant Angle rushed for three touchdowns and Braden Cortes ran for two, leading the Cardinals to the win over Lynden Christian at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner in the state play-in game.
Orting (10-1) will play Castle Rock (8-2) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Kalama.
The Cardinals rolled up 415 yards of total offense, led by Angle's 175 rushing yards.

Vashon 22, Meridian 21: The Pirates erased a 21-point first-quarter deficit, securing their first trip to the state playoffs.
“Heart is what this team is all about,” Vashon coach Clay Eastly said. “It’s all heart.”
Quinn Holert’s 28-yard touchdown pass to Andy Didricksen in the fourth quarter gave the Pirates (6-4) their first lead.
Meridian quarterback Zach Slesk got the Trojans (5-5) off to a fast start, throwing three touchdown passes to Mitchell Tripp. The Pirates eventually found a way to pressure Slesk, ruining Meridian’s rhythm.
“We felt we could get after their quarterback with our line and put pressure on them,” Eastly said. “We did that and got him moving around a lot…he didn’t have time to sit back there and pick us apart.”
Vashon’s Nathan Betz rushed for 174 yards on 37 carries. The Pirates did not turn the ball over, while the Trojans were intercepted twice and fumbled once.
Vashon will play at No. 3 Montesano (10-0) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Tumwater in the first round of the 1A state playoffs.

Class 2A
Interlake 35, North Mason 20: The Saints knocked the Bulldogs out of the postseason with the Class 2A state play-in game win. Interlake (6-4) will travel to No. 3 Lynden (8-2) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Civic Field in Bellingham.

Class 2B
Tacoma Baptist wins mini-playoff: The Crusaders won a mini-playoff against Life Christian at Sammamish High School, clinching a spot in the Class 2B state playoffs. Tacoma Baptist beat the Eagles, 7-6, in a 24-minute game. The Crusaders will face No. 2 Willapa Valley at 1 p.m. Saturday at South Bend.
Life Christian beat Darrington 26-10 in the first game.

GIRLS SOCCER

Class 4A
Jackson 4, Stadium 1: The Wolves scored the first four goals in eliminating the Tigers from the state tournament. For Stadium, Nicole Williams scored on an assist from Tianna Brockway.

We have started received all-league teams for fall sports. So far, we have SPSL North and WCC volleyball; SPSL 3A girls soccer; and the all-tournament team from last week's South Sound boys water polo tournament.

Some leagues have yet to meet to determine their all-league teams. We'll post them as we get them.

Click below to see the teams.

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As a University of Kansas graduate, brackets hold a special place in my heart. Picking the Jayhawks to win the NCAA Tournament has ruined my bracket more times than it has helped, but every March, there I am, penciling in KU all the way to the Final Four.

But the basketball tournament is four months away and the state playoffs start this week, so I’ve filled out brackets for the 4A, 3A and 2A playoffs.

I want your opinion, too. You pick the winners in each round of any or all of the 4A, 3A and 2A playoff games. Submit your picks in the comments section here or e-mail them to me at doug.pacey(AT)thenewstribune.com. Those who total the most points in each classification will be invited to participate in our weekly guest picker posts next fall.

Let’s get to it.

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The preliminary round of the playoffs are in the books. We learned quite a bit: The South Puget Sound League 4A is up, WesCo is down and KingCo still reigns in Western Washington.

The SPSL 4A rebounded from last year's miserable 1-6 record in the preliminary round, going 5-3 this weekend. Division champions Auburn and Curtis advanced, Kentwood squeaked past Edmonds-Woodway in overtime and Rogers absolutely looked like a team capable of making a deep playoff run in its 55-14 win over Lake Stevens. But the league's biggest win was Federal Way's 24-19 victory at Gig Harbor.

Olympia and Central Kitsap carried the torch for the Narrows League, with the Tides and South Kitsap both losing.

Four of the six teams from Kingco 4A won, and all three 3A teams did, too.

I know I'm looking ahead, but check out the third quarter bracket in 4A: Woodinville (9-1), Auburn (10-0), Federal Way (8-2) and Skyline (10-0). Wow. Whatever team advances out of that to the semifinals will likely have to travel to Eastern Washington to face Ferris (9-1), Central Valley (9-1) or Southridge (10-0) for a spot in the title game.

In 3A, the three teams -- Bellevue, Ferndale and Lakes -- that have been ranked 1-2-3 since early in the season showed they are worthy of their rating. The Wolverines easily beat Sedro-Woolley, Ferndale rolled up 629 yards of offense against Bonney Lake and Lakes blew out Olympic.

The Lancers were the only SPSL 3A team to win, as No. 2 seed Peninsula was stunned 33-9 by Kingco No. 3 Mount Si. Lakes will host O'Dea next week in a game pitting two traditional powers.

The top-half of the 3A bracket is loaded. No team has a potentially more difficult road to the finals than Ferndale. If the No. 2 Golden Eagles can get past No. 9 West Seattle in the first round, they might have to travel to No. 4 Union in the quarters, then No. 3 Lakes in the semifinals and No. 1 Bellevue in the finals

The fourth-ranked Steilacoom Sentinels didn't get any favors in their first-round matchup in the Class 2A playoffs. Steilacoom will host ninth-ranked Burlington-Edison. The Tigers reached the state semifinals last season and their only loss this season came to No. 3 Lynden.

Top-ranked and defending 2A champion Prosser has homefield advantage through the semifinals and might not play a non-CWAC team until the semifinals.

Here are the state playoff brackets. We'll update the game times, dates and locations as we get them.

Class 4A

Class 3A

Class 2A

Class 1A

Class 2B

Class 1B

The results from the state cross country meet at Sun Willows Golf Course are in. Here's what happened:

-- Gig Harbor missed winning an unprecedent fourth straight Class 4A girls state title by one point. Eastlake edged the Tides 96-97. It wasn't all bad for Gig Harbor, Alyssa Andrews won the individual title by a whopping 20 seconds.

-- Central Kitsap's Shane Moskowitz took second place in the 4A boys race with a time of 15:21. Redmond's Mack Young edged him for first by three seconds.

-- One South Sound schools won two team championships. Northwest Christian of Lacey claimed titles in the boys and girls Class B races. It's the third straight state title for the Navigator girls.

-- Charles Wright's boys took second in the Class 1A race.

-- You can find all the results here.

Like the title of this post says, it is a big weekend for prep sports. We have the preliminary round of the state football playoffs; district tournaments for girls soccer and volleyball; district swimming meet; and the state finals for the boys water polo tournament.

The Sunday sports section will be loaded with coverage of all these sports. If you don't want to wait, you can find results from these events at our prep sports database.

Three months ago, who saw saw this Lakes team, with only three returning starters, going undefeated and returing to the Class 3A state playoffs as a No. 1 seed?

The Lancers, that's who.

This junior-loaded Lakes team is back in the playoffs, primed to make a deep postseason run. The Lancers are balanced -- they run and pass well -- and boast solid offensive and defensive lines. Lakes made quick work of Olympic on Friday, winning 44-7.

Play of the game: Watch receiver Jamaal Kearse get his feet in-bounds when he pulls down a touchdown pass in the back of the end zone at 1:08 in the clip. Very impressive.

Here are all of Friday night's playoff scores, plus Saturday's matchups and the first-round matchups for next week's state playoffs.

CLASS 4A
Playoff crossovers
Friday
Central Valley 35, Richland 20
Skyview 23, South Kitsap 21
Bothell 41, Bethel 7
Auburn 35, Inglemoor 14
Jackson 16, Tahoma 10
Federal Way 24, Gig Harbor 19
Curtis 14, Mariner 7
Kentwood 35, Edmonds-Woodway 28 (OT)
Southridge 16, Walla Walla 14
Ferris 34, Pasco 14
Saturday
Central Kitsap (6-3) at Snohomish (6-3), 7 p.m.
Graham-Kapowsin (7-3) at Skyline (9-0), 7 p.m.
Heritage (5-4) at Woodinville (8-1), 7 p.m. at Pop Keeney
Eastlake (6-3) at Olympia (9-0), 7:30 p.m.
Issaquah (7-2) at Marysville-Pilchuck (9-0), 8 p.m. at Everett Memorial
Lake Stevens (6-3) at Rogers (8-1), 7 p.m. at Sparks Stadium
State playoffs
First round
(Time, date TBA)
Bothell at Curtis
Kentwood at Issaquah/Marysville-Pilchuck winner
Lakes Stevens/Rogers winner at Skyview
Heritage/Woodinville winner at Auburn
Federal Way at Graham-Kapowsin/Skyline winner
Jackson at Ferris
Central Valley at Southridge

CLASS 3A
Playoff crossovers
Friday
Lakes 44, Olympic 7
Eastside Catholic 42, Mount Rainier 0
East Valley (Spokane) 43, Shadle Park 14
Liberty 52, North Kitsap 17
Lindbergh 48, Columbia River 28
Timberline 30, Renton 7
Union 21, Rainier Beach 7
Mount Spokane 42, Hanford 39
Saturday
Bishop Blanchet (5-4) at Capital (6-3), 1 p.m.
Glacier Peak (5-4) at O’Dea (7-2), 5 p.m. Seattle Memorial Stadium
Mount Si (5-4) at Peninsula (7-2), 7 p.m.
Sedro-Woolley (6-4) at Bellevue (9-0), 7 p.m.
Nathan Hale (4-5) at Meadowdale (5-3), 7 p.m.
Camas (6-3) at Kennedy (8-1), 7 p.m.
Bonney Lake (5-4) at Ferndale (9-0), 7 p.m. at Civic Stadium, Bellingham
Enumclaw (5-4) at West Seattle (8-1), 7:45 p.m. at Seattle Memorial Stadium
State playoffs
First Round
(Time, date TBA)
Timberline at Union
Mount Si/Peninsula winner at Eastside Catholic
Glacier Peak/O’Dea winner at Lakes
Liberty at Camas/Kennedy winner
Lindbergh at Sedro-Woolley/Bellevue winner
Mount Spokane at East Valley (Spokane)

CLASS 2A
Playoff crossovers
Friday
Archbishop Murphy 44, Bellingham 0
Burlington-Edison 28, Cedarcrest 7
Blaine 33, South Whidbey 2
Centralia 34, R.A. Long 21
Mark Morris 23, Chehalis 14
Tumwater 67, Woodland 13
Black Hills 42, Hockinson 14
Saturday
Squalicum (6-4) at Lynden (7-2), 2 p.m. at Civic Stadium
State Playoffs
First Round
(Time, date TBA)
Black Hills at District 1 No. 2
Sequim at Centralia
District 1 No. 4 at Mark Morris
District 1 No. 3 at Steilacoom
Tumwater at Pullman
Colville at Othello
Selah at Prosser

We can't yet place Archbishop Murphy, Burlington-Edison or Blaine because we're waiting on the results for the Squalicum-Lynden game. If Lynden wins, the Lions will get the No. 1 seed and host the winner of next Tuesday's Interlake-North Mason play-in game, Archbishop Murphy will host Black Hills, Burlington-Edison will play at Steilacoom and Blaine will travel to Mark Morris.

If Squalicum wins, ATM will host the winner of the play-in game, Black Hills will play B-E, Blaine will play at Steilacoom and Squalicum will play at Mark Morris.

PRELIMINARY PLAYOFFS
Federal Way 24, Gig Harbor 19
Curtis 14, Mariner 7
Auburn 35, Inglemoor 14
Bothell 41, Bethel 7
Skyview 23, South Kitsap 21
Kentwood 35, Edmonds-Woodway 28 OT
Lakes 44, Olympic 7
Timberline 30, Renton 7
Mark Morris 23, W.F. West 14
Centralia 34, R.A. Long 21
Tumwater 67, Woodland 13
Black Hills 42, Hockinson 14

NON-PLAYOFFS
Wilson 41, Mount Tahoma 28
Lincoln 28, Foss 23
Stadium 20, Shelton 6
Washington 28, Klahowya 14
Sequim 35, Fife 22
Jefferson 26, Beamer 11

CLASS 4A PLAYOFFS
Federal Way (7-2) at No. 7 Gig Harbor (8-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday at Roy Anderson Field

Rematch of 2006 district game, won 35-16 by the Tides at Mount Tahoma Stadium. Federal Way is 0-2 in this preliminary round, but win would secure first state playoff berth since 1976.
Why the Eagles will win: If Federal Way should prevail in this blockbuster, RB Andre Barrington (106 rushes, 934 yards, nine TDs; 12 total scores) will have plenty to say on both ends. Since the team lost LB Andru Pulu (knee) against Kentwood, Barrington has moved from outside to middle linebacker, and will be responsible for shadowing top-notch Tides' backfield.
Why the Tides will win: They've shut down Wilson's Desmond Trufant and Mount Tahoma's Ronald Baines, who are in Barrington's class athletically. But Gig Harbor has more weapons to worry about, and is depending on its platoon system to wear down the Eagles' eight two-way starters. QB Chet Thompson (65-of-151, 928, 10 TDs) is 117 yards away from cracking 1,000-yard rushing barrier.
News Tribune pick: The loss of Pulu, a University of Washington commit, might be the difference as two evenly-matched squads square off.
Gig Harbor 20, Federal Way 17

CLASS 4A PLAYOFFS
Lake Stevens (6-3) at Rogers (8-1)
7 p.m. Saturday at Sparks Stadium

The lowdown: The Vikings are 0-3 in district playoff games, the last a 33-0 loss to Bothell in 2006. Rogers ended its four-year postseason drought last season, but lost to Inglemoor, 7-3, in this round.
Why the Vikings will win: Potent offense, led by QB Nick Baker (194-of-286, 2,577 yards, 29 TDs), has scored 40 or more points four times. The oddity is Lake Stevens lost two of those games – 50-49 to Jackson and 49-48 to Snohomish. Baker is all-time school leader in five passing categories. DT Dylan Youngblood, nephew of ex-NFL standout Jack Youngblood, is also short-yardage fullback.
Why the Rams will win: It's simple for Rogers – take care of the ball, and wins are easy to come by. Turn the ball over four times against Curtis (33-28 loss) and Puyallup (28-24 win), and the Rams struggle. QB Tyler Van Sligtenhorst can beat you with his arm (58-of-116, 1,375 yards, 17 TDs) and feet (75 rushes, 650 yards, 10 TDs), and leads a secondary with an SPSL-best 17 interceptions.
News Tribune pick: The Vikings won a 7-on-7 passing league title over Rogers last summer. This is a whole different season.
Rogers 35, Lake Stevens 30

CLASS 4A PLAYOFFS
Graham-Kapowsin (7-3) at No. 1 Skyline (9-0)
7 p.m. Saturday at Skyline High

The lowdown: The defending 3A champion Spartans are on a 23-game winning streak, and hasn't lost since 2006 playoffs to Kennedy. Graham-Kapowsin beat Bellarmine Prep, 40-18, in pigtail game Tuesday to reach preliminary round, and is 3-2 in the playoffs under coach Eric Kurle.
Why the Eagles will win: Well, they believe anything is possible, and Kurle said they will take gambles on both sides of the ball in an attempt to make big plays. RB Chris Ratteray (119 rushes, 772 yards, 15 TDs) must get going, lockdown CBs Eli Shoemaker and Jamaal Jones have to have their best games and linebacker play without injured standouts Zack Folden and Chris Sweet must pick up.
Why the Spartans will win: Is this team beatable? Bothell came close last week, losing 16-12 in the final minutes. And event though QB Jake Heaps (106-of-175, 1,854 yards, 24 TDs) threw two picks, he also led Skyline on a game-clinching scoring drive. WR Kasen Williams (35 catches, 644 yards, seven TDs) is son of former Wilson High triple jumper Aaron Williams.
News Tribune pick: Tough to play a perfect game at this stage, and in the setting the Eagles are traveling to. Ask Lakes in 2007.
Skyline 38, Graham-Kapowsin 23

CLASS 3A PLAYOFFS
Olympic (4-5) at No. 3 Lakes (9-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday at Harry E. Lang Stadium

The lowdown: This is the 12th consecutive season Lakes has reached the playoffs, and sports a 17-11 record during that span, including the 1997 3A title. The Trojans' last playoff victory was a 28-11 win over Wilson in 1986.
Why the Trojans will win: When you have a great running back, you always have a chance. RB Larry Dixon (202 rushes, 1,557 yards, 13 TDs), a News Tribune preseason all-state pick, is the biggest reason why Olympic reeled off four consecutive wins to get back into the playoffs. Coach Eric Allen knows ball control with Dixon, and limiting turnovers will be vital to hang with this opponent.
Why the Lancers will win: Balance. They have it with RB Teddy Cotton (106 rushes, 861 yards, 12 TDs) and others, even though RB Willis Wilson (ankle) is questionable to go. And this could be the week QB Dalton Gervais (59-of-101, 934 yards, 13 TDs) gets the green light. Even without DT Tuiasosopo Niusulu (concussion), Lakes interior defensive line has been stout against the run (65.1 ypg).
News Tribune pick: Long night for Olympic if the Lancers' defense makes hay in opposing backfield.
Lakes 36, Olympic 19

Class 4A
1, Skyline (8) 9-0 80
2-tie, Olympia 9-0 67
2-tie, Auburn 9-0 67
4, Southridge 9-0 50
5, Ferris 8-1 47
6, Marysville-Pilchuck 9-0 38
7, Central Valley 8-1 30
8, Gig Harbor 8-1 21
9-tie, Bothell 6-3 15
9-tie, Richland 8-1 15

Class 3A
1, Bellevue (6) 9-0 69
2, Ferndale (1) 9-0 64
3, Lakes 9-0 54
4, Union 9-0 47
5, Eastside Catholic 8-1 42
6, Kennedy 8-1 39
7, West Seattle 8-1 20
8, O’Dea 7-2 19
9, Liberty (Renton) 7-2 9
10, Peninsula 7-2 8

Class 2A
1, Prosser (7) 9-0 79
2, Archbishop Murphy (1) 9-0 73
3, Othello 8-1 54
4, Steilacoom 8-0 51
5, Lynden 7-2 49
6, Pullman 7-2 40
7, Burlington-Edison 8-1 29
8, Centralia 7-2 25
9, Tumwater 8-1 23
10, Sequim 7-2 6

Class 1A
1, Royal (8) 9-0 88
2, Cashmere (1) 8-0 79
3, Montesano 9-0 76
4, Cascade Christian 7-1 60
5, Castle Rock 8-0 45
6, Orting 8-0 43
7, Forks 8-1 33
8, Cascade (Leavenworth) 7-1 29
9, Nooksack Valley 8-1 20
10, Chelan 6-2 9

Class 2B
1, LaSalle (6) 9-0 69
2, Asotin (1) 8-1 59
3, Colfax 8-0 55
4, Willapa Valley 9-0 53
5, Concrete 8-0 37
6, Reardan 7-1 30
7, Adna 7-2 22
8, DeSales 6-3 21
9, White Swan 7-2 15
10, Napavine 7-2 12

Class 1B
1, Cusick (6) 9-0 69
2, LaCrosse-Washtucna (1) 8-0 54
3, Lummi 8-1 49
4, Tri-Cities Prep 7-1 46
5, Odessa 7-1 40

From the Washington State Coaches Association:

Class 4A
1. Lewis & Clark 11-1
2. Kentwood 14-1
3. Mead 10-1
4. Skyview 13-0
5. Kamiakin 13-0
6. Monroe 13-1
7. Kamiak 13-1
8. Southridge 12-1
9. Olympia 13-1
10. Edmonds Woodway 12-2

Class 3A
1. Sumner 15-0
2. Kennedy 8-0
3. Mercer Island 15-0
4. Prairie 12-2
5. East Valley (Spokane) 10-4
6. Bishop Blanchet 13-1
7. Eastside Catholic 13-1
8. Highline 13-1
9. Bonney Lake 12-3
10. Auburn Mountainview 12-2

Class 2A
1. Lynden 13-0
2. Selah 13-0
3. Tumwater 14-0
4. Mark Morris 13-0
5. Burlington Edison 12-1
6. Grandview 11-2
7. Black Hills 12-1
8. West Valley Spokane 13-1
9. North Mason 13-1
10. Pullman 13-1

Class 1A
1. Kings 13-1
2. Goldendale 13-0
3. Chelan 13-1
4. Cascade (Leavenworth) 13-1
5. Castle Rock 14-0
6. Cedar Park Christian 12-2
7. Onalaska 13-1
8. Cascade Christian 12-2
9. Montesano 13-1
10. River View 14-0

Class 2B
1. LaConner 14-0
2. Colfax 14-0
3. Tekoa-Oakesdale 14-0
4. La Salle 14-0
5. Davenport 13-1
6. Toutle Lake 12-2
7. Bear Creek School 13-2
8. NW Christain (Colbert) 11-2
9. Liberty Christian 11-4
10. Riverside Christian 11-2


Class 1B
1. North Sound Christian 15-1
2. Lacrosse/Washtucna 10-3
3. Lake Quinalt 13-0
4. Klickitat 7-1
5. Moses Lake Christian 13-1
6. St John Endicott 12-4
7. Cusick 12-2
8. Northport 11-3
9. Lopez Island 9-5
10. Tri-Cities Prep 10-4

Mike Sellers, a North Thurston High school graduate and fullback for the Washington Redskins, will have his No. 44 jersey retired at halftime of the Rams game against Foster on Thursday at South Sound Stadium.

Sellers was a fullback and linebacker for North Thurston in the early-1990s when he earned all-state honors on offense and defense. He is scheduled to arrive before the game for an autograph session.

Also, players from the Rams' 1992 Narrows League championship team are urged to contact North Thurston coach Rocky Patchin to be part of the celebration Thursday night. Patchin, who coached that team, can be contacted at the high school at 360-412-4800.

Update: The Olympic-Lakes game has been changed to 7:30 p.m. Also, there are some regular season games in the Nisqually Olympic and Nisqually 1A/2B that have been changed:

Cascade Christian at Vashon, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
Charles Wright at Orting, 7 p.m. Wednesday
Eatonville vs. Steilacoom, 7 p.m. Thursday at Franklin Pierce

Here are this week's Class 4A and 3A football playoff matchups. Still waiting on a couple starting times in 3A.

CLASS 4A
Tuesday
Bellarmine Prep at Graham-Kapowsin, 7 p.m.
Friday
Central Valley at Richland, 5 p.m.
South Kitsap at Skyview, 7 p.m.
Bethel at Bothell, 7:30 p.m.
Mariner at Curtis, 7:30 p.m.
Federal Way at Gig Harbor, 7:30 p.m.
Tahoma at Jackson, 7:30 p.m.
Inglemoor at Auburn, 7:30 p.m.
Edmonds-Woodway at Kentwood, 7:30 p.m.
Walla Walla at Southridge, 7:30 p.m.
Pasco at Ferris, 8 p.m.
Saturday
Lake Stevens at Rogers, 7 p.m.
Central Kitsap at Snohomish, 7 p.m.
Graham-Kapowsin/Bellarmine Prep winner at Skyline, 7 p.m.
Issaquah at Marysville-Pilchuck, 7 p.m.
Woodinville at Heritage, 7 p.m.
Eastlake at Olympia, 7:30 p.m.

CLASS 3A
Tuesday
Everett at Sedro-Woolley, 7 p.m.
Friday
Olympic at Lakes, 7:30 p.m.
Mount Rainier at Eastside Catholic, 7 p.m.
Shadle Park at East Valley, 7 p.m.
North Kitsap at Liberty, 7:30 p.m.
Columbia River at Lindbergh, 7:30 p.m.
Renton at Timberline, 7:30 p.m.
Rainier Beach at Union, 7:30 p.m.
Mount Spokane at Hanford, 8 p.m.
Saturday
Bishop Blanchet at Capital, 1 p.m.
Glacier Peak at O’Dea, 5 p.m.
Mount Si at Peninsula, 7 p.m.
Hale at Meadowdale, 7 p.m.
Bonney Lake at Ferndale, 7 p.m.
Enumclaw at West Seattle, 7:45 p.m.
Everett/Sedro-Woolley winner at Bellevue, TBD
Camas at Kennedy, TBD

CLASS 2A
Still waiting on the time at dates for the Evergreen Conference-Greater St. Helens League crossovers. We'll post them here when we get them.

For the record, last week we had 8 of 13 4A matchups and 12 of 14 3A pegged correctly. Going back to the first edition of "Predicting the postseason," we had 3 of 13 4A matchups and 5 of 14 3A matchups right.

Here are the second-to-last rankings of the season. The postseason begins this week for many teams and the state playoffs get started Nov. 14.

Area Top 10
1. Olympia 9-0
2. Auburn 9-0
3. Gig Harbor 8-1
4. Lakes 9-0
5. Curtis 8-1
6. Rogers 8-1
8. Kentwood 7-2
9. Federal Way 7-2
7. Tahoma 6-3
10. Peninsula 7-2

Class 4A
1. Skyline 9-0
2. Olympia 9-0
3. Auburn 9-0
4. Marysville-Pilchuck 9-0
5. Southridge 9-0
6. Ferris 8-1
7. Gig Harbor 8-1
8. Central Valley 8-1
9. Bothell 6-3
10. Woodinville 8-1

Class 3A
1. Bellevue 9-0
2. Ferndale 9-0
3. Lakes 9-0
4. Union 9-0
5. Kennedy 8-1
6. Eastside Catholic 8-1
7. Peninsula 7-2
8. Liberty 7-2
9. West Seattle 8-1
10. O’Dea 7-2

Class 2A
1. Prosser 9-0
2. Archbishop Murphy 9-0
3. Lynden 7-2
4. Steilacoom 9-0
5. Othello 8-1
6. Pullman 7-2
7. Centralia 7-2
8. Tumwater 8-1
9. Burlington-Edison 8-1
10. Sequim 7-2

Class 1A
1. Royal 9-0
2. Cashmere 8-0
3. Montesano 9-0
4. Cascade Christian 8-1
5. Orting 8-1
6. Forks 8-1
8. Castle Rock 8-1
7. Nooksack Valley 8-1
9. Cascade (Leavenworth) 7-1
10. Chelan 6-2

Class 2B
1. LaSalle 9-0
2. Willapa Valley 9-0
3. Asotin 8-1
4. Colfax 8-0
5. Concrete 8-1

Class 1B
1. Cusick 9-0
2. Lacrosse-Washtucna 8-0
3. Odessa 7-1
4. Tri-Cities Prep 7-1
5. Lummi 8-1

The 62nd playing of the "Civil War" ended in a double-forfeit for Mark Morris and R.A. Long. A day after the Monarchs seemingly won, 53-20, on the field, it was learned that both schools used ineligible players.

So, now the crossover playoff matchups for the Greater St. Helens League 2A and the Evergreen Conference are set. Here they are:

EvCo No. 4 Black Hills at GSHL No. 1 Hockinson
EvCo No. 3 W.F. West at
GSHL No. 3 at EvCo No. 2 Tumwater
GSHL No. 4 at EvCo No. 1 Centralia

The games will be played on either Friday or Saturday.