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