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.