It will be a busy Saturday for the four Twin Harbors prep football teams that advanced to the state playoffs, as Hoquiam, Montesano, Elma and Pe Ell-Willapa Valley begin their quests for a state title this weekend.

Mount Baker (7-4) at Montesano (8-2)

The Bulldogs did enough in their 32-7 crossover victory over Columbia-White Salmon on Friday to earn the No. 8 seed in the state tournament, meaning Monte will host the No. 9 Mount Baker Mountaineers in the first round of the 1A State Tournament at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Montesano will be facing a Mountaineers team that lost its final two Northwest Conference games of the regular season before having to win two elimination games to earn a trip to the state final. Mount Baker blasted Granite Falls 61-0 on Oct. 30 followed by a 49-10 victory over Cedar Park Christian on Saturday to punch their ticket to state.

In the win over Cedar Park, Mountaineers quarterback Kaleb Bass threw for three touchdowns and running back Kobee Malone ran for a pair of scores as Mount Baker had the game well in hand by the half with a 35-3 lead.

It’s the seventh consecutive trip to the state tournament for Mount Baker.

But the No. 8 seed for Monte might be a bit of smoke and mirrors when looking at the bigger picture of this football team. For much of the first half of the season, Monte was cruising along with an undefeated record and a No. 2 ranking in The News Tribune’s AP Washington high school football poll.

Then Monte was bit by the injury bug, suffering multiple injuries to key players — including leading rusher Teegan Zillyett — that saw them lose back-to-back games for the first time in three seasons, dropping them off the top tier of the ranks.

But Monte is once again healthy and looked to be in top form in their convincing win over CWS. Zillyett ran for 135 yards and two scores, quarterback Shaydon Farmer was an efficient 11-for-16 passing for 120 yards and has developed a strong connection with receiver Sam Winter, who caught five passes for 76 yards and a touchdown on Friday.

With plenty of state-playoff experience on both sides of the ball, fans should be in for a close, well-played game between two respected 1A programs.

— Ryan Sparks, Grays Harbor News Group

Elma (8-2) at Meridian (7-3)

The Elma Eagles have shown resiliency in rebounding from its two gut-wrenching losses this season with impressive wins the following week. If they are to continue a run through the state playoffs, they’ll need to call upon that resiliency once again.

Elma drew a No. 13 seed and will face 4th-seeded Meridian at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Civic Stadium in Bellingham.

In winning last week’s crossover game by a score of 59-8 over South Whidbey, the Trojans amassed 321 yards in the first half alone. Meridian is led by dual-threat quarterback Dawson Logan, who ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more in the win, has over 2,300 yards from scrimmage this season and has accounted for 29 touchdowns on the season.

But as is the case with most state-playoff teams, the Trojans are solid in all three aspects of the game. The Trojans defense held South Whidbey to 36 yards in the first half en route to a 49-0 halftime advantage. On special teams, the Trojans blocked a punt, scored a touchdown on a muffed snap, and kicker Taylor Snook split the uprights on a 28-yard field goal and converged all eight of his point-after attempts.

The Eagles enter the first round coming off a 33-21 road victory in the crossover round against La Center. In that game, running back Taitum Brumfield ran for 159 yards on 29 carries and scored three touchdowns, giving him 1,289 yards on the season and 22 touchdowns.

Elma’s Taitum Brumfield ran for 159 yards and three touchdowns in a crossover game victory last week to earn The Daily World’s “Game Ball” for offense this week. (File photo)

While Brumfield is the focal point of Elma offense, the Eagles also have a threat in quarterback Cody Vollan. The junior play-caller passed for 988 yards and 11 touchdowns and has run for 536 yards and 10 TDs this season.

Elma’s defense has allowed fewer than 21 points in seven of its 10 games and has allowed no more than 25 points in a game this season. If the Eagles defense holds true and its punishing rushing attack can grind out yardage and pick up first downs, it’s not a stretch to believe that Elma can pull off the upset.

— Ryan Sparks, Grays Harbor News Group

Stevenson (7-1) at Hoquiam (9-0)

It’ll be a clash between a top offense and stout defense when Hoquiam and Stevenson square off in the first round of the state tournament at 5 p.m. on Saturday at Olympic Stadium.

The Grizzlies were awarded the No. 3 seed in the 1A State Football Tournament after going undefeated and winning the 1A Evergreen league and will face a No. 14 seed that also won its league.

The Bulldogs went undefeated in the 1A Trico league in large part to their defense which hasn’t allowed more than 21 points all season. Linbebacker Preston Lowry has been solid in stopping runs up the middle this season and Desmond Phillips has done well to stick with receivers when the opposition looks to pass.

Both teams are coming off of a bye week after winning their respective leagues, and Hoquiam will have the additional benefit of taking the field in front of the home crowd.

Last time the Grizzlies played at Olympic Stadium, Hoquiam came away with an impressive defense of its undefeated record with a 42-35 win over Sequim, handing the 2A school its only loss on the season.

While the defense has been tough for the Bulldogs’ opponents to deal with this season, Hoquiam’s offense has been just as difficult to deal with.

Other than a dramatic 14-13 win over Elma in week six, Hoquiam has scored at least 27 points in every contest this season.

— Hasani Grayson, Grays Harbor News Group

PWV (9-2) at Northwest Christian (8-2)

If the Pe Ell-Willapa Valley Titans plan to advance to the quarterfinal round of 2B State Tournament, they’ll have to shut down a workhorse running back.

Northwest Christian has relied heavily on ball-carrier Silas Perreiah, who has 1,860 yards on the season and averages 9.2 yards-per-carry to go along with 24 touchdowns.

In a bit of mirror match, PWV also has a running back they’ve consistently funnelled the ball to. After a series of injures hamstrung the backfield, the Titans have found a reliable back in Max Smith who has 1,085 yards this season and is averaging 5.8 yards a carry.

The addition of senior running back Peter Hamilton, who returned from injury last week to rush for 145 yards and three touchdowns, should also benefit the Titans rushing attack.

PWV comes into the state tournament as the 10th seed after cruising to a 42-0 victory over Ilwaco last Thursday. Northwest Christian, the state tourney’s No. 7 seed, played a nail-biter in its last game, coming from behind against Asotin 23-20 after putting up 16 points in the fourth quarter.

The two teams will meet to see whose run game can reign supreme when the teams square off at Riverside High School at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

— Hasani Grayson, Grays Harbor News Group