For the Twin Harbors teams entering the first round of their respective state-playoff tournaments this weekend the objective is simple: Win or go home.
~~~
Colville at Montesano
When and where: 2 p.m. Saturday at Jack Rottle Field, Montesano
Players to watch: Colville – Brock Benson QB, Braden Dunham WR, Logan Ottack RB/CB. Montesano – Tyson Perry QB/LB, Toren Crites WR/LB, Mason Rasmussen WR/LB, Terek Gunter RB/DB.
Montesano will open its postseason by hosting the Colville Crimson Hawks in a first-round matchup at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Colville (5-4 overall) swept through its conference opponents to win the four-team Northeast League this season and is coming off a 13-12 win over Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) last week in which the Hawks benefited from three turnovers.
The Crimson Hawks’ four losses this season all came against tougher non-league opponents, with a margin of victory of just over 23 points per game.
Colville is led by quarterback Brock Benson (99-176 passing, 1,313 yards, 15 TD, 8 INT) and running back/wide receiver Braden Dunham (130 carries, 670 yards).
Despite being a No. 2 playoff seed out of the 1A Evergreen League, Montesano was awarded a home playoff game thanks in large part to a convincing victory over highly-ranked Nooksack Valley two weeks ago, earning the Bulldogs a higher RPI rank and position on several state polls.
A big question for the Bulldogs entering the playoffs is health as two of its top weapons in receiver Toren Crites and running back Terek Gunter were wearing street clothes in the regular-season finale against Elma on Friday.
Senior receiver Mason Rasmussen left last week’s East County Civil war matchup with a leg injury and did not return, but was standing on his own on the sideline in the second half, though he did not return to the game.
The health of those three key players will have an impact on the game. Depending on if and how many of them are available, and how their potential replacements play in their place, could be the deciding factor if the Bulldogs are to advance.
~~~
PHOTO BY FOREST WORGUM Elma receiver Ethan Camus, seen here in a file photo, and the Eagles will face second-ranked La Center in a 1A State first-round playoff game on Friday at Kalama High School.
Elma at La Center
When and where: 7 p.m. Friday at Kalama High School
Players to watch: Elma – Isaac McGaffey QB/S, Ethan Camus WR/DB, Bo Muller RB/LB, Colt Landstrom REC/LB. La Center – Wyatt Eiesland QB/MLB, Max Cooke OL/DL, Lincoln Cooley OL/DL, Jack Tyler OL/DL.
Elma will have to pull off a pretty sizable upset if the Eagles are to advance in the 1A State Tournament when they play La Center on Friday at Kalama High School.
The Eagles (4-5) will face a talented and highly-ranked Wildcats team with weapons across the field.
La Center (8-1) rushed for 134 yards in a close loss to unbeaten Seton Catholic – the WIAA’s top-ranked RPI team – in a battle for the 1A Trico League title last week.
The loss was the Wildcats’ first of the season after La Center ran through its schedule with notable wins over Montesano and 2A-class Woodland.
Elma didn’t look sharp in last week’s 45-0 loss to Montesano where the Eagles amassed just 80 total yards.
If Elma hopes to keep its season alive, junior quarterback Isaac McGaffey and offensive weapons Ethan Camus, Colt Landstrom and the like will have to play near-perfect football. Even then, it still might not be enough.
~~~
KODY CHRISTEN / THE CHRONICLE Pe Ell-Willapa Valley running back Lucas Lusk (right) runs the ball during a game on Oct. 31. The Titans travel north to face Friday Harbor in a 2B State first-round playoff game on Saturday.
Pe Ell-Willapa Valley at Friday Harbor
When and where: Noon Saturday at Oak Harbor Stadium, Oak Harbor
Players to watch: PWV – PWV – Nathan Fluke QB/S, Cody Strozyk RB/MLB, Lucas Lusk RB/LB; Blaine King WR/DB. Friday Harbor – Jackson Feliz QB/FS, Whiley McCutcheon RB/S, Pierce Kleine RB/MLB.
Pe Ell-Willapa Valley will travel north to face Friday Harbor in a 2B State Tournament first-round game on Saturday.
After going on a four-game winning streak, the Titans (5-4) dropped the final two games of the season, with both games turning out to be incredibly impactful on PWV’s playoff situation.
With a loss to Napavine two weeks ago and to Adna last week, the Titans went from a potential league title to a third-place finish in the 2B Central-West League, meaning the Titans will now make the four-hour trip to Whidbey Island for Saturday’s matinee matchup.
The Wolverines (4-5) are coming off a 35-0 play-in victory over Coupeville on Monday and will be playing their third game in 10 days when they take on the Titans.
Friday Harbor is almost exclusively a running team, attempting just 28 passes this season, and features several running backs taking snaps from the wildcat formation.
One key question for the Titans is the health of standout running back/linebacker Cody Strozyk, who suffered a leg injury two weeks ago and has yet to return to the field.
The Titans have not been the same team without Strozyk on the field, and if the senior is unable to play on Saturday, quarterback Nathan Fluke and company will have to raise their game for the season to continue.
~~~
Other games
Tulalip Heritage at Ocosta – The Wildcats (5-3) host the Hawks (7-2) in a 1B playoff game at 6 p.m. on Friday at Ocosta High School.
Lake Quinault at Taholah – The Elks (0-7) face the Chitwhins (3-5) in a non-league game at 7 p.m. on Friday.
North Beach at Crescent – The Hyaks (3-6) close out the season in a non-league 8-man game against Crescent (4-5) at 7 p.m. on Friday at Forks High School.
Easton at Wishkah Valley – The Loggers (4-2, 3-2 1B Coastal 6-man) host the Jaguars (2-5, 2-3) in the league and regular-season finale.
