The last two Twin Harbors teams standing in football playoff competition will venture to different parts of the state for what figures to be difficult state quarterfinal tests.
Montesano (11-0) will make the long trek to Bellingham to face Meridian (11-0) in a Class 1A quarterfinal scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at Civic Stadium.
On Friday night, Pe Ell-Willapa Valley (9-2) will take on top-ranked Kalama (11-0) in a 2B quarterfinal at Kalama’s Chinook Stadium. That kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
If they can survive this weekend’s play, there is a possibility that the Bulldogs and Titans could wind up in the same location for state semifinal contests.
The PWV-Kalama winner will face the Napavine-Toledo victor next weekend in a semifinal very likely to be played at Centralia’s Tiger Stadium. The Tacoma Dome, once the site of all Western Washington state semifinals and state championship games, no longer hosts semifinals (although it is continuing to host the state championship program Dec. 1-2)
The Montesano-Meridian winner will be designated as the home team for a state 1A semifinal against either La Center or Cascade Christian. If Monte wins, that contest presumably will be scheduled for either Centralia or Tumwater.
Montesano-Meridian
Saturday’s showdown matches two multi-dimensional teams that feature offenses opponents have been unable to stop this season. Montesano has scored 502 points thus far; Meridian 447.
On paper, one potential Bulldog advantage would be on the defensive side of the ball. Meridian has given up 245 points — nearly triple Montesano’s points-allowed total.
Montesano coach Terry Jensen, however, firmly swats down any notion that the Trojans are suspect defensively.
Meridian’s first-unit defense has not allowed a touchdown in postseason play, including last week’s 63-21 conquest of Hoquiam. The Grizzlies scored twice on Francis Sweeney interception returns and on a Payton Quintanilla touchdown run against reserves.
The Trojans have also faced very strong competition in the perenially rugged Whatcom County 1A League. They also own a 34-29 non-league victory over state quarterfinalist Cascade Christian.
“Their defense doesn’t get enough credit,” Jensen asserted. “They do bring a lot of pressure.”
But Jensen agrees that containing Meridian’s attack will be his team’s top priority.
The Trojans are led by senior quarterback Simon Burkett, an Eastern Washington University recruit who has passed for more than 3,000 yards and well over 30 touchdowns this season. Like Montesano, Meridian spreads around the playmaking wealth, with five receivers accounting for at least 20 catches.
“The biggest challenge for our defense is to try and slow down their dynamic offense,” the veteran Montesano coach said. “We need to tackle well and try to reduce the number of explosive plays they’ve been getting on offense.”
Senior running back Carson Klinger leads Montesano’s offense with 1,318 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. He is also the team’s leading receiver with 24 catches. Quarterback Trevor Ridgway has thrown for 1,843 yards and 23 TDs (with only three interceptions).
Linebacker Jared Wallace, Monte’s leading tackler, missed last week’s 41-0 playoff win over Charles Wright Academy with a shoulder injury. His status, according to Jensen, will not be determined until late in the week. Sophomore receiver-defensive back Sam Winter is likely out with a broken collarbone.
PWV-Kalama
A state qualifier (once in the 1A classification) the past two years, Kalama established itself as the state’s top-ranked Class 2B team in its second game. The Chinooks knocked off reigning state champion Napavine in overtime, 14-8, in early September.
In contrast to Pe Ell-Willapa Valley and most state quarterfinalists, the Chinooks are coming off a hard-fought opening-round playoff win.
Drawing a tough Adna team last week, Kalama came from behind for a 36-29 overtime victory.
Quarterback Alex Dyer, who passed for 271 yards and three touchdowns in that game, has been Kalama’s main weapon throughout the season.
“They are pretty much pass-first,” Pe Ell-Willapa Valley coach Josh Fluke said. “They’ve got some good receivers and their quarterback can really wing it.”
Tucker Wetmore was Dyer’s primary target against Adna, catching 10 passes for 132 yards. Team speed, according to Fluke, is perhaps Kalama’s chief asset.
“Even their big guys have speed,” said the PWV coach. “In 2B football and almost everywhere else, speed kills.”
Fluke, however, was pleased with his team’s performance in last weekend’s 46-0 thumping of Friday Harbor. The Titans will continue to rely heavily on their three-pronged running game featuring Peter Hamilton, Max Smith and Tyson Nissell.
“I thought we played an excellent game last week,” Fluke said. “They played with a ton of confidence and were hitting on all cylinders out of the gate. (That’s) what we have to do against Kalama, too.”
