Montesano aims to reach the state-quarterfinal round for the third time over the past five seasons when the Bulldogs host Omak at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
After a 16-12 upset loss to Rochester back on Oct. 18 – one that cost the Bulldogs the league title – Montesano has been on a roll, winning three-straight games including last week’s 49-6 drubbing over Colville in the play-in round of the 1A State Tournament.
Montesano received a No. 6 seed when the WIAA seeding committee re-seeded the 1A class’ final 12 teams, which means the Bulldogs get to sleep in their own beds ahead of Saturday’s matinee at what promises to be a packed Jack Rottle Field.
Monte appears to be peaking at the right time since turning the corner of its season with an upset victory over 2023 state-semifinalist Nooksack Valley one week after the disappointment at Rochester, outscoring its last three opponents 128-34.
What might be most impressive about those numbers is for spurts of that stretch, Monte was without three of its key weapons in running back Terek Gunter and receivers Toren Crites and Mason Rasmussen, all of whom have proven to be big-play threats when the ball is in their hands.
All are expected to play and be at or near full health on Saturday, which gives quarterback Tyson Perry and the Monte offense plenty of firepower.
DAILY WORLD FILE PHOTO Montesano quarterback Tyson Perry will look to keep the Bulldogs offense rolling when they take on No. 11 Omak in a 1A State Tournament game at 1 p.m. on Saturday in Montesano.
Defensively, the Bulldogs have been lights out. Nearly half of Colville’s 201 yards came on a 98-yard scoring drive late in the fourth quarter against Montesano’s freshman and third-string defense.
And the Montesano defense has been opportunistic. Three interceptions last week – including a Rasmussen pick-6 – brought the Bulldogs’ total to 12 on the season to go along with 11 fumble recoveries for an average of 2.3 forced turnovers per game.
Throw in the impressive special-teams work of consistent kicker Chris Tobar and returning all-state punter Felix “Coffin Corner” Romero, and the stars are aligning for Monte to reach the quarterfinal round once again.
But Omak will surely have something to say about that.
You don’t get to this point of the state playoffs on luck alone, and the Pioneers (6-4) are a solid football team.
At the midpoint of the season, Omak was 2-4 and on the outside looking in at the state playoffs. But the Pioneers have been on a roll themselves, winning four straight-games, including an impressive 27-20 win over always-tough Mount Baker and a 34-0 victory over Connell in last week’s play-in game.
The Pioneers can put up points and have big-play capability that starts with senior quarterback Taegan Mullin, whose speed and footwork have made many a would-be tackler hug air on game film.
How Mullin and the Omak offense plays against the Bulldogs defense could prove to be the deciding factor as to which team emerges victorious.
In three of the Pioneers’ six wins, the Omak defense has allowed 20 points or more, meaning Monte’s offense should be able to score.
If a Monte defense led by 1A Evergreen League Defensive MVP in linebacker Marcus Hale can keep Mullin in check, the Bulldogs should be set up for a victory.
Monte has allowed more than 20 points in a game just once since a 21-18 loss way back in Week 2. If the Bulldogs defense can hold Omak to that average, Monte’s odds of advancing are great.
