COVID-19 reared its ugly head again on Monday after the latest round of student-athlete testing and contact tracing caused Hoquiam to cancel its game against Elma, while Montesano was left searching for a new opponent after La Center was forced to back out of their scheduled game.

But both Monte and Elma found some interesting replacements that should prove to be true tests for the two East County programs as we take a look at the prep football games on the schedule for Week 5 of the season.

Napavine at Montesano

When and Where: 7 p.m. Friday at Griffin Field, Montesano

Players to Watch: Montesano — Jayden McElravy QB, Isaiah Pierce RB/LB, Kenny Koonrad OL/DL. Napavine — Ashton Demarest QB, Gavin Parker RB, Lucas Dahl WR.

On Monday, both Montesano and Napavine were scrambling to find an opponent after COVID testing and contact tracing caused cancellations to their previously-scheduled games.

How fortunate for Washington prep football fans that they decided to tangle with one another.

Napavine (4-0 overall) will make the trip northwest to face Montesano (3-0) Friday evening for a nonleague matchup with more than enough intrigue.

The Tigers come to town as the top team in the 2B Pacific League and one of the best 2B teams in the state — currently ranked No. 2 on scorebooklive.com.

Napavine features talent up-and-down the lineup, including a USC-commit in lineman Keith Olson, who will likely line up across from reigning 1A Evergreen League Defensive MVP Kenny Koonrad.

Napavine enters Friday’s matchup having outscored its opponents 184-32, 20 of those points coming in a 34-20 over another 2B power in Onalaska.

Montesano moved up a spot to No. 9 in this week’s 1A state rankings after defeating Castle Rock 38-22 last week.

The Bulldogs have been led by running back/linebacker Isaiah Pierce this season. The senior ran for 254 yards on 18 carries and two scores while also scooping up a fumble and returning it for a touchdown last week.

Junior quarterback Jayden McElravy has also impressed so far this season. McElravy threw for 112 yards as Monte compiled 468 yards of offense against the Rockets.

With Napavine replacing La Center on Monte’s schedule, Friday begins what is arguably Monte’s toughest three-game stretch of the season. After Napavine, Monte is scheduled to play the 1A class’ No. 2 team, Eatonville, on Oct. 8 followed by a showdown with undefeated and much-improved Tenino the following week — with both games having huge implications in the 1A Evergreen League title picture.

Black Hills at Aberdeen

When and Where: 7 p.m. Friday at Stewart Field, Aberdeen

Players to Watch: Aberdeen — Jeremy Sawyer RB/LB, Liam Heikkila RB/LB, Kale Goings QB/DB, Jakob Bowers RB/DB. Black Hills — Jaxsen Beck QB, Johnnie Stallings RB, Marcos Elliott WR, Luke Ellison WR.

Aberdeen opens 2A Evergreen League play when it hosts Black Hills on Friday.

Aberdeen (2-1 overall) moved the ball well last week against Foster, but turnovers and penalties cost the Bobcats dearly in a 26-20 loss.

Holding on to the football has been an issue for Aberdeen through three games as the Bobcats have fumbled nine times this season, losing seven of them.

Junior running back Jeremy Sawyer led the way for the Bobcats on offense against Foster with 190 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 27 carries.

Sawyer has rushed for 518 yards this season to lead an impressive Aberdeen rushing attack that has totaled 991 yards in its three games.

Aberdeen has also fared well in the passing game in limited attempts. Quarterback Kale Goings has been an efficient 10-for-14 for 173 yards and two touchdowns with a pick this season, good for a 122.9 quarterback rating.

Defensively, the Bobcats have been opportunistic this season and have kept Aberdeen in every game thus far. The Bobcats have forced six turnovers — four interceptions and two fumbles — and have dominated the line of scrimmage with 11 sacks and 11 quarterback hurries this season.

Black Hills (1-3) put up 51 points to defeat Centralia last week for its first win of the season and first for new head coach Garrett Baldwin.

The Wolves racked up 434 yards of offense in the 51-8 victory, with running back Johnnie Stallings rushing for 160 yards on 17 attempts and quarterback Jaxsen Beck completing 6-of-10 passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns.

Mount Baker at Elma

When and Where: 4 p.m. Saturday at Davis Field, Elma

Elma — Jarred Bailey RB/LB, Conan Baxter RB, René Duran WR/FS, Carter Studer QB. Hoquiam — Mt. Baker — Jesse Sande RB, Marcques George RB, Davin Beason QB.

Elma was scheduled to face Hoquiam in a Grays Harbor County and 1A Evergreen League showdown on Saturday, but COVID issues caused Hoquiam to cancel for the third-straight weekend.

The Eagles found a true test in its replacement, the Mount Baker Mountaineers.

Mt. Baker enters Saturday’s contest ranked fifth in the 1A class despite holding just a 2-2 record after suffering losses to 3A Seattle Prep and 4A Wenatchee.

The Mounties have been led by running backs Jesse Sande and Marcques George, who have combined for 609 of the team’s 926 rushing yards using a Wing-T scheme.

Elma (2-0) received a big boost when it got several players back to the lineup, including top rusher Conan Baxter and athletic receiver-safety René Duran, in a 66-6 drubbing over King’s Way Christian at Davis Field last week.

Baxter and fellow running back Jarred Bailey represent a formidable 1-2 punch in the Eagles backfield and combined for 223 yards and four touchdowns on the ground last Friday.

Duran and quarterback Carter Studer hooked up for four passes for 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the win over the Knights.

Other games

(7 p.m. Friday unless noted)

Forks at Raymond-South Bend — The Ravens (1-3 overall, 1-1 2B Pacific) take on No. 3 Forks (3-0, 3-0) at Raymond High School.

Morton-White Pass at Pe Ell-Willapa Valley — PWV (2-2, 2-2) hopes to rebound from a one-point loss to Forks last week when it hosts Morton-White Pass (4-2) at Pe Ell High School.

Taholah at Oakville — Taholah faces the Oakville Acorns (1-2) Friday in Oakville.

Chief Leschi at Ocosta — Ocosta (1-0) opened the season with a 39-0 win over Oakville last week and hosts Chief Leschi (0-2) in a 1B Southwest League (8-man) matchup on Friday.

Lake Quinault at Clallam Bay — Lake Quinault (0-2, 0-1) looks for its first 1B Coastal (8-man) win of the season when the Elks take on Clallam Bay (0-1).

Washington School for the Deaf at Wishkah Valley — Wishkah (0-3, 0-1) have a 1B Coastal (8-man) matchup against the Washington School for the Deaf (1-1) at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

DAILY WORLD FILE PHOTO Elma receiver René Duran (18) makes one of his two touchdown catches during last week’s 66-6 victory over King’s Way Christian. Elma faces No. 5 Mt. Baker on Saturday in Elma.