Three to see: Week 7

North Thurston (5-1 overall, 3-0 3A Narrows) at Shelton (6-0, 3-0), 7 p.m. Friday, Highclimber Stadium
Up until last week’s 28-12 nonleague hiccup against 2A Tumwater, the Rams were rolling along and off to their best start since 1992. Their ground game is led by Mo Manning and Brandon Belisario, whose yardage combined, is approaching 1,000. Should North Thurston get past Shelton, it sets up a Week 8 all-Lacey showdown with Timberline -- likely with the league title at stake. The Highclimbers already are off to their best season since 2004 and a win over the Rams would likely put the team no worse than to finish second in the 3A Narrows. Senior running back Ralph Kinne became the program’s single-season rusher last week and now has 1,684 yards through six games, but Shelton hasn’t faced a defense like North Thurston’s, which has allowed 11.6 points per game on average.

River Ridge (5-1 overall, 2-0 2A EvCo) at W.F. West (4-2, 1-1), 7 p.m. Friday, Bearcat Stadium
The Hawks have been on a roll offensively since being shut out by Timberline (20-0) in Week 1, averaging 36 points per contest. But now, the toughest part of the schedule hits River Ridge. Chris Leiba came up with the game-winning touchdown last week in the team’s 41-34 win over Centralia with 1:26 left to keep the Hawks perfect in league play. QB Colby Schultz already has thrown for more than 1,000 yards, including two 300-plus yard passing games. W.F. West’s defense gave up a season-low six points in last week’s 24-6 win over Black Hills, and has been led offneisvely all season by QB Tanner Gueller, who completed 7 of 14 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns against the Wolves.

Montesano (4-2 overall, 2-1 1A SWW Evergreen) at Tenino (5-1, 3-0), 7 p.m. Friday, Beaver Stadium
Who hasn't been anxious to see this matchup? Tenino hasn't beaten Montesano in 20-plus years, and if the Beavers win, next week's game at Hoquiam sets up the 1A SWW Evergreen title. Senior quarterback Mac Shaw is vastly approaching 2,000 yards passing with 1,008 yards going to senior receiver Devante Harris (54 receptions, 14 receiving TDs, three rushing). District IV-rival La Center shut down Tenino’s offense, winning 40-6, but Harris still had 131 receiving yards and a touchdown. At 4-2, the Bulldogs are still a dangerous team. Both of Monte’s losses came to No. 5-ranked Hoquiam (41-14) and No. 6-ranked Cascade Christian (28-25).

WEEK 7 FOOTBALL GAMES
Thursday's game
Mary M. Knight 58, Washington School for the Deaf 6

Friday's games
* All games at 7 p.m.

4A Narrows
Olympia (2-4) at Gig Harbor (2-4)
Yelm (3-3) at Bellarmine (5-1)

3A Narrows
North Thurston (5-1) at Shelton (6-0)
Mount Tahoma (0-6) at Timberline (5-1)

2A Evergreen Conference
River Ridge (5-1) at WF West (4-2)
Centralia (0-6) at Tumwater (5-1
Black Hills (3-3) at Capital (4-2)

1A SWW Evergreen
Montesano (4-2) at Tenino (5-1)
Hoquiam (6-0) at Rainier (0-6)
Rochester (1-5) at Forks (3-3)

Nonleague
Elma (2-4) at Ilwaco (1-5)