NO. 5 CAPITAL (10-2) vs. NO. 2 LYNDEN (11-1)
1 p.m. Friday, Tacoma Dome
Radio: KGY 1240-AM
TV: ROOT Sports
Coaches: J.D. Johnson is in his sixth season at Capital (54-20 record at Capital). Curt Kramme is in his 21st season at Lynden (192-52 record at Lynden).
Road to the semifinals: Capital defeated Lakewood in the first round (47-36) and Burlington-Edison in the quarterfinals (46-19). Lynden defeated Mark Morris in the first round (42-14) and Sumner in the quarterfinals (42-7).
About the Cougars: You can’t talk about Capital without its powerful rushing attack, led by senior RB Kai Van Sickle, who through 11 games has 2,599 yards on 316 carries and 38 touchdowns. The rushing yards and TDs are school records. What’s keyed the running game? The offensive line, stretching from 5-feet-11 to 6-6 and 255 to 290 pounds, could easily be a starting line at a Class 4A program. DE Mat Cox has 62 tackles and a team-best six sacks.
About the Lions: Lynden in the state semifinals? It’s nothing new. The Lions have made five state semifinal appearances in the past six seasons, and since 2006, the team is 7-1 against EvCo teams (loss was 21-10 to Tumwater in 2010). Expect a balance between the pass and rush with QB Josh Kraght (124-for-188, 1,804 yards, 21 TDs) and RB Luke Christianson (1,244 yards, 149 carries, 20 TDs) leading the way.
Meg’s pick: Capital, 27-24
NO. 4 TUMWATER (11-1) vs. NO. 3 PROSSER (11-1)
5 p.m. Saturday, Lampson Stadium, Kennewick
Radio: KGY 1240-AM
TV: None
Coaches: Sid Otton is in his 39th season at Tumwater (312-104 record at Tumwater). Benji Sonnichsen is in his fourth season at Prosser (39-8 at Prosser).
Road to the semifinals: Tumwater defeated Steilacoom in the first round (45-22) and Archbishop Murphy in the quarterfinals (21-0). Prosser defeated Pullman in the first round (56-19) and Othello in the quarterfinals (15-14).
About the Thunderbirds: How quickly the young team has grown as the season has progressed. Tumwater’s first-string defense has only allowed an average of six points the past seven games, and broke a 23-year school record for points scored in a season (58). LB David Durden, a JV player a season ago, leads the team in solo tackles (62) and assists (53). RB Andrew Brown (1,196 rushing, 343 receiving, 23 total TDs) has been a difference-maker, especially on special teams.
About the Mustangs: Prosser’s spread attack is the of former longtime coach Tom Moore. This game is in Prosser’s backyard for the second straight week, and the Mustangs feel the FieldTurf will help aid the firepower in their spread offense with QB Ryan Fessler (229-for-321 for 2,660 yards and 33 TDs) and WRs Sterling Clark (66 catches, 943 yards, 15 TDs) and Danny Raap (60 catches, 873 yards, 15 TDs) leading the way.
Meg’s pick: Tumwater, 21-15
