Who will win? Week 4 high school football games to watch, predictions

Here are three high school football games to watch this week in the lower South Sound, and a full schedule of every other game a local program is playing in.

CAPITAL (1-2) AT NORTH THURSTON (0-3)

7 p.m. Friday, South Sound Stadium, Lacey

About the Cougars: Capital has lost two straight, falling to Black Hills (22-20) and league rival Timberline (30-13) after beating River Ridge (20-15) in its season opener. But, the Cougars — who haven’t missed the playoffs in a decade — have a history of stringing together wins midway through the season. QB Grant Erickson (31 of 61 passing, 410 yards, 3 TDs) appears to be finding a rhythm, and WR Chris Penner (11 catches, 175 yards, 2 TDs) looks back in form after missing Week 1 with an injury.

About the Rams: After being shut out by Auburn Riverside (41-0) in their season opener, the Rams have started to close the gap in losses to Bethel (42-14) and league rival Central Kitsap (28-7). RB Zion Kirk (28 carries, 105 yards, TD) has been North Thurston’s biggest rushing threat, while QB Dylan Harn and WR Donovan Fenwick have connected for a touchdown through the air. RB Austin Bates has also found the end zone for the Rams.

Olympian pick: Capital, 24-7.

GIG HARBOR (1-2) AT YELM (2-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Yelm High School, Yelm

About the Tides: This could end up being a shootout. QB Ben Hollenbeck (16 of 28 passing, 306 yards, 5 TDs) took over during Week 2, has proved to be a consistent threat through the air, and has trusted receivers in Ryan King and Kellen Gregory. Hollenbeck has rushed for another 152 yards and a touchdown the past two weeks to lead the Tides, who are looking for their first 3A SSC win after losing to crosstown rival Peninsula (31-21) last week. Gig Harbor beat Yelm, 37-29, last season.

About the Tornados: Can anyone stop QB Kyle Robinson? The last two weeks, in wins over Thomas Jefferson (32-14) and Shelton (56-14), the junior has thrown for 682 yards and 5 TDs, while connecting on 66 percent of his passes (33 of 50). WRs Austin Osso (9 catches, 227 yards, 3 TDs) and Alex Morris (5 catches, 166 yards, 2 TDs) have been his top targets this season. Robinson (23 carries, 162 yards, 3 TDs) is a threat on the ground too, adding to RB James Palmer’s consistent production (34 carries, 245 yards, 5 TDs).

Olympian pick: Yelm, 42-38.

MORTON-WHITE PASS (1-2) AT NO. 9 RAINIER (3-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Rainier High School, Rainier

About the Timberwolves: Following a 59-0 shutout of Mossyrock in their opener, the Timberwolves dropped two games to Pe Ell-Willapa Valley (20-0) and defending 2B champion Napavine (60-21). Rainier won this game, 44-14, in Randle a season ago, but Morton-White Pass has several players to rely on in the backfield. RBs Gavyn Higdon (148 yards) and Dylan Pelletier (127) both cleared the century mark rushing against Mossyrock, along with QB Kaleb Rashoff (112). Rashoff leads the Timberwolves in total touchdowns with five.

About the Mountaineers: No team has scored a point yet against this defense. And the offense has been good, too. In their first three games against North Beach (45-0), Raymond (27-0) and Chief Leschi (74-0), the Mountaineers have scored 22 touchdowns. The schedule starts to get more difficult this week, but Rainier doesn’t appear to be slowing down behind QB Zach Lofgren (8 of 16 passing, 151 yards; 30 carries, 354 yards, 11 total TDs) and RB Ian Russell (18 carries, 270 yards, 4 TDs).

Olympian pick: Rainier, 35-28.

This story was originally published September 21, 2017 at 2:55 PM with the headline "Who will win? Week 4 high school football games to watch, predictions."