Week 2: High school football games to watch, predictions
NONLEAGUE
Timberline (1-0) at Bonney Lake (0-1)
7 p.m. Friday, Sunset Chev Stadium, Sumner
About the Blazers: Just how strong is Timberline’s offensive line? This week will be telling for coach Mike Spears, who said the outcome will hinge on physicality up front. The veteran group of linemen are the catalyst for the Blazers’ run-heavy offense, and paved the way for RB Anthony Hathway (23 carries, 105 yards, three TDs) in last week’s rout of Black Hills. Without much separation between Trenton Horn and Jacob Henning, the two will continue to share the load at QB.
About the Panthers: Don’t let the blowout loss to recent 4A convert Sumner last week fool you — this team is still tough, and brought back just about everybody this year. OL/DL Caleb Davis — last year’s 3A SPSL co-defensive lineman of the year — pilots the Panthers in the trenches. RB Marcus Hamilton is the workhorse, with several returning starters blocking for him on a run-heavy squad.
Olympian pick: Bonney Lake, 21-17.
Thomas Jefferson (1-0) at Yelm (1-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Yelm High School, Yelm
About the Raiders: Outlook has shifted a bit for Thomas Jefferson, which won its first outright league title in the 4A SPSL North last season. Resiliency will be the name of the game after losing two starters in QB J’sais McKinley (ACL) and WR Leontre’ Griffin (ankle) last week at Kentridge in an overtime victory. How the offense is able to rebound behind back-up QB Treshawn Roberts will be key.
About the Tornados: Shooting for the 50-50, balanced offensive attack worked last week between RB Brandon Thompson (19 carries, 96 yards, two total TDs) and WR Kaleb Lunderville (two receptions, 76 yards, two total TDs). Coach Jason Ronquillo is confident in that. He’s zoned in on stopping the opposing offense this week. Yelm will rely on LBs Austin and Derek Platt (eight tackles apiece), and DL Zach Williams (five tackles) to stall the Raiders.
Olympian pick: Yelm, 28-24.
2A SPSL — Sound Division
Steilacoom (0-1) at No. 7 River Ridge (1-0)
7 p.m. Friday, South Sound Stadium, Lacey
About the Sentinels: It is never a good thing to give up 614 yards in a game like Steilacoom did to Stadium last week. That is a reason why coach Rich Lane wants standout LB/SS Anthony Lieato to focus his effort on that side of the ball. Lane said offense is so deep, RB Anthony Garcia, and WRs Marques Hampton and LaJon Ellis-Carter limited to 15 touches per game.
About the Hawks: In 2014, River Ridge lost its first game ever in the 2A SPSL (Franklin Pierce). And the Lacey school has ripped off 13 consecutive league wins since then. Expect the Hawks to run RB Trey Dorfner (23 carries, 124 yards, two TDs) a lot to set up big play-action passes downfield to WR Josh Braverman (five receptions, 92 yards, two TDs).
Olympian pick: River Ridge, 42-28.
Lauren Smith: 360-754-5473, @smithlm12; Todd Milles: 253-597-8442, @ManyHatsMilles
WEEK 2 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
All games Friday at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Games at high school hosting, unless otherwise noted.
4A SPSL
Olympia at Rogers, Saturday at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup
2A SPSL
Steilacoom at River Ridge, at South Sound Stadium
NONLEAGUE
Black Hills at Capital, at Ingersoll Stadium
Columbia River at Tumwater
Elma at White Salmon
Rainier at Raymond
Ridgefield at W.F. West
Rochester at Hudson’s Bay
Shelton at O’Dea, at 7:30 p.m. Seattle Memorial Stadium
Tenino at Bellevue Christian, 5 p.m. Saturday at Lake Washington High School
Thomas Jefferson at Yelm
Timberline at Bonney Lake, at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner
This story was originally published September 8, 2016 at 4:33 PM with the headline "Week 2: High school football games to watch, predictions."