Who will win? Week 2 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.

ROGERS (0-1) AT OLYMPIA (1-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Ingersoll Stadium, Olympia

About the Rams: Rogers hasn’t won a league game since 2015 — before realignment shook up the 4A SPSL. The Rams lost all eight of their league matchups last season, including a 49-7 loss to Olympia in Puyallup. This season hasn’t started much better. Bellarmine Prep handed the Rams a 27-6 loss last week. Rogers’ only score came on a 4-yard pass from Brydon Harlan to Russell Wilson in the second quarter.

About the Bears: Before the season began, this program made it clear they expect to be state-playoff contenders. Well, a 41-0 shutout of Emerald Ridge on the road last week was a good place to start. RB Owen Shea (17 carries, 124 yards, three TDs) looks ready to fill the void left by Scott Gunther — the area’s leading rusher the past two seasons graduated — and QB Ketner Young (9 of 12 passing, 132 yards, two TDs) threatens through the air in his second season at the position.

Olympian pick: Olympia, 49-0.

NO. 8 BONNEY LAKE (0-1) AT NO. 9 TIMBERLINE (1-0)

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

About the Panthers: Don’t let last week’s 49-13 loss to Sumner fool you — this Bonney Lake team figures to advance to the 3A state playoffs again this season. The Panthers were in the quarterfinals last year, and return playmakers in second-year QB Kaiden Hammond and RB Adam Fahsel, a converted wide receiver. Playing against the second-ranked Spartans — one of the 4A favorites — last week, Bonney Lake still managed touchdowns from Braydon Tressler (60-yard interception return) and Camilo Tobito (11-yard pass from Tressler).

About the Blazers: Remember what happened last season? Timberline does. With 33 seconds to play, the Blazers held a slim lead over Bonney Lake at Sunset Chev, and looked to have a win sewn up with a late stop at the 4-yard line. But, a late hit penalty set the Panthers up at the 1 with a fresh set of downs, and a touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal won them the game, 36-33. Behind a veteran group, including RB Michael Barnes (19 carries, 177 yards, two TDs), the Blazers are determined to make sure not to repeat what happened last year.

Olympian pick: Timberline, 24-21.

CAPITAL (1-0) AT BLACK HILLS (0-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Tumwater District Stadium, Tumwater

About the Cougars: Capital had a close call last week against River Ridge, scratching out a 20-15 win when Jack Collard corralled a 21-yard touchdown pass from Isaiah Walker with just over a minute to play, and avoiding an early-season upset. But, expect the Cougars to be back in form this week when WR Chris Penner (ankle), who led the area in receiving a year ago, returns as QB Grant Erickson’s top target. Capital relied heavily on its ground attack last week, with RBs Eric Jackson and Nate Tyler combining for 147 yards and two TDs.

About the Wolves: Last season, Black Hills opened with two losses against local 3A programs Timberline and Capital in nonleague play, and still ended the season in the 2A state playoffs for the second consecutive year. So, don’t look too much into last week’s 35-7 loss to the Blazers. First-year QB Ethan Loveless is projected to take over the offense in place of graduated Christian Williams. And his younger brother, RB Zach Loveless (13 carries, 71 yards, one TD), scored the Wolves’ lone touchdown against Timberline.

Olympian pick: Capital, 28-17.

Games at 7 p.m. Friday at host high school, unless otherwise noted.

ROGERS (0-1) AT OLYMPIA (1-0)

Olympian pick: Olympia, 49-0

RIVER RIDGE (0-1) AT STEILACOOM (0-1)

Olympian pick: Steilacoom, 35-27

CAPITAL (1-0) AT BLACK HILLS (0-1)

at Tumwater District Stadium

Olympian pick: Capital, 28-17

NORTH THURSTON (0-1) AT BETHEL (1-0), 7 p.m. Thursday

Olympian pick: Bethel, 30-14

NO. 2 O’DEA (1-0) AT SHELTON (0-1)

Olympian pick: O’Dea, 42-10

NO. 8 BONNEY LAKE (0-1) AT NO. 9 TIMBERLINE (1-0)

at South Sound Stadium

Olympian pick: Timberline, 24-21

YELM (0-1) AT THOMAS JEFFERSON (0-1)

at Federal Way Memorial Field

Olympian pick: Yelm, 28-27

MARK MORRIS (0-1) AT CENTRALIA (0-1)

Olympian pick: Centralia, 17-14

HUDSON’S BAY (1-0) AT ROCHESTER (1-0)

Olympian pick: Hudson’s Bay, 31-17

NO. 2 TUMWATER (1-0) AT COLUMBIA RIVER (0-1)

Olympian pick: Tumwater, 42-10

NO. 6 W.F. WEST (1-0) AT RIDGEFIELD (1-0)

Olympian pick: W.F. West, 35-7

WHITE SALMON (1-0) AT ELMA (0-1)

Olympian pick: White Salmon, 48-42

BELLEVUE CHRISTIAN (0-1) AT TENINO (0-1)

Olympian pick: Bellevue Christian, 21-17

RAYMOND (0-1) AT RAINIER (1-0)

Olympian pick: Rainier, 42-24

This story was originally published September 8, 2017 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Who will win? Week 2 high school football games to watch, predictions."