What we learned from Week 9 of high school football season in Olympia area

With the regular season wrapped up, here’s a look at the first round of the playoffs for the local teams that got in or still hope to.

MEAD VISITS YELM IN 3A, TIMBERLINE HAS TIE-BREAKER AT CENTRAL KITSAP TUESDAY

Yelm (8-0) completed its second consecutive undefeated 3A South Sound Conference season with a 43-6 road rout of Central Kitsap, earning a first-round playoff match-up with Mead at home on Friday at 7 p.m.

The second-ranked Tornados stretched their winning streak to 14 games as quarterback Palaina Hooper completed 22 of 29 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Nathan Paul and one to Ray Wright. Hooper has now thrown for 20 touchdowns on the season with only two interceptions marring his efforts.

Kyler Ronquillo didn’t catch a scoring pass but had a phenomenal night with 10 receptions for 183 yards and rushed for a touchdown. William Carreto carried 14 times for 158 yards and a touchdown.

Mead (3-5), from Spokane, snapped a three-game losing streak with a 21-17 victory over Lewis and Clark in its last league game.

Meanwhile, Timberline (6-3) must clear another hurdle to move into the round of 32 at fifth-ranked Kennewick (8-1) on Saturday at 4 p.m. The Blazers travel to meet Central Kitsap (3-3 after cancelling two league games with COVID-19 issues) in a half game – two 12-minute halves – tonight (Tuesday) at 7 p.m.

After much consternation about how to select the final two teams from the 3A SSC, the league’s athletic directors elevated Gig Harbor by virtue of a higher computer ranking, leaving the Blazers and Central Kitsap contesting the final spot.

Timberline roared from behind late to down the Cougars, 31-28, in September, but if the three-way tie (the SSC did not charge teams cancelling because of COVID with forfeit losses) including Gig Harbor were decided by point differential, the Blazers would be out.

“I’m fine with it,” said Timberline coach James Jones.

Though a quick Kansas tie-breaker would’ve been used if all three teams had to play off, Jones likes the half-game format.

“It won’t be decided on a fluke play. You get the kicking game involved. It’s actual football,” he said.

TUMWATER HOSTS COLUMBIA RIVER IN 2A, W.F. WEST GETS MARK MORRIS

Top-ranked Tumwater (6-2) will be a heavy favorite when it hosts Columbia River (3-6) on Friday at 7 p.m.

The Thunderbirds’ only losses came to defending state champions from higher classifications, Oregon’s 6A Central Catholic and Washington’s 4A Camas, the first in overtime, the second by two points. No 2A school scored more than once or came within 33 points of Tumwater.

Carlos Matheney rushed for 89 yards and three touchdowns on just eight carries to lead the T-Birds past Centralia, 48-6, in their final 2A Evergreen Conference game. Payton Hoyt scored on two long touchdown runs while Ashton Paine and Zander Hernandez also found the end zone.

Columbia River relies on quarterback Adam Watts, who has completed 65-of-102 passes for 706 yards and three touchdowns. The Rapids otherwise spread the wealth as 15 players have caught at least one pass and 14 have rushed the ball, with only Watts getting more than 16 carries.

Tenth-ranked W.F. West (7-2) hosts Mark Morris (5-4) on Friday at 7 p.m. The Bearcats should also be strong favorites if comparing the schools’ one common opponent is meaningful.

W.F. West thrashed Aberdeen, 45-14, while the Monarchs lost to the Bobcats, 50-16.

The Bearcats finished the regular season with a 35-0 road shutout of Black Hills as Gavin Fugate threw for one touchdown and ran for another to spark the offense.

Aberdeen (5-3), Rochester (6-3) and Shelton (4-5) played a Kansas tie-breaker Monday night at Centralia to determine the 2A EvCo’s final two playoff berths. One survivor will play Hockinson (6-2) in a first round game, the other Ridgefield (9-0).

TRICO RUNNER-UP CASTLE ROCK IS TENINO’S 1A FOE ON THE BLACKTOP

Fifth-ranked Tenino (8-1) will host its first 1A playoff game in eight years when it hosts Castle Rock (4-4), the second seed out of the Trico League, on Friday at 7 p.m.

The Beavers completed a regular season marred only by a two-point loss to second-ranked Eatonville with a 52-8 road win over Columbia in White Salmon. Takari Hickle rushed for a team-high 212 yards and a touchdown while Gavin Watson found the end zone three times, gaining 95 yards on just five carries.

Quarterback Chance Naugle is key for the Castle Rock offense, both running and passing.

UNBEATEN NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN MEETS TERRIERS IN 6-MAN SEMIS

Northwest Christian (5-0) didn’t know it would be playing experimental 6-man football when the season began. As playoffs approach, the Wolverines have been the dominant team in the newest variety of football working to get a foothold with the WIAA.

After blowing out visiting Wishkah Valley, 73-0, amid homecoming festivities Friday night in Tenino, the Wolverines will host Washington School for the Deaf (3-4) on Thursday night in a semi-final at 6 p.m.

Northwest earned its first shutout of the season without committing a turnover. Dig Zilla tallied three touchdowns, including a blocked punt returned for a TD, as the Wolverines scored on every possession.

WSFTD enters the playoffs on a two-game losing streak, including a 40-26 loss to Northwest two weeks ago. The winner meets either Mary M. Knight or Lake Quinalt for the championship.

LOCAL NON-PLAYOFF TEAMS SCHEDULE ‘CROSSOVER’ GAMES

While attention will be focused on teams that reached post-season play, several local teams that did not will schedule Week 10 crossover games. It’s possible teams involved in early-week tie-breakers – Rochester, Shelton or Timberline – will add a game if eliminated from the playoffs.

The schedule as of Monday morning:

Elma (3-4) at Hoquiam (0-6), Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Olympia (2-7) at Kentlake (1-8), Thursday at 6 p.m.

Capital (2-7) at Mount Tahoma (3-5), Thursday at 7 p.m.

North Thurston (0-9) at Stadium (0-6), Friday at 7 p.m.