Week 10: What we learned from this week’s high school football games in the South Sound
In the 10th week of the high school football season in the South Sound, programs punched their tickets to state tournaments. There were some convincing performances across all classifications, some notable upsets and more.
Here’s what we learned from this week’s action.
Jacob Lane is a ‘game changer’ for Emerald Ridge
There’s not a more impactful defensive player in the 4A SPSL than Emerald Ridge defensive lineman Jacob Lane. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound UW commit returned to action in Saturday’s playoff win over Bothell after missing much of the last month with an injury. Don’t take our word for it, though — take it from the Bothell coaching staff. From the start of the game, he commanded double teams from the Bothell offensive line, a clear sign of respect for Lane’s talent, ability to blow plays up and get in the backfield.
Both Emerald Ridge quarterback Jake Schakel and coach Adam Schakel noted how happy they were to have Lane back this week.
“He’s a game changer,” Adam Schakel said. “And not just as a player, but for all of our guys to know he can go is just a huge confidence boost. They just love him as a teammate, so that’s huge. Physically and the mental piece.”
Jake, Adam’s son, used the exact same phrase to describe his teammate.
“It’s a game changer when Jacob Lane is out there on the field,” Jake said.
Lane and the Emerald Ridge defense held Bothell to just 220 yards of offense, much of which came late, with the game already in hand.
With the 41-14 win, Emerald Ridge advanced to the state tournament for the first time in school history. To get there, the Jaguars had to beat one of the state’s most consistent 4A programs.
“Yeah, it’s really emotional,” Jake Schakel said. “Us, every year on the bottom end of the SPSL — now that we’re on the top, we’re not done yet, for sure.”
FEDERAL WAY RETURNS TO STATE BRACKET WITH CONVINCING WIN
Federal Way’s secondary is considered one of the best in the state, and showed why again Saturday night at Federal Way Memorial Stadium in a convincing 37-17 win over Curtis.
The Eagles reached the end zone four times in the second half — including twice on a pair of interceptions returned for touchdowns — to return to the 4A state playoffs for the first time since 2014.
“It feels great,” Federal Way wide receiver and cornerback Andre Jordan Jr. said. “All the hard work we’ve put in is really showing off. I’m excited.”
Federal Way and Curtis were tied at 10-10 at the break, but the Eagles tacked on four touchdowns in the first 14 minutes of the second half on the way to a decisive victory.
Maki Piper gave the Eagles a lead they never lost on a 9-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the half, and the Eagles extended the lead to two possessions later in the third quarter on a 50-yard interception return by four-star cornerback Rahshawn Clark.
Curtis responded late in the third to cut the lead back to 24-17, but never got closer. Federal Way answered with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Jay O’Neill to Jordan, and on the first play of the Vikings’ ensuing possession, freshman Zamaire Tellez intercepted another pass and ran it back for a 48-yard score as the Eagles extended the lead to 37-17 with 10:34 left.
Jordan, an Oregon State commit, also hauled in an interception in the first quarter to give the Eagles three during the game. Federal Way’s defense also limited the Vikings to six completions and 74 yards through the air.
Federal Way tallied 400 yards of total offense in the win. Piper led the Eagles with 14 carries for 157 yards and two touchdowns, while O’Neill was 11-of-23 passing for 187 yards, the one touchdown and an interception.
Jaylon Jenkins led Federal Way with four catches for 82 yards, while Clark had three catches for 61 yards and Jordan three for 47 and the touchdown.
Federal Way (8-2), the No. 12 seed in the 4A bracket, plays on the road in the first round against No. 5 Skyline (7-2), which shut out 4A NPSL program Mount Rainier, 31-0, last week.
BIGGEST UPSETS IN WEEK 10
How about the coaching job Garrett Baldwin has done at Black Hills? The Wolves won just one game last season with a 1-8 record. They were outscored 284-118 and scored just 21 points in the final five games of the season.
How quickly things can change, though. This year, Black Hills is 7-3 and after a stunning 21-20 upset over Mark Morris on Saturday, the Wolves are going to the 2A state tournament.
“That’s all we said (postgame),” Baldwin told The Chronicle. “Just huddled up, and said ‘Hey man, 1-8 to State, we’re going to the State playoffs,’ and they all started screaming, hooting and hollering, singing ‘It’s great to be a Black Hills Wolf.’”
In 3A, No. 17 Southridge’s road win over No. 16 Auburn was an upset based on seeding, but the result wasn’t shocking. Statewide, the biggest upset of the week came in the 4A ranks, where No. 17 Woodinville stunned No. 6 Glacier Peak, which had been one of the state’s top 4A programs all season. No. 20 North Creek’s win over No. 3 Camas was also a surprising upset, although we feel the Papermakers were probably overseeded.
HOW SOUTH SOUND LEAGUES FARED IN THE DISTRICT ROUND
Seven leagues will send multiple South Sound teams to the first round of the state playoffs following wins in the district round.
The 4A NPSL sends two, in four-time league champion Kennedy Catholic (9-1), and Federal Way (8-2).
The Lancers posted a 50-8 win over Kamiak, and the Eagles a 37-17 win over Curtis to move on.
The 4A SPSL sends three teams — league champion Sumner (9-1), Graham-Kapowsin (8-2) and Emerald Ridge (8-2) — on to the state bracket following double-digit wins.
Sumner routed Kentridge, 56-12, to advance. Graham-Kapowsin topped Mount Si, 35-14. Emerald Ridge bested Bothell, 41-14, to secure its first trip to the state playoffs in school history.
The 3A PCL sends both Lincoln (10-0) and Spanaway Lake (7-2) to the 3A bracket.
Lincoln routed Marysville-Pilchuck, 62-31, to remain undefeated. Spanaway Lake edged Garfield, 7-0.
3A SSC champion Yelm remained undefeated with a 50-7 win over Bishop Blanchet, and is the top seed in the 3A bracket. The league also sends Peninsula to the state playoffs following a 35-29 win over Arlington.
Enumclaw (10-0), Washington (7-3) and Fife (7-3) will each represent the 2A SPSL in the state bracket.
Enumclaw remained undefeated with a 56-0 shutout of Lindbergh. Washington beat league rival Steilacoom, 36-8. Fife topped Bremerton, 21-14.
Rivals Tumwater (9-1) and Black Hills (7-3) both move on to the 2A state playoffs from the 2A EvCo. Tumwater topped Ridgefield, 35-14, in the district round, while Black Hills upset Mark Morris, 21-20.
1A Evergreen programs Eatonville (8-2) and Tenino (9-1) return to the 1A state bracket following double-digit wins in the district round. Eatonville bested Castle Rock, 24-18, while Tenino shut out King’s Way Christian, 54-0.
SEEDING DECISIONS WE DISAGREE WITH
In 4A, we think Emerald Ridge is probably too low at No. 8. Sumner, which won the league, is seeded correctly at No. 3 and Graham-Kapowsin’s No. 6 seed also seems right. Emerald Ridge has a win over Sumner on its resume, though, and it’s hard to see how a Skyline team with losses to Lincoln (Tacoma) and Woodinville should be seeded higher. Emerald Ridge’s Week 1 loss to Puyallup didn’t help their case and now a matchup against a good Eastlake team looms in the opening round of the state tournament.
In 2A, we think Tumwater is seeded too low at No. 7, especially considering North Kitsap is seeded at No. 3. Tumwater beat North Kitsap in the head-to-head meeting and Tumwater’s only loss is to W.F. West, which is the No. 2 seed. We would’ve had undefeated Enumclaw (No. 4) ahead of North Kitsap as well, as either the No. 2 or No. 3 seed.
In 1A, the real head-scratcher comes at the bottom, where Bellevue Christian is seeded No. 15 and Cascade Christian is seeded No. 16. Cascade Christian went undefeated in the 1A Nisqually, beating Bellevue Christian along the way, 23-6.
This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Week 10: What we learned from this week’s high school football games in the South Sound."
