CLASS 4A
Skyline (10-3) vs. No. 9 Skyview (11-2), 7:30 p.m.
Lowdown: After the third week of the regular season Skyline and Skyview had a combined record of 2-4. Seems that the brutal nonleague schedules toughened up the Spartans and Storm. Skyline of Sammamish is playing in its fifth straight state final, while the Storm from Vancouver is in the title game for the first time. The Skyview offense, led by QB Kieran McDonagh (163 of 240 for 2,622 yards, 24 TDs, 4 INTs) and RB Parker Henry (2,161 rushing yards, 31 TDs), presents a pick-your-poison quandary. Receivers Reiley Henderson and Forrest Russell are playmaking receivers, capable of taking short passes for long gains. Skyview’s defense has been stout in the postseason, not allowing any team to score more than 17 points in a game. Skyline’s high-powered offense will put the Storm defense to the test. Led by two-time all-state QB Max Browne (3,813 yards, 43 TDs, 5 INTs), the Spartans will throw, throw and throw some more. RB Damian Greene has emerged as a threat out of the backfield in recent games.
TNT pick: Skyview 30, Skyline 27
CLASS 2A
No. 1 Lynden (13-0) vs. No. 6 Archbishop Murphy (12-1), 10 a.m.
Lowdown: Archbishop Thomas Murphy’s loss to Lakewood in Week 5 looks like an anomaly now. The Wildcats have reeled off eight straight wins, pummeling No. 2 Tumwater, 41-6, in the first round of the playoffs, dumping No. 5 Othello, 34-0, in the quarterfinals and routing No. 3 Prosser, 50-14, in the semifinals. ATM’s powerful running game, paced by QB Hans VanderWel and running backs Alex Galgano and Eneliko Tevaga, provides the bulk of its offensive production. Unlike ATM, Lynden has been challenged in each of its state playoff games. Turnovers and penalties hampered the Lions in a sloppy 17-7 semifinal win over W.F. West. Lynden blew through the regular season, holding six teams to a touchdown or less. QB Josh Kraght is a run-pass threat and will receive plenty of attention from the Wildcats. Lynden has been Class 2A’s most dominant program in recent years and a win over ATM would give the Lions their fourth state title since 2006.
TNT pick: Lynden 27, Archbishop Murphy 21
CLASS 1A
No. 3 Connell (12-1) vs. No. 5 Cascade Christian (10-2), 1 p.m.
Lowdown: Best two out of three? For the third season in a row, the Eagles and Cougars meet in the state finals. Connell won in 2009 and Cascade Christian, which also played in the 2008 title game, was victorious in 2010. Cascade Christian’s primary focus will be stopping RB Matt Hadley, the state’s career leader in touchdowns with 121. Hadley, who has orally committed to play at BYU, has rushed for 2,161 yards and 31 TDs this season. If the Cougars pay too much attention to Hadley, QB Chandler Salisbury (117 of 192 for 2,060 yards, 20 TDs) can beat them with his arm. His main target is WR Kade Eppich (49 catches, 900 yards, 11 TDs). Cascade Christian won a thriller in the semifinals, beating No. 2 Montesano, 29-28, in triple-overtime. Receivers Jake Archer and Joshua Shreffler have a knack for making big plays and provide a safety valve for QB Jaelin Goldsmith, who threw three touchdowns last week.
TNT pick: Cascade Christian 26, Connell 24
CLASS 2B
No. 1 Waitsburg-Prescott (13-0) vs. No. 4 Morton/White Pass (11-1), 4 p.m.
Lowdown: Waitsburg-Prescott has a dominating defense, allowing only 27 points in three state playoff games. The offense isn’t shabby either, scoring at least 42 points in each of those contests. QB Zach Bartlow is a run-pass threat, piling up 3,444 yards of total offense. Bartlow has rushed for 22 TDs and passed for 31 this season. RB Billy Brown (1,279 yards, 10 TDs) is another weapon and WR Dalton Estes (51 catches, 804 yards, 15 TDs) is Bartlow’s favorite target. For Morton/White Pass, RB Brian Reynolds has been a late-season force, eclipsing 100 rushing yards in each of the Timberwolves’ past four games. Morton/White Pass has one of the best defenses in the state – it has posted eight shutouts – but faces its biggest test against the Cardinals.
TNT pick: Waitsburg-Prescott 30, Morton/White Pass 26
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