4A NPSL OLYMPIC
FEDERAL WAY EAGLES (2-1) AT TODD BEAMER TITANS (2-1)
7 p.m. Friday, Memorial Stadium, Federal Way
About the Eagles: The winner likely emerges as the favorite to contend for the divisional title. One thing Federal Way has this season – a revenge factor. The Eagles saw their seven-game rivalry winning streak snapped last season (16-6 loss). QB Gabe Togia (35-56, 521 yards, six TDs) is a dual threat, but offense needs to be better in red zone.
About the Titans: The Titans will always lean on the run game, led by RB Billy Vann (47 carries, 273 yards, two TDs). But coach Darren McKay wanted to add a big-play element into his offense this season, and WR Colin McKay (six total TDs) – the coach’s nephew – has provided it. Bullish front seven, led by DE Lincoln Liulama (three sacks), is a lot to handle.
TNT pick: Beamer, 21-16.
3A PCL
LAKES LANCERS (1-2) AT NO. 10 LINCOLN ABES (2-1)
7 p.m. Friday, Lincoln Bowl. Tacoma
About the Lancers: After an 0-2 start, coach Dave Miller switched some things around. A key one was moving tight end Xavier Banner to left tackle, which really solidified blocking in front of RB Melvin Miller (41 carries, 260 yards, four TDs). The Lancers are getting healthier, too, welcoming top quarterbacks Cody Roe (knee) and Jaylen Antoine (arm) back.
About the Abes: Air Raid? Try Kwon Run – as in RB Tristian Kwon (65 carries, 758 yards, six TDs), who leads all Pierce County tailbacks in rushing. Kwon is coming off a career-high 330 yards against Bethel, ripping off big runs on inside-zone plays. The last time the Abes met Lakes was in 2009 – a 67-7 loss at Harry E. Lang Stadium.
TNT pick: Lakes, 33-28.
2A SPSL SOUND
EATONVILLE CRUISERS (3-0) AT STEILACOOM SENTINELS (1-2)
7 p.m. Friday, Steilacoom High School
About the Cruisers: So how good is this Eatonville squad? Coach George Fairhart really doesn’t know. He sees how his team’s overall speed has impacted games, led by QB Tristan Graf (43-69, 621 yards, 12 TDs), a savvy scrambler who has a strong arm. Even though he’s in his first year, Graf is allowed to adjust plays at the line of scrimmage.
About the Sentinels: Much like this week’s opponent, Steilacoom has a lethal passing combination with QB J.J. Lemming (51-93, 689 yards, 10 TDs) and WR Marques Hampton Jr. (23 catches, 388 yards, four TDs), the area’s leading pass catcher. Both fast and strong, Hampton shreds defense short and long. The Sentinels have to win the outside-the-hashes matchups.
TNT pick: Eatonville, 40-35.
STATE GAME OF THE WEEK
WOODINVILLE FALCONS (3-0)
AT NO. 6 BOTHELL COUGARS (3-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Pop Keeney Stadium, Bothell
The skinny: Over the 12 seasons, the Greater Spokane League has crowned three different Class 4A state champions. The only other league with at least three state finalists? Yes, it is the football-crazy KingCo. And these two schools make up most of the triumvirate. And quarterback play could go a long way in determining the winner of this rivalry game. Bothell, the 2014 state winner, is led by junior Jacob Sirmon (56-92, 948 yards, seven TDs), a University of Washington commit. He is arguably the state’s top signal caller, and has led the Cougars offense to at least 30 or more points in each of the three games. The Falcons, who lost to Skyline in the 2005 state finals, have first-year starter Jaden Sheffey (31-52, 340 yards, four TDs), who isn’t the passer Sirmon is, but matches guile and leadership. Woodinville snapped a three-game series skid with a 35-14 victory last season.
TNT pick: Bothell, 27-20.
Todd Milles: tmilles@thenewstribune.com
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