Week 10 playoffs: High school football games to watch, predictions

WEEK 10 GAMES TO WATCH

AUBURN MOUNTAINVIEW LIONS (4-5) VS. PUYALLUP VIKINGS (8-1)

7 p.m. Friday at Sparks Stadium, Puyallup

About the Lions: This will be a far healthier Auburn Mountainview than the one that lost 42-3 against Enumclaw last week. But the biggest return to the lineup is WR/S Talan Alfrey (56 catches, 962 yards, 12 TDs; team-best 77 tackles) who missed the game with a sprained MCL. Coach Jared Gervais said poor tackling cost them in allowing 425 rushing yards to Enumclaw last week, “We can’t do that and expect to win,” he said. This is AMV’s fourth consecutive playoff trip, so expect Gervais to have some tricks up his sleeve.

About the Vikings: Now it’s time for 4A SPSL champion Puyallup to prove it’s for real. A win will send it to the state playoffs for the first time in more than a decade and a big part of this is the Vikings’ success in the run game. Kyle Cramer (156 carries, 779 yards, 11 TDs) almost has twice as many yards as Puyallup’s lead tailback had last season. The Vikings also have a secret weapon: assistant coach Brian Grout, who came to Puyallup this year from Gervais’ program at AMV.

TNT pick: Puyallup, 33-17

SUMNER SPARTANS (7-2) VS. HAZEN HIGHLANDERS (7-2)

7 p.m. Friday at Renton Memorial Stadium

About the Spartans: Oh, they are excited. Not only to begin the playoffs a year after making the 4A state semifinals, but also for its defense to match up against a top-notch workhorse running back like Hazen has. Sumner led the 4A SPSL in run defense and last week it got senior defensive lineman Logan Mayer back from an arm injury, and DE Dane Ellwell has been inserted into the lineup as a standout pass rusher. They both could free up TCU-bound linebacker Ben Wilson to fly around the field and DB Tre Weed to continue his SPSL-best interception rate.

About the Highlanders: Thank you, Oklahoma. This dynamic offense is Sooner State-bred behind sophomore QB Jaxon Ingram (146-for-255, 2,396 yards, 24 TDs), senior RB Delvon McNeely (218 carries, 1,483 yards, 23 TDs) and senior WR Kendal Talton (33 catches, 681 yards, 10 TDs). They all came to Hazen, which last won more than three games in a season in 2013, from Edmond Memorial in Oklahoma. Now former UPS assistant Chris Bennett is hoping to lead this team to state for the first time since 2011.

TNT pick: Sumner, 34-31

SKYLINE SPARTANS (6-3) VS. ENUMCLAW HORNETS (8-1)

7 p.m. Friday at Pete’s Pool, Enumclaw

About the Spartans: Their last trip to the South Sound resulted in Puyallup’s only loss of the season. There’s no denying coach Mat Taylor’s resume, he’s tied with former Curtis coach and Chiawana coach Steve Graff for most 4A state titles in state history (4). QB Joe Green (170-for-248, 2,003 yards, 21 TDs) has been airing it out lately, throwing for at least 200 yards in three consecutive games (while completing 75 percent of his passes) including in a 38-20 loss to top-ranked Woodinville.

About the Hornets: Continuing the theme of teams ending playoff droughts, Enumclaw won its first league title in 21 years. If it wins this one, it will head to the state playoffs for the first time since 1995. So what changed for Enumclaw? How about a punishing offensive line that paved the way for 425 rushing yards against Auburn Mountainview last week and 1,958 team yards this season? But this is no ordinary No. 4 seed the Hornets are facing this week. Since Enumclaw last made state, Skyline has won seven state titles (2000, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012).

TNT pick: Enumclaw, 29-24

LAKES LANCERS (6-3) VS. NO. 7 KAMIAKIN BRAVES (8-1)

1 p.m. Saturday at Lampson Stadium, Kennewick

About the Lancers: Injuries are starting to pile up. They already lost top DB Alex Dangtu (broken leg) for the season. They’ll need this standout offensive line, led by 6-foot-3, 300-pound left tackle Hector Jasso III, to create space for RB Khalil Lewis (169 carries, 1,275 yards, 13 TDs) and QB Liam Bladow (104-for-169, 1,731 yards, 13 TDs) to play efficient offense if they want to upset the defending 3A state champions. But, hey, two years ago Lakes traveled to Kennewick to beat them on their way to advancing to the state semifinals. And last year they beat Southridge in Kennewick to get to the quarterfinals.

About the Braves: There’s no Zach Borisch making dual-threat plays at quarterback this year. But Payton Flynn (147-for-287, 1,946 yards, 22 TDs, 13 INTs) has stepped right in to the AP 3A state player of the year shoes. He has a big-play threat on the outside in WR Champ Grayson (50 catches, 779 yards, 9 TDs), who leads the Mid-Columbia Conference in yards-per-catch (15.6) of players with at least 30 catches. Only loss this year is to second-ranked 4A school Richland.

TNT pick: Kamiakin, 28-21

WASHINGTON PATRIOTS (6-3) VS. STEILACOOM SENTINELS (7-2)

7 p.m. Friday at Steilacoom High School

About the Patriots: Same situation as last year for Washington – beat a 2A SPSL rival and get to state. Last year they upset Fife to reach their first state appearance since 1990. If they’re going to make history happen, again, they’ll need QB Martin Mendiola (55-for-106, 874 yards, 8 TDs; 71 carries, 505 yards, 9 TDs) to make as many plays with his arm as he can with his legs. RB Josh Camacho (120 carries, 1,004 yards, 11 TDs) has five 100-yard rushing efforts this year.

About the Sentinels: How confident is interim coach Colby Davies in his baseball-football standout QB JJ Lemming (102-for-186, 1,746 yards, 19 TDs, 3 INTs)? “I’d put him up against any quarterback in the state,” Davies said after last week’s win over Fife. He took over midway through the season for Rich Lane, who abruptly resigned after a loss to Tumwater. “Definitely in 2A. I think we can throw the ball better than anyone because of that guy.” And he’s got two big-play receivers in freshman Emeka Egbuka (34 catches, 680 yards, 8 TDs) and senior TJ Page (32 catches, 636 yards, 9 TDs).

TNT pick: Steilacoom, 27-26

This story was originally published November 2, 2017 at 2:50 PM with the headline "Week 10 playoffs: High school football games to watch, predictions."