Week 7: High school football games to watch in the South Sound, predictions
Read about the top five high school football games in the South Sound in Week 7 below, plus our pick for the state game of the week.
4A NPSL
Kentwood Conquerors (2-4) vs. Decatur Golden Gators (5-1)
1 p.m. Saturday, Auburn Memorial Stadium, Auburn
Decatur has been one of the South Sound’s best surprises this season, with its only loss coming to league favorite Kennedy Catholic. The Gators are scoring 39 points per game, paced by workhorse back Nehemiah Washington (643 yards, 9 TD), who is averaging 129 yards per game on the ground. Kentwood struggled in a blowout loss to 4A state contender Skyview last week and will look to bounce back this week.
TNT pick: Decatur, 35-21
4A SPSL
Bethel Bison (3-3) vs. Puyallup Vikings (3-3)
7 p.m. Thursday, Sparks Stadium, Puyallup
Another matchup that will be key in deciding which 4A SPSL teams advance on to Week 10. The league gets six postseason allocations, and with three weeks left in 4A SPSL play, Bethel and Puyallup are two of four teams in the league with a 3-3 record. Bethel has won two of its past three, including victories over Rogers (56-14) and Olympia (32-30). RB Roy Lockley III averages 123 rushing yards per game and has 10 TDs, while LB Zaydrius Rainey-Sale leads Bethel on defense. Vikings have won three of their past four, also posting wins over rival Rogers (49-21) and Olympia (33-14) the past two weeks. RB Kyson Douglas is averaging a team-leading 132.7 all-purpose yards per game and has eight total TDs. Puyallup has won the past two games in the series against Bethel.
TNT pick: Puyallup, 35-27
3A SSC
Yelm Tornados (6-0) vs. Timberline Blazers (4-2)
7 p.m. Friday, South Sound Stadium, Lacey
After steamrolling through the bottom tier of the 3A SSC, Yelm will see tougher competition in the final three weeks of the season, facing Timberline, Peninsula and Gig Harbor. The Tornados are averaging 50 points per game scoring and since an 8-7 road win over Camas in Week 1, have outscored opponents by an average of 46 points per game. QB Damian Aalona has been on a roll, targeting twin brother and WR Marius Aalona. Running backs Anthony Kiamco and Brayden Platt have been tough to slow down. Platt rushed for 150 yards and three TDs last week and had three tackles for loss on defense. After a narrow loss to Gig Harbor, Timberline bounced back with a 49-28 win over North Thurston last week. DL Ty Evans and LB Darrell Gipson highlight one of the league’s best front seven units. Cedric Ragland was making plays all over the field last week, throwing for a touchdown, rushing for two touchdowns and adding a receiving touchdown for the Blazers.
TNT pick: Yelm, 42-21
1A NISQUALLY
Cascade Christian Cougars (5-1) vs. Life Christian Eagles (5-1)
7 p.m. Saturday, Mount Tahoma Stadium, Tacoma
After a 15-13 road loss to King’s in Week 5, Cascade Christian bounced back with a 56-13 rout of Bellevue Christian last week. WR Jackson Almond is a dynamic playmaker and has played some QB this season, too. He completed 9-of-12 passes for 214 yards and five TDs in last week’s win. The Cougars will face a good test from a Life Christian squad that has turned things around this season. QB Jabez Boyd (1,424 passing yards, 16 TDs; 601 rushing yards, nine TDs) has been one of the area’s best dual-threat quarterbacks this season.
TNT pick: Cascade Christian, 35-28
NONLEAGUE
Auburn Riverside Ravens (4-2) vs. Kennedy Catholic Lancers (5-1)
1 p.m. Saturday, Highline Memorial Stadium, Burien
Two of the favorites in the 4A NPSL and 3A NPSL meet Saturday before closing out their league schedules the next two weeks. Auburn Riverside has collected four consecutive convincing double-digit wins in 3A NPSL play following a pair of nonleague losses to Lincoln and North Creek the first two weeks of the season. Auburn Riverside is one of two programs (also Auburn) still undefeated in 3A NPSL play. QB Andrew Wold (72-of-115 passing, 872 yards, 16 total TDs) and RB Thyrou Umi-Tuato’o (54 carries, 485 yards, nine total TDs) pace the Ravens’ offense. The Lancers haven’t lost an in-state game this season, posting wins each of the past five weeks after a narrow loss to Regis Jesuit (Colo.) on the road in their season-opener. Kennedy Catholic still hasn’t lost a league game since 2018, is 4-0 in 4A NPSL play so far this fall, and appears on the way to a fifth consecutive league crown. QB Devon Forehand (79-of-131 passing, 1,289 yards, 17 TDs) runs the Lancers’ offense, while RB Indiana Jones averages 145-plus all-purpose yards per game and has 14 total TDs. Kennedy Catholic won last season’s nonleague matchup against Auburn Riverside, 47-17.
TNT pick: Kennedy Catholic, 38-24
STATE GAME OF THE WEEK
Skyview Storm (6-0) vs. Camas Papermakers (5-1)
7 p.m. Friday, Doc Harris Stadium, Camas
Two 4A GSHL powers meet this week in the league opener for both teams. Skyview is perfect through six weeks of nonleague games, is averaging 42.5 points per game while allowing 2.2, and has collected four shutouts. The Storm haven’t allowed a point in the first half this season, and enter this meeting with Camas having posted eight consecutive scoreless quarters on defense after shutting out Heritage and Kentwood the past two weeks. Camas is averaging 36.7 points per game while allowing 13.2, and has collected five consecutive double-digit wins following a close 8-7 loss to defending 3A state champion Yelm back in Week 1. The Papermakers have won the past 12 games in this series — including their thrilling fourth-quarter comeback in last season’s meeting — with the Storm last earning a victory over Camas in 2011.
TNT pick: Skyview, 24-21
This story was originally published October 10, 2023 at 1:00 PM.
