Week 9: 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 9 below, plus our pick for the state game of the week.
4A SPSL
Bethel Bison (4-4) vs. Graham-Kapowsin Eagles (8-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Art Crate Field, Spanaway
Can Graham-Kapowsin complete an undefeated run through perhaps the state’s toughest league? The Eagles can close out their second 9-0 finish in 4A SPSL play in the past three seasons this week, needing a win over school district rival Bethel in Friday night’s regular season finale to capture the 4A SPSL title outright. Graham-Kapowsin is averaging 38.6 points per game, led by QB Daveon Superales (2,686 total yards, 34 total TDs) and an electric offense. The Eagles already have key wins over Sumner, Curtis and Emerald Ridge the past four weeks. Bethel will look to rally from a loss to Sumner last week and end the Eagles’ chance to wrap up the 4A SPSL schedule undefeated before heading into Week 10. The Bison have also already secured a postseason spot, paced by their consistent rushing attack.
TNT pick: Graham-Kapowsin, 30-14
3A NPSL
Auburn Riverside Ravens (5-3) vs. Auburn Trojans (7-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday, Auburn Memorial Stadium, Auburn
The 3A NPSL title is on the line on Friday night, decided between district rivals. Outside of a lopsided loss to 4A NPSL champion and state contender Kennedy Catholic, Auburn Riverside has rolled through NPSL opponents, winning its games by an average margin on 29 points per game. Auburn Riverside’s defense has been lights out in recent weeks and running back Thyrou Umi-Tuato’o has been unstoppable as of late; he rushed for 199 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 32-12 win over district rival Auburn Mountainview. The Ravens will face a tougher test this week against an explosive Auburn offense. The Trojans are averaging 37 points per game scoring this season. Aaron Chantler, who coached former TNT All-Area player of the year Davis Alexander at Gig Harbor, has yet another dual-threat QB on his hands in D.J. Bielza, who threw for 137 yards and ran for 148 in last week’s win over Todd Beamer at the new Federal Way Memorial Stadium. Stars for both teams have been banged up: Auburn Riverside’s Jonathan Epperson is dealing with a lingering ankle injury and was limited last week. Auburn WR Luvens Valcin did not play last week, but will play this week, Chantler said.
TNT pick: Auburn Riverside, 21-18
3A PCL
Lakes Lancers (4-4) vs. Mount Tahoma T-Birds (5-3)
7 p.m. Friday, Mount Tahoma Stadium, Tacoma
Mount Tahoma clinched its first league title since 1982 with a 54-0 rout of Silas last week, completing a clean sweep of Tacoma Public Schools peers Lincoln, Stadium and Silas this season. By the way, current T-Birds coach Keith Terry wasn’t even born yet the last time Mount Tahoma won a league championship. RB Brison Bailey (1,002 rushing yards, 13 TDs) passed the 1,000-yard mark last week and is averaging 125 yards per game on the ground. QB Tre’ Walker has blossomed into one of the area’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks this season. Lakes will miss the playoffs this season after last week’s loss to Lincoln, its third straight loss. The Lancers have struggled since starting QB Legend Galeai went down for the season with an injury in a Week 3 loss to Bonney Lake. Still, Lakes took Lincoln to overtime last week and could test Mount Tahoma.
TNT pick: Mount Tahoma, 35-21
3A SSC
Gig Harbor Tides (7-1) vs. Yelm Tornados (8-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Yelm High School, Yelm
The league title is on the line on Friday night in Yelm. Yelm entered the “tough” stretch of schedule in the 3A SSC the past couple weeks, playing Timberline and Peninsula. The results? A 44-point win over Timberline and a 50-point win over Peninsula. Brayden Platt, the state’s No. 1 player in the 2024 class, rushed for 123 yards and three touchdowns on seven carries in the win. Gig Harbor took care of business in the games it needed to win, beating Peninsula and Timberline in close games and winning big against Capital, which beat Timberline last week. Benji Park has filled in well at quarterback for the Tides this season; he completed 19-of-27 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns and an interception last week. WR DJ Darling was the primary beneficiary in the passing game, hauling in six receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown. Yelm, the reigning 3A state champion, just looks on a different level than any of the 3A teams from the South Sound this season.
TNT pick: Yelm, 49-17
2A SPSL
White River Hornets (4-4) vs. Enumclaw Hornets (8-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Pete’s Pool, Enumclaw
Enumclaw is now one win away from securing back-to-back undefeated 2A SPSL championships, and carries an 18-game league winning streak into this season’s 2A SPSL finale against rival White River. Enumclaw has rolled to eight wins so far this season — including a nonleague victory over Peninsula in the season-opener for both programs, followed by seven multi-touchdown wins over 2A SPSL teams — while outscoring opponents, 339-40, including four shutouts. The Hornets’ offense has piled up 42 total TDs (13 passing, 29 rushing), while the defense and special teams have added six more scores. After opening the season 0-3, White River has won four of its past five, and enters this week’s matchup with Enumclaw on a three-game winning streak, including besting Washington and Fife the past two weeks. Enumclaw has won the past 12 games in the rivalry series against White River.
TNT pick: Enumclaw, 35-17
STATE GAME OF THE WEEK
Anacortes Seahawks (7-0) vs. Lynden Lions (7-1)
7 p.m. Friday, Lynden High School, Lynden
Two of the top programs in 2A meet in a contest that will decide the 2A Northwest Conference title this fall. Both programs enter the regular season finale with perfect records in league play. The Seahawks, who reached the 2A state quarterfinals last season, remain undefeated through seven games overall this season, have won every game by at least two touchdowns, and are outscoring opponents, 250-43. Two-time defending 2A state champion Lynden is on a seven-game winning streak following a season-opening three-point loss to Ferndale back in September, has won undefeated 2A Northwest Conference titles each of the past two seasons and can secure a third with a victory over the Seahawks this weekend.
TNT pick: Lynden, 24-21
This story was originally published October 24, 2023 at 3:05 PM.
